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.”
Loves the new Roscoe: got one of the upgraded Roscoe 8s with a Lyrik Ultimate fork and calls it a killer bike, so much so that they now only ride their full-suspension bike at the bike park. Thinks the fork on the Roscoe 7 would leave them wanting more.
A few months into a 2026 Checkmate that replaced a 2022 Domane, set up 2x with SRAM Force AXS and 40 mm Pirelli Cinturato tyres. Says it absolutely flies; the front derailleur battery leaves only about 5 mm of tyre clearance, so wider tyres are limited, but they are happy with 40s.
“A few months in to my 2026 Checkmate M/L, replacing a 2022 Domane. Prismatic to Trek Black. Fitted with 40mm Pirelli Cinturatos, measuring 42mm. 2x AXS Force Road.”
Bought a used Domane SLR 7 Gen 4 with Ultegra Di2, 45 mm carbon wheels and 32 mm tyres. Next to a Swift Ultravox it feels less nimble and responsive, yet on their usual 54 km loop they averaged 4 km/h faster at the same effort with a lower heart rate, which they put down to less fatigue from road buzz.
“Coming from a Swift Ultravox, which felt a lot more nimble and snappy, the Domane felt a lot less responsive and a bit less fun. It felt slower too.”
Replaced a Giant Defy Pro they rode for eight years with an Aethos 2 Pro. Says it fits like a glove, is comfortable on long rides and fast, accelerates superbly on climbs and feels solid descending; a little twitchy at first, and the electronic shifting won them over.
“I decided to get the Atheos 2 Pro. It fits like a glove. Comfortable in long rides. A little twitchy but got used to it quickly. It’s fast. Acceleration on hills is amazing. Descending feels solid.”
Just bought a Checkpoint ALR 5 Gen 3, partly for the blue paint. Finds the SRAM shifting snappier than their 11-speed 105 road bike; the one quirk is that the single lever shifts both ways, so a missed downshift in the lowest gear shifts up instead.
“The shifting is really nice, I’m coming from a road bike with Shimano 105 11-speed and it’s definitely snappier. The only thing that’s weird is that the same lever is used for both upshift and downshift.”
Moved from a Gen 7 Madone SLR to a Gen 8 SLR with the same SRAM Force group. Finds the new frame much stiffer, which they prefer, and plans 30 mm tyres for comfort; the new sizing was odd and needed a shorter seatpost to reach their fit.
“Although the bike being stiffer was a problem to them I actually much prefer this and will just use bigger tires (30s) instead of stock (28s)”
Rides a Diverge 4 Expert on singletrack with 50 mm Pathfinders and loves it. Chose it over the Crux, whose geometry did not suit them on a test ride; the Diverge fit like a glove and the Future Shock suits their rough terrain, though they sometimes wish it away on pavement.
“The Diverge just fit like a glove, and I like the future shock for the terrain I ride. I sometimes kind of wish it wasn't there for pavement + smooth gravel rides”
Owns a Crux 5 Comp in Satin Amethyst Frost and finds the blue-purple paint layer shockingly poor next to the seven other Specialized bikes they have owned: it arrived chipped at the seatpost clamp and peels easily, though the silver base coat is fine and they are not too worried.
“I have it and the blue/purple layer seems shockingly low quality compared to every other Specialized bike I've had (like 7 at this point).”
Has ridden their Tarmac SL7, upgraded with Roval wheels and usually on GP5000 tyres, for 8,800 miles and counting, and says it has been a joy.
Owns a Roubaix SL8 with 105 Di2 and says it is a really tight bike with basically no chatter over rough roads.
Started as a complete novice on a Domane AL 2 Gen 4 with mechanical brakes and 8-speed Claris. A year later, with better skills and fitness, they outgrew the drivetrain and are having 12-speed 105 fitted.
“I bought the Al2 Gen 4, with mechanical brakes and 8 speed claris. One year later,better biking skills ,better fitness now as well. Just updated to 12 speed 105 ,still in the shop getting installed.”
The IsoSpeed bolt on their 2024 Domane SL 7 Gen 4 sheared while descending at about 50 km/h. Trek replaced it under warranty with a Gen 5 SLR frame in four weeks (the shop charged for the swap), and a friend with repeated IsoSpeed problems on the same bike got the same; they are very happy with Trek's warranty.
