91 new this week, from riders and from around the web.
Replaced a worn-out 2018 Diverge with a 2027 Diverge 4 Pro and, despite the big geometry changes, needed only minimal tweaks to get a perfect fit. Looking forward to the wider tyres on a 50-mile gravel event this autumn.
“Despite fairly large geometry changes between 2018 and 2027, I had to make minimal changes to get the new ride to fit perfectly.”
Rode their new Crux 5, their first Specialized, in the Girona mountains and absolutely loves it, both for racing and for casual road riding on slick tyres. The 44t chainring they fitted turned out a little too big for some of the climbs there.
“Recently invested in my first Specialized bike and absolutely love it. Perfect weapon for racing and even casual road riding with hard tyres.”
Bought a Tarmac SL7 Sport last year, upgraded to Roval C38 wheels and GP5000 tyres, and calls it a great bike, especially at around $3,000 CAD.
Their new Roubaix SL8 needed the headset tightened after about 75 miles, which they consider a normal quick adjustment on a new bike.
Their brand-new Domane AL 4 Gen 4 with 2x10 Tiagra has shifted badly since the first ride: on several cogs the chain catches, slips or skips in either chainring, making those gears unusable, despite a fresh, oiled chain.
“I've been having trouble with the shifting right from day one. Several sprockets on the cassette just don't work properly—no matter which front chainring I'm on.”
Owns a Domane SL 6 Gen 4 that has been great but not perfect: they went through IsoSpeed problems until revised internals were fitted, and 40 mm tyres only barely fit, so they now want more tyre clearance for road, all-road and light gravel riding.
“I currently own a gen4 domane sl6 It's been great but it hasn't been perfect. I went through all the isospeed woes before finally getting rev 4 (or 4.5?) internals installed.”
Owns a Domane SL 5 Gen 5 and calls it a great bike, much better after switching to GP5000 tyres and carbon wheels. The only complaint is that the matte black paint scratches very easily; they would choose gloss next time.
“I have an Sl 5 gen 5, great bike. Felt much much better once I swapped the tyres to some g5000s and carbon wheels. Only complaint I have is the matte black paint scratches super easy”
A 45-year-old returning after a long illness bought an Endurace AllRoad this year and found it great on road and gravel, building from 10 km rides to their first century in years on the stock bike. Has since added a lighter second wheelset and Shimano 105, with no regrets.
“I then bought the Endurace Allroad and it was great. A bit of road, a bit of gravel. But most importantly, I realised I loved cycling still!”
Recently bought the new Endurace CF SLX, calls it a fantastic bike and rode their first middle-distance triathlon on it. Planning a bikepacking trip, they worry the cut-out comfort seatpost might not handle a heavy saddle bag, and Canyon would not advise.
“I recently bought the new Endurace CF SLX and absolutely love it. It’s simply a fantastic bike. I even completed my first middle-distance triathlon in Almere on it, which was an amazing experience.”
Moved from a hybrid commuter to a new Endurace CF 7 for more serious riding, and says it feels like a completely different sport.
“I'm upgrading from a hybrid commuter bike so this for more serious cycles and it feels like a completely different sport.”
First 30 km ride on a new Grizl 6 AL in size XS on the Trinity Trails in Fort Worth, and it rides very well; happy with the size choice.
“Thanks to those who recommended the size, this rides so well. Rode 30km around Fort Worth Trinity Trails, Texas.”
Upgraded from an Ozark Trail Explorer to a new Grizl CF 6 in Floating Violet, their first carbon bike, and could not be happier: it rides amazingly. Fitted Elite carbon wheels and 50 mm tyres; it weighs about 21.5 lb as ridden.
“I still have some adjustments to make but so far I couldn’t be happier, the color has so much depth to it and the bike rides amazing!”
Their new Grail CF SLX 8 AXS arrived a month earlier than Canyon had promised, and they call it an absolute beast.
