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review

Canyon Endurace CF 8.0 road bike

8
£1,299.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Phenomenal in almost every way but just needs a bit of personality to make it fun
Weight: 
7,770g
Contact: 

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The Canyon Endurace CF 8.0 has a brilliant spec list, an impressive weight for its class and plenty of comfort, so why has this review been a struggle to write? Well, there is a vital ingredient missing and without it the dish is lacking a bit of flavour.

Let's break it down a bit and I'll try and explain what I mean.

For £1,299 you're getting the same frame as found on the top flite Endurace Dave Arthur tested a few months ago, the CF 9.0 SL, and what a frame it is too.

The thing I found most notable was the ride quality. Designed as an endurance bike, the CF 8.0 needs to deliver both performance and comfort without compromise, a big ask for any frame maker.

Find the Canyon Endurace CF 8.0 online

Just like any other material, carbon frames need to be designed by someone who knows what they are doing to turn a good-feeling frame into a brilliant one and the bods at Canyon certainly know their onions in that respect.

VCLS (Vertical Compliance Lateral Stiffness) technology is what they call it and it's all about putting the material where it needs to be and in the direction you want it to flex. The CF 8.0 has a tapered head tube and everything else on the bottom half of the frameset has been beefed up to withstand the forces coming from the rider and road.

What this produces is a buttery smooth ride that feels more like steel or titanium as it absorbs every road imperfection without feeling soft. The benefit of this in reducing rider fatigue over a distance of 100 miles is marked. The Merckx EMX-1 I tested recently felt the same and highlights why the frame is always the heart of the bike rather than just a component.

The slender fork legs reduce road buzz travelling up to the rider's hands though you do feel some flex under heavy cornering load resulting in a small amount of understeer when really being pushed.

Paired to the material setup Canyon have also tweaked the geometry when compared to their race frames. Most notably, They've slackened off the angles a bit and increased the wheelbase to just sedate the ride a little. They haven't gone all-out relaxed, mind, as they've only added 11mm to the wheelbase (989mm on the medium) with 5mm of that being on the chainstays to provide more room for bigger tyres.

Speaking of tyres the Endurace comes with 25mm Conti Grand Prix 4000s though these are stretched out to 27mm thanks to the wide rim profile of the DT Swiss R24 Spline wheels to give a balance of comfort and grip without the added weight of going for a bigger volume tyre. It does give you a slightly different tyre shape but it's not something that affects the handling.

Canyon also supply an own brand VCLS carbon seatpost that is designed using a leaf spring concept allowing the saddle to almost float about and move on big impacts. It works although you do get a few 'false alarms' under heavy pedalling which can be a bit disconcerting. In all honestly I think it's overkill and would be just as happy with a standard carbon post providing you can run with enough out of the frame to achieve some flex.

In the real world all this makes the Endurace very easy to ride when you're tired or the conditions aren't too great, either with regards to the surface or weather while still providing a somewhat sporty ride should you want to put the hammer down.

Through the bends, especially flat and flowing ones, the CF 8.0 holds a very smooth line with little input from the rider. It's when things speed up, tighten up or both that the Endurace lacks that real crispness in the corners, and leaves you wanting a bit more responsiveness and feedback. Even the short 100mm stem and narrow 42cm bars can't do anything to raise the level of interest.

The comfort along with the 7.77kg (17.12lb) weight make the Endurace highly suitable for a mile muncher. It's a bike that is happy in any terrain as it rolls so well. The ratios on the 11-speed cassette mean you're highly unlikely to find yourself in between gears so maintaining speed with changes in terrain can be done from the saddle, again making a big difference to tiredness over the course of a long ride especially on unfamiliar roads.

The Endurace will sprint if you ask it but it's certainly not its forte. You don't exactly get back what you're putting in, and it all feels a little subdued to me. It does stay planted though even with maximum power going through the frame with none of that rear wheel skitting around feeling as you go for the town sign.

It's impressive to see a full Shimano 105 group at this price point and it matches the solid feel of the Canyon's frame with its positive shifting and controllable braking. The 50/34T, 11-28T gearing pretty much gives you every gear ratio you are going to need for climbing or descending, in this country anyway.

