KyleDurh

This forum has really been a great help and I’m learning a lot. Thanks again I’m going to answer as best I can on some of the questions: 1. I am based in Midstream and have done bike fittings at Midstream Cycles. The guy who generally helps me has unfortunately left and seems like there is a void in knowledge. I am happy for some other local suggestions. 2. My Pinarello is around a 50cm if I recall. I can’t seem to find the size indication. It is a bit small but lives on a trainer and does the job for that and the odd road ride. 3. I am 168cm with a 79cm inseam. The Canyon website recommends an XS frame. Whilst this bike is a Small but I didn’t have any obvious fit issues that I could immediately feel like stand over height. 4. My other challenge is that I am traveling in for the next two weeks so this becomes a bit pressured. Let’s see if this bike is still available.

Thanks all for the guidance and learning here. I am very tempted to pick up this bike but the question of fit is the unknown for me as I have very little point of reference as to what feels right or what fits and with the steerer cut, I genuinely don’t know what that could mean for a bike fitting in the future. My gut feeling is to put it on pause and try some other frames and bikes and then take it from there.

Hi Ross, out of interest. How did you spot that the steerer was cut?

Hi Ross, thanks so much for the in depth look. It is indeed the one on BikeMarket. I did look at it in person and clearly my lack of experience shows but did spot the chain ring but missed the cut steerer which is probably a deal breaker for me. Not necessarily set on Canyon Endurace but in my desktop research they seem to come highly recommended in this category. I will look at some of these other options. Thanks so much.

Appreciate the guidance and feedback here. Let me sleep on it. If I were to consider an alternative new bike, what are some of the options to consider for a budget of up to R65k? The Titan Racing Valerian seems to deliver a lot of bang for buck but unsure of geometry.

Afternoon all, I have started enjoying Road Riding and currently have a 2014 Pinarello Treviso Commuter bike that is doing decently albeit its age to scratch the proverbial itch. I have an itch to upgrade and from all my reading I am leaning towards an Endurance style Road Bike. I then bumped into a 2020 Canyon Endurace CF SL 8.0 Disc for sale. It’s in a reasonable to good condition and has the following components: Wheels: Zip 303s Carbon Wheels Brakes: Shimano Ultegra Crankset: Shimano Ultegra 2x11 Speed Derailleurs: Shimano Ultegra Di2 The price is R47 500 with some extras thrown in. I am not experienced in bike pricing so need some guidance. I am not rushed and would rather buy the right bike (new or used) and also open to suggestions on alternatives.

Proper newbie question. Would this be an upgrade path for a 2019 Specialized Carbon Epic Comp?

First step is good or decent beans. A corporate machine is often where things fall flat It also might need a service which can work wonders Then typically to dial in: I would go with a black coffee or espresso to taste. While making a coffee you can adjust dose (mine is denoted in beans but differs) and the amount of water of the shot. These machines typically can’t hold a huge amount of ground coffee (Say 15 grams at max strength setting) so would call for roughly a 30ML to 50ML coffee shot depending on preference. These settings can be saved Depending on model but mine has a grind setting dial at the top (near the back) that you adjust while the machine grinds. Typically the finer the grind the more extraction. Mine actually runs very close to stock but it is bean dependent. Some pointers above, that James Hoffman video is really good. Another thing, try smaller cups or making 2 coffees for a bigger cup. The brew unit size limitation is a big cause of disappointment.

Thanks all! Some great suggestions all round. Let me spend some more time on the bike and then figure out my plan.

Hmm. I’ll weigh in here with someone that has a bean to cup machine and came from manual espresso . It is very dependent on what bean to cup machine you get. I have a Jura E6 and it punches well above its weight and for me was worth the investment. Although, I’d admit that in the hands of an experienced barista, you get better results from a manual machine, the consistency of a dialed in Bean to Cup and the convenience is hard to beat. I think the problem is often that people leave their bean to cup machine stock and don’t put in effort to have good beans and then to dial them in.

I guess my thinking is that if I feel more confident on the bike the penalty on weight isn't as relevant. I however could be simply selling myself on a new bike....

Thanks so much all for the views. Lots to think about. My challenge here is that I haven't really experienced other bikes, there is an avenue of wondering what is on the other side. In my case, I am wondering if perhaps for my Marathon riding, if I would be more confident going with a bike that isn't as race focused. In some of my reading it seems that something like a Trek Top Fuel 9.8 is a viable option? I don't necessarily want to go down an upgrade path and look back and say I should've invested in a different avenue all together.

Hey all, New to the forum. Need some wisdom and ideas from the forum. I currently have a 2019 Specialized Carbon Epic Comp that I picked up 2nd hand last year and was my first serious MTB bike. https://www.specialized.com/za/en/mens-epic-comp-carbon/p/154345?color=239075-154345 I initially bought another cheaper bike but had an issue with a bent seat stay from the retailer and they offered this bike to me instead of getting my cash back so I was pushed in this direction. I am starting to get more serious into Marathon riding and I’m entered for W2W and contemplating an upgrade path for this bike. My question, should I pursue upgrading this bike or should I sell it as is and perhaps start fresh?