What 2023 SRAM Rival eTap bike?
Discussion
Hi All,
My old Ribble carbon sportive is on its last legs and won't make it through another summer without a complete overhaul so its another what bike thread.
I love riding for pleasure and fitness, have no intention of ever racing just days out with friends and weekend blasts but I'm no expert on the technical stuff.
6'2, reasonably fit & Budget up to £5k.
Bikes I like -
2023 Giant Propel Advanced 1 & Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 7 Disc eTap.
The Giant appeals to me because there are local shops and it is a new model, a friend has a Canyon and loves it.
open to suggestions and thoughts cheers !
My old Ribble carbon sportive is on its last legs and won't make it through another summer without a complete overhaul so its another what bike thread.
I love riding for pleasure and fitness, have no intention of ever racing just days out with friends and weekend blasts but I'm no expert on the technical stuff.
6'2, reasonably fit & Budget up to £5k.
Bikes I like -
2023 Giant Propel Advanced 1 & Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 7 Disc eTap.
The Giant appeals to me because there are local shops and it is a new model, a friend has a Canyon and loves it.
open to suggestions and thoughts cheers !
Merlin have some offers on Orro at the moment - £3900 with eTap Force (which is better than Rival isn't it?). Wheels don't look bad either, but nicely under budget if you did want to upgrade them.
https://www.merlincycles.com/orro-venturi-stc-forc...
https://www.merlincycles.com/orro-venturi-stc-forc...
OP, I see you are in Sussex (as am I)
If looking at Canyons, book test rides with "Just Pedal" up in Dorking (joined to side of Denbies Wine Estate)
https://just-pedal.com/bikehire/
You can hire bike(s) to test size (if that have appropriate ones in stock) and what ride is like etc. Make sure you book for availability etc...
As they are linked with Canyon, so if you buy online you effectively get the hire cost refunded (well, the boxing/delivery of bike is free).
I did this back in Jan, and glad I did, as ended up ordering an Ultimate (which is great!) rather than Endurace (which, prior to test rides, I was going to get).
Near base of Box Hill so I took my old bike went up and then did the same with the 2 Canyon's above to compare - I did the route around the back roads back so about 10 miles. You could fit 2 bikes in that test route in 2 hours, e.g. test the Aeroad V Ultimate (or Endurace) to see which works best for you.
All in all, much better than a car park test!!!
If looking at Canyons, book test rides with "Just Pedal" up in Dorking (joined to side of Denbies Wine Estate)
https://just-pedal.com/bikehire/
You can hire bike(s) to test size (if that have appropriate ones in stock) and what ride is like etc. Make sure you book for availability etc...
As they are linked with Canyon, so if you buy online you effectively get the hire cost refunded (well, the boxing/delivery of bike is free).
I did this back in Jan, and glad I did, as ended up ordering an Ultimate (which is great!) rather than Endurace (which, prior to test rides, I was going to get).
Near base of Box Hill so I took my old bike went up and then did the same with the 2 Canyon's above to compare - I did the route around the back roads back so about 10 miles. You could fit 2 bikes in that test route in 2 hours, e.g. test the Aeroad V Ultimate (or Endurace) to see which works best for you.
All in all, much better than a car park test!!!
Saw this earlier - not Rival 2023, but Force eTap
https://www.merlincycles.com/de-rosa-sk-pinifarina...
We all like a race bike, but other bikes are more practical and probably more suitable most of the time. I find myself on my gravel bike most of the time, a Scott Addict Gravel. The angles etc a bit more relaxed than my race bike, but is still flashy enough for the poser in me 
I have converted it to 2x AXS and put some deep section wheels with 40mm tyres and It can be ridden pretty much anywhere.
https://www.scott-sports.com/gb/en/product/scott-a...
Getting hold of one is tricky though.
I have converted it to 2x AXS and put some deep section wheels with 40mm tyres and It can be ridden pretty much anywhere.
https://www.scott-sports.com/gb/en/product/scott-a...
Getting hold of one is tricky though.
I have a giant advanced propel sl1 from 2017.
I'm old (61) big and fat-ish (6'2" 100kg) and it's far too good a bike for my abilities, but I love it and hate putting it away and getting the winter bike out. It makes me faster (so I go from slow to slowish) but it makes me feel good.
I have never regretted buying it.
Regarding other options, I have been looking at Ribble, as I fancy an e-bike as a winter bike, but the problems they seem to have with stock and the masses of current complaints over delivery and communication makes me very wary.
I'm old (61) big and fat-ish (6'2" 100kg) and it's far too good a bike for my abilities, but I love it and hate putting it away and getting the winter bike out. It makes me faster (so I go from slow to slowish) but it makes me feel good.
I have never regretted buying it.
Regarding other options, I have been looking at Ribble, as I fancy an e-bike as a winter bike, but the problems they seem to have with stock and the masses of current complaints over delivery and communication makes me very wary.
