Canyon, Cervelo: new bike musings

[azrider]

This is what I hate about General Discussion "lately"......guy has narrowed his choice to two bikes and asks for opinion on said bikes and all of a sudden you get: 'buy a Tarmac', 'buy a CaaD10', 'Cat3 is beer league'...........smdh

[m4rk540]

Originally Posted by azrider

This is what I hate about General Discussion "lately"......guy has narrowed his choice to two bikes and asks for opinion on said bikes and all of a sudden you get: 'buy a Tarmac', 'buy a CaaD10', 'Cat3 is beer league'...........smdh

The pitfalls of being well informed.

Here's some "anecdata:" I know 6 riders who owned the bikes the OP is considering; they're all on Tarmacs now. One of those riders can get Canyons for free. A few of the others had "sponsorship" deals for the R3. Their needs, as expressed, were similar to the OPs. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but Kgreene, you're interested in the Canyon and Cervelo because you're looking for a reasonably light, reasonably compliant, definitely race worthy, non-aero, pressfit-stiff-bb, all arounder?

And, azrider, I wouldn't suggest a CAAD or Evo because the headtubes are too short vis a vis the other bikes mentioned. Anyway, it's not like this is a cheese forum and we're telling the OP to try vegan pate instead.

[azrider]

Originally Posted by m4rk540

The pitfalls of being well informed.

Here's some "anecdata:" I know 6 riders who owned the bikes the OP is considering; they're all on Tarmacs now. One of those riders can get Canyons for free. A few of the others had "sponsorship" deals for the R3. Their needs, as expressed, were similar to the OPs. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but Kgreene, you're interested in the Canyon and Cervelo because you're looking for a reasonably light, reasonably compliant, definitely race worthy, non-aero, pressfit-stiff-bb, all arounder?

And, azrider, I wouldn't suggest a CAAD or Evo because the headtubes are too short vis a vis the other bikes mentioned. Anyway, it's not like this is a cheese forum and we're telling the OP to try vegan pate instead.

The guy races Cat3....not like we're talking about beginner.

[kgreene10]

Originally Posted by m4rk540

. Kgreene, you're interested in the Canyon and Cervelo because you're looking for a reasonably light, reasonably compliant, definitely race worthy, non-aero, pressfit-stiff-bb, all arounder?

. Anyway, it's not like this is a cheese forum and we're telling the OP to try vegan pate instead.

Well, I am lactose intolerant but vegan pate sounds horrible. Wait, will being lactose intolerant affect which bike I should get? Please discuss.

Yeah, the characteristics you mentioned are the ones I’m after. I’ve been racing on a Fisher Cronus road for years and it’s been better for me than one might expect. But it’s getting pebbled to death and clear coat is starting to come off.

We used to have a very generous Trek sponsorship and I briefly owned an Emonda SLR 9 but found the rear end hurt my lower back (first bike where that’s ever happened) and I wasn’t a fan of di2.

My sense is that the Cervelo and Canyons are likely more forgiving in the rear. The geo for the R3 will definitely work but not the new lower R5. The Canyon Ultimate may work but not the lower Aeroad. A Tarmac could work but it’s out of my price range - unless...anyone want a 2010 Fisher Cronus road in “perfect condition”? (Forget what I said above. Couldn’t be more pristine. Practically new “other”)!

[m4rk540]

Originally Posted by kgreene10

Well, I am lactose intolerant but vegan pate sounds horrible. Wait, will being lactose intolerant affect which bike I should get? Please discuss.

Yeah, the characteristics you mentioned are the ones I’m after. I’ve been racing on a Fisher Cronus road for years and it’s been better for me than one might expect. But it’s getting pebbled to death and clear coat is starting to come off.

We used to have a very generous Trek sponsorship and I briefly owned an Emonda SLR 9 but found the rear end hurt my lower back (first bike where that’s ever happened) and I wasn’t a fan of di2.

My sense is that the Cervelo and Canyons are likely more forgiving in the rear. The geo for the R3 will definitely work but not the new lower R5. The Canyon Ultimate may work but not the lower Aeroad. A Tarmac could work but it’s out of my price range - unless...anyone want a 2010 Fisher Cronus road in “perfect condition”? (Forget what I said above. Couldn’t be more pristine. Practically new “other”)!

Ya, I figured you needed a little more stack height. I see the Tarmac as the goldilocks of race bikes when it comes stack.

