New road bike. What's your desire ?

[jasonc]

An 8kg gravel grinder, with most likely tyres that weigh over 500g each, is definitely on the light side in my books

[2wheels_mond]

An 8kg gravel grinder is not light in my book! That said, gravellos have been said to require the extra weight for stability and handling — they are not at home on tarmac as they are on singletrack and gravel that would sadly screw up my Vittoria Corsa Pro Control tyres!

There's quite a few factors that add weight to a gravel bike:
- tyres: with trends for 45mm+ tyres, that adds quite a lot extra to weight, for example my Tufo Thundero 48mm tyres weigh 545g each. A 28mm road tubeless tyre is usually about half that.
- pedals: dual-sided SPD pedals tend to be heavier (about 100g penalty in Shimano pedals for equivalent levels e.g. XT vs Ultegra)
- cockpit: less of a trend to run lightweight carbon handlebar/stem setups due to the risk of crashes
- cassettes: big range means extra weight

Most framesets tend to be a little heavier too - except if you go for something like a Specialized Crux.

You're probably looking at (generally) about a 1kg penalty for gravel bikes for equivalent levels to most road bikes. An 8kg bike (especially if including pedals) is very much on the lightweight side.

[Mr Purple]

8kg is light for gravel, the big question that needs to be asked is why you might need an 8kg gravel bike? It’s usually other factors slowing you down on gravel - I have 80+ KOMs on my 9.5kg ALR5 mainly obtained through a combination of stupidity, cornering and navigational ability.

8kg is useful for gravel racing and that’s about it. Even then I’d take a weight penalty for more comfort and better aero, there’s not too many gravel races involving major climbs around here anyway.

There’s bigger problems in the market than that though. I’m currently considering a new road bike whenever I finish this rehab after a major injury due to a cracked frame. I’m suspicious the bike fit will recommend an endurance frameset but I still want to go fast.

The options without gimmicks are extremely limited. Domane and Roubaix are pretty much a no-go due to weight and weird elastomer suspension, Defy is basically all propiertary which I’d like to avoid, and none of the other endurance options are particularly appealing.

Weird how they don’t have many options for bikes that most people should actually be riding.

[g-boaf]

I’m suspicious the bike fit will recommend an endurance frameset but I still want to go fast.

I don't think those are particularly necessary now. You can find one-bike-does-all options that have comfort, lightness and aero.

The days of a dedicated aero bike, climbing bike or endurance bike are almost over.

[warthog1]

I have just learnt what ett I need (565-575mm) and go from there. Stem height either by angle, spacers or both and length can sort my position out.

[blizzard]

The options without gimmicks are extremely limited. Domane and Roubaix are pretty much a no-go due to weight and weird elastomer suspension, Defy is basically all propiertary which I’d like to avoid, and none of the other endurance options are particularly appealing.

Weird how they don’t have many options for bikes that most people should actually be riding.

Almost every modern bike is proprietary parts now. Almost all have proprietary seat posts, and proprietary stems / fork steerers are pretty common too (e.g. Giant D shape steerer, Cannondale Delta steerer). At least Giant are fairly well supported due to their ubiquity.

As for less proprietary endurance bikes the Merida Scultura Endurance is less proprietary than some options - round 27.2 seat post, FSA ACR headset.

[AndrewCowley]

There’s bigger problems in the market than that though. I’m currently considering a new road bike whenever I finish this rehab after a major injury due to a cracked frame. I’m suspicious the bike fit will recommend an endurance frameset but I still want to go fast.

The options without gimmicks are extremely limited. Domane and Roubaix are pretty much a no-go due to weight and weird elastomer suspension, Defy is basically all propiertary which I’d like to avoid, and none of the other endurance options are particularly appealing.

Weird how they don’t have many options for bikes that most people should actually be riding.

Yes! This 100% sums up how I feel about the state of road bikes these days.

Take a look at the Cannondale SuperSix Evo and Cervelo R5. Both are 'race' geometry but they have a relatively higher stack and shorter reach than other race bikes. Albeit both have their share of proprietary components.