The light action of the gear change is another of those little things that add up to reducing fatigue as does the impressive bite from the calipers. Your fingers aren't aching at the bottom of a technical, wet descent from having to haul on the brakes for every single bend. The fact that the new calipers also take up to 28mm wide tyres means they're a perfect match for the frameset's clearance.

The rest of the build kit is just as impressive with a full Ritchey cockpit (although this will soon be changing to Canyon's own brand stuff soon as per their website) and a Fizik Vesta saddle. If you were to buy all this stuff separately there is no way you'd make the £1,299 price mark.

There don't seem to have been any corners cut with this build and it'll last for the long haul before needing any serious upgrades. The DT Swiss wheel choice is a really good decision, going for longevity and easy maintenance rather than something that maybe looks flashier to save a few grams. They've managed to do it without sacrificing too much weight either as the claimed wheel weight of 1,764g means they are no heavyweights.

They certainly stayed true throughout testing after plenty of back lane pothole smashing. The rims are tubeless ready too, so once the tyres come down to a sensible price there is another weight saving, comfort improving option.

Conclusion

So then, the missing ingredient. Can you spot it?

The excitement, where is the fun factor!

 

Looking at each component or ride quality in separation the Canyon Endurace CF 8.0 should be topping the road.cc Bikes of the Year for sure. Amazing price and spec list while sharing the same frameset as the top end model, comfortable, stable, decent handling and a competitive weight.

But it won't be, why? I wasn't ever really that bothered about getting it out of the shed to ride it or even look at it to be honest. To me that's what passion in your hobby or lifestyle is all about whether it be cars, guitars or whatever, they've got to ignite something inside of you.

I understand that the Endurace is designed for long distance and for that an element of predictability is a bonus but I've ridden plenty of other bikes in this category that provide all of that but still get the juices flowing.

Don't get me wrong, the CF 8.0 is a great bike, possibly even brilliant when you take everything into account but it's just not as exceptional as its stats would have you believe.

Verdict

Phenomenal in almost every way but just needs a bit of personality to make it fun

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Canyon Endurace CF 8.0

Size tested: medium

About the bike

State the frame and fork material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.

Frame & Fork: Carbon Fibre using VCLS technology, (Vertical Compliance Lateral Stiffness)

Wheelset: DT Swiss R24 Spline

Gear/brake levers: Shimano 105

Brakes: Shimano 105

Chainset: Shimano 105 Compact 50/34T 172.5mm

Front Mech: Shimano 105

Rear Mech: Shimano 105

Cassette: Shimano 105 11spd 11/28T

Chain: KMC 11spd

BB: Shimano Ultegra

Seatpost: Canyon VCLS

Handlebar: Ritchey WCS Evo Curve

Stem: Ritchey WCS 4-Axis 100mm

Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 4000 II

Tell us what the bike is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?

"Comfort meets performance" is how Canyon explains the ethos behind the Endurace and thanks to a well designed frame it delivers in both respects. With the slightly more upright ride position and extended wheelbase it's definitely one for the long distance rider for the likes of sportives or credit card touring.

Frame and fork

Overall rating for frame and fork
 
9/10

Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?

The overall quality of the frame and fork is to a very high level both cosmetically and structurally.

Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?

The frame and fork is full carbon fibre laid up to provide stiffness and comfort at the same time.

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

More relaxed and a longer wheelbase than Canyon's race frames to provide a more stable platform for a long distance ride.

Full details here for geometry and sizes. - https://www.canyon.com/en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3501

Riding the bike

How would you describe the steering? Was it lively, neutral or unresponsive? Very neutral especially at higher speeds.

Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?

The handling is good at cruising speeds and taking flat corners though becomes a little vague at the top end. My overall sum up of the Endurace CF 8.0 is that it doesn't anything particularly badly but then it doesn't really excel at anything either, the ride is very safe and middle of the road.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? would you recommend any changes?

The Canyon seatpost provides a lot of comfort through the flex design, although at times it can be a little too obvious.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's stiffness? would you recommend any changes?

The Ritchey cockpit is very stiff which helps when descending or pulling on the bars.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's efficiency? would you recommend any changes?

The rolling benefit of the DT Swiss wheels and Conti tyres makes the Endurace great in changing terrain.

