Video summary

4000km Later - Canyon Endurace AllRoad

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product Reviewed

Canyon Endurace AllRoad — a “drop bar gravel/road” hybrid.

The video focuses on the cheapest Canyon drop-bar aluminium frame + carbon fork variant, ridden heavily for about 10–11 months and roughly 4,000 km.

Key Features Mentioned

  • Frame/Fork: Aluminium frame with a carbon fork
  • Value positioning: Described as (especially for Europe/UK) the best value bike on the market with this spec
  • Tire clearance: About 40 mm clearance, praised as genuinely usable with gravel tires
  • Drivetrain: Shimano Q’s 10-speed group set with hydraulic brakes
  • As-delivered tires/wheels: Came with 35 mm Schwable road tires (entry-level tread)
  • User test setup: Swapped to 40 mm knobby tires for winter mud/slop riding
  • Ergonomics/fit tweaks:
    • Changed saddle
    • Switched handlebar width from 40 cm to 38 cm
    • Replaced bar tape to test durability over a season (cloth tape)
  • Component standardization: Mostly “normal sizes,” with less need for awkward proprietary sizing
  • Bottom bracket: Press-fit BB, highlighted as important for service/maintenance

User Experience (What It Felt Like)

  • Capable in bad weather: Survived British winter conditions and frequent moisture riding; handled sloppy hard-pack tracks well—especially after the tire swap.
  • Shifting performance: Q’s shifting was praised as extremely good, even compared to higher-end Shimano groups—described as feeling “electric” / very “locked in,” despite heavy use.
  • Brakes: Brakes described as “absolutely sick”, with good shifter/brake ergonomics.
  • Bike role over time: Became a go-to gravel shredder, and also framed as a good commuter / interval bike for slower steady riding.
  • Geometry & size feel: In the extra small size, it felt compact and agile, with a note that it might be slightly small versus extra small for the rider.

Pros (Unique Points)

  • Exceptional value for the spec: aluminium frame + carbon fork + gravel-road positioning + hydraulic brakes
  • 40 mm tire clearance works in practice
  • 10-speed Q’s drivetrain shifts exceptionally well even after heavy abuse
  • Strong brake performance and ergonomics
  • Easy to fit alternatives due to mostly standard sizing
  • Durability in real-world winter abuse: tires and many components still had life despite limited cleaning/maintenance
  • Comfort improvements from user tweaks: saddle change, bar width change, cloth tape test

Cons / Issues (Unique Points)

Press-fit bottom bracket

  • Needs a dedicated press tool to service/replace
  • Callum dislikes it enough that it could be a dealbreaker (prefers a threaded BB for easier service)

Maintenance/corrosion-related wear

Heavy wet riding and “not washing” led to:

  • Chain wear (mentioned as ~“75”; exact scale not defined in subtitles)
  • Rear disc rotor corrosion (suggested to replace rotor)
  • Rear wheel bearings developed play (suggested to replace bearings)
  • Rear derailleur rust and pivot play, likely to affect shifting over time
  • Stem fitting error spotted by pro mechanic Nick (fitted incorrectly at first—effectively “0 km” for that issue, meaning it happened immediately)

Fit spec expectations (Extra Small rider)

  • Rider expected 38 cm bars and 165 mm crank, feeling stock should have matched more closely

Stock availability

  • Smaller sizes often sell out / are out of stock, causing frustration (Canyon explains it as demand-driven, not permanent)

Comparisons Made

  • Against higher-end Shimano tiers / big brands:
    • The argument is that Q’s shifting is so good that 105/Ultegra/Dura-Ace can feel unnecessary for shifting quality (“just buy Q’s”).
  • Against typical winter-wear expectations:
    • Pro mechanic Nick said the condition is about what he’d expect after ~3,000 km with proper maintenance, making the results impressive given the lack of care (not washing, limited lubrication).

Numbers / Ratings Explicitly Mentioned

  • Total distance: ~4,000 km
  • Time with bike: about 11 months
  • Tire clearance: 40 mm
  • Stock tire size: 35 mm Schwable road tire
  • Drive/controls: 10-speed Shimano Q’s
  • Chain wear: mentions “worn 75” (scale not defined)
  • User setup sizes (Extra Small):
    • Handlebar: 40 cm stock → 38 cm
    • Stem: 70 mm
    • Crank: 170 mm
  • Climbing example: chasing on a ~25% gradient (relevant to gearing feel)

Overall Verdict / Recommendation

Strong recommendation for value buyers.

The Canyon Endurace AllRoad is portrayed as an excellent real-world do-it-all drop-bar bike that handles winter abuse well—especially after switching to 40 mm knobby tires.

Main caveat: serviceability/maintenance considerations, especially the press-fit bottom bracket, along with corrosion/wear visible under harsh, wet, low-cleaning conditions.

Speakers / Their Specific Contributions

  • Jimmy (main narrator / buyer perspective):
    • Focused on value/spec, practical tire clearance, and the overall “best value” framing.
  • Benny:
    • Focused on shifting/brake feel and how the bike was used; involved with heavy winter riding.
  • Nick (pro mechanic):
    • Delivered the most concrete mechanical diagnosis:
      • Stem fitting issue (root cause happened immediately)
      • Bearings play
      • Rotor corrosion
      • Rear derailleur pivot play/rust
      • How wear matched expected outcomes given poor care
  • Callum (mentioned as another viewpoint):
    • Strongly dislikes the press-fit BB, treating it as a potential dealbreaker in favor of a threaded BB.

Original video