In an increasingly specialized road cycling bike market, endurance models are a reference point. They are mainly so because of their versatility, adaptation to the average cycling tourist, and the variety of prices and versions available. It is important to know what details set them apart from other types of road bikes, such as climbing or aero bikes, or what advantages they can bring when it comes to doing your routes or training. It is also good to know which models are benchmarks in the segment, to better guide your future purchase. The endurance bikes, whose name refers to long-distance timed cycling events originating in Italy, emerged at the end of the last decade, coinciding especially with the rise of this type of mass event. https://tuvalum.com/blogs/novedades/bicicletas-carretera-granfondo-escaladora-aero/ Soon the concept caught on among amateur cyclists and crossed over into professionalism, adopting more the term endurance (resistance). The bikes were very successful among riders with a more classic profile, being used in prestigious one-day races such as Paris-Roubaix or the Tour of Flanders.
How to identify an Endurance Bike
It is precisely that concept, that of endurance or resistance, which defines an endurance bike, although it is not the only one. Professional cyclists have ended up using these bikes in cobblestone classics (such as Paris-Roubaix), because the construction of their frame, geometry, and components, especially the tires, offer great resistance when tackling stretches of rough surfaces or poorly maintained roads. Resistance, along with comfort, could be the two basic characteristics of an endurance or endurance bike. Let's see, part by part, how they achieve this:
Reinforced and absorptive frame
To begin with, the construction of the frame is based on classic tube shapes, while at the same time using materials that promote vibration absorption, rather than increasing stiffness. Thus, in some endurance bikes with carbon frames, lower density fibers are used in strategic points such as the fork or rear triangle to mitigate the impact of potholes or other road irregularities.
The endurance bike is the bike for cycling tourists, especially those who want to do long-distance routes where you have to spend long hours pedaling at a relaxed but steady pace.
Likewise, some benchmark endurance models, such as the Specialized Roubaix or the Trek Domane, incorporate micro suspension systems or soft impact absorption systems on the front and rear axles (mini shock absorbers or elastomers). These give the frame a certain flexibility that increases the feeling of comfort.
Balanced geometry
In endurance bikes, the frame design is crucial to achieve a bike that is both comfortable and efficient. To achieve this, a longer wheelbase is used to increase stability, a higher stack or frame height (on average 2 or 3 cm higher than a classic or climbing bike), and a taller head tube. This forces the cyclist to maintain an upright posture, especially adapted for seated pedaling.
Wide tires
The third and definitive point that defines an endurance bike is that it must be equipped with fairly wide tires. The fork's front wheel clearance and the rear stays are wider (3 mm more than a climbing model) to accommodate tires of at least 28 mm. But there are already many models that come standard with 32 or even 35 mm tires. https://tuvalum.com/blogs/novedades/ruedas-anchas-ciclismo-carretera/ This increase in width gives the cyclist extra grip on uneven asphalt, as well as vibration absorption, which ultimately translates into increased riding comfort.
The best and worst of an endurance bike
With this description, it might seem that the endurance bike is the bike for everything, and is even suitable for competition, which would put more competitive models like climbing or aero bikes at a disadvantage. But the versatility and comfort achieved come with trade-offs. The main one is weight. In some models, the difference compared to a lightweight competition model is up to 1.5 kg more. This difference is noticeable when riding on the road, especially when climbing hills or mountain passes.
Having an endurance bike can be very useful if you often ride on roads with uneven or patched asphalt.
Another drawback is aerodynamics. The high and upright position provided by an endurance bike offers greater wind resistance, which means the average speed of a ride ends up being reduced. However, there are already endurance bikes that increase the head tube angle or have flatter frame tubes to be more aerodynamic.
What type of cyclist is an endurance bike for?
The endurance bike is for cyclists who do not intend to do road cycling for competition. It's the bike for touring cyclists, especially those who want to do long-distance routes that require spending long hours pedaling at a relaxed but steady pace. On the other hand, having an endurance bike can be very useful if you regularly ride on roads with uneven or patched asphalt. Or also if your usual routes include sections with cobblestones, cement, or even gravel. In this case, wider tires provide extra stability and safety for riding on these surfaces without much difficulty.
5 essential endurance bikes
Each brand has at least one endurance model in its catalog, with a multitude of builds and customization options. Among all of them, we highlight five that can serve as references:
Specialized Roubaix
Endorsed by successes in the professional field, especially in the cobbled classics with Peter Sagan, the Specialized Roubaix is a true reference in the gran fondo segment. It stands out for its lightweight carbon frame with aerodynamic touches, but above all for its Future Shock front micro-suspension system. This technology launched its second generation (2.0) in 2019. It is a small spring shock absorber installed inside the head tube that allows the front end to absorb impacts from cobblestones, potholes, or other irregularities. In its new version, it also includes a hydraulic cartridge with oil, which improves its sensitivity, and it is possible to adjust the rebound, just like on mountain bikes. As for the rear, vibration absorption is achieved through the Pavé seatpost from Specialized, capable of flexing both horizontally and vertically.
Trek Domane
2021/01/Trek-Domane.jpg"> The Trek Domane is a bicycle that also comes from the world of competition, with a purely gran fondo geometry but aerodynamic design, inspired by the aero model Madone. It is already in its third generation, and the latest has incorporated a new vibration absorption technology, IsoCore. This consists of a set of elastomers integrated into the Bontrager carbon handlebar (included as standard) capable of absorbing up to 20% of road vibrations, according to the brand. Additionally, it features IsoSpeed vibration absorption technology. This is based on decoupling the seat tube from the top tube, which are only joined by a bushing tightened with two bolts. This simple and effective mechanism, which hardly adds any extra weight to the bike and keeps the geometry intact, allows the tube to flex in response to terrain impacts.
Cannondale Synapse
It is one of the examples of integration between the gran fondo and competition concepts. The carbon frame of the Cannondale Synapse combines different types of fibers, using the most flexible ones in areas most exposed to impacts, such as the chainstays, seatstays, or fork, and the stiffest ones in the rest of the structure. This achieves a balance between comfort and performance. In addition, the geometry is partially inspired by the Supersix competition model. This way, it allows for a slightly more aerodynamic position than a pure gran fondo.
Canyon Endurace
2021/01/Canyon-Endurace.jpg"> The gran fondo bike from Canyon features a more classic design than the previous ones, with geometry that invites you to pedal seated for long hours. The frame's absorption properties are located in the seatpost and handlebar. The latter, the Ergocockpit, has the hand supports on the top bar slightly set back. This is a solution that corrects arm position to keep you upright on the bike at all times. Another strong point of the Canyon Endurace is its wide range of assemblies, with or without disc brakes, and economical versions with aluminum frame.
Giant Defy
Finally, it is worth highlighting the endurance model from Giant, whose compact design, especially the rear triangle, brings it closer to lighter and faster bikes such as climbing bikes. The Giant Defy uses the special curved design of the seatpost and handlebar (D-Fuse) to dissipate vibrations, in addition to featuring a carbon frame with less rigid fibers than in its aero (Propel) and climbing (TCR Advanced) models. It also features the Overdrive-2 conical design of its head tube, which adds stiffness to the area for greater steering precision.