Edited by sociopath on Saturday 15th April 09:10
You can't go wrong with either Giant or Canyon; both offer decent 'bang for buck'.
Specialized do a Roubaix Comp with Rival Etap AXS for bang on your budget, £5,000. And has the Future Shock on the front.
https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/shop/bikes/road-...
Trek have the Domane SL6 with the same groupset for £50 over your budget. And features the isospeed on the rear seatpost for a bit of compliance.
https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/road-bike...
Specialized do a Roubaix Comp with Rival Etap AXS for bang on your budget, £5,000. And has the Future Shock on the front.
https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/shop/bikes/road-...
Trek have the Domane SL6 with the same groupset for £50 over your budget. And features the isospeed on the rear seatpost for a bit of compliance.
https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/road-bike...
If you aren't interested in racing etc and just doing it for leisure and fitness, how about a Giant Defy? Bit more relaxed setup and can fit upto 35mm tyres if wanted. I have a 2022 Defy Advanced 0 that came with Rival AXS, 32mm tubeless setup from factory. Really comfy and so far its been a joy. Cost £2899 in september, not sure if 2023 models are a little more.
I was going to suggest PlanetX if the eTap was not essential, then got an email offering this
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXPCDRIVAXS/planet...
Bargain compared to the other options above!
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXPCDRIVAXS/planet...
Bargain compared to the other options above!
Hi All,
Thanks for all the helpful posts, the choice was quite tough due to all the options and in the end was between the Giant propel, canyon Ultimate & Ribble Endurance SLR.
I went to see the Canyons at Box hill, they didn't have my size sadly but they looked very nice indeed. The price & lead-time was the sticking point as Canyon seemed to be quite expensive compared to the other two.
Ribble, my current brand. After reading some pretty bad reviews on their Aerobike the ultra, I was looking at the endurance SL Disc. A friend has a 2021 Endurance and let me have a look round it and I was disappointed with the build quality and finish on his bike (not that I said anything to him). At home and going over my 00s era Ribble 365 the finish and carbon lay up is superior to the endurance which cast some doubts and put me off among other things such as lead times and delays.
So a phone call to my local Giant store speaking with the helpful sales guy who explained that the new Propel is a good midway point between Aero and endurance bike and that he expected their current endurance bike the TCR to be made redundant by the 2023 Propel as it was very light, comfy and fast. When I asked about lead times they happened to have my size in stock in the store.. Deal done.
So next week I will be picking up the new bike in the Orion Nebula colour, quite funky but its growing on me.
Pics to follow.
Thanks for all the helpful posts, the choice was quite tough due to all the options and in the end was between the Giant propel, canyon Ultimate & Ribble Endurance SLR.
I went to see the Canyons at Box hill, they didn't have my size sadly but they looked very nice indeed. The price & lead-time was the sticking point as Canyon seemed to be quite expensive compared to the other two.
Ribble, my current brand. After reading some pretty bad reviews on their Aerobike the ultra, I was looking at the endurance SL Disc. A friend has a 2021 Endurance and let me have a look round it and I was disappointed with the build quality and finish on his bike (not that I said anything to him). At home and going over my 00s era Ribble 365 the finish and carbon lay up is superior to the endurance which cast some doubts and put me off among other things such as lead times and delays.
So a phone call to my local Giant store speaking with the helpful sales guy who explained that the new Propel is a good midway point between Aero and endurance bike and that he expected their current endurance bike the TCR to be made redundant by the 2023 Propel as it was very light, comfy and fast. When I asked about lead times they happened to have my size in stock in the store.. Deal done.
So next week I will be picking up the new bike in the Orion Nebula colour, quite funky but its growing on me.
Pics to follow.
Apologies for the crappy pic this was when I just picked it up, seat post not fitted just perched in.
First impressions - it is surprisingly comfy! Coming from a motorcycling background I was expecting it to be like my 848 Ducati cramped and uncomfortable but it’s more comfortable than the ribble in terms of position and compliance. The tyres are bigger which I assume helps smooth the bumps but you just don’t feel every imperfection on the road surface as much it just glides over.
I’ve done about 350 kilometres on it so far and when I look at Strava I’m setting PBs on pretty much every ride, my average speed is about 7-8kph faster.
Will try to get more pics out and about.
First impressions - it is surprisingly comfy! Coming from a motorcycling background I was expecting it to be like my 848 Ducati cramped and uncomfortable but it’s more comfortable than the ribble in terms of position and compliance. The tyres are bigger which I assume helps smooth the bumps but you just don’t feel every imperfection on the road surface as much it just glides over.
I’ve done about 350 kilometres on it so far and when I look at Strava I’m setting PBs on pretty much every ride, my average speed is about 7-8kph faster.
Will try to get more pics out and about.
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