Endurance bikes

Weight is a significant factor for any road bike, as lighter bikes accelerate faster. However, this is less important on a long-distance road bike than on a competition bike, as long tours are usually not about seconds and fast changes in speed are less common.

The number of gears on a road bike is less important than whether you have an extra gear for hills or fast descents. The difference between a cassette with 10 or 12 gears lies more in the gear ratio. More gears mean smaller gear jumps, which means you can stay in your preferred cadence better. This saves power in the long term and is more comfortable to ride.

Yes, endurance road bikes are ideal for beginners. The more upright riding position, the high level of comfort and the smooth, stable handling are ideal for riders who have little experience with road bikes and want to enjoy longer tours without the pressure to perform. Wider tyres and handlebars provide additional control and safety.

The Blend has mounting points for mudguards, which can also be used to mount certain pannier racks. Removable systems are usually suitable for road bikes without mounting points, although they are less loadable. Especially with carbon frames, you should pay attention to compatibility. Our customer service team will be happy to help you with your selection.

No, not in the classic sense. Women's bikes without a top tube are less stable and stiff, which means that power transfer and handling would be more difficult. However, modern road bikes have a lowered top tube (sloping frame), which reduces the standover height and avoids contact when getting off the bike. However, mounting it is as sporty as the bike itself.

For optimum power transfer and smooth pedalling, clipless pedals are recommended, as with any road bike. However, there is nothing to stop beginners from starting with flat pedals or duo pedals. You can find out more about this in our pedal guide.