As we inch closer to the darkest and coldest days of the year it is the most determined riders who still wake up before their family and those with long reaching goals that squeeze in a ride after work to get the most out of winter base miles. It is for those riders that Opus bikes has created a new Endurance series of road bikes out of the cold dark streets of Montreal. From the aluminum Andante bikes to the carbon Allegro builds, the Endurance range has options for every cyclist out pushing for their best year round…
The Endurance bikes are built mostly around long ride geometry and better braking.
Opus calls the fit of the bikes Progressive Geometry. What that means is that for both carbon and aluminum frames they focused on balancing comfort and performance for both long distance and duration rides. While proportions of course change a bit through the bikes’ 7 sizes, Opus paid special attention to developing the bikes with a consistent and linear progression of stack and reach figures across the range so any sized rider can find the fit that suits them, no matter their priority.
To really enjoy a long time out of the bike, the key is comfort. That doesn’t just mean getting your fit right, but feeling confident on the bike. To achieve that Opus built the endurance series on a stable and secure platform of thru-axles and disc brakes. While the cheapest alloy bike goes with rim calipers, even it gets size-specific angles to ensure a predictable ride and stable handling.
The carbon Allegro frameset is available in three builds. They start with the entry level Tiagra 2×10 + Hy/Rd build for $2400, to the $2900 105 2×11+ Hy/Rd build. The premier Allegro 1 complete gets a mechanical Ultegra setup, including Shimano’s hydraulic brakes for $3400. All three share the same flat-mount ready carbon frame and fork, with a tapered steerer and 15mm front/12mm rear thru-axles, and come spec’d with 28mm Vittoria clinchers.
The aluminum Andante bikes have a bit wider range both is build and in detailing. The lowest priced version, the Andante 4 sticks with rim brakes and QRs, with a Sora 2×9 group to keep costs down to $1150. The next bike up keeps the low-cost drivetrain, but bumps up to the better frameset with thru-axles and adds TRP Spyre disc brakes for $1500. One more step adds another gear to a Tiagra 2×10 with Hy/Rd brakes for $1800. And the top aluminum bike gets the same 105 2×11+ Hy/Rd build as the mid level carbon bike for an even $2000.
Women’s versions are available of the top and bottom carbon bikes – Alegria, as well as the top and bottom aluminum bikes – the Sibelius. Pricing and spec-level is generally the same, but the women’s bikes get a bit different finishing kit. The change appears to amount to narrower bars, shorter stems, a women-specific saddle, and a different paint job.
Another big plus about buying an Opus is the lifetime warranty. Whether is is steel, aluminum, or carbon Opus backs it up for as long as the original purchaser is riding it.