New Canyon... love it but feels heavy?

Dizeee

Hi all

I had my Endurace CF 8.0 105 Disc delivered last week and have now ridden it pretty much every day since Wednesday last week. I have done a mixture of stuff, commuting, faster rides, climbs and flats. I love the bike, and this was purchased to replace my "all year round / do it all" bike, an aluminium Bianchi Impulso 105. I decided to prioritise comfort and value over lightness and aerodynamics. I still have my Carbon Aero summer bike, which I can't see being bettered unless I spend 5k plus nor am I looking to change that either.

So, the bike is great, but it feels different and I am interested in others experience of changing bikes or of this model. I have done 18000 miles on the Impulso over 4 years and so it has become a very dialled in default bike for me. I find it boring, now, but it has always worked. As a matter of fact it is currently in the classifieds. But, this Canyon, which is advertised as 8.5kg, def feels heavier, both to pick up and to ride. I would go as far as to say that it feels like a bit of a porker. That will actually serve me well, because it IS supposed to be a training bike that will get all sorts thrown at it. But immediately I notice two things, 1) Climbing on it is not the carbon experience of my summer bike which is a De Rosa Merak, and 2) maintaining speed above 20mph takes work, more so I think than the Bianchi.

I always billed the Bianchi as a tank, I just assumed it was a heavy ally bike, but, I am actually moving marginally slower on the Carbon Canyon both in terms of average speed and segment times. The Canyon def feels like it needs more work to keep going. I am really feeling it in my legs and even on short climbs I seem to lack the "margin" of spare power, or the reserve ability I am used to, to throw it up. Maybe it is just me getting used to it, or getting the position right, but it's an odd one.

The Canyon I sized as small, as my Bianchi is a 55cm top tube and I am only 5 foot 9 ish, so it has always probably been a bit too big. I have had a fit and have numbers, and I have checked them agains the Canyon, they more or less stack up, but even the though the frame is smaller the reach is further and it is noticeable. I can still make adjustments, but it has been the main thing I notice in terms of position.

How long does it take to get used to a bike, when going from a bike you have ridden daily over the last 4 years to a new model that you also throw yourself right into and ride plenty? Anyone else have a Endurace and how do you find it?

sloppyschleckonds

Heavier frame, heavier brakes, heavier wheels, heavy groupset, less aerodynamic position.

What were you expecting.

Dizeee

Possibly but - frame should be lighter (just) - wheels are Aksium so par for the course with my (new) Fulcrum 7's, groupset is 2017 105, my Bianchi started out on a 2012 105 group, and as for brakes I guess discs add a but but that much?

cookeeemonster

Hydro discs add around 800 grams I think?

964cup

You could always trying actually weighing both bikes...

homers_double

Last summer I bought and built a Trek Domane 4.5 disc as my best bike, not super fancy carbon top end parts but not exact cheap either.

I still have my Allez and that's lighter than the Trek but nowhere near as nice to ride.

stueys

Weigh the bikes and check the position on both. A position that's in the air more will make a bigger difference than weight.

Being honest I think that's it's probably slower mainly because you now think it's slower, once it's in your head then perception tends to drive reality,

Bobbinogs

Pretty much everything said is based on a subjective or flawed analysis...bike feels heavier, harder work for the pace, Strava segments slower (so many variables there). The title says "love it"...so what exactly is the problem? Ride your bike. If you love it, keep it. If you don't like it, flog it.

sloppyschleckonds

Bobbinogs wrote:

Pretty much everything said is based on a subjective or flawed analysis...bike feels heavier, harder work for the pace, Strava segments slower (so many variables there). The title says "love it"...so what exactly is the problem? Ride your bike. If you love it, keep it. If you don't like it, flog it.

Aerodynamic drag is a critical factor in the speed he can achieve at a given level of power output.

That isn't flawed analysis.

Bobbinogs

...and yet the bike "feels great" and he "loves it". "Maintaining speed above 20mph takes work". One week of general riding so maybe the rider is a little fatigued? Could be just a big a factor as aerodynamics.

