I’m lucky enough that I spend 8 months in the US and 4 months in Europe, every year. Because of this I have a bike in the US and one in Europe. After years on an old bike, in the US I bought a Canyon Endurace about an year ago, and it worked out well: it’s a touch too small, but I can probably fix it with a longer stem.
In Europe I have been using a Cannondale Supersix Evo from 2013, with a Campy 2010 Record groupset. It’s a great bike, but a bit uncomfortable for me (frame is bigger than I need), I can’t mount 28s on it, and I can’t go higher than a 36x29. Since I enjoy quite a bit more my rides in Europe (way more hillier), and this is potentially a good moment, I have the opportunity to get a Canyon Ultimate with Shimano 105 R7100 12s, which is available in my size and in my budget ($2500). Anything I checked at my LBS is way more expensive. I checked Giant TCR too, but I couldn’t even find the specific geometries and dimensions on their website. Is there anything that is in this budget that I should consider before pulling the trigger or is this likely the best deal I can find in this price range?
I don‘t think you can go wrong with the canyon. They make great value bikes.
If you can ride one befors buying, I would highly reconmend you to do so though.
You’re in Europe so I don’t know how taxes and duties work. I bought a Canyon Endurance last year, and it turned out to cost the same price as a same-level bike if I had bought it here (Canada). So keep in mind to check this first.
TCR x Endurance is quite different, and I had the Canyon and now I ride a TCR 2021. I much prefer the latter. Way more aggressive, and responsive. It feels faster than the Canyon, although it might be just a biased analysis. But that is my preference, you might like a more relaxed bike.
You can find all the information about geometry right above the bike on Giant’s website here is the Canadian version TCR Advanced 2 KOM (2025) | bike | Giant Bicycles Canada
the canyon for $2500 with 12 speed 105 is a great deal. Comparable giant tcr is more expensive, at least msrp wise on their website. They’re similar bikes with the stack and reach on the canyon being marginally higher and longer using the size medium as a reference. It will also be marginally more “stable” with a slightly lower bottom bracket and longer wheelbase than the giant. You’ll find the handling on the ultimate to be a bit more sprightly compared to the endurace but not by a lot.
I’m not planning to the get the Endurace, but the Ultimate. The Giant was an example of a “value” kind of bicycle, but at least at my LBS they don’t have my size. At another LBS they have Italian brands like Colnago, Wilier, De Rosa, Pinarello, but they are WAY more expensive and beyond my budget.
I’d go for it!
The only issue I’ve ever heard about Canyon is that support in the U.S. can be difficult, but since you’re in Europe every year you shouldn’t have any issues…
Although to be fair I did have a small issue when I got my Endurace in the US (brakes needed to be bled), and the support was pretty good as in they sent me to a shop and paid for it.
I’m a bit put off by the integrated cockpit. Nice looking, but potentially quite a PITA.
How, the Ultimate is whole different beast. And yes, I think it’s a awesome bike. I like the cockpit.
I may end up pulling the trigger, but being forced into the system with a proprietary cockpit is putting me a bit off and I need to mull it over. It will force me to get a new mount for my cyclocomputer and bound me in should I ever have to change it (for fit, or whatever reason).
At my main LBS they offered me a Wilier Garda with similar specs for a slightly higher price, but I’m not entirely convinced (same groupset, but no Conti 5000 and Miche aluminum wheels instead than DT Swiss LN).
I found that cockpit enticing, to be honest.
And, as far as I know, it’s fully customized, so fit shouldn’t be an issue.
Just to be clear, are we talking about this Ultimate:
If so, bear in mind that this is the old frameset, if I’m correct. And even the cockpit, I don’t think is the latest.
Yes, that’s the one.
yep, that’s the old version. Frame, fork and handlebar are different.
right is the new version.
Aside from some aerodynamics improvements, the new one has the cables fully integrated, I don’t know how big of a deal that could be for you.
EDITED: Funny that the description of the old model says “our latest 5th generation”, but it is clearly different as the cable routing suggests.
Not at all, but thank you for pointing it out!
Let me go against the grain here: in your post you wrote that you have two bikes that don’t fit properly. Do you want to potentially buy a third that does not fit?
Also, you don’t mention at all what kind of bike you want, and as a consequence, what geometry you are looking for.
Fit >> components. As soon as you add the cost for a new stem, a few components, the price differential is zero again. So I would test ride as many bikes as you can and see what you like. If you need to spend a few extra € for a bike that fits well and suits your riding style, then you should do exactly that.
Often, LBS will change components when you buy a new bike at no cost or at a moderate fee, e. g. if you want a different stem, shorter or longer cranks, different handlebars, different gearing or a different saddle.
There are other brands out there, e. g. Cube has a very strong market presence in parts of Europe. And their bikes are well-priced in my experience.
I’ve ridden a 2016 CF SLX for about 7 years. Love the cockpit I had the H36 but after 6 years I recently changed to the CP0030 which I think your model may have ? In any case, lovely. As long as the bike fits.
I’ve done everything on it, big days out, club ride, few races. Roughly 30-35000 miles. Had a few spills and Canyon very helpful replacing parts. Still going strong. Handles lovely.
Been considering an upgrade to move to wide tyres and disks but I can’t ever see myself selling it. I look at it and think YEAH let’s go.
Honestly I think the bike will fit. I find my Endurace very comfortable, if a tad short, but that’s also because I should have bought an M (546mm effective top tube length) rather than an S (533mm effective top tube length), but that was my mistake: I was in between sizes and thought S would suite me well. And it does overall, I probably need a slightly longer stem, but so far I’ve had big days on it without issues.
Re: cockpit, on one hand I don’t want to find myself bound to proprietary parts, on the other one (assuming fit is right, of course) one could argue that the cockpit unlike other parts doesn’t need to be changed/replaced very often.
I bought an Ultimate CF SLX in 2018 and I absolutely love it. I’m thinking about a new bike now and it will again be an Ultimate. Go for it.
I bought a used 2019 Ultimate with 105 last year and have been loving it. You won’t regret it. Just double check that the steerer has the insert installed in the handlebar to prevent future steerer tube crack issues.