Shopping for new top of the line Endurance Bike

[Julietiede]

I just discovered yesterday on a ride that the Carbon frame on my 2 year old Orbea Orca Gold with Di2 is severely cracked. It is on the chain stay and looks like a stress crack from poor design/manufacture. I do a lot of miles-200 a week, most of it involves climbing (175,000+ feet this year to date)-the Orbea seemed to be the bike for the job but has obviously fallen way short. As I begin the battle with Orbea, I am also beginning look for a new bike. I have to say I am not interested in getting back on an Orbea. The question is does anyone have any good recommendations? I have been looking at the Specialized Amira and Ruby. I am very sad the top ones do not come with Di2. I will never be able to figure out why my husband has so many great choices in bikes, but if I buy a Women's specific I end up with a lesser bike-no Di2 and in most instance lesser carbon. The Orbea was not a women's specific so maybe it isn't necessary. I would love to have input if anyone has any good ideas. Thank You!

[TigerMom]

First of all, I am super impressed with your riding endurance. You are AMAZING!

Second, as far as I know, the Specialized bike company gives a lifetime guarantee on their frames for the original owner. So, if your frame cracks, the store will either fix it or replace it for free.

The Amira does feel different than the Ruby to me in terms of the top tube length. I personally cannot feel the smoother ride quality of the Ruby with their Zertz inserts.

Hopefully, Orbea will fix the frame for you for free. I thought that the Orbea Gold was supposed to be fantastic.

[Julietiede]

Thank you! I appreciate your insight and thoughts on the above. I am focusing on the Amira so that is great input. As for the Orbea, I have had on going issues with it-this is just the worst one! I did a lot of research when I bought it and thought it was the best, it just didn't turn out that way. My husband bought the Specialized S Works Roubaix at the same time and loves it. Next one is going to be a Specialized I believe. Again thank you!

[Julietiede]

Great information-Thank you! Heading right to the Pinarello Website to follow up. Honestly I hadn't even hit that one yet, but I am not sure why. They have always seemed like beautiful bikes!

[maillotpois]

The bike I ride, the Volagi Liscio, was specifically designed by cyclists (friends of mine) who do long distance rides. It is VERY comfortable over long distances and I have to say the disc brakes are amazing. It now comes with Di-2 as well if that is important.

http://volagi.com/bikes/liscio%C2%B2-ultegra-di2

[velo]

Well, it sounds like you have kind of made up your mind, but will give a shout out to Wilier brand of bicycles. They are an Italian company with over a century of history and is considered one of the preeminent Italian manufacturers. They are strong on high-end road bike research and have a great line to choose from, although none of them come very inexpensively. I have the Gran Turismo, which was chosen specifically by me for its slightly more relaxed geometry from their Cento Uno. It has a race design that is also strong for endurance comfort. I, too put in a lot of miles, but not nearly the climbing you do. The last few weeks have been around 270 miles per week with 16+ hours in the saddle. Some of those miles are very slow group rides I lead, but most of them are tempo rides, intervals and long rides (a couple of centuries and several metric centuries and 50+ milers). I have no pain, anywhere, am comfortable on the bike the whole time, and on the two centuries I did these past two weeks, ended feeling good, and was able to ride the next morning. I'm training for a 160 mile ride coming up in a month and feel confident that this bike will get me through. I cannot recommend the Gran Turismo more highly. It gets great reviews and I give it two thumbs up. I bought the frame then had a full campagnolo chorus 11 build put on it, including wheels and it's a wonderfully handling, responsive and light bike just under 16lbs. I guess you can feel the love in this post, huh? Wilier Gran Turismo. They have other road bikes, more aggressive and one less aggressive. They are all awesome bikes and you can build up the frameset with anything you want. Good luck in the search.

[Becky]

Is it an option to buy a new frame and move your existing parts over? Or spec out exactly what you want?

I have so many "wants" and preferences anymore that it's almost easier to build up a frame with exactly what I want than it is to buy a stock bike.

[nuliajuk]

Look 566. Love mine, it's both very comfortable on the bad roads we have here, and really lively and quick.

[TrekDianna]

If you do decide to go for Specialized, it seems that the Ruby is the endurance bike and the Amira is the one built for speed.

[Skippyak]

Can you just get a new frame and move over the components? Why not consider titanium? The warranty on the Orbea would only be for the frame, right?