Rate the bike for efficiency of power transfer:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for acceleration:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for sprinting:
 
7/10
Rate the bike for high speed stability:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for cruising speed stability:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for low speed stability:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for flat cornering:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for cornering on descents:
 
7/10
Rate the bike for climbing:
 
8/10

The drivetrain

Rate the drivetrain for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the drivetrain for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the drivetrain for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the drivetrain for value:
 
10/10

Tell us some more about the drivetrain. Anything you particularly did or didn't like? Any components which didn't work well together?

Shimano 105 is one of the best value for money groupsets on the market and its great to see a full kit on the Endurace at this price.

Wheels and tyres

Rate the wheels and tyres for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the wheels and tyres for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the wheels and tyres for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the wheels and tyres for comfort:
 
9/10
Rate the wheels and tyres for value:
 
8/10

Tell us some more about the wheels and tyres.Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the wheels or tyres? If so, what for?

A very nice wheelset that is tough without being a heavyweight. They roll well and the wide rim expanding the 25mm tyre provides extra grip.

Controls

Rate the controls for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for value:
 
8/10

Tell us some more about the controls. Any particularly good or bad components? How would the controls work for larger or smaller riders?

I liked the Ritchey components for both looks and performance and while the Canyon seatpost does provide plenty of comfort for me it's a bit overkill.

Your summary

Did you enjoy riding the bike? It was okay, a bit too bland though.

Would you consider buying the bike? No.

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? I'd suggest it as an option.

Rate the bike overall for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the bike overall for value:
 
9/10

Anything further to say about the bike in conclusion?

The Endurace looks absolutely amazing on paper but bikes aren't all about the stats. The CF 8.0 version is a great bike and you're getting a lot of bike for your money but for me it lacks any sort of excitement and passion. Lowering the weight by changing wheels made it more exciting to ride but I still found the frame to be lacking any real feedback.

The CF 8.0 scores 4 stars becauseit is an impressive package but for me the uninspiring ride just stops it being exceptional enough to get that extra half.

How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?

Height wise it's pretty standard for a sportive style bike with a reasonably tall headtube as is the reach. Full details are at the above link.

How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?

Spot on for the style of bike, lacks a little top end under hard acceleration.

Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?

Certainly stiff where you need it for acceleration and climbing but not overly so to be uncomfortable.

Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so, was it a problem?

No.

Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.

The overall feeling of comfort is pretty impressive as the carbon design and layup really takes the sting out of the ride without making the bike feel soft. The ride quality is sublime with a smoothness normally reserved for steel or titanium bikes.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: Kinesis T2  My best bike is: Kinesis Aithien

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

 

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

Add new comment

41 comments

Avatar
grim | 7 years ago
0 likes

Hi Stu,

Has your opinion on the Endurace CF 8.0 changed more than a year on? It's been very tempting yes

Have you ridden Giant's defy range, how does it compare(if you have)?

Regarding the fun factor, would you say endurance bikes generally don't fare as well as race bikes, or have you found anything that is still somewhat exciting?

Cheers

Avatar
lstelie | 8 years ago
0 likes

Hello

I found this article and the following comments very interesting.
The Endurace CF 8.0 is not "fun" that seems its main (and nearly only) weakness.

So far so good it is not intended to be "fun" but to be "realistic" (as in "from a realistic point of view, not every race bike buyer is an unknow Bradley Wiggins and most of these buyers ride a bike much too performant for their own capability")

For those willing a dream machine, a "fun" machine, the Ultimate series is here.

As far as I have understood the Endurance series is devoted to the rest of us, people who are looking for a bike on par with their own capabilities.

Speaking for myself, I was ordering a Endurace CF 8.0 when I read this article.

I'm not looking for a "fun" bike, but for an efficient one. I do long distance (namely the Paris Brest Paris brevets, hopping to be on the starting line next August).

This said, as good as this article is , it forgot a very important point : no precision about the writer/rider physical status and the effect of this status on the bike behavior.

The Endurace is supposed to be confortable (read smoother) when the Ultimate is supposed to be stiffer( more rigid).. is it true with all riders weights ???

I used to have a Cyfac Nerv DS2 (a gem that as been stolen), a bike proposed for highly fit readers.. but my weight is 95 kgs and this frame was of the outmost confort.

