13 top road bikes in a comparison test - The bikes of the Tour de France pros
Whether there will actually be a Tour de Francewinner will be crowned? As the number of coronavirus cases rises, the restart of the cycling season will be a challenge. What is certain in any case is which bikes the professional riders have the best chances of overall victory and stage success. We have collected data and riding impressions from 13 professional racers in the wind tunnel, in the TOUR laboratory and in practical use.
The 13 high-end road bikes in the test
In the big TOUR test, 12 of the 18 brands that ride WorldTour teams are represented. The fact that there were not more is due to disrupted supply chains, forced closures of factories or the fact that new models were not ready in time due to the coronavirus.
You can find these 13 competition road bikes from professional teams in the test
- BMC Timemachine Road 01 Two / 9,999 euros / NTT Pro Cycling
- Cannondale SuperSix Hi-Mod Disc Dura Ace Di2 / 10.499 Euro / Education First
- Canyon Aeroad CF SLX Disc 9.0 Di2 / 7,499 euros / Arkéa-Samsic
- Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Dics 9.0 eTap / 7,199 euros / Movistar Team
- Cervélo S5 / 10,999 Euro / Sunweb
- Eddy Merckx 525 Disc / 8,599 Euro / AG2R La Mondiale
- Factor ONE / 10,500 euros / Israel Start-Up Nation
- Giant TCR Advanced SL Disc / 10,199 Euro / CCC Team
- Pinarello Dogma F12 / 12,400 euros / Ineos
- Ridley Noah Fast Disc / 10,499 Euro / Lotto Soudal
- Scott Addict RC Premium / 9,999 euros / Mitchelton Scott
- Trek Madone SLR / 12,599 euros / Trek-Segafredo
- Wilier 0 SLR / 12,250 Euro / Astana
Test conclusion: Which high-end bike is the best?
The 13 bikes in the test are the spearhead of what is technically feasible for competition-orientated road bikes. They are therefore extremely close to each other in our evaluation, which is why there are also no test winner gives. There are just 0.3 points between the best and the worst bike in the TOUR rating!
However, the bikes have different strengths. The best compromise between aerodynamics, weight and suspension comfort is achieved by the Canyon Aeroad. A confirmation for rim brake fans is the good performance of the Pinarello Dogma F12. Aerodynamically in a class of its own is the S5 from Cervélo. The fact that racing bikes can also be very light with disc brakes is proven by the Wilier and Giant.
The complete 18-page article with details on all the bikes, the usual detailed TOUR measurements and, for the first time, a comprehensive analysis of which bike is fastest in which race situation can be found at the bottom of the page for € 1.99. The complete August issue of TOUR you can reorder here.
Note 29 July: Only now can we publish a test of the new Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7. You can find this test here
How TOUR tests: Everything you need to know about the evaluation of professional road bikes
TOUR tests all bikes in riding tests and in its own laboratory, which dates back to 1993. The measured values of many thousands of bikes form the backbone of the tests, which we are constantly developing further together with the Zedler Institute for Bicycle Technology and Safety. For competition bikes, the criteria, weighting and evaluation standards emphasise performance in the race.
>> More about the TOUR test procedure in the wind tunnel can be found here.
Air resistance (20 %)
By far the most complex test, carried out in the GST wind tunnel in Immenstaad. For the measurement, a dummy is mounted on the test bike, whose legs pedal at a realistic frequency and the wheels are driven. Measurements are taken over a wide range of flow angles from -20 to +20 degrees, which are weighted proportionally as they typically occur when cycling. The measuring speed is 45 km/h, the results can be transferred to lower speeds. The grading scale is set in such a way that the physical effect of aerodynamics and complete bike weight is comparable for a route profile of 1,000 metres in altitude per 100 kilometres. Simultaneous top marks for weight and aerodynamics are mutually exclusive, but there are bikes that achieve a very good compromise. If the route becomes more mountainous than our reference route, the importance of weight increases; if the route is flatter, aerodynamics become more important.
Weight (20 %)
Measured in the TOUR laboratory, the complete bike weight we weighed counts for the rating. Bikes weighing 6.3 kilograms or less achieve a score of 1.0; with pedals and other equipment, they are within the UCI weight limit of 6.8 kilograms. For orientation purposes, we also show the individual weights of the frame, fork and wheels in the individual descriptions.
Steering head stiffness (10 %)
An important parameter for riding stability and therefore for confidence in the bike at high speeds, measured in the TOUR laboratory. The stiffness values are capped; the aim is not to have an infinitely stiff frame, but one that is sufficiently stable to ride. Heavy riders in particular should look for a good score here.
Lateral stiffness fork (5%)
Another important factor for riding stability, as measured by the extended fork in the TOUR lab.
Seatpost travel (10 %)
A measure of compliance on road shocks, measured on the comfort test bench in the TOUR laboratory. The determined suspension travel in N/mm correlates very well with riding impressions and comfort perception. However, good marks also mean better riding dynamics, which has a positive effect on speed on poor roads.
Bottom bracket stiffness (10 %)
Reveals how much the frame flexes when pedalling hard. High stiffness values mean effective conversion of power into speed during sprints. Measured in the TOUR laboratory.
Switching (10 %)
The shifting characteristics are determined in the driving test, and findings from our component tests are also incorporated. The function of the entire transmission is assessed, with the cable routing and chain quality also playing a role.
Brakes (10 %)
In addition to the experience gained from our extensive tests on the brake test bench and in practice, the driving impression also counts here. The interaction of brake calipers, pads, rims or discs and, if applicable, cables and cable routing are evaluated.
Tyres (5 %)
Rolling resistance, grip and puncture resistance are assessed. The findings from our own independent tyre tests and driving impressions are taken into account.
You can download the complete comparison test of the 13 competition road bikes from the pro teams with all the details and grades below for €1.99.
Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has its price. That's why we guarantee independence and objectivity. The TOUR tests are based on standardised and reproducible test procedures, which we always disclose. TOUR articles can be bought - TOUR test victories cannot!
Jens Klötzer
Editor
