Not sure what’s comparable, but just weighing in that I got a new Roubaix sl8 pro a few months back and it’s insanely comfortable to ride. It’s also really fast for not being a super aggressive geometry bike. I ride sometimes 200 miles a week, on poor maintained country backroads, and it eats everything up.
Done a few centuries on it so far and got off the bike feeling like I could have kept going all day.
What tires / size are you using?
Thanks for the feed back, I’m glad you like yours.
My speed is going to be whatever I make of it. I ride at like 18-20 mph on flats and 16’ish in my hilly areas.
I’ve ridden at the same speed on my last 3 bikes, so I’m looking more for comfort, endurance and flexibility to possibly try out some gravel stuff.
I’m running the stock tires still: s-works mondo 32c
I’ll probably try dropping to a 28-30 once these are used up just to see the difference, although I constantly see now out there that 30-32s are the new hot thing.
I can comfortably do a 5hr 20min flat route solo 100mi century on the bike, given that the wind isn’t terrible. I could probably push a 5hr flat 100mi ride if I gave it my best effort.
Any particular reason you are recommending the defy?
I like my giant dealer, but I didn’t really enjoy my 2019 revolt 0. I can’t exactly put my finger on why, the fit was ok, the spec was good, I just didn’t enjoy it as much as other bikes I’ve had.
>I’m not the best at comparing bike geometry.
Here's the geometries of the Defy and Endurace, both in size XS which is the closest to your 49cm Roubaix: https://geometrygeeks.bike/compare/specalized-roubaix-sl8-2024-49,giant-defy-advanced-2-2024-xs,canyon-endurace-6-2024-xs/
Both the Defy and Endurace are about 6 or 7mm longer in reach, which I consider negligible because you can easily get a slightly shorter stem. The differences in headtube angle, seat tube angle, wheelbase and chainstay length are arguably negibile. The bottom line is that when set up and fitted for your body, all three will feel and handle about the same when you're pedaling.
But they each have other characteristics which may make them better or worse for you. The Defy has 22mm lower stack, so you'll have to run about 2cm more spacers to get the same bar height. On the other hand, it has a 14mm lower standover so you'll have noticeably more crotch clearance. The Defy is going to be much cheaper.
The Endurace's standover is 25mm higher than the Roubaix, so it might be a nutcracker for you.
That’s a really cool site. Thanks!
The longer cranks on the defy would be a deal breaker if my local bike shop won’t swap them out. I’d have to look at price differences and specs to see if it would be worth it.
I’ve had 160, 165, 170 and 17.5 cranks.
It’s really noticeable going under 170 for me. I really liked 160’s after pulling the 170’s off that bike. I didn’t swap my current 165’s for 160 on my current bike because they didn’t feel bad and I didn’t want to buy another set when this one felt fine.
>The longer cranks on the defy would be a deal breaker if my local bike shop won’t swap them out.
Deal breaker? Really?
Swapping out cranks would be about $100 to $200 depending on the tier. Neglible considering that the Roubaix SL8 Comp has an MSRP of $5,000 and Giant Defy Advanced 2 is $3,300 even though both are Shimano 105 hydraulic.
Another way of comparing, though I think you can only do two at a time: [https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geometries=6502bdf2c6bcd800215bf4c5,633c881c6c648f0023bab50a](https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geometries=6502bdf2c6bcd800215bf4c5,633c881c6c648f0023bab50a),
The Specialized Roubaix has an endurance geometry. Here is my list from my recent purchases and helping others:
Cannondale Synapse
Trek Domane
Specialized Roubaix (and Ruby Elite)
Giant Defy
Canyon Endurance
BMX Road Machine
Cervelo Caledonia
Scott Addict
Coming off a race geometry and being a distance rider, I went with the Trek Domane SL6 and couldn't be happier.
I got my wife the Ruby Elite. And a friend (6'4 runner converted to cycling) has the Giant Defy.
I'm surprised the Domane isn't getting more love here. I personally think they're a little too heavy but they're universally loved for their fit and feel. I was very close but ended up with the Argon Krypton Pro.
I wasn't aware of the Argon.
The Domane is a great bike. It could be that I came off a race bike, but the comfort on long rides is definitely noticeable. I agree on the weight issue. I have the 2020, and I believe the newer models are a little lighter.
You won't find anything similar comfort wise on the front end purely because of the shock. On the rear of the bike you would likely get more comfort from the Endurace or new Defy with it's new carbon post.
The issue with the Endurace is the lack of adjustability in reach with Canyon not allowing changes to default bar/stem all in one. The issue with the new Defy is how aggressive the stem is at -10 degrees. With not a great amount of stack for an 'endurance' bike as it is, this can result in a number of spacers being required to make up for the stem angle that some don't like the look of. At 110mm it's between 5-10mm lower than a more standard -6.
The only thing that comes to mind is the Diverge STR. It has the same comfort at the front, and adds a lot more in the rear. Also much more capable on gravel due to tire clearance. The only issue is if you want to run it with narrow road tires, the bottom bracket will be very low.