A stiff frame for a 65kgs riders can be something completely different for a 95 and + one.

This I would have ben interested to know (much more than the obvious « this bike that is not intended to be a fun one is not a the end a fun one »).

As a side note, may be it would be good to define what endurance means for the readers/writer of this article, because when I read The benefit of this in reducing rider fatigue over a distance of 100 miles is marked.... for me 100 miles is not endurance it's a slightly long sunday ride.

Take care

Luc

Avatar
P3t3 | 9 years ago
0 likes

Thanks for the review - I can totally get the comments about the bike being a bit dull.

My road bike (a "racing bike" in laymans terms, because it is.) is the sports car I can actually use, i want it to feel responsive and flighty, I almost want it to be compromised so that it feels fast. I'll almost certainly never race it though. Before buying my current bike I tried a few that were just plain boring. Very very competent bikes, but so dull. In this respect I know exactly what you are on about.

It seems to be amazing the number of people that don't understand this point - even my local bike shop don't get it. My description of what I wanted was interpreted as "unstable, you need a longer stem". Why would one of the largest bike manufacturers sell me a bike that was unstable off the shelf!?

More to the point what is this bike for? Its an endurance bike, but to me endurance means big miles. But this bike seems to be missing all the features that somebody who rides several hundred kilometers in a single sitting would require. You can't even put mudguards on it and the clearance around the chainstays looks like it could become a real pain in the ass...

Avatar
stuke | 9 years ago
0 likes

@macbob - Just looking at the overall scores doesn't give the full picture though does it? Which is why I said to take a look back at the 'reviews' not the scores.

The Vitus Venon, same overall score and in the same category as the Endurace, a bit cheaper but Tiagra kit and not as comfortable over the distance but IT WAS FUN TO RIDE!

Same with the Bianchi Vertigo, my own Kinesis T2 or my cheapy Ribble Audax for the really crappy days - all bring a smile to my face when I ride them. The Canyon didn't regardless of how good a bike it is in terms of frame, kit, price etc. all which you seem to base your definition of a 'better' on. The overall score for the Canyon takes this into account exactly as I have said in my conclusion to the review.

Nowhere have I said the Canyon is a bad bike, in fact I said it was a great bike but its ride just doesn't appeal to me so therefore I personally wouldn't buy one. I can't just give a bike a score without justifying why and that's what I've done.

The review is there as a point of reference, my opinion on the bike by someone who's ridden loads of bikes, wheels and kit over 100,000 miles so I consider it to have a decent amount of credibility. If you've ridden the Endurace or any of the other bikes I've tested and disagree then fair enough but hopefully if someone who's interested in purchasing the Canyon can use this review along with other resources to make an informed decision.

Avatar
geveleigh | 9 years ago
0 likes

Interestingly I see you state that the cassette is 11-28T whilst the Canyon website states its a 11-32T. Any clarification?

Graham.

Avatar
mike the bike | 9 years ago
0 likes

Y'know, I'm having the same problem with our kettle.

Sure, it looks alright, it boils water pretty fast and it hasn't scalded anybody but there's, well, something missing. There's just no connection between us, no spark in our relationship, no excitement in the whole hot water thing. It's got so bad that some days I can't be arsed to plug it in and I boil water in a saucepan instead.

Funnily enough the one before, it looked pretty much the same but had the uprated 3-pin plug, was really invigorating to use. Why, some mornings I would make the tea twice so I could hold it a little longer. It's a funny old life being a critic.

Avatar
macbob | 9 years ago
0 likes

And to put a tin lid on it, THREE DAYS after a review describing it as so boring the reviewer "couldn't be bothered to get it out of the shed to ride it or even look at it", the Canyon Endurace is listed on the same site as one of the best endurance/sportive bikes on the market.
And not just the Dura Ace equipped model - its listed as from £899 upwards.
I know different members of staff are entitled to different opinions, but what price a little editorial consistency ?