“I was going down a hill at \~50km/hr when I heard a popping sound. I thought an acorn or maybe a stone had hit the frame. Bolt had sheared off the isospeed.”
Owns a Domane SL 6 Gen 5 with about 500 miles on it and calls it a pretty fantastic bike; the only real letdown is the stock Bontrager tyres.
Bought an Endurace AllRoad in August and fell in love with it after years on a hardtail. Swapped to GP5000 tyres straight away and later ERE carbon wheels, saving about 1.2 kg over the heavy stock wheels and tyres.
“Bought my Allroad in august this year and massively fell in love with it. Have been riding the wheels off it since.”
Loved the first ride on a new Grizl 6 and much prefers it to the Scott Addict Gravel it replaced, mainly for its bigger tyre clearance and the extra mounts for bikepacking.
“First ride out this evening and loved it. Swapped from a Scott Addict Gravel and much prefer the Grizl. Partly because of the limited tyre clearance on the Scott”
Coming from a fixie, rode their brand-new Grizl CF 50 miles a week after delivery and could not be happier with it as a gravel and bikepacking bike. After a small tip-over it shifted by itself under load, which half a turn of the barrel adjuster fixed.
“I finally had a free day and took it out for something longer. I bought this bike as a gravel/backpacking bike and couldn’t be happier.”
Upgraded from an earlier Grail to the new Grail CF SLX 8, fitted with Zipp 303 XPLR wheels and 50 mm tyres. After a first 30 km it rides significantly better than their old Grail, feeling more aero and stiff but not overly so.
“My previous bike was also a Grail; in terms of ride quality and weight, this one rides significantly better. You can feel that the bike is more aero-focused; it feels stiff, but not overly so.”
Rides the new Grail CF 7 in the Rival build, size S as the chart suggested, and says it fits and feels perfect. Angled the hoods inward on the 420 mm bars, runs the stock-size tyres tubeless at low pressure and plans to go lower.
“I was also worried that the 420 mm handlebars might be too wide, but after angling the hoods inward, they feel great. The bike feels absolutely perfect for me.”
Moved to a Tarmac SL9 from two rim-brake Giant TCRs, their first bike with electronic shifting. Calls it a great upgrade: the 40-mile ride home was fast even with a very heavy backpack.
“Coming from 2 rim brake TCRs. Pretty sick upgrade and it’s my first time having electronic shifting. My 40 mile ride home was pretty fast even with a ridiculously heavy backpack.”
Raced their Madone SL 7 Gen 8 (Gloss Dark Star / Matte Deep Smoke) with a race number stuck on the matte section for one day; removing it left a large uneven mark that isopropyl alcohol would not clean, apparently damaging the matte clear coat.
“Yesterday I had a race number sticker attached to the matte part of the frame for a race. When I removed it afterwards, it left this large uneven mark on the surface - see photo.”
Runs a 2026 Allez with two wheelsets, 30 mm road and 35 mm gravel tyres. Has ridden a few gravel and rail trails on it and it feels great, but 35 mm is the widest tyre the frame takes.
“I have a 2026 Allez with two wheel sets, one with 30mm race tires and one with 35mm gravel tires. I have done a few gravel/rail trails with it and it feels great”
Rides a four-week-old Marlin 5 Gen 3 as a fitness bike on asphalt and gravel. After about 800 km with no hard drops, the stock nylon pedals had broken; the shop knocked their price off a pair of Bontrager Line Elite pedals.
“Bit disappointed to notice this yesterday, been riding this for maybe 800km mostly as fitness bike on asphalt and gravel, no hard drops etc. Surely this can't be normal”
Owns a Roscoe 7 Gen 4 in olive and loves it. Having ridden plenty of Marlins, finds the Roscoe a clear step up and fully worth the price.
“I have this bike. But in Olive. It’s great love it. Tons of Marlins around me and I have ridden them a ton. This is a step up for sure and 100% worth it.”
Owns a Checkpoint ALR 5 Gen 3 with SRAM 1x12. Planned to buy a 2x Diverge but liked how the Checkpoint rode on a test ride; still finds 1x12 not ideal, prefers the feel of the CUES hydraulic brakes over Apex, and thinks SRAM's metal parts may last longer.
“I actually wanted 2x, and was planning to Specialized Diverge with CUES 2x10. But test riding, I just like how the Checkpoint feels, so ended up with 1x. And I find even 1x12 is not ideal.”