Rennradtest: Wie wenig Rennrad ist genug?

Motivation for cycling can sometimes come from investing in new equipment, and this is often true for racing bikes. It's easy to spend a lot of money on high-performance bicycles, either as a treat or believing they could make a difference in competition. However, what is truly necessary and what is merely enjoyable due to technological novelty can be debatable.

Historical evidence suggests that winning performances on racing bikes were achieved decades ago with bicycles that today might only be justified as fashionable urban vehicles. The arms race to own the fastest bike continues, unaffected by the fact that modern carbon frames all appear suspiciously similar, much like their steel counterparts from decades past.

The author of these lines is among those who genuinely enjoy racing bikes and have been unreasonable (and in worst-case scenarios) in investing large sums into their riding pleasure. But is it also possible to achieve the same level of enjoyment with less? A test bike from Canyon's lower price range should provide some insights.

The Endurace CF model, priced at 1699 euros, costs much more than my private carbon racing bike, which was acquired through a job bike offer.