You Have The Wrong Bike, Here's Why

Endurance road bikes make far more sense for the average road rider than a pro race bike. There, we said it.

Warren Rossiter, bike tester supremo for BikeRadar and Cycling Plus, sits down to tell you why you’ll likely be served better by an endurance bike.

From more appropriate geometry to extra versatility, there are plenty of reasons why Warren holds this view. But do you agree? Let us know in the comments.

#bike #cycling #endurance #race

Image credit:
Tim de Waele / Staff

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:30 Endurance Bike Geometry Is Better For You
03:12 You Can Fit Wider Tyres
04:40 You Don’t Need Bigger Gears
06:06 Endurance Bikes Are More Versatile
07:09 The Modern Endurance Bike

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Top 5 | 2024 Road Bikes

Evolution Of The Endurance Road Bike

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[bikeradar]

Do you own an endurance bike or is aero more your thing?

[vincentteng]

The right bike is whichever bike will make you want to ride it more and makes you happy. Doesn't matter if it's an aero, lightweight, endurance, gravel etc.

[brockjennings]

Experience has taught me when you are no longer a slave cycling marketing hype or aspire to perform like a pro despite age or suboptimal genetics, is the point you can truly enjoy road cycling.

[buster.keaton]

100% agree. When I got my first Trek Domane in 2015, it was a total game changer for me. I no longer come back from rides feeling like I just got beat-up by my own bicycle.

[salguod]

I have a Rivendell A. Homer Hilsen. Goes anywhere and perfect for everything! I'm glad that people are figuring out that you don't need a race bike unless you are actually in a race. If you are out for exercise, those few ounces are not going to hurt anything. Reliability, versatility, and comfort are much more important than getting to your destination 2 minutes sooner.

[beatalthaus]

Thank you so much. Two years ago I bought a red Giant Defy, Ultegra Di 2 with power meter. I am now 76 years old and since 2 yaers in love with my Giant doing up to 140 Km.
Started cycling one year earlier with a Cube Nuroad Gravelbike. I use this bike only in winter. I am so happy that I followed your advice 2 years age thanks again.

[TYPEV]

7:30 I’m so glad you highlighted that. When your hobby is your passion, any sense of practicality and logic go out the window. Look at cars, we’d all be fine with a VW Golf tsi but tell me you wouldn’t rather drive a Porsche. You’ll put up with the harsh ride, no back seats and terrible storage all so that your commute can be every bit more exciting. Same story with bikes.

[mattfoley]

Got about 50K miles on my 23-yr old Trek 1000 road bike. I’m 63, riding about 3K leisure mi/yr and, while I can easily afford to upgrade, just don’t have a good enough reason to do it. 😎

[davidgromer]

After 14 years riding Roubaix endurance road bikes, I switched to an Emonda and love it! It’s so much fun! Quick accelerations and responsive steering is a blast. Trek’s “1.5 geometry” is reasonably relaxed and fitted with a few spacers is comfy, even for me at age 68. The 51 mm deep wheels with 31 mm external width pair perfectly with Pirelli P Zero 30 mm tires set up tubeless. I’m geared down when needed with a 10-36 cassette. The old slammed stem paradigm isn’t the only road bike option.

[scottchaney]

reminds me of setting up Tri bikes in early 90s everyone had to have flat backs. for average person this meant slower times and more pain. by late 90s we were setting them up to be as comfortable as possible, a couple 60 plus guys were almost upright in aero bars, but they finished faster and happier. comfort is key

[jwfriar]

I first bought an endurance bike based on thinking I wanted to be more relaxed but several fitters recommended a more aggressive bike for my next bike. I’m 5’7” 185 lbs and 42.

Moved from a Roubaix to a Soloist. It has added prob 2 mph to my cruising speed, better handling, better climbing. I ride 30 tires tubeless and it’s more comfy than the endurance bike road vibration wise.

Part of it is if you’re willing to put the work in to be able to handle the more aggressive position. It takes practice. And if you like going as fast as you can. I do, I’m always trying to go faster in the same routes I do.

For me, I’m super happy I moved to a race bike. Others may just wanna get out and get in some miles without obsessing over speed. Others don’t have bodies that can contort to aggressive positions.

But if you’re like me and love the speed, I wouldn’t rule out a race bike or aero bike.

[qwertyadfzxcv]

I own a gravel bike - and put different wheelsets on it. Endurance geo - a bit of aero here and there - but it's perfect!

[chrisdavis]

I have two race bikes - an aero bike and a hill climber and had them fitted so they are comfortable. I’m 60 but my back is still fine and I LOVE to go fast. I tried the Defy and honestly it felt slow to me. At the end of the day ride what you love!

[efremperry]

I just purchased and endurance bike for all the reasons you mentioned. This is one of the best pieces of information I've seen in a while. Thanks!

[flynando]

I agree with you, in parts. I think you should start the video by saying: if you, like me, only use bicycles for leisure, never participate in competitions, don't go after KOMs...You should consider an endurance bike.

[thebigg]

I think we need to get away from titles like "endurance", "gravel" etc. My last 2 bikes were based on the geometry and tyre clearance I wanted, along with things like frame mounts and the ability to fit mudguards. I couldn't care less what category the manufacturer put them in. As it happens, both were sold as 'gravel' bikes but that was irrelevant to the purchasing decision.

[billwelsh]

I have a 2016 Giany Defy Pro. Endurance bike of the year 2016. Its very good. Still my most used bike us a All City Gorilla Monsoon complete with racks, suspension seat and stem, Selle Anatomica saddle, 47C Goodyear Connector tubeless tires. The bike is my Cadillac and the Giant feels like a race bike in comparison! But the joy of riding any road surface in comfort is my jam! I came from steel frames, friction shifters and 11/2 inch tires on steel rims. There is joy in a simple do everything bike! Race bikes are narrow focused but beautiful too! It depends on the ride. Your favorite bike is probably the one you are currently riding!

[ChristopherKeller-ybik]

Great point, well made. I ride a Canyon Endurace CFR and absolutely adore the bike. Super lightweight and easy on the eye. It makes me smile whenever I look at it, and I can never wait to get back on it for another ride.

[MrChristiangraham]

Having spent years promoting gravel and aero and saturated that market, it's time to persuade us to buy another kind of bike 😂

[craigsmith]

My TCR does everything I want it to and makes it fun. Can't imagine trading that in for an endurance ride when I'm able to comfortably ride 8 hours.