I’m in the market for a new road bike. I’m selling my scott foil, with rim brakes from 2018 and looking for something fast, but still fun. I don’t really intend to race it (maybe occasionally) so don’t want to be way stretched out low, but still enjoy the speed that comes with a raceish style frame. My shop is a cannondale dealer so they’re encouraging the supersix evo or specialized tarmac sl8. I’m also looking at the cervelo soloist and maybe canyon ultimate. For what it’s worth I’m 5’10 with a longer torso and shorter legs in the 52/54 size depending on the bike. Are there other bikes I should consider? What would you recommend? Thanks.
Are you lust-driven or budget-driven? By that, I mean, how important is the looks or brand image in your decision versus the cost?
Road bikes are becoming increasingly commodity at the top levels. And, keep in mind, that the bike brand is only responsible for 3 components (frameset, seatpost, and cockpit, but sometimes just the frame), the rest is 3rd party suppliers. So there is little differentiation between complete road bikes.
I have Pinarello lust and would love to own another one. But I bought a Ventum NS1 about 2 years ago on a whim. I absolutely love the bike, and Ventum’s support is ridiculously good. I had a problem with their out-front computer mount, and they just sent me replacements with no questions. A good friend with a Ventum did something to jam his rear axle in the bike and had to have a shop drill it out. Ventum overnighted a replacement axle and universal derailleur hanger to get him back up and running.
I highly recommend Ventum as a brand and a high performing road bike.
- I would love a Pinarello too, but I cold not justify the incremental spend.
- I really like Specialized, but everybody has them.
- I know Cervelo R & S bikes are good, but I just don’t love their looks.
- Trek Project 1 is pretty awesome.
- BMC has great looking front end integration.
- Canyons are really sweet, but I would pick a Ventum over Canyon every time, if going DTC.
I would start the process by deciding what components you want. Then narrow the bike choices by their offerings.
- SRAM or Shimano
- Deep wheels (how deep and what brands do you prefer)
- Do you care about hooked vs. hookless (this would limit wheel choices and therefore bike brands)
- Integrated cockpit or traditional stem & bars
- Color preferences
I’m driven by lust and a good deal. Both of those together is the real win! You make all good points and I never considered a ventum. You’re also right about the commoditization of road bikes… same prices for nearly the same outcomes. My current preferences are shimano, mid depth wheels (about 40), traditional stem/bars (unless the integration is easily disassembled and modified) and not tied to colors in a significant way. Thanks for your input!
I currently have this same lust and am getting ready to pull the trigger on a Dogma (money is important, but frankly not that important).
The only other thing I would say is be careful with DTC - our local shops roll out the red carpet to loyal customers including service, warranty, speed, and anything else. On DTC bikes they are not as connected (motivated).
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I got the tarmac sl8 in early 2024. I’m the opposite of you - I have long legs and a short torso, with long arms. The person who fit me replaced the stem with a shorter one so that I wasn’t reaching too far. I’ve had zero complaints with it. Whatever you decide to go with I’d recommend trying to see how well the bike fits first before you buy. I think most road bikes now (at least high end ones) have disc brakes by default which IMO is a huge upgrade, even if they’re more maintenance.
All replies so far are good advice I agree with. In the end, I think you should go with the old saying of get whatever bike which you love. you don’t need a tangible reason. but, in essence, the bike that makes you want to ride it when you look at it.
I was in this position last year. I ended up with a Gen 8 Madone. I don’t race, but occasionally dabble in spicy group rides. I wanted a bike that’s racy and fun to ride, I don’t do any gravel or uber endurance stuff, so wasn’t interested in anything but a race bike. last year the gen 8 was brand new, so it was the new hot thing, which jazzed me up. and the LBS is a trek dealer and gave me a crash replacement discount. it came with 38cm bars versus the cannondale equivalent of 42cm bars. that was a big point for me, with cannondale i’d immedietly want a new cockpit. i went mechanical shifting to save $$, and got aftermarket hunt wheels to bling it up a bit. I love it. plus my first road bike was a trek and i hadn’t had one since, so it was a cool personal detail.
One thing I did not do was a detailed fit. let the boos rain in…the LBS fitter recommended me a size based on height and my existing bike size, but turns out I wanted more saddle height than the seatpost on that size Madone could afford, so later i had to spring for an additional longer seatpost. initially i was a bit irked they didn’t think about this on my behalf, it is a common issue on Madones, but idk if i would have made a different purchase decision in the end regardless. i also don’t know if they would have flagged it even if I did a more detailed fit…for bikes with proprietary and size-specific parts (cockpits, seatposts), do your homework on your measurements to ensure no surprises.
I considered ventum, but the discount from the LBS was a big factor. I love the DTC value and a guy I ride with has one, it is really sharp. An LBS should be grateful for any mechanical work. they don’t need to give you same extra perks as someone who bought a bike from them, but if they turn their nose at you in any way, find a new LBS, that aint right. any customer deserves good service, even if you didn’t buy a bike from them. my personal opinion.
Thanks for the good advice. I think my next step is to make a giant excel spreadsheet comparing everything and see what jumps out at me. I’m sure price will be the biggest decision maker.