Performance or endurance bike?

[bonnypriest]

Ok girls...I know that endurance bikes are supposed to have a slightly more upright riding position & of course, performance would be opposite (nice & low). I'm not exactly sure where this will all lead, but in a search for just the right bike...what are the differences? It's gotta be more than just how low your upper body is while riding. If riding with a group (maybe faster paced), wanting to do some decent hills, some century rides (when I build up to that) & maybe some racing in the future. What bike would be a best all around? I know the performance bike is a lower riding position, but would you think that would be something much more versatile? Especially if I'm thinking about racing? It's all very confusing, but I'm just trying to figure out a nice little list of what I need/am looking for before I just drop into a bike shop of very experienced riders & look like a freakin' moron. Anyway...I've done a couple of google searches & I'm not finding anything except some blah, blah, blah with a bunch of opinions on the tooth number on chain rings. I've got A LOT to learn. I'd love to hear your input if you've got the time. Thanks in advance!!

[Veronica]

You've got a whole bunch of ideas floating around here. You can certainly race on an endurance bike. I did several triathlons on such a bike. Then I got a race bike, and yeah that made me faster.

But how serious are you about racing? If you're just getting into riding do you even want to be thinking along those lines yet?

Veronica

[bonnypriest]

You've got a whole bunch of ideas floating around here. You can certainly race on an endurance bike. I did several triathlons on such a bike. Then I got a race bike, and yeah that made me faster.

But how serious are you about racing? If you're just getting into riding do you even want to be thinking along those lines yet?

Veronica

Oh girl...I'm not sure. You know...right now I'm just riding a hybrid so I don't know that it will even matter. Anything will probably be better than what I have. I know I'd like to do it all...eventually, but for the mean time, I'd like to keep up with a faster riding group & also have the ability to do the longer rides (60-100 miles) with hills, flats, etc with quite a bit more ease & definitely more speed. Is that even possible? Suggestions?

[roadie gal]

2+ on getting a bike that is comfortable and fits you. You're not going to race on the world's best racing bike if you can't get comfortable on it. You can race on an "endurance" bike if you get comfortable and efficient on it.

[Dannielle]

one thing to consider-

if you did do races, what would your focus be? Meaning, would you be more concerned with your time against the time of the other competitors...or would you be concerned with finishing and your own personal best times?

If it's the latter, having the fastest bike on the block won't matter.

[nscrbug]

Why not just go and test ride both types and see which one suits you better? I started out with a "racing" bike (Cervelo Soloist Carbon), because at the time when I bought it, I was into triathlons and thought it would be the best option for me. After a year and only doing 2 triathlons, I decided that the racing position was NOT for me. I have a bad back and a more upright, relaxed riding position just suited me better. Plus, my focus changed from triathlon to long distance riding...so a more comfortable riding position benefited me more. I now ride a Cannondale Synapse Carbon Fem 3, and comfort-wise, it is much better for me than the more aggressive and aero Cervelo was.

You really should test 'em both out, to see which type of bike you feel more comfortable on.

Linda

[bonnypriest]

The 2011's are about to come out, so they only have 2 versions of womens Synapse left, but many of the mens. Cannondale calls the Synapse 'performance' ie, comfortable, and they call their Six 'Elite' ie, race-level.

Cannondale:
http://www.cannondale.com/gbr/eng/Pr...-Road/Synapse/

Jamis:
Scroll down to the right side of the page: Steel performance, for the Jamis models:
http://www.jamisbikes.com/canada/the...oad/index.html

Surly Steel.
http://surlybikes.com/bikes/pacer_complete/

Kona Road Bikes.
http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=honky_tonk

Remember, entry-level doesn't really mean lower price, it gives you the chance to explore and develop your likes and dislikes about bikes without making an expensive or painful mistake.

Enjoy

Dang girl! Thank you sooooo much for all the info. I really appreciate it all. The last post too!!! I'm learning SO much from each of you! But...I'm REALLY loving the synapse!!!! That's a beautiful bike!

[bonnypriest]

one thing to consider-

if you did do races, what would your focus be? Meaning, would you be more concerned with your time against the time of the other competitors...or would you be concerned with finishing and your own personal best times?

If it's the latter, having the fastest bike on the block won't matter.

Dannielle...That question answers it all without even caring what kind of bike it is. Thank you! For me...it's definitely the latter of the two...for now. Of course I want to get the best bike for my money, but all-in-all, even though I'm very competitive, I can start with the little steps & my own personal "best times". Awesome advice!

Why not just go and test ride both types and see which one suits you better? I started out with a "racing" bike (Cervelo Soloist Carbon), because at the time when I bought it, I was into triathlons and thought it would be the best option for me. After a year and only doing 2 triathlons, I decided that the racing position was NOT for me. I have a bad back and a more upright, relaxed riding position just suited me better. Plus, my focus changed from triathlon to long distance riding...so a more comfortable riding position benefited me more. I now ride a Cannondale Synapse Carbon Fem 3, and comfort-wise, it is much better for me than the more aggressive and aero Cervelo was.

You really should test 'em both out, to see which type of bike you feel more comfortable on.

Linda

Linda...yet more GREAT advice!!! That Synapse is getting a lot of love around here it seems. I'm thinking that I'd be much the same as you with the not-so-good back and needing a more comfortable riding position. Lifting heavy for too many years will do that to a girl (me). Thanks SO much for the advice!!!!!!

