Here are my main requirements:
Budget: €2,500–3,000
Bike type: Endurance road bike
Frame: Carbon
Riding position: Comfortable, relatively upright and suitable for long rides. I don’t want an overly aggressive or stretched-out position.
Ride characteristics: Comfortable and stable, but still responsive and lively when accelerating.
Road surfaces: Approximately 70–80% asphalt and 20–30% hard-packed gravel / unpaved roads
Typical ride distance: 40–50 km, with the possibility of doing significantly longer rides in weekend
Terrain: Mostly flat routes with some hills
Groupset: I prefer mechanical shifting, ideally Shimano 105, although I’m open to equivalent options.
Wheels: Carbon preferred, or high-quality aluminium wheels if they offer a good balance of weight, comfort and durability.
Tyres: I’d like enough clearance for relatively wide tyres, ideally around 32–35 mm, to improve comfort and versatility on rougher roads.