Avatar
Daveyraveygravey | 9 years ago
0 likes

I'm agonising over my next bike, and whether to go endurance/sportive or more fast/racy. I like the Canyon look, it's not in your face or over done, the price is great and the spec is as good as anything else in that range. I'm just not convinced I want an armchair-type bike yet, although I've never raced or even joined a club. This review has steered me away from the Endurace to an Ultimate, maybe.
My current bike is an old ally Olmo frame, which I love. I've had a short spin on an Aithein (car park trip) and it didn't feel massively different to my Olmo. I don't think they are THAT harsh, it depends on which review you read. In a perfect world I could line all the bikes in my shortlist up and take them all out on the same bit of road for a few hours to compare.

Avatar
Mrmiik replied to Daveyraveygravey | 9 years ago
0 likes

Hi - I really think you'll need to go for a longer test ride to get a feel for any bike - need to hit the hills!

An example. My brother has a BMC SLR02 specced with Force22 and zondas. Did the car park ride to give it a go compared to the Cinelli Saetta I had with me at the time - no discernible difference.

On a longer ride I felt that the BMC was easily more comfortable, yet I much preferred the way the Cinelli (also with zondas on) climbed in comparison to the BMC. This was only discerned after a weekend of riding in Yorkshire and borrowing the bro's bike occasionally.

Avatar
Bikeylikey | 9 years ago
1 like

I've just bought one of these, but with the Campag Chorus group. The differences of opinion cited above are just that, diffs of opinion - that's the problem with reviews, they are mainly just personal, subjective opinion.

My own opinion and perception of the frame is totally different from the reviewer's. My last best bike was a Cervelo R5, which would presumably have the excitement factor he talks about, more responsive, faster feeling etc. For me, though, the Canyon has more of the excitement factor he mentions, because all I do now is longish relatively slow rides, no racing or hard training in a group. The Cervelo was becoming a bit boring for me, feeling a bit too hard or harsh. I prefer the softer 'plush' feel of the Canyon, more relaxing, less jolting. It has that X factor for me, I really look forward to going out on it. What you find exciting depends on where you are in your cycling life and what kind of riding you do.

Avatar
BeatPoet | 9 years ago
0 likes

I've been looking at Canyon's for a while and have been so close to ordering but in the final analysis I always hold back simply because they look dull as hell.

I hate to invoke "German efficiency" stereotypes but surely they could add some more design flair to their range. They all look the same and stealth black doesn't really do it for me.

Other than that they're obviously brilliant bikes. Shame really.

Avatar
Danzxer | 9 years ago
0 likes

Rose has the CGF-2000 for a little more, a ligther frame and direct mount brakes. Would be nice know how the two compare.

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peterben | 9 years ago
0 likes

And as an aside I am currently saving for the Dura Ace version. But then I am boring and just get things done.

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BeatPoet replied to peterben | 9 years ago
0 likes

What difference will Dura Ace make apart from a couple of hundred grams?

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The _Kaner | 9 years ago
0 likes

Food can contain exactly the same ingredients in exactly the same quantities, but it is the 'chef' that makes the dish...special or inspiring.
Same as a rider and a bike. 100% of 'us readers' may like all of the ingredients, (what's not to like about a Canyon...great equipment, great frames, great prices? - perhaps in some peoples opinion - a bit bland in the colour dept...)
That does not necessarily mean you want to consume the same 'meal' day in day out...otherwise we'd all be cycling on the very first bike we owned for eternity...save a few worn out items being replaced
...if the bike doesn't make you sparkle, despite it's 'top notch' componentry, then it doesn't make you sparkle...
It's like my opinion on a Micra...it's a fugly car usually 'driven badly' by 'non drivers'...it gets you from A to B...but why would anyone that likes driving buy a Micra?

Avatar
macbob | 9 years ago
0 likes

So, just to recap Stuart:
This bike has a top frame, brilliant spec, impressive weight and a buttery smooth ride at an amazing price and this results in a bike which is so boring and lacking personality that you can't be bothered to get it out of the bike shed or even look at it.
You've said twice now that plenty of other comparable bikes you've ridden are much better. So why not name them. Bikes with a frame as good as this, built up with a spec as good as this (no cheaper substitutions in the groupset) AND AT THIS PRICE (£1299).
Name them.