[bonnypriest]

2+ on getting a bike that is comfortable and fits you. You're not going to race on the world's best racing bike if you can't get comfortable on it. You can race on an "endurance" bike if you get comfortable and efficient on it.

Thank you Roadie! I think I'm going to have to stick with that. More comfort & just become more efficient. You girls are so amazing. That's why I'm here. Lots of experience & great advice for us newbies. Thanks again!!!

[bonnypriest]

I forgot Specialized!

Their women's endurance bikes are the Ruby and the Dolce.

Specialized Ruby:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...nuItemId=14881

Specialized Dolce:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...nuItemId=14881

Men's are the Roubaix and the Secteur.

From your height and limb sizes I can't tell whether men's or women's are the best place to start. Just depends how long a reach you need. Make sure you test both styles no matter what bikes you try. And if the shop attempts to steer you to what they have on hand or automatically makes assumptions rather than takes your measurements thoroughly, I would go to a different bike shop.

Thanks Sheila!!!! I love options!

[aicabsolut]

It kind of depends. I mean, there are more endurance-type "racing" bikes too. Think of something like the Specialized Roubaix. It's got a longer wheel base, a taller head tube, and is designed to lessen rider fatigue while still being responsive, lightweight, and suitable for road racing. Then there are even more "relaxed" touring style bikes. You can definitely start racing on just about anything with drop handlebars, but a touring bike could pose some additional challenges for getting the most out of your efforts if you get into racing and faster group rides due to its weight and even more relaxed geometry. It won't handle quite as responsively as something with a shorter wheelbase and more aggressive angles, and you'll have more weight to lug uphill.

If you are interested more in speed and quick group rides and less into doing a lot of long distance riding and tours, then you can adapt a more aggressive "performance" bike to fit your needs as a developing cyclist. You can keep spacers under the stem. You can have a higher stem angle. As your flexibility and comfort improves, drop that down to be more aggressive in the front end. One reason it's low is to improve weight distribution for fast cornering, etc. It's not just about being in a more aerodynamic position. It's about being able to lean the bike over safely and about being able to jump out of the saddle and accelerate.

I would recommend buying a performance bike where the fit is such that you can have a decently long stem. So, look at different sizes and WSD and non-WSD. Retaining a longer stem on a performance bike will make the front end feel less twitchy even with the tighter wheelbase and all the rest that makes the bike responsive. It will still corner nicely and be responsive to your power output in accelerations and climbing efforts, but it might feel a bit more stable for a beginner to road bikes.

Different brands and models within brand will also have a different ride feel. So, don't try one performance bike and write them all off if you don't like the ride. Try a bunch. Try a bunch of endurance bikes. See what clicks.

[sundial]

I started out on a zippy performance road bike that is considered a plush bike--a Specialized Roubaix. It's got a slightly longer wheelbase than the race bike Tarmac but still accelerates pretty quick. Bikes in the plush category can serve as both performance and distance bikes.

Throughout your cycling seasons you will refine your tastes for what bike you'll need to accomplish your goals. Don't be surprised if you drift from your initial choice to something on the opposite spectrum. Whatever bike you choose, make sure it's comfortable.

[bonnypriest]

It kind of depends. I mean, there are more endurance-type "racing" bikes too. Think of something like the Specialized Roubaix. It's got a longer wheel base, a taller head tube, and is designed to lessen rider fatigue while still being responsive, lightweight, and suitable for road racing. Then there are even more "relaxed" touring style bikes. You can definitely start racing on just about anything with drop handlebars, but a touring bike could pose some additional challenges for getting the most out of your efforts if you get into racing and faster group rides due to its weight and even more relaxed geometry. It won't handle quite as responsively as something with a shorter wheelbase and more aggressive angles, and you'll have more weight to lug uphill.

If you are interested more in speed and quick group rides and less into doing a lot of long distance riding and tours, then you can adapt a more aggressive "performance" bike to fit your needs as a developing cyclist. You can keep spacers under the stem. You can have a higher stem angle. As your flexibility and comfort improves, drop that down to be more aggressive in the front end. One reason it's low is to improve weight distribution for fast cornering, etc. It's not just about being in a more aerodynamic position. It's about being able to lean the bike over safely and about being able to jump out of the saddle and accelerate.

I would recommend buying a performance bike where the fit is such that you can have a decently long stem. So, look at different sizes and WSD and non-WSD. Retaining a longer stem on a performance bike will make the front end feel less twitchy even with the tighter wheelbase and all the rest that makes the bike responsive. It will still corner nicely and be responsive to your power output in accelerations and climbing efforts, but it might feel a bit more stable for a beginner to road bikes.

Different brands and models within brand will also have a different ride feel. So, don't try one performance bike and write them all off if you don't like the ride. Try a bunch. Try a bunch of endurance bikes. See what clicks.

I started out on a zippy performance road bike that is considered a plush bike--a Specialized Roubaix. It's got a slightly longer wheelbase than the race bike Tarmac but still accelerates pretty quick. Bikes in the plush category can serve as both performance and distance bikes.

Throughout your cycling seasons you will refine your tastes for what bike you'll need to accomplish your goals. Don't be surprised if you drift from your initial choice to something on the opposite spectrum. Whatever bike you choose, make sure it's comfortable.

I've been so freakin' confused. It's really a lot to take in & figure things out. I guess all in all, the best advice (the concensus anyway) is to try them all & see what fits best just like you two said. I still feel confused, but I'm sure if I try enough of the little boogers, one will just feel right. There's so many brands too. Now the problem will be trying to find a few bike shops that have enough for me to try. Thanks again for the help!