LAPIERRE SENSIUM 500 DISC, RRP: $3,599
Lapierre are proud to claim that the Sensium 500 is the “ultimate endurance bike”. They believe their clever design allows it to be lightweight, stiff under power and yet comfortable to ride all day.
And the disc brakes are one of the keys to that. The company state they offer more power, a lighter lever action and superior performance in the wet. The discs also allow lighter wheels with thinner shape-optimised sidewalls that allegedly won’t wear out. And minor distortions in the rim won’t then cause energy-sapping rub.
The Sensium 500 is actually the entry-level offering from Lapierre in their global line-up, and got a complete redesign for 2017 from the old version. And in a real attention to detail, the company introduced a high-TG resin to increase the melting point, and therefore structural rigidity, on the crucial areas around the disc calipers.
TREK DOMANE SL 5 DISC, RRP: $4,999
Trek claim that there is no need to just endure, because with the Domane SL 5 Disc you can conquer. They say its blistering speed and incredible race comfort make it a machine that can cope even on the punishing pave of Flanders and Roubaix. Whatever Fabian Cancellara can do, seemingly so can you!
The key to the those bold statements are the front and rear IsoSpeed decouplers that smooth out the roughest of roads. And Trek believe the 500 Series OCLV carbon frame on the SL helps riders go stronger for longer. Add to that additional tyre clearance (32mm as stock) for on and off-road versatility and this is certainly a bike that can take you far and wide.
There is variety too, with 17 different versions of the Domane available in Australia, including a rim-brake version as well as the disc option. The SL 5’s Shimano RS505 hydraulic discs feature 160mm diameter rotors and offer plenty of stopping power, while 12mm thru-axles are used at both wheels which adds stiffness.
LIV AVAIL ADVANCED, RRP: $3,299 (for Advanced 1 version)
Liv, the world’s first bike brand dedicated to women, now offers the Advanced with disc brakes for female endurance riders.
The build is designed to smooth out the roughness of the road, while the Shimano RS505 hydraulic disc brakes provide additional confidence when it comes to stopping and cornering. Many women also rave about disc brakes given the fact they require less power to operate from the lever.
In addition, the Avail, with mechanical disc brakes, is also available with a second set of levers on the horizontal section of the bar – in response to feedback from female riders who feel less in control when reaching for brakes on the hoods. Liv’s Advanced-grade composite frame has a geometry that offers excellent comfort and stability.