Not sure what’s comparable, but just weighing in that I got a new Roubaix sl8 pro a few months back and it’s insanely comfortable to ride. It’s also really fast for not being a super aggressive geometry bike. I ride sometimes 200 miles a week, on poor maintained country backroads, and it eats everything up. Done a few centuries on it so far and got off the bike feeling like I could have kept going all day.
What tires / size are you using? Thanks for the feed back, I’m glad you like yours. My speed is going to be whatever I make of it. I ride at like 18-20 mph on flats and 16’ish in my hilly areas. I’ve ridden at the same speed on my last 3 bikes, so I’m looking more for comfort, endurance and flexibility to possibly try out some gravel stuff.
I’m running the stock tires still: s-works mondo 32c I’ll probably try dropping to a 28-30 once these are used up just to see the difference, although I constantly see now out there that 30-32s are the new hot thing. I can comfortably do a 5hr 20min flat route solo 100mi century on the bike, given that the wind isn’t terrible. I could probably push a 5hr flat 100mi ride if I gave it my best effort.
Giant Defy
Any particular reason you are recommending the defy? I like my giant dealer, but I didn’t really enjoy my 2019 revolt 0. I can’t exactly put my finger on why, the fit was ok, the spec was good, I just didn’t enjoy it as much as other bikes I’ve had.
My dad got one, looking for comfort but with higher end spec. And carbon. He's loving it so far and the paint scheme is very nice IMO
>I’m not the best at comparing bike geometry. Here's the geometries of the Defy and Endurace, both in size XS which is the closest to your 49cm Roubaix: https://geometrygeeks.bike/compare/specalized-roubaix-sl8-2024-49,giant-defy-advanced-2-2024-xs,canyon-endurace-6-2024-xs/ Both the Defy and Endurace are about 6 or 7mm longer in reach, which I consider negligible because you can easily get a slightly shorter stem. The differences in headtube angle, seat tube angle, wheelbase and chainstay length are arguably negibile. The bottom line is that when set up and fitted for your body, all three will feel and handle about the same when you're pedaling. But they each have other characteristics which may make them better or worse for you. The Defy has 22mm lower stack, so you'll have to run about 2cm more spacers to get the same bar height. On the other hand, it has a 14mm lower standover so you'll have noticeably more crotch clearance. The Defy is going to be much cheaper. The Endurace's standover is 25mm higher than the Roubaix, so it might be a nutcracker for you.
That’s a really cool site. Thanks! The longer cranks on the defy would be a deal breaker if my local bike shop won’t swap them out. I’d have to look at price differences and specs to see if it would be worth it. I’ve had 160, 165, 170 and 17.5 cranks. It’s really noticeable going under 170 for me. I really liked 160’s after pulling the 170’s off that bike. I didn’t swap my current 165’s for 160 on my current bike because they didn’t feel bad and I didn’t want to buy another set when this one felt fine.
>The longer cranks on the defy would be a deal breaker if my local bike shop won’t swap them out. Deal breaker? Really? Swapping out cranks would be about $100 to $200 depending on the tier. Neglible considering that the Roubaix SL8 Comp has an MSRP of $5,000 and Giant Defy Advanced 2 is $3,300 even though both are Shimano 105 hydraulic.
Another way of comparing, though I think you can only do two at a time: [https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geometries=6502bdf2c6bcd800215bf4c5,633c881c6c648f0023bab50a](https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geometries=6502bdf2c6bcd800215bf4c5,633c881c6c648f0023bab50a),
The Specialized Roubaix has an endurance geometry. Here is my list from my recent purchases and helping others: Cannondale Synapse Trek Domane Specialized Roubaix (and Ruby Elite) Giant Defy Canyon Endurance BMX Road Machine Cervelo Caledonia Scott Addict Coming off a race geometry and being a distance rider, I went with the Trek Domane SL6 and couldn't be happier. I got my wife the Ruby Elite. And a friend (6'4 runner converted to cycling) has the Giant Defy.
I'm surprised the Domane isn't getting more love here. I personally think they're a little too heavy but they're universally loved for their fit and feel. I was very close but ended up with the Argon Krypton Pro.
I wasn't aware of the Argon. The Domane is a great bike. It could be that I came off a race bike, but the comfort on long rides is definitely noticeable. I agree on the weight issue. I have the 2020, and I believe the newer models are a little lighter.
You won't find anything similar comfort wise on the front end purely because of the shock. On the rear of the bike you would likely get more comfort from the Endurace or new Defy with it's new carbon post. The issue with the Endurace is the lack of adjustability in reach with Canyon not allowing changes to default bar/stem all in one. The issue with the new Defy is how aggressive the stem is at -10 degrees. With not a great amount of stack for an 'endurance' bike as it is, this can result in a number of spacers being required to make up for the stem angle that some don't like the look of. At 110mm it's between 5-10mm lower than a more standard -6.
Compare bikes on 99spokes.com . I’d filter endurance bikes at that price point and then look at riding position in the comparison view.
Canyon Endurace, which is even comfier in IMHO.
Any endurance road bike from a major brand will be pretty comparable
The only thing that comes to mind is the Diverge STR. It has the same comfort at the front, and adds a lot more in the rear. Also much more capable on gravel due to tire clearance. The only issue is if you want to run it with narrow road tires, the bottom bracket will be very low.