Hi everyone, I’ve been on the hunt for my first road bike and I’ve narrowed down my search to 2 bikes I like.
# Option 1: Canyon Aeroad CF (738€/$792, negotiated down from original price of 872€/$937)
Size 53
Seller’s original description:
> New bikes are in the barn so the old ones have to go out.. Good old lady with LOTS of miles left on the bike.
Just got a new chain and cassette, the tires have driven 300 km. Comes with 2×11 speed campagnolo Chrous gear. Aluminium wheels. Really nice carbon saddle. And with 50/34 tooth blades.
Pictures: https://imgur.com/a/csFwKmz
I believe this is the 2013 Canyon Aeroad CF 8.0 model with a different wheelset and a different saddle.
Stock specs: https://www.bikeroar.com/products/canyon/aeroad-cf-8-0-2013/specs
# Option 2: Custom built Specialized Allez E5 Smartweld (670€/$720)
Size 52
Seller’s original description:
> Super nice winter racer or commuter bike.
Comes with SRAM 1×10 group. Force carbon crankset. 42nw blade. 11/28 cassette. Red/Force grip. Rival brakes and rear derailleur. Spinergy Xaero lite wheelset with pbo spokes. Full screens. S-works carbon stem and seat post. Most carbon aero handlebars. Specialized Armadillo tires.
The bike can also ride with a front derailleur, if the 1 blade solution is not enough.
Pictures: https://imgur.com/a/Q7i4qSd
I’ve identified most of the components in this build:
– 2015 Specialized Allez E5 Smartweld frameset: [this one](https://www.specialized.com/us/en/allez-e5-smartweld-frameset/p/65274?color=187220-65274&searchText=70015-5052)
– SRAM Force 42T crankset: [looks like an older version of this](https://www.sram.com/en/sram/models/fc-frc-1-a1)
– Unidentified 10 speed 11/28 cassette
– SRAM Red shifter on the right: [should be this or an older version of it](https://www.sram.com/en/sram/models/sb-red-b1)
– SRAM Force brake on the left: [looks like this one or similar without the shifter?](https://www.sram.com/en/sram/models/sb-frc-c1)
– SRAM Rival 22 brakesets: [looks like these](https://www.sram.com/en/sram/models/rb-riv-b1)
– SRAM Rival 22 rear derailleur: [looks like this one or an older version of it](https://www.sram.com/en/sram/models/rd-riv-b1). Notably, it’s does not look like SRAM’s 1x specific derailleur even though the bike is set up as 1×10. The seller does say it should be easily upgradable to a 2x crankset + front derailleur.
– Spingergy Xaero Lite wheelset: [looks like these](https://products.roadbikereview.com/product/wheels/wheelsets/spinergy/xaero-lite-road.html)
– Pinarello Most Carbon Aero handlerbars: [maybe these?](https://sportandleisure.com/products/pinarello-most-talon-carbon-aero-handlebars-integrated-stem-42cm-c2c-black)
– Specialized Armadillo tires: [maybe these?](https://www.specialized.com/us/en/all-condition-armadillo/p/156069?color=227966-156069)
– Unidentified S-works carbon stem and seatpost.
# Thoughts
I’m currently leaning towards option 2, but option 1 is tempting because it’s fully carbon and the size fits me slightly better. I am 176cm tall and 79cm inseam. I’ve been looking for anywhere from sizes 52 to 54, leaning towards 53/54.
Option 1 pros:
– The bike is absolutely beautiful
– It’s cheaper
– Looks better maintained
– Components seem to be slightly better on average? Not completely sure on this. It’s a mixture of SRAM Force/Red/Rival vs Campagnolo Chorus.
Option 2 pros:
– Better fitting size
– Fully carbon frame
I’d love to hear your thoughts on bang for buck and general value of the two bikes.
Thanks in advance!
by twistitup