“It arrived a good month earlier than Canyon had said it would! It's an absolute beast.”
First ride on a new Grail CF 7 Speed: fast despite feeling longer than their previous gravel bikes, very comfortable, and the included bags are excellent. At 191 cm they chose a size L over Canyon's recommended XL and it fits perfectly.
“This bike is wicked, it’s fast as hell despite feeling longer than other gravel bikes I’ve had. Comfy as hell with all the provided equipment, bags are so good. Good on you Canyon.”
Just bought an aluminium Topstone 3 with a carbon fork as their first gravel bike. Very happy with the fit and finds it extremely nimble compared with the mountain bikes they rode until recently.
“I just picked up the topstone 3 (aluminum frame with carbon fork). My first ever gravel bike! I'm super happy with the fit, and it is extremely nimble compared to the mtbs I've been riding up until recently.”
Bought a new Topstone Carbon 2 GRX a week ago, has already ridden about 250 km on it and can't get enough of it.
“got it one week ago. odo already \~250 km. can´t get enough of it. Topstone CF 2 GRX”
Has owned every S-Works Tarmac since the SL7 and just took their new S-Works Tarmac SL9 on a thrilling first ride in rural eastern Oregon. Honestly finds little difference from the Project Black S-Works Tarmac SL8 it replaced.
“Lucky enough to have owned all S-Works Tarmacs since the SL7. I had a Project Black S-Works Tarmac SL8 before this and honestly, not much of a difference.”
Switched from a Canyon Endurace CF SLX to a Tarmac SL9 for something more responsive and race-oriented, and is loving it. It feels quick out of the saddle and under power, climbs better than expected, and gave up much less comfort than they feared.
“Biggest difference for me is how quick it feels when I get out of the saddle or put some power down. It also climbs better than I expected”
Sold a size 52 Émonda SL 5 that gave them neck pain on longer rides and bought a Madone SL 5 Gen 8 in medium; so far it has been a great choice and they plan to put lots of miles on it this autumn.
“Had lots of neck pain on the Emonda whenever I did longer rides and so far this has been a great choice. Excited for this fall and putting tons of miles on it!”
Test rode a current Cervélo Soloist and a Cannondale SuperSix EVO 3, both with SRAM Force, looking for something faster and livelier than their endurance bike for fast group rides. Liked the Soloist's ride slightly more, though they think its much nicer stock tyres played a big part; the Cannondale is $1,500 cheaper.
“Tried both and I liked the Soloist's ride slightly more, though the stock tires are significantly nicer on the Soloist so guessing that played a large part.”
Owns a 2026 Revolt Advanced Pro 1 and calls it a great bike, but warns that Giant's original CXR carbon wheels are fragile and delaminate easily, so they approve of swapping them out.
“Great choice of wheels. The original CXR's are made of cheese. Look at them the wrong way and they'll delaminate on you.”
Dialled in an S-Works Roubaix SL8 after trying many wheels and saddles. With Roval CLX III wheels it feels fast, smooth and agile, only slightly slower than their Tarmac SL9, and on the same wheels the Roubaix is much smoother; runs the hardest Future Shock spring.
“Overall, the bike feels great. With CLX III wheels, it feels fast, smooth, agile, and just a little slower than the Tarmac SL9.”
A larger rider with a 2026 Allez Comp is very happy with it and has ridden it stock over rough roads without trouble. On rides of up to two hours the only comfort limit has been the stock saddle.
“I’ve got the 2026 Allez comp. I’ve been very happy with it, and have taken it (stock) on some nasty roads without issue.”
Bought a Marlin 5 Gen 3 to get back into mountain biking and says it rides like a dream. Has swapped the pedals and grips, plans a RockShox Judy fork and a dropper post, and is very happy with it for the price.
“I recently bought this Trek Marlin 5 (Gen 3), as I was looking to get back into Mountain Biking, It's been fantastic so far, rides like a dream, and helps make rides more fun.”