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Having faced endless mud through the winter, I’m getting to the point where I’d like to start doing some short (1-2hr) road rides instead of winter mud rides.
I don’t want to use my Scalpel so looking at either gravel or road bike.
The bike will be ridden almost always on road and may even do a summer 30mile commute once a week.
While of course the road bias makes me think road bike (like canyon endurance), having never had a road bike and being used to plush full suspension, makes me wonder if a gravel bike (like Scott speedster gravel) might be a more gentle step.
What I can’t work out is whether that’s the case and it will be more comfy, or if I get the canyon and put some 30mm tyres, will that be pretty much the same as the gravel bike, but then last me longer if I start to enjoy the road stuff?
I appreciate that it’s a stupid question, but I’m going round in circles, so wonder if any of you have had a similar dilemma and what you went for?
Thanks
I put 42s on my HT and use that.... it does a brilliant job 🙂
Still only needs 1 bike.
Sure if you want ultimate speed, a road bike will beat it, but that extra 1km/h... who cares ?
I expect much will depend on whether you want to transition into group riding on the road. If you do then a lighter faster more road orientated bike will help you on moderate/ long group rides. If you are training alone then a gravel setup, bigger tyres/ more relaxed geometry would probably be better to ride.
I think that you would probably enjoy a gravel bike for the sort of riding you describe, and it gives you options to cut across BWs etc in the warmer weather.
Get a winter road bike, with proper mudguards. Don't worry too much, as long as you ride around the potholes a road is a lot smoother than a trail.
You might want to ride big-ish tyres for comfort/performance and to leave space in case you want to fit an ice tyre at some point.
A gravel bike isn't going to be night and day in terms of better comfort compared to an endurance road bike. And if you don't plan to ride it off road, do you really need all the extra mounts, room for 2.1" tyres, extra weight? (Plus there's a bit of gravel premium tax at the moment as they're fasionable.)
See if you can demo ride a Cannondale Synapse, Scott Solace or something similar.
I think you should be looking at an endurance orientated road bike, if you're not venturing off road (though you can dabble, many do) then it's the right tool for the job. The Canyon would be fine, though I believe the default option is the Giant Defy. Make sure you can fit 30mm tyres in it, ideally mud guards too, and you'll be sorted.
You do have to accept that it'll feel very different to your MTB (so will a gravel bike), your weight will be distributed differently it'll feel odd for the first few miles but that's OK and normal.
bluebird
Member
A gravel bike isn’t going to be night and day in terms of better comfort compared to an endurance road bike.
With like for like tyres I'd be amazed if it was an improvement at all
Thanks all, and that’s exactly what I was hoping for.
The canyon can take 30mm tyres and it sounds like that might therefore be the one to go for.
I have looked at the Giant Defy, but having struggled to get a good fit with an Anthem I had a couple of years ago, it’s (probably unfairly) turned me off giant.
Thanks again for all of your replies!
That said. I’ve just seen a Giant Command 2 available. I understand that’s the alu successor to the defy, so might be an option.