I hadn't checked the current prices of the complete Tarmacs although I know the S-Works frame is now 4K plus. Wow. That said most shops would be willing to drop at least $500 of the price of a complete bike. This Expert at $5500 strikes me as a better deal than a comparable Cervelo or Canyon.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/me...=239636-129283


The Cronus was a great bike.

[kgreene10]

The Canyon SLX is their top end frame and with Ultegra 8000 and Mavic carbon wheels (that I don’t need), it’s $3,800. Sell the wheels and it’s less. The Cervelo R3 is $3,700 with pit wheels. The Tarmac Pro uses a frame that sits second in their line, equivalent to the R3 or Canyon’s SL (can’t be had in the US with rim brakes but in Europe yes as a complete with Ultegra and pit wheels for EUR 2,100). In my browser, the Tarmac Pro comes up at $6,000. I’m sure it’s great, but I want to see if the cheaper options work for me first.

[m4rk540]

$3800 is compelling. But unless you do your own wrenching, on these modern frames service support is essential so direct to consumer becomes a liability. Also, the Canyon cockpit is worthless due to limited sizes. The larger Specialized dealers will work with you. If I were buying the expert, Id ask for $500 off and let them keep the wheels. That's $2100 off the top.

Also, if you havent seen one of these up close the Oil Chameleon/Acid Pink Clean paint is fantastic and as nice as any $1500 custom paint job. Specialized is really killing it. Finally, the Tarmac has nicer cranks; a few hundred bucks nicer.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/s-...=209796-116862

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/pr...=219824-130931

[kgreene10]

Sounds promising. Let me know when you negotiate that deal!

[radsmd]

Just visited the Canyon US headquarters and showroom in Carlsbad (about 5 miles from where I live) that just opened up. I would not hesitate to buy and ride any of Canyon’s offerings. Compared to Spec/Trek/Giant, you do get much more for your buck.

When I left, I was trying to decide which to get first, the ultimate, grail(gravel), hardtail, XC, or trail bike. I’d be totally happy with any of their bikes. Big plus—you don’t see them everywhere, yet...

[KarlC]

Originally Posted by radsmd

Just visited the Canyon US headquarters and showroom in Carlsbad (about 5 miles from where I live) that just opened up. I would not hesitate to buy and ride any of Canyon’s offerings. Compared to Spec/Trek/Giant, you do get much more for your buck.

When I left, I was trying to decide which to get first, the ultimate, grail(gravel), hardtail, XC, or trail bike. I’d be totally happy with any of their bikes. Big plus—you don’t see them everywhere, yet...

Been wanting to check that out, do they have a lot on display and do they let you do test rides ?


.

[radsmd]

Originally Posted by KarlC

Been wanting to check that out, do they have a lot on display and do they let you do test rides ?


.

Yes and yes.

Free “demos”, mainly of the road and gravel bikes. Convenient since they are right off of the PCH. No off road demos, yet. I am told they are planning on future “demo days” though.

They are also within shouting distance from Campagnolo NA, but only had a couple bikes outfitted with Campy in the showroom.

[benadrian]

I've been flirting with the Canyon Ultimate for a racier bike than my 2016 Specialized Roubaix SL4. I was looking at the geometrygeeks site (thanks @Davist ) and now I'm a little worried.

backstory: my wife calls me a corgi. I have short legs. I'm just under 6' tall, but I have a 32" pants inseam. Canyon says I should ride a medium. The 56 cm Roubaix, while tall, has a longer effective top tube. Has anyone gone from an endurance style bike to an Ultimate and found it to be cramped?

Hell, now I'm just thinking I might be able to get a 2cm longer stem, slam it, and see if my Roubaix still does it for me. Insights welcome.

Cheers!
Ben

[benadrian]

I was on a popular cycling route in L.A. this weekend (Mt. Hollywood in Griffith Park; closed to cars). A TON of cyclists were out, and I saw a crap-load of Cervelos. It was almost baffling how many I saw.

I realized that I've never ridden one, and I don't really know that much about them. Are they sprinkled with some kind of fairy dust? Is there a shorthand way to describe them?

Cheers!
Ben

[weisan]

Originally Posted by benadrian

I saw a crap-load of Cervelos. It was almost baffling how many I saw.

Clearance sale.

I bought a R3 frameset from Incycle Bicycles a while ago.

Originally Posted by benadrian

Is there a shorthand way to describe them?

Engineered.

[stien]

In still looking for an R3 frameset I like my wife’s so much. Anyone know of a 54 on clearance?