Cannondale Synapse disc
Specialised Roubaix
Anything else?
I want discs as I've noticed how much less I need to break on steep descents (while staying in control of my 16st girth)
Needs a reasonably high front end for comfort (back shot from 25 years of rugby) and 100 milers take anything from 6 to 8 hours for me.
Thoughts?
Diverge
Paralane
Defy
Consider something like a Specialized Diverge too. Obviously not as "racy" as your examples but comfort counts on longer duration rides and it's a lot more flexible.
My Giant Defy has done a pretty good job of propping up my 16st for the last 3 years.
Scotroutes, mine weighs the same as the equivalent spec Roubaix. Racy enough, I'd say.
Thanks CFH
Focus forgotten them.
Not a Diverge even though I hear good things. I have a CAADX for commuting and exploring, although with the pannier rack it's a little stiff and heavy for long road rides.
Defy. I just can't like Giants. Same with Trek. And I know I should.
Supplementary question. Any one not using silly bottom brackets? By which I mean push fit.
I'm 6'2" and 15 stone. I've just got an Orro gold stc ultegra disc. It's comfier than my scott speedster (rim braked alloy frame) but having just fitted swissstop pads to the scott, in the dry the brakes aren't as sharp on the orro. More modulation though.
https://www.orrobikes.com/bikes/road/gold-stc-disc-ultegra-11-speed
Genesis Equilibrium. BBR60 and choice of trp/hy or full shimano hydro. Steel comfort for the more mature gent!
KTM Sky Revelator maybe?
It's got a Push fit BB, but's it's a Shimano PF one and in my experience they last for ages and are very simple to change
Pinnacle Dolomite?
My Arkose gets abused by the amount of weight I subject it to and might also fit the bill.
Giant Defy's are very good not exactly boutique but that appeals to me as a mountainbiker at heart.
[url= https://www.orbea.com/gb-en/brands/avant/ ]Orbea Avant[/url] - Great bikes, comfortable and rock solid on descents - even under heavy braking with a 100kg rider!
That Paralane looks interesting.
Local dealer too - I'll ride past them in about 2.5 hours.
Check out Rutland for some goods deals on ex-demo Defy(s)
I coming over to the disc idea, at least for the longer rides.
Specialized Roubaix Comp looked nice but a bit skimpy getting those fat levers for 2.6k
Theres a Carbon Genesis that looks nice and the Steel one appears a bargain in comparison.
In the spirit of recommending what I have (almost), Boardman SLS disc. I bought the standard frame and built it up, should have bough the disc version. They sell direct but normally have an extra 10% off the discounted outlet prices.
A little leftfield but there are a lot of CX bikes with near enough the same geometry as road bikes (1/2 degree difference on head tube/seat tube angles, similar top tube length, shorter stem on the CX). The biggest difference is about 1 - 1.5cm longer chainstays on the CX though I'd have to say it's not actually noticeable out on the road.
I use my CX bike on the road (with different wheels/road tyres) and it's perfect plus allows for bigger clearances if you want to get trendy with wider tyres. Plus lots of choice on disc frames and slightly higher front ends (usually).
I sold my Defy and got a Merida Scultura Disc 7000-e, they do the 6000 for about £2.5k with Ultegra and hydros which is lovely.
Scotroutes, mine Diverge the same as the equivalent spec Roubaix. Racy enough, I'd say.
Pretty sure when I looked at them the Diverge has the same Geometry as the old Roubaix as well.
Have a look at Cube as well. Like Giant they score very high on value for money. Katie's Attain is a great looking bike
Yep, nowadays, with the Roubaix having that fugly steerer condom and hideously ugly riser drops, the Diverge is the sensible bike!
Tougher than a Roubaix, and can take wider tyres. And mudguards. And racks. Etc.
So, can have gravel tyres for gnarmac, but equally you could fit a set of 25mm race tyres and it wouldn't be out of place on a fast club run. Versatile.
Agreed. It's nice that Diverge. But it wouldn't really complement the CAADX Ultegra I use for commuting.
It's would be a very similar bike but without a pannier rack.
I'm looking for a buttery smooth road bike, that is happy with 28mm tyres and has a rugby back friendly height at the front.
Happy to repeat the CAADX geometry in terms of contact points. Just lighter and supple-er.
Paralane and Synapse looking like the best test ride contenders I think - but willing to be convinced.
Scott Solace also nice
Trek Domane ?
Canyon Endurace? Wilier GTR Endurance? Genesis Datum?
As a man of similar build I highly recommend the Genesis Equilibrium disc in whatever flavor you want to spend up to. I have had mine for two years now and it's my commuter, general purpose road bike and sometime gravel bike for tow paths and so on.
CX wheels, lovely comfortable riding position, TRP Spyres which are good and strong (although nothing like as powerful as MTB brakes) overall it seems perfect for your needs. In my opinion it has lovely classic looks too. New ones are full Hydraulic and have 105..
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/road-sportive/equlibrium-disc/equilibrium-disc-20
Specialised frames ime are not light.
Cannondale
The alloy Defy is now known as the Contend FYI. Crashtestmonkey has the SL1 and likes it (sorry, wrong thread).
The Cube Attains look good and if you can still find 2016 carbon models in your size (Rutland, Pauls Cycles have had them) they are amazing value.
I think the Defy has a press fit BB. At least it looks like it on my brother's carbon framed Defy. Another minus point for the OP
I'd add the Trek Domane onto your list. it does 28s no bother with hidden mudguard mounts too if that's your thing. I've also got a CAADX and it's dull as dish water to ride on the road.
I've also got a CAADX and it's dull as dish water to ride on the road.
Yep. Perfect commuter bike.
Fairlight Straelhttp://road.cc/content/review/216171-fairlight-cycles-strael
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best viewed via the road.cc review first, because Fairlight seem to have used the largest frame with maximum stem rise in their own promo shots so it looks like a ponderous farm gate, not the rather sexy purposeful bike road.cc photographed.
Slightly left field and definitely not a lightweight option, but my Condor Fratello Disc is proving a comfortable mile eater.
@igm It sounds as if we have similar histories. I have an Enigma Evoke and an Etape and both are very smooth and very commfortable, and my back now suffers much less than it used to. They aren't cheap but, for me, they do exactly what I want.
If the Fairlight Strael would take a 30mm G1 tyre with guards, i would love one. I think they are missing a trick there.
@cynical
The new Roubaix S-Works frame comes in at 900g and a non-S-Works Roubaix frame weighs 1,050g . I would say that's pretty light .
If the Fairlight Strael would take a 30mm G1 tyre with guards, i would love one. I think they are missing a trick there.
I'm guessing you've tried and they don't fit? The website says that 30mm tyres will fit with mudguards
http://fairlightcycles.com/strael/strael-frameset/?v=79cba1185463
Matt at Fairlight told me that a standard sized 28mm. tyre is the largest that would fit with mudguards, a large 28mm. may not! 🙁
+1 for the KTM Revelator Sky. A well sorted bike that has won many group tests...