Moonbiker

Wired tyres?

alex222

Get someone to take a photo side on of you on the bikes, and weight them.
Then post the photos here and people can have some fun commenting.

daniel_b

Dizeee wrote:

the reach is further and it is noticeable. I can still make adjustments, but it has been the main thing I notice in terms of position.

That's the most likely suspect in my mind - your too stretched out, and not in the re-assuring position your body is well accustomed to over the last 4 years.

Either your body will adapt, or you may need to look at adjustments such as shorter stem, compact reach handlebars etc etc

supermurph09

Are you sure it's not you. Are you ill?

Failing that..

What colour is the bike? If your previous bike was red this could explain things.

fenix

I notice my summer bike being so much faster than my winter bike for about 30 minutes on its first outing. After that - I've forgotten what the old one felt like.

But really theres so much that can make the difference - tyres and PSI would be my first start,.

fat daddy

I was just about to ask what tyres you have on each.

to give you an idea of the sh1te companies clothe their bikes with ... and understandably, it keeps the price down on a bike that people will want to swap the rubber out anyway. .... I digress ... my commuter came with £10 a tyre Vittarias ... I thought nothing of it until they started puncturing from tiny, tiny shards of glass 1-2mm thick that were somewhere on my route.

so I swapped the tyres out for continental, gatorskin hardshells ... NOT a performance tyre, a tyre that is meant to roll well for a puncture resistant tyre

to my surprise the bike suddenly absolutely flew ... it was like another bike, the acceleration, the handling, the smoothness .... those £10 Vittorias were seriously holding the bike back ... if these hardshells ever run out, I am looking forward to the performance upgrade of sticking 4000gp iis on it.

so there we have it ... transform the bike, buy better wheels and tyres

teebs_123

I just switched back from discs to rim brakes and the bike does feel better, I think you'll be noticing the wheels and rotors. Just get comfy on the thing, if it's your winter bike/commuter, stuff Strava times and just enjoy it. No one cares if you're 0.2mph slower than before

surfguy13

I find that every new (or 'new' used) bike I have ever had has been a struggle for the first few months. Probably for two reasons; firstly because when you have a new bike you are in ultra critical mode and this tends to blow out of proportion any issues you may be having and secondly you are inevitably comparing the Canyon to your Bianchi, which is probably not fair on the Canyon. Four years and 18000 miles is a lot on one bike and it's going to take a while to adapt.....have patience and I'm sure it will work out OK!!

trek_dan

Cheap heavy tyres?
Also it probably is heavy compared to normal road bike due to the discs.

mugensi

I would say tyres are the biggest factor in the perceived problem. Cheaper tyres are heavy and can feel sluggish no matter what wheels or bike theyre fitted to.

Also the more upright/relaxed geometry may mean you are catching more air and so this will also slow you down slightly.

My winter road bike (9.6kg) is 2+ kg heavier than my best bike (7.4kg) and is considerably slower despite having reasonably lightweight wheels and the same tyres as my good bike, that's just the way it is. I also use a 29er MTB quite a bit during winter and its very slow and heavy (13.3kg) but perfect as a winter trainer. I wouldn't get too fussed over it, so long as your happy with the bike and enjoy riding it then speeds/times are irrelevant.

fenix

Oh.

It should come with GP4000S ?

In which case it's probably in your mind.

I'll give you £500 for it ?

Dorset_Boy

Was just about to post the same, top notch tyres should have come with it.

matt_n-2

You need to get the tape measure out and cross check each bike and also post the pics.

It's clear from your post on PH that there are some differences in setup, not to mention how far your saddle is pushed forward.

Dizeee

Thanks all

Its a Canyon... all their bikes come with GP4000s, which are the same as I ran on the old bike... all at around 100 psi - so the tyres are identical. The wheels and discs are new though and yes it does feel a bit like that.

As I said on PH its an observation not a complaint. I have adjusted the fit today and it does feel better. I am just a bit surprised that a Carbon bike feels heavier than what I thought was a cheapish aluminium.

bristolpete

In my experience, the bikes you jump on and hate or feel unsure about often become great bikes after a bit of dialling it. The bikes which excel on maiden voyage usually become average very quickly as you soon decipher what is good or indeed bad about a bike/frame/performance dividends.

