A total of seven bikes are waiting to be tested on this sunny autumn day. To be tested again, to be precise. All models have already been through the hands of our editors and test manager Jens Klötzer this year. They were measured, ridden and assessed. As an individual test or as a comparative test. Why did we invite them again? Because those bikes from the most diverse categories have remained in our memories. Regardless of their overall score, they are: our bikes of the year 2021.
Various opinions
Just how different the impressions can be becomes clear during the test drives on our home-and-backyard route through the south of Munich. Very quickly, in fact. All four testers from the different TOUR departments more or less rave about the Wilier. "As soon as I set off, I had the impression that I was flying. When you're pedalling, it feels like you're running up the mountain," says Kristian Bauer, for example, who has also completed a real mountain run or two in his life. For a high-end bike weighing 6.9 kilograms with lightweight Corima wheels and electronic Dura-Ace gears, the hymns of praise are not surprising - nor is the proud price of more than 10,000 euros, one might almost say. But opinions are already divided when it comes to the next (high-priced) top racer.
"The bike is too designed for one use and too niche for me," says author and editor Jörg Wenzel after his ride on the Specialized S-Works Aethos. The TOUR travel expert is alluding to the weight of the marathon model. The impressive weight. Despite the disc brakes, the complete bike weighs just 6.1 kilograms. It is therefore below the weight limit for which we award a score of 1.0. The Aethos literally longs for steep ramps. But Wenzel, who climbed an average gradient of five per cent several times on our route, would have expected more. In contrast to Konstantin Rohé. "For me, this is the bike that stands out the most. The low weight is immediately noticeable, the aha effect is the greatest," says the TOUR editor for fitness and online topics. If only it weren't for the price. After all, at 13,000 euros, the flyweight is one of the most expensive bikes we have ever had in the editorial office.
More than 100 test bikes
This year, we tested a total of more than 100 bikes - from high-powered aero bikes to gravel bikes suitable for adventure - for our readers. TOUR also had to contend with delivery problems as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. For comparison: in "normal" years, up to twice as many bikes go through the elaborate testing procedure. In addition to our renowned test procedure in cooperation with the Zedler Institute for Bicycle Technology and Safety, we also make sure that the test fields are homogeneous - based on price points or categories. This is the only way to achieve realistic comparative values for the bikes and thus added value for our readers.
Excursion into the countryside
Gravel bikes have also long offered added value to many road cyclists: whether as a second, commuter or winter bike. Our "Best of 2021" includes the Canyon Grizl CF SL 8, a "great all-round bike", as Birgit Waxenberger notes. The reaction of our online employee is not quite as exuberant as with the Wilier. So no wow effect. But like her male colleagues, she appreciates the outstanding comfort of the off-road bike from Koblenz. "Even a small trail with roots was no problem," summarises Jörg Wenzel, getting off the bike after his gravel excursion along the Isar. "The wide tyres and the seat post are really good," adds Rohé. Our test model is fitted with 45 millimetre wide Schwalbe tyres and the €3,000 carbon model is also equipped with the patented leaf spring seat post. And what about the relatively high weight of 9.3 kilograms? With the exception of Kristian Bauer, none of the test riders are bothered by it: "At first I was enthusiastic about the gravel bikes because they were so comfortable. In the long run, however, it bothered me that you couldn't move forwards."
You can hear and see that the TOUR colleagues, who usually rarely sit on test bikes in everyday editorial work, take their job seriously. After the first few kilometres, the breather breaks when changing bikes become longer. Overshoes and jackets are removed, the operating temperature is reached.
This is also the case for Kristian Bauer, who turns onto the dead straight gravel path along the Isar Canal on the second off-road bike from our fleet - and puts the spurs to the Giant TCX Advanced Pro 0. The low weight - almost two kilograms less than the Canyon - and the narrower 33 millimetre tyres on the professional crosser make it possible. Until the amateur sports specialist feels slowed down. "The gears take a bit of getting used to," he dictates in his notepad. What he means: Giant combines a 1x12 drivetrain with a small chainring and a racing bike cassette on its sporty cyclocross bike. Not everyone likes such an unusual gear ratio. It takes more kilometres to find the right gear than on our short laps.
Advantage through electronics
It is noticeable anyway: The different shifting systems - whether mechanical or electronic, cheap or expensive - dominate the conversations of the test riders. And they take up more space than in our standardised test procedure. Opinions are as varied as the bikes themselves. This is no different with Storck's Fascenario.3 Comp Disc. While Birgit Waxenberger sees the fitted Shimano 105 "as a shortcoming", Konstantin Rohé only noticed the cheap component group on the competition racer after his test lap. Jörg Wenzel complains about a somewhat "spongy feeling", while Kristian Bauer emphasises the innovative leap of the electric shifting system - although the 50-year-old is more of a traditionalist among racing cyclists: "It's simply pleasant and practical when the gear changes with a light press of a button."
This is not possible with the Fascenario.3 - at least not in the version we tested. Nevertheless, the aerodynamic carbon racer, which is attractively priced at 3,000 euros, is still very popular. "The bike is very manoeuvrable and direct. You hardly notice the relatively high weight (8.0 kilograms, editor's note)," says Birgit Waxenberger. "For people who don't want to spend 8,000 euros and for whom the 105 is enough, I think it's a successful approach," adds Jörg Wenzel.