Avatar
stuke replied to macbob | 9 years ago
0 likes
macbob wrote:

So, just to recap Stuart:
This bike has a top frame, brilliant spec, impressive weight and a buttery smooth ride at an amazing price and this results in a bike which is so boring and lacking personality that you can't be bothered to get it out of the bike shed or even look at it.
You've said twice now that plenty of other comparable bikes you've ridden are much better. So why not name them. Bikes with a frame as good as this, built up with a spec as good as this (no cheaper substitutions in the groupset) AND AT THIS PRICE (£1299).
Name them.

I think you are missing the whole point of the review. It's not about being better, I'm not talking about quality or price I'm talking about excitement and fun, which for me means more than any spec sheet.

Whether I'm spending £500 or £5000 on a bike I want to enjoy riding it. This Canyon for me didn't give me that so regardless of how good each component is on its own as a package it just wouldn't make me want to buy one.

I've used my knowledge of riding the best part of 100 bikes priced from £400 to £10,000 to come to my conclusion, it doesn't mean I'm right or wrong, it's just my opinion and you can use it however you see fit.  1

If you're interested in what other bikes I've found more exciting there are plenty of reviews on here that will tell you

Avatar
macbob replied to stuke | 9 years ago
0 likes

I've done as you suggested and looked at the reviews of bikes you've published since the beginning of the year before last.
The bikes you've given a higher rating than the Canyon are:
Eddy Merckx EMX-1 - which cost in the review just under £2k
Sabbath September - cost £2.8k
Cube Litening - just over £6k
Storck Fenomalist - just under £5k
Raleigh Militis 3 - £2.5k
Passoni Top Force - £5.5k

The Endurace costs £1.3k
If these bikes are "more exciting", then I'd suggest at their respective prices they ought to be.

Avatar
Mrmiik replied to macbob | 9 years ago
0 likes

Hi Macbob... Your comments don't seem to make a huge amount of sense, when did cost equate excitement or otherwise??

The entry Canyon Aeroad will most certainly be more exciting that the top level endurance - it's the nature of the beast.

No doubt this is a great bike, but admittedly it is hard to make endurance bikes exciting. Even with the best kit on the world the ride always feels buttey but mehhhhhh... no nice twitchy reactive handling, nor do they prance up the hills, and take you down the otherside grinning like a more throughbred race bike would. That is exciting.

I note that the reviewer's best bike is a kinesis aithein (frame cost is 650 odd). As a fellow Athein owner, can attest that this is far more exciting than my most expensive bike. But if im going for a long ride I'll take my 2k machine. Apples and oranges.

Avatar
userfriendly replied to Mrmiik | 9 years ago
0 likes
Mrmiik wrote:

I note that the reviewer's best bike is a kinesis aithein (frame cost is 650 odd). As a fellow Athein owner, can attest that this is far more exciting than my most expensive bike.

Genuine question: what is it that makes the Athein so exciting, compared to the Endurace CF? Is it stiffer? Better handling?

Avatar
Mrmiik replied to userfriendly | 9 years ago
0 likes
userfriendly wrote:
Mrmiik wrote:

I note that the reviewer's best bike is a kinesis aithein (frame cost is 650 odd). As a fellow Athein owner, can attest that this is far more exciting than my most expensive bike.

Genuine question: what is it that makes the Athein so exciting, compared to the Endurace CF? Is it stiffer? Better handling?

I think the reviewer would be best placed to answer that question. I've never ridden a Canyon Endurance.

First off, like all Kinesis frames, the quality and attention to detail is fantastic. It has the classic lines and is a pretty wee beast.

The Athein isn't as harsh as they say, but it is a very very stiff ride - little flex. Super light for alloy, and highly reactive, just flick the bars and it glides around the corners.

You get a lot of feedback from the road, which gives a satisfying feel when you are going full gas, but can be fatiguing.

Avatar
macbob replied to Mrmiik | 9 years ago
0 likes

Hi Mrmiik,
I can't argue with your comments, but my argument with the original review was the reviewers statement:
"but I've ridden plenty of other bikes in this category that provide all of that (comfort) but still get the juices flowing".
The Aeroad and Aithein are not IN THIS CATEGORY (the latter an aluminium frame famous for being a harsh ride - the former an aero frame).
Nor are any of the other bikes Stuart has reviewed and given a better rating to over the last couple of years. The Mercx is closest, but 50% dearer and has cheapo wheels. As you say, Apples and oranges.
If there is a better ENDURANCE bike out there at this price, can someone please let me know.
In reply to Russ, the checking of the reviews took about 20 minutes and I've been out on my MTB or road bike (a Pinarello racer incidentally, I don't own a Canyon) every day this week. Can you say the same ?

