Hey guys, I’m considering buying a new bike, the Endurace CF 8 Di2. I currently have a Specialized TT Transition Expert (I think it’s a 2010 model, photo attached!).
I’m training for an Ironman, so that’s why I bought this bike (used) earlier this year. It’s been great so far, BUT I’m interested a bike that offers a bit more freedom — a bike that is a bit more stable (I can run over a bottle cap and not go flying in the air), is more flexible in terms of where I can ride the bike (occasionally a gravel/rough road), has gears that are closer to the brakes and are therefore easier to access (the gears are currently located on the aero bars), and is a bit more comfortable to do more mileage. Due to these preferences I’m thinking an endurance bike is best for me.
On the stability and flexibility point, perhaps I just need different tires?
Still quite new to bikes. Any advice at all on what kind of bike you guys recommend or if I shouldn’t buy a whole new bike is appreciated! Thanks 🙂
by Environmental_Kiwi94
6 Comments
*cries in durianrider
Maybe you should consider an Aeroad if you go for an Ironman? Technically the Endurace fits the needs you described really well and ofc it can do an Ironman. But an Aeroad is the perfect mix of a „normal“ road bike and a TT-bike. The cockpit also has a mounting point for aerobars. If that doesn’t matter that much to you the Endurace will be a great mix of speed and comfort.
Those are completely different bikes with different use cases. If you’re training for an Ironman use the tri bike. Not to say you couldn’t buy the endurace or another road bike for some rides
I have an Endurace CF 8 Di2 and have done 2 rides on it, 12mi and 22mi (22miles yesterday). I by accidently rode over an intense stick and thought I’d go flying because of the speed I was going but it handled it very well. My rides are all back roads with climbs. Yesterday’s ride was 1200ft of elevation. It climbs very well and the seat and handlebars are comfortable on bumps.
I have two specialized bikes (stumpjuper and an old hardrock) and I was going to go with specialized again but went out of my comfort zone after a lot of research.
I’ll be doing a 100mi ride next month out in Idaho next month and I’m excited! I specifically chose this bike for comfort on long rides and it hasn’t disappointed me yet.
Are you thinking to replace the bike or add the bike to your collection?
Replace:
Look at Aeroad or Grail for the option to add TT bars to that as others have said, then you can race pretty fast.
Race IM on specialized and looking for an extra bike to do comfortable training on:
Endurace, grail, grizl are good options. Pick one depending on road/gravel ratio
I have the exact bike you’re talking about. Have put something like 800 miles on it since I got it on May 29. It’s a great bike. I rode 100km through the hilly backroads of west Marin county last weekend and it climbed like a champ and handled a couple very bumpy descents just fine. The Endurace is a great all around bike; I couldn’t be more happy with it.
It’s a lot cheaper than the Aeroad and I’m not sure the small aero benefit is worth the extra cost.