Best new carbon race bike deal for someone dipping their toes in?

[Xrslug]

Assuming someone wants to buy a *new* bike to give a modern carbon race bike a try, and is agnostic re rim/disc brakes and mechanical/electrical drivetrain, is there currently a better deal than this Canyon Ultimate for $2,499 with full Ultegra R8000? And no, I’m not an AI bot, promise.

https://www.canyon.com/en-us/road-bi...nfarbe=BU%2FBK

Seems like a great deal for spec and price, even for Canyon. E.g., this Giant is roughly the same spec (nicer wheels) but MSRP of $3,850:
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/tc...ced-pro-1-2021
Other options around this price range seem to be 105 mechanical / disc.

Alternative suggestions welcome, but new, carbon, and in this rough price range (roughly sub $3,000). Thanks!

[mstateglfr]

The giant has carbon rims and the canyon has aluminum rims.

Not saying that should be a deal breaker and not saying it justifies the cost difference, but worth mentioning as it is a significant difference.

[Xrslug]

Agree re the wheels and I noted that in my post — I think the Giant also comes with a powermeter although I haven’t heard great things about Giant’s pm.

[mstateglfr]

Reading fail. Muhbad.

For what it's worth, the canyon seems like a strong deal, given the current bike costs in general. And not many rim brake road bikes are sold right now, especially in carbon.

[steelbikerider]

You can probably find a good deal on some used carbon wheels, still spend less than the Giant and have a set of training wheels and race wheels.

[flying]

I think that Canyon really is a smashing deal for any rider & hard to beat even compared to building a bike yourself.

If I had known about it last year when my wife wanted to re-start riding I would have just bought that

Instead I bought a new rim brake Fuji Alloy frame & a new Shimano R7000 group from Merlin + wheels I had. Add in seatpost,saddle & bars .....
The final cost was close to the canyon & groupset one step down


I don't think the wheels being alloy are a slight at all

PS: of course as always the one niggle with Canyon is if all the parts work for you. Meaning handlebar width,stem length,crank length,cassette if not expenses can rise quickly. Because no substitutions allowed when ordering AFAIK

[Dave]

No way that I'd invest in a rim brake frame now.

Look for something with SRAM Rival or 105 electronic and disc brakes, so you're not stuck with skinny tires.

[Davist]

canyon plus extra set of wheels for the win..

[Dave]

No way that I'd invest in a rim brake frame now.

Look for something with SRAM Rival or 105 electronic and disc brakes, so you're not stuck with skinny tires. I figured that out 2 years ago.

I don't see any 105 electronic Canyons yet.

[KonaSS]

I would consider stepping up to the Cayon Disc with powermeter. At $2999, can almost justify by the powermeter alone.

https://www.canyon.com/en-us/road-bi...nfarbe=GY%2FBK

[slosh415]

I haven't ridden a Polygon road bike and don't know anyone who has. But their MTBs are *awesome*. Mine rips and the build quality was excellent, I checked the whole bike with a torque wrench when it arrived and it was spot-on.

They have a carbon road bike w full R8000 and discs for $2200

https://www.bikesonline.com/2023-pol...o-ultegra-carb

[Xrslug]

Originally Posted by Dave

No way that I'd invest in a rim brake frame now.

Look for something with SRAM Rival or 105 electronic and disc brakes, so you're not stuck with skinny tires.

I get that view, although the Canyon I linked fits up to 28mm even with the rim brakes. Depends on your needs, of course, but 28mm covers a lot of ground for pure road riding.

[steelbikerider]

There's enough going on when learning to race that spending too much on a bike should be the last thing you need to do. If you enjoy racing, you'll want to upgrade anyway soon enough. Plus you will have a spare bike for indoor training.
2 sets of wheels are almost mandatory as are extra tires, chains, cassettes and other consumables. 28's are more than wide enough for any pavement roadracing.

[Philster]

Originally Posted by KonaSS

I would consider stepping up to the Cayon Disc with powermeter. At $2999, can almost justify by the powermeter alone.

https://www.canyon.com/en-us/road-bi...nfarbe=GY%2FBK

I agree. It's hard to see anyone knowing where the limit is in terms of tire width after the last few years. A few years ago, 25mm was wide. More importantly, all 28mm's are not equal. The actual size and shape of the tire will be different on a modern disk wheel versus a narrow rim brake rim. Why not give yourself the option?

[Matt92037]

With the steep price increases we have seen on new bikes the past two years this Canyon priced @ $2,999 has restored my faith in humanity. With a power meter as well.

Originally Posted by KonaSS

I would consider stepping up to the Cayon Disc with powermeter. At $2999, can almost justify by the powermeter alone.

https://www.canyon.com/en-us/road-bi...nfarbe=GY%2FBK