[jasonc]

specialized aethos - 27.2 seat post
shimano threaded bottom bracket
no cable routing through the headset
it isn't aero though. it's slower on the flats/downhill that my tarmac with the same wheels

edit:
tarmac (SL6):
has a proprietary seat post
everything else is standard - pf30 bottom bracket
no cable routing through the headset

trek checkpoint:
27.2 seatpost
T47 internal bottom bracket
no cable routing through the headset

[2wheels_mond]

Tarmac and Aethos both race geo though.

My pick would be the Merida Scultura Endurance, aside from cables through the headset and most builds having average wheels. New Polygon Strattos worth a look too.

Lauf Uthald is a good shout for something different. Alternatively, if metal bikes are an option, something like a Fairlight Strael or a Mason Definition/Resolution are worth a look too.

[Calvin27]

An 8kg gravel grinder is not light in my book!

8kg is super light. For me that is an unridable gravel bike. Depends what you mean by gravel though. I'd happily take a 8kg gravel bike on hard pack, but if it's that tame, why bother, the road bike can do it. Then there is gravel and then there is gravel. Descending fist sized rocks on steep declines with a day bag, yeah 8kg gravel bike with 24 spokes is probably not going to cut it long term.

Personally my bike is by no means light at 9kg. Modest build, 28 spoke mtb astm 3 wheels and 42c tyres.

Almost every modern bike is proprietary parts now. Almost all have proprietary seat posts, and proprietary stems / fork steerers are pretty common too (e.g. Giant D shape steerer, Cannondale Delta steerer). At least Giant are fairly well supported due to their ubiquity.

To be fair most of the bikes everyone is mentioning are higher spec bikes which the market kind of like proprietory stuff. Plenty of reasonable stuff that isn't. If you don't like it, vote with your wallet. Reversals like moving from press fit to threaded BBs is a good example of this. It also corrects itself to some extent. You drop big coin on a bike and when it comes to resale it tanks in price because the next guy needs more proprietory spacers that cannot be found, or the proprietory seat post is too short. If you think road bikes are bad, wait until you try emtbs, that's a landfill problem about to happen in a few years lol.

[AndrewCowley]

An Aethos with more relaxed geometry would be ideal.

Will be interesting to see what Specialized do with it. It's a hard sell at the moment. Same geometry as the Tarmac but slower. Sad to say but it seems a bit pointless.

[jasonc]

An Aethos with more relaxed geometry would be ideal.

Will be interesting to see what Specialized do with it. It's a hard sell at the moment. Same geometry as the Tarmac but slower. Sad to say but it seems a bit pointless.

over my commute it's the same time but each bike is quicker in different spots.
it's a beautiful climbing bike

[blizzard]

An Aethos with more relaxed geometry would be ideal.

Will be interesting to see what Specialized do with it. It's a hard sell at the moment. Same geometry as the Tarmac but slower. Sad to say but it seems a bit pointless.

The Crux is basically that, not sure how the handling will feel once you put road size tyres on it.

[g-boaf]

An Aethos with more relaxed geometry would be ideal.

Will be interesting to see what Specialized do with it. It's a hard sell at the moment. Same geometry as the Tarmac but slower. Sad to say but it seems a bit pointless.

I am not sure I'd recommend the Aethos, having seen what happened to an S-Works Aethos in a very low speed tumble, top tube snapped right across near the seat post. Maybe it was a rarity, but expensive!

The big bunch slowed when the road narrowed (road furniture in a narrow village street) and someone touched the wheel of the bike ahead and down he went.

Just sheer bad luck.

[AndrewCowley]

Not really. The Crux has a longer reach than the Aethos.

[blizzard]

Not really. The Crux has a longer reach than the Aethos.

Reach is pretty easy to adjust with a new stem, which thankfully is easy to do on the Crux.

Stack is 16mm more and reach is 8mm more than the Aethos but ships with a 10mm shorter stem so is overall 2mm shorter. Also has a larger trail, so would probably benefit from shorter stem length.

[Calvin27]

The Crux is basically that, not sure how the handling will feel once you put road size tyres on it.

Crux is a much more different bike. Longer whelbase, higher bb, longer chainstays, more slack. Aside from drop bars they are quite different bikes handling wise.

[Calvin27]

The Crux is basically that, not sure how the handling will feel once you put road size tyres on it.

Crux is a much more different bike. Longer whelbase, higher bb, longer chainstays, more slack. They are quite different bikes handling wise.

