GnR DISPATCH / ISSUE #1
The Dispatch #1
Welcome to The Dispatch, the newsletter from GnR Bikes, sent every two weeks. Each issue covers three things worth knowing about road and gravel bikes: one for new riders, one for riders ready to upgrade, and one for experienced riders comparing high-end options.
FOR NEW RIDERS
Canyon's Endurace AllRoad or the carbon Endurace CF
The short answer: the $1,499 Endurace AllRoad is the least expensive entry into Canyon's endurance family, and the carbon Endurace CF starts $600 higher.
| Endurace AllRoad | Endurace CF | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499 | $2,099 to $3,499 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Carbon |
| Stack | 594 mm | 584 mm |
| Reach | 397 mm | 392 mm |
| Tire room | 40 mm | 38 mm |
The AllRoad pairs an aluminum frame with a carbon fork and a Shimano CUES 2x10 drivetrain, according to Velo. Canyon lists room for 40 mm tires plus fender and rack mounts, which makes the same bike practical for long paved rides in wet weather and for an occasional dirt road. The Endurace CF uses a carbon frame with room for 38 mm tires, and its four builds range from $2,099 to $3,499.
Two frame measurements describe the riding position a bike creates. Stack is the vertical height of the front of the frame, and reach is its horizontal length. In a size medium, the AllRoad's stack is 10 mm taller and its reach is 5 mm longer than the CF's. Canyon recommends the medium for riders 5 ft 11 in to 6 ft 0 in (178 to 185 cm) on both bikes.
Who it’s for: new riders who want one dependable bike for paved miles and light gravel.
Who should skip it: riders who already know they want the lower weight of a carbon frame.
Compare the AllRoad with your bike ↗Read more: Endurace AllRoad on GnR · Endurace CF on GnR · Canyon Endurace AllRoad · Canyon Endurace CF · Velo first look
FOR UPGRADERS
A discounted Giant Defy shares its geometry with the 2027 model
The short answer: Giant's 2027 Defy Advanced Pro chart lists the same frame dimensions as the 2025 Defy Advanced, so an outgoing Defy in your size places you in the same position as a new one.
| Defy Advanced | Defy Advanced Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Chart year | 2025 | 2027 |
| Stack | 558 mm | 558 mm |
| Reach | 380 mm | 380 mm |
| Tire room | 38 mm | 38 mm |
| 2027 US price | $2,300 to $3,300 | $7,700 |
In a size medium, both charts list a stack of 558 mm and a reach of 380 mm, with room for 38 mm tires. On the GnR Position scale, which compares each frame's reach with a typical frame of the same stack, the Defy scores 3, Balanced. That is the middle of the range; several popular endurance frames, including the Trek Domane and Specialized Roubaix SL8, score 1, Relaxed.
Giant lists the 2027 Defy Advanced from $2,300 to $3,300 and the Defy Advanced Pro at $7,700. The frames share one chart, and the builds differ in components. Outgoing model years are usually discounted as new stock arrives; road.cc reported a 2026 Giant TCR marked down 20 percent in the UK this August, on the same frameset as its 2027 replacement.
Who it’s for: riders replacing an older endurance bike who would rather spend the savings on wheels.
Who should skip it: riders who want the lighter Defy Advanced SL, a separate frame.
See every Defy size on GnR ↗Read more: Defy Advanced on GnR · Giant road bikes · road.cc on 2027 bikes and 2026 discounts
FOR EXPERIENCED RIDERS
Specialized Crux 5 or Diverge 4 for a 2027 Unbound entry
The short answer: the Crux 5 is Specialized's gravel race frame, and the Diverge 4 has a front end 32 mm higher with identical reach in a size 56.
| Crux 5 | Diverge 4 (carbon) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,999 to $13,999 | $3,499 to $12,499 |
| Stack | 578 mm | 610 mm |
| Reach | 400 mm | 400 mm |
| Tire room | 55 mm | 50 mm |
| GnR Position | 4, Semi-Aggressive | 1, Relaxed |
Specialized claims the new Crux saves 15.2 watts over the previous model, and Cyclingnews lists tire clearance of 55 mm, up from 47 mm. The Diverge 4 accepts a 50 mm tire, according to BikeRadar, and adds storage inside the down tube. On the GnR Position scale, the Crux scores 4, Semi-Aggressive, and the Diverge scores 1, Relaxed. The Crux's geometry generally produces a lower, flatter back for long efforts into a headwind, while the Diverge's taller front end keeps more weight off your hands on washboard.
Specialized's US list prices range from $3,999 to $13,999 for complete Crux 5 bikes and from $3,499 to $12,499 for the carbon Diverge 4. The Unbound Gravel lottery is open from November 1 to 15, with results on November 21.
Who it’s for: riders choosing one gravel bike for a complete race season.
Who should skip it: riders planning loaded bikepacking trips, who will want frame bags and mounts more than a race position.
Compare with your bike in Bike Match ↗Read more: Crux 5 on GnR · Diverge 4 on GnR · Specialized gravel bikes · Cyclingnews on the Crux 5 · BikeRadar on the Diverge 4
That's this issue of The Dispatch. The full charts for every bike in this issue are on GnR Bikes.
No sponsor or affiliate links in this issue. Prices are maker US list prices in whole dollars.