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Edited November 26, 2023
at 09:17 AM
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https://www.bikesonline.com/2023-...5-road-bik
This is - IMHO - one of the best deals for a "beginner-to-serious" road bike on the market, or just a seasoned rider that would rather buy new and not used. This is a "racy" road bike, so not the most comfortable, upright position, nor huge clearance for big tires. If you commute through rougher pavement, look into a gravel/endurance road or hybrid bike: will be better in the long run.
If you are skin-suit curious, this aligns with this aspirations better
Full Shimano 105 Hydraulic Disc groupset, descent-looking frame geo, alloy frame w/ Carbon fork, thru-axles F/R. These are typically found in $2K bikes these days, this is barely over $1100 (+tax, + $79 shipping). AFAIK, the cheapest bike Specialized fits a full 2x11 hydro 105 on, is the Allez Sprint, which retails for $3K...sexy ass bike in my eyes, but please...
Yes, there are cheaper bikes on sale, on Bikes Online & elsewhere, but this is really good for the perceived quality.
I've owned and serviced Polygons and Marins (better part of the decade made by Polygon's mother factory) and they are good value and decent built quality vs. Taiwanese bikes I've owned and still own (Trek, Specialized).
I think this runs a bit small, but for sure the fitting guide on bike's Online website seems to be a bit off. I am just under 6'-00 / 182cm and it places me on a XL, when I know I should be on a 55-56 (M/L).
Do compare measurements/geo chart with a known bike frame you think/know fits you. This is a really handy website to keep in mind:
https://bikeinsights.com/compare - based on this and comparing with my current drop-bar bike (Trek Checkpoint), I would buy the L and not the XL for me. YMMV.
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As someone who rides a rando Taiwanese frame (Fuji) with an Ultegra groupset...buy a legit frame. I'd sooner have a reputable aluminum frame with 105 (or Tiagra) and get nice wheels, especially now that everyone sands weld so they're visually very similar to carbon frames.
The headache of dealing with random bottom brackets, not being able to find specs, random aftermarket plastic bits to make stuff work, 0 customer support down the line or stocked parts is not worth it. If you're not ready to drop $2k on a carbon frame don't try to cheap out, you don't get the best of both worlds; at least direct-to-consumer companies like Canyon offer pretty solid prices.
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105 "R7100" 12s mechanical was launched on Aug 31 2023 for the press to advertise, and no MY23 bikes were sold with it. First bikes with R7100 will be coming out now, but will be MY24.
The R7000 105 11s is very current and the best choice for its price point by far.
The R7150 105 12s Di2 (electronic) launched some time ago, bit it is $1100 for the groupset alone. Good luck finding this on a sub $2.5-3K bike.
Context is everything.
As someone who rides a rando Taiwanese frame (Fuji) with an Ultegra groupset...buy a legit frame. I'd sooner have a reputable aluminum frame with 105 (or Tiagra) and get nice wheels, especially now that everyone sands weld so they're visually very similar to carbon frames.
The headache of dealing with random bottom brackets, not being able to find specs, random aftermarket plastic bits to make stuff work, 0 customer support down the line or stocked parts is not worth it. If you're not ready to drop $2k on a carbon frame don't try to cheap out, you don't get the best of both worlds; at least direct-to-consumer companies like Canyon offer pretty solid prices.
Polygon is a legit brand. I am not sure about support in the US compared to canyon though. Canyon will be a better deal when you go sell it later because it is a better known brand.
As someone who rides a rando Taiwanese frame (Fuji) with an Ultegra groupset...buy a legit frame. I'd sooner have a reputable aluminum frame with 105 (or Tiagra) and get nice wheels, especially now that everyone sands weld so they're visually very similar to carbon frames.
The headache of dealing with random bottom brackets, not being able to find specs, random aftermarket plastic bits to make stuff work, 0 customer support down the line or stocked parts is not worth it. If you're not ready to drop $2k on a carbon frame don't try to cheap out, you don't get the best of both worlds; at least direct-to-consumer companies like Canyon offer pretty solid prices.
Link for Canyon?