What road bike?

After maybe 12 years of riding bikes of various descriptions, I’ve developed a small list of wants for my next bike. I’m looking for a road bike that can fulfil 80% of situations from winter training on bad roads, right through to road racing:

Disc brakes
Mudguard mounts
Room for at least 25mm tyres with mudguards, but ideally 30mm
Aggressive enough geometry that it doesn’t feel slow
Probably carbon

I keep coming back to Trek Domane SL gen 4 (probably sl6 on price but would prefer mechanical ultegra over 105 di2) or Giant Defy Advanced pro 1 or 2. The giant has the slightly racier geometry, but on the flip side the Domane can apparently fit 40mm tyres under it. I’m open to building up from frameset.

Is there anything else worth considering? Looking at OTP options only, not open to custom steel at the moment.

at the moment

Good lad

Still hope then

Ha ha, I’m keeping the genesis for when I want to look classy, or at least ride a classy looking bike.

A volare 931 disc would probably be ideal tbh

Cannondale Synapse??

Canyon Endurace? Or is that going to be too "endurancey"?

from winter training on bad roads, right through to road racing:

Surely there's a basic problem here: a winter training bike is never going to be your ideal road race bike.

I'm not saying this in connection with any particular kit that might be used - it's just that a race bike has to be in perfect condition, and the rider has to believe the bike is just right for him on the day.

Any machine that's used for winter training is unlikely to be perfect, and it's beneficial, psychologically to the rider to think that he's on his 'special' race bike.

I don't think it matters all that much what kit a rider has, just so long as he believes he can do well.

Mudguard mounts and aggressive geometry are almost mutually exclusive. Cervelo Caledonia is the best compromise I've found...

That's why I designed my own. Takes 28s with guards

4 Attachments

designed my own

around an inline post and saddle forward slammed?

saddle forward slammed

Middle of the rails bro

Or CAAD13?

Yes, Caad13's a good shout as long as you don't mind aloominum

there is one -

Trek Domane SLR RSL. Hens teeth, but gorgeous

have I stole your login?!

shame about the bb90... iirc.
10/10 otherwise

Very cool but crabon rim brakes doesn't really make it a winter trainer.

Get the race bike you want and stick on raceblades from September to July.