[Mr Purple]

After this recovery process following snapping one of the proper lightweight Izalco Max, I’m not sure I’m brave enough for an Aethos! It’s on the list though.

Funnily enough although I’m going Di2, I’m half thinking of throwing my leftover 11 speed mechanical Ultegra on a Fairlight Strael frameset as mentioned above. The answer is always n+1 and that may give me a ‘recovery day’ option.

[blizzard]

After this recovery process following snapping one of the proper lightweight Izalco Max, I’m not sure I’m brave enough for an Aethos! It’s on the list though.

Funnily enough although I’m going Di2, I’m half thinking of throwing my leftover 11 speed mechanical Ultegra on a Fairlight Strael frameset as mentioned above. The answer is always n+1 and that may give me a ‘recovery day’ option.

Wow, I live under a rock, I missed the part where the bike broke and you got injured . A seat stay should not fail under normal use, it's either a defective frame or had some previous, undetected damage.

Aethos' are known to be a bit flexy but probably not a huge issue in your size.

[warthog1]

8kg is light for gravel, the big question that needs to be asked is why you might need an 8kg gravel bike? It’s usually other factors slowing you down on gravel - I have 80+ KOMs on my 9.5kg ALR5 mainly obtained through a combination of stupidity, cornering and navigational ability.

8kg is useful for gravel racing and that’s about it. Even then I’d take a weight penalty for more comfort and better aero, there’s not too many gravel races involving major climbs around here anyway.

There’s bigger problems in the market than that though. I’m currently considering a new road bike whenever I finish this rehab after a major injury due to a cracked frame. I’m suspicious the bike fit will recommend an endurance frameset but I still want to go fast.

The options without gimmicks are extremely limited. Domane and Roubaix are pretty much a no-go due to weight and weird elastomer suspension, Defy is basically all propiertary which I’d like to avoid, and none of the other endurance options are particularly appealing.

Weird how they don’t have many options for bikes that most people should actually be riding.

That applies to road also. Aero gives you speed everywhere. Weight is only applicable on steep climbs.
Witness what is raced in the pro-peleton. Those riders who have the option of an aero bike choose that aero option the majority of the time.
S5>R5. Propel>TCR. Reacto>Scultura etc.

[AndrewCowley]

... except climbing is where you put in all the effort.

It's not as simple as you make out.

If I'm rolling along on the flat, easily doing 30-35km/h, I have no interest in aero helping me add another km/h or two.

If I'm climbing an 8% hill, I want every aid possible. It doesn't matter that the 8% hill is only a small fraction of the overall ride, I want the assistance.

[warthog1]

Depends on what you want. If all you care about is getting up steep hills as quickly as possible, get the light bike. If you want speed everywhere, if you do fast swap offs, if you value average speed or overall elapsed time, if you race, unless it is all steep hill climbs, get aero.

I have posted this link before but there are others. https://www.theproscloset.com/blogs/new ... -road-bike
As it says, the weight difference generally isn't huge and wind resistance is the dominant force facing road cyclists apart from very steephills which are generally a small proportion of the ride.

[Mr Purple]

I can see both sides. On one hand Cootha Back (2.2km/9%) tells me to get the lightest bike, on the other I know aero will get me everywhere else faster.

In reality though I’ll be happy with something that won’t break and try to kill me, and I would like it to be also fast and reasonably ‘cool’.

Miles off yet, probably another 6-8 weeks before I’m even back on the gravel bike yet!

[g-boaf]

The best bike I've ever had has been the Canyon Ultimate CF Evo, semi-aero but really light, and seemingly quite a robust bike. It's done everything and gone everywhere and with over 30,000km still running fine. Also most comfortable bike I've got to ride too and the most fun, because it just feels so quick up hill and to accelerate at 6kg weight. Also very nice on high speed descents, very stable even in windy conditions.

Here is your best option now I would think on price and what it is:
https://www.canyon.com/en-au/road-bikes ... e=R102_P01

Dura Ace Di2 12 speed, DT Swiss PRC 1100 Dicut Mon Chasseral, 6.32kg and AU$12K. Relative bargain for today's prices, but not all sizes immediately available.

The slightly heavier option is this one, bit more costly:
https://www.canyon.com/en-au/road-bikes ... e=R102_P04

That's the Alpecin-Deceuninck Replica. There is a Zipp 353 version on SRAM also available, same price.