Furthermore horses for courses. Perhaps switch your goal to descending faster over flatland or climbing speed. When I ran my Defy ADV SL it was great - not a climber, but descended phenomenally well and boy that thing railled at silly speeds and I never felt the fear.

sloppyschleckonds

Try reducing the psi to around 80 may help the feel

JBVRV

I recently got the same bike - mine weighs 9.0kg with pedals and bottle cages in size 2xl, so I don't think their quoted weight of 8.5kg in medium can be too far off. You can buy digital luggage scales for £3 from ebay (inc batteries) http://www.ebay.co.uk/p/?roken=cUgayN

I changed from a smaller, racier bike of similar weight and beat many of my strava times on my first ride with the Canyon. I put this almost entirely down to the excitement of having a new bike and being out on the first sunny ride of the year. Apart from the downhill segments, which are definitely easier with wider tyres and discs.

supermurph09

Dizeee wrote:

Thanks all

Its a Canyon... all their bikes come with GP4000s, which are the same as I ran on the old bike... all at around 100 psi - so the tyres are identical. The wheels and discs are new though and yes it does feel a bit like that.

As I said on PH its an observation not a complaint. I have adjusted the fit today and it does feel better. I am just a bit surprised that a Carbon bike feels heavier than what I thought was a cheapish aluminium.

That's not true, some of them come with those cr4p mavic tyres.

diamonddog

As above mine came with the Mavic Yksion tyres and admittedly they are 25mm compared to 23mm on my other bike (which has much much cheaper and heavier wheels) they seem to me to be harder to get up to speed.

PTestTeam

Dizeee wrote:

Hi all

I had my Endurace CF 8.0 105 Disc delivered last week and have now ridden it pretty much every day since Wednesday last week. I have done a mixture of stuff, commuting, faster rides, climbs and flats. I love the bike, and this was purchased to replace my "all year round / do it all" bike, an aluminium Bianchi Impulso 105.I decided to prioritise comfort and value over lightness and aerodynamics. I still have my Carbon Aero summer bike, which I can't see being bettered unless I spend 5k plus nor am I looking to change that either.

So, the bike is great, but it feels different and I am interested in others experience of changing bikes or of this model. I have done 18000 miles on the Impulso over 4 years and so it has become a very dialled in default bike for me. I find it boring, now, but it has always worked. As a matter of fact it is currently in the classifieds. But, this Canyon, which is advertised as 8.5kg, def feels heavier, both to pick up and to ride. I would go as far as to say that it feels like a bit of a porker. That will actually serve me well, because it IS supposed to be a training bike that will get all sorts thrown at it. But immediately I notice two things, 1) Climbing on it is not the carbon experience of my summer bike which is a De Rosa Merak, and 2) maintaining speed above 20mph takes work, more so I think than the Bianchi.

I always billed the Bianchi as a tank, I just assumed it was a heavy ally bike, but, I am actually moving marginally slower on the Carbon Canyon both in terms of average speed and segment times. The Canyon def feels like it needs more work to keep going. I am really feeling it in my legs and even on short climbs I seem to lack the "margin" of spare power, or the reserve ability I am used to, to throw it up. Maybe it is just me getting used to it, or getting the position right, but it's an odd one.

The Canyon I sized as small, as my Bianchi is a 55cm top tube and I am only 5 foot 9 ish, so it has always probably been a bit too big. I have had a fit and have numbers, and I have checked them agains the Canyon, they more or less stack up, but even the though the frame is smaller the reach is further and it is noticeable. I can still make adjustments, but it has been the main thing I notice in terms of position.

How long does it take to get used to a bike, when going from a bike you have ridden daily over the last 4 years to a new model that you also throw yourself right into and ride plenty? Anyone else have a Endurace and how do you find it?

I'm confused.

itboffin

Aksium wheels thats where my money's​ on, i have the rim version and no matter what tyres i fit they just drag, i also have the fulcrum 7 and shimano rs10 so all budget wheels, the mavics are the only ones where its really noticeably slower, regardless of bikes or tyres.