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Mrmiik replied to macbob | 9 years ago
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Thanks for your reply macbob. Really, the mentioning of the Aithein was to suggest that the reviewers personal preferences may be counter to endurance bikes - thus he might find it hard to be excited by endurance bikes.

I'd personally consider buying this bike IF I was in the market for an endurance bike, but I just can't see myself getting excited by these sort of bikes. In the past six months I've tried both a Domane and Roubiaux with mid spec kit (105/Ultegra)... I get why people buy these bikes, but I wouldn't get one myself. Unlike a lot of commenters, I genuinely like the Canyon paint jobs!

(Also I was under the impression that the old Aeroad was pretty comfy as aerobikes go? I guess it's all relative!)

Overall, I think we may be getting into semantics over what qualifies as 'exciting' now!

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russwparkin replied to macbob | 9 years ago
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i think the fact you took the time to do this perhaps suggests you also find riding your own bike a bit boring  24

macbob wrote:

I've done as you suggested and looked at the reviews of bikes you've published since the beginning of the year before last.
The bikes you've given a higher rating than the Canyon are:
Eddy Merckx EMX-1 - which cost in the review just under £2k
Sabbath September - cost £2.8k
Cube Litening - just over £6k
Storck Fenomalist - just under £5k
Raleigh Militis 3 - £2.5k
Passoni Top Force - £5.5k

The Endurace costs £1.3k
If these bikes are "more exciting", then I'd suggest at their respective prices they ought to be.

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stuke | 9 years ago
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While the frames of the CF 9.0 and the CF 8.0 may be the same the bikes will behave differently due to the near 2lb weight difference. A 15lb build is going to feel quicker and more responsive than a heavier bike will, whether that is why I didn't find the CF 8.0 as engaging as Dave Arthur found the 9.0 I can't say for certain without riding both but I would say its a fair bet.

Ignoring the overall scores mine and Dave's findings are actually pretty similar and as I've said in the review the CF 8.0 is a very good bike, though for me compared to what else I've ridden or am riding now I found it rather dull.

That's my honest feelings about the bike and I stand by it.

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RobD | 9 years ago
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Kind of goes to show that you should definitely try out a new bike, not just go on someone else's review of it. One person's perfection certainly isn't everyone's, and it probably depends what you're used to riding just as much as the bike itself. If something's sharper than your regular bike then it's bound to feel 'racier' than if your regular bike is already very sharp and racy.

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Threeh | 9 years ago
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I own an Canyon Inflite Al S that I use as my all round commuter, weekend blaster and even occasionally off-road. Solid bit of kit that handles everything that's thrown at it. I guess the 'lack of personality' comes from the Germanic perfection (to use a cliche), don't forget the Giro was won on a Canyon... https://www.canyon.com/en/specials/ultimate-cf-giro/

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Chapo | 9 years ago
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Since the rider is out of the saddle, the height looks about right.

Photo 2 of 36?

Surely the rider and the roads define the boredom factor of the bike and not the bike itself?

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peterben replied to Chapo | 9 years ago
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Yes, 2 and 3

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peternotpaul | 9 years ago
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So...

This bike lacks "personality" and "real crispness in the corners, and leaves you wanting a bit more responsiveness and feedback."

And... "the ride is very safe and middle of the road" and the bike "lacks any sort of excitement and passion."

But the 9.0 (same frame), "leans closer to a race bike in its handling" and "remains on the sharper side of the handling divide with a great urgency detectable through the frame and fork when making swift direction changes."

It's also "a bike that feels really settled at speed but sparkles when you give it some welly through the corners or up the climbs. It feels closer to a race bike than many of its peers."

But the above "needs a bit of personality to make it fun"?

Come on, which one is it?

Remember, it's the same frame and... "the frame is always the heart of the bike rather than just a component."

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