I’m trying to decide between two options for my next bike. I can’t ride them before deciding so I’m trying to understand geometry differences as much as possible , I get basic things like stack & reach but after that it gets real confusing quickly.
The numbers for my current bike and two potential new ones are below. I guess my question is what will be the real world differences in how these bikes feel and ride be? What change in certain measurements is actually significant and noticeable in the real world when comparing different bikes like this?
Bike C seems to more closely mimic your current ride. B has a longer wheelbase and quite a bit more trail which on the surface would kind of tell me it will handle differently from what you have now in that it should be very stable but will possibly not turn in as sharply or be as reactive. But take that with a grain of salt because the raw numbers alone do not always indicate how a bike will ride and handle. If you have doubts make whatever effort you can to ride them before you buy. Any effort no matter how great will be worth it.
Current bike is a Canyon Endurace circa 2017-2018. Bike B is a Look 765, their Endurance model. And bike C is a Look 785 Huez, their “Climbing” bike that is more of an all-rounder from what I’ve read.
The headtube angle on bike B is what’s really giving me pause because its so different than any other bike I can find. Not sure what kind of difference it would really make out on the road though.
I highly recommend using BikeInsights to make a 1:1 comparison of your current bike to each (must be separate since it is only 2 bikes at a time.
But in short, as mentioned the A bike with the massive Wheelbase, long Front Center, slack Head Tube & long Trail will all make this bike handle rather “slow” by comparison to the others. May be fine to exactly what you want, but I guarantee it will feel different.
Oh I’ve been comparing the bikes on all the geometry websites I can find for days now. I’m just at a point where I don’t know how big a deal those differences actually are in the real world.
The slack head tube and long wheel base of bike A is what was giving me concern. I was unsure how “boring” that might make it to ride. It seems this bike would be awesome for the few fondos I do each year, but I think I’d want something a bit more lively for my day to day riding is kinda where I’m landing right now.
I think the biggest questions is do you like how your current bike handles as far as how it turns and its stability during descents and/or is there something you wish improved/different about it? Likewise, are in you in a comfortable position on your Endurace or do you wish it more agressive? Any specific reason you’re looking at these 2 Look bikes and not considering other brands and models?
Though your current ride and the Huez seem most similar in many ways I think the stack, reach and BB height/drop could put you in a noticeably different position and to recreate the one you currently have would potentially effect handling characteristics. Figure it’s almost a centimeter longer and more than a centimeter lower. The front end height might just be a cosmetic thing if you’re not a fan of spacers. Though coupling that with a higher BB on the Huez if carrying over your current saddle height will increase the saddle to bar drop making the front end feel lower even if you use more spacers to hit the same stack height from your endurace. Depending on what length stem you use versus what’s specced on the Huez that will change how it feels or steers. If you keep what’s specced you’ll be a bit longer and more stretched out where if you shorten it to match your previous reach it’ll handle a bit more quickly/nimbly in the turns. Sure it’s just a few millimeters here and there but as you’ll see with these geo charts it’s a game of millimeters. How much the differences are felt depends on the rider. I just bought a bike that has a 3mm reach difference from my previous and I’m surprised how different it is.
I didn’t want to use the terms “fast” or “slow” to describe the characteristics. I feel it does a disservice to endurance bikes to call them “slow” where stable would be a better description. Figure a nimble bike that’s considered “fast” might not actually be fast if it’s uncomfortable from a position standpoint or it makes the rider feel nervous with twitchy handling. A bike that inspires confidence will be faster than a sketchy one. And let’s not forget a race bike that would be considered endurance geometry by many brands won a gold medal in the olympic women’s road race and just won dwars door vlaanderen.
I like how my current bike rides and handles. With the caveat that it’s really all I’ve known. It was my first “real” bike after I started to get into cycling pretty heavily. It’s comfortable 98% of the time. There are a few things that pop up from time to time on longer rides, but no constant problems with fit.
I’m considering the 2 look bikes because it’s the only brand my favorite LBS is a dealer for that I’d really consider buying and I want to give them my support. Otherwise I’d probably be here asking about a new Canyon Endurace vs Ultimate
Am I wrong in thinking it’s easier to play around with the fit of the Huez to make it more “comfortable” than it is to make the other bike more lively due to that slack head angle and long wheelbase?
And what brand’s endurance geometry is similar to the supesix?! That’s crazy
All good to know. Can’t argue with just wanting a new bike and if the Huez moves the passions it does seem like a solid choice and similar enough. Since I don’t know your age and/or flexibility and you haven’t ridden too many bikes there’s no way of telling if the stock fit of Huez will work by the numbers. Who knows, you might like it better. Best thing to do since it’s your LBS is to go throw a leg over one. Ride it as much as allowed to get the feel. The LBS would also have the best insight on whether and how much to change the front end fit should it need adjustment to make it more comfortable. It does sound and look like this would suit you as well as your Endurace since you don’t have any handling concerns that would make me think their endurance bike would suit better.
As for the Supersix it’s something I discovered when shopping for a more stable road bike. If you search the forum for Supersix riders you’ll see the words “stable” and “planted” said a lot with no mention of slow. The stack and reach are racey but when looking at the wheelbase, front center, head angle and BB drop the Giant Defy is technically a more agile bike. Likewise the Specialized Roubaix isn’t too far off save for the really low BB. Size scaling on the Supersix is a little wonky by the numbers but still similar to other endurance frames versus their “race” bikes. For me it just shows it does a disservice to endurance bikes by calling their geo “slow” when those bikes can still be plenty quick and many riders would be better served by one by both positioning and handling. I just bought a bike with similar geo to the Defy and I dare say it’s faster than my previous TCR-like frame by virtue of the fact I don’t feel quite as compelled to drag brake on descents nearly as much.