The 59-year-old also takes off his warm protective layers, clicks into the pedals of the Trek Émonda ALR 6 and sprints off. Quicker than expected, however, he turns back into the car park where we have set up our service station. "The bike feels like I'm sitting on a chaise longue," jokes the passionate speed biker about what he considers to be a comparatively upright riding position. However, when he looks at the model designation, he is pleasantly surprised by the sporty marathon bike. "That's made of aluminium? I wouldn't have thought so," says Wenzel, marvelling at the Émonda, whose 1,296 gram frame can also compete with many carbon competitors.
Satisfied faces
Our favourite aero bike of the year doesn't have many rivals. After all, with 209 watts at 45 km/h, the Merida Reacto Team-E is one of the fastest bikes that TOUR has ever measured in the GST wind tunnel in Immenstaad. Our testers also feel the comparatively abstract value on the road - especially Wenzel. "The bike really makes you want to pedal hard, because it does it immediately," he gushes. His broad grin reveals that at the end of a long day of testing, he too has found his personal favourite model among our bikes of the year. Or as Waxenberger would say: "Simply wow!"
Our favourites 2021:
Merida: Reacto Team-E
Merida took seven years to develop its new Reacto and this year brought out a consistent further development of its aero racer. A tidy cockpit, more space for wider tyres (up to 30 millimetres), greater comfort and less weight: the streamlined speedster not only impressed in the test (TOUR 2/2021), our editorial colleagues are also full of praise. "The bike is very visually appealing. The aerodynamic handlebars remind me of a bird. And in the saddle, it really does feel like flying," says Birgit Waxenberger. Of course, the Reacto is not quite as streamlined, but with a measured 209 watts at 45 km/h, it is among the front runners in this class. Despite the "relatively stiff frame", according to Kristian Bauer, our test riders also felt comfortable on poor road surfaces - not a matter of course for aero specialists. The good overall picture is rounded off by practical details such as the rear light integrated into the seat post and the seat clamp tool on the quick-release lever. The high price of more than 10,000 euros remains a downer.
Aero bike / Price: 10,299 euros / Weight: 7.4 kg
Info: www.merida-bikes.com
With an overall score of 1.5, the Filante SLR shook the throne of the Specialized Tarmac (1.4), Canyon Aeroad (1.4) and Specialized Aethos (1.4) in the TOUR test (issue 2/2021). The trio is still at the top of the list of bikes we have tested so far. Why did the Wilier come so close to the three? Because it scores highly in terms of weight. The test bike, which is also ridden by the professionals of Team Astana, weighs just 6.9 kilograms, with the frameset weighing less than 1,500 grams. "It's lively, light and feels comfortable," summarises Konstantin Rohé after the test ride. "The light wheels are noticeable on the climbs," adds Jörg Wenzel: "But on the descents, I thought to myself: there could be a bit more to it." In the wind tunnel, the competition racer achieves a very decent value, but 211 watts for 45 km/h is slightly more than its predecessor. The price, however, is astonishing: the frame set alone, which is only designed for electric gears, costs 5,000 euros. The "cheapest" complete bike with Shimano's Di2 or SRAM's Force eTap costs €8,000, while the high-end version with Campagnolo's Super Record EPS comes in at €13,200.
Competition bike / Price: 10,300 euros / Weight: 6.9 kg
Info: www.wilier.com
In TOUR 1/2021, we described the S-Works Aethos with a wink as a "Rolex to pedal in". The reason is obvious: at € 13,800, the bike with SRAM Red eTap - at the beginning of the year, the model with Shimano's Dura-Ace Di2 was a little cheaper - is probably only something for enthusiasts with a big wallet. If you ignore the price, the impressive weight of the sporty marathon bike stands out: 6.1 kilograms! The perfectly finished and elegant Aethos is therefore the lightest production bike in the world, even the frameset is under the one-kilo mark. This also impressed our test crew. "The acceleration is sensational," says Birgit Waxenberger. However, Kristian Bauer's reaction makes it clear that the lightweight construction can also have a negative effect: "Downhill, you have comparatively little in your hands."
Marathon bike / Price: 12,999 euros / Weight: 6.1 kg
Info: www.specialized.com
Storck: Fascenario.3 Comp Disc
At first glance, the Fascenario.3 Comp looks comparatively unspectacular. Apart from the striking DT Swiss wheels, there is little to show why the marathon racer won the test in TOUR 4/2021. After the test rides, however, the picture changed for our testers. "The longer I sat in the saddle, the more fun I had," says Birgit Waxenberger - confirming our test result from the spring. In addition to the extremely slim cockpit, the competition bike scores with good aerodynamics (226 watts), fast tyres and, above all, the price: at € 2,999, the Fascenario is a real alternative to Canyon or Rose - if you are not put off by the rather high weight and also get by with Shimano's 105 components.
Competition bike / Price: 2,999 euros / Weight: 8.0 kg
Info: www.storck-bikes.com
Trek: Émonda ALR 6
An aluminium bike among the favourites of 2021? Yes, that's right! The Émonda from Trek showed in TOUR 1/2021 that you don't necessarily have to have a carbon model to get your money's worth. Especially since the ALR 6 looks like a more expensive carbon bike thanks to its great workmanship and can also compete with one or two carbon fibre racers in terms of weight. What's more, there's hardly any comfort disadvantage to be found, and the mechanical Shimano Ultegra equipment at this price (€2,436) is rare. "You get on an aluminium bike with different expectations," admits Kristian Bauer frankly, "but the Émonda rides very solidly and well." The relatively stretched seating position and tight gearing appeal primarily to sporty, ambitious road cyclists. The fact that our testers had the impression of sitting comparatively upright in the saddle is due to the sporty competition among the "best of" bikes.
Marathon bike / Price: 2,436 euros / Weight: 8.4 kg
Info: www.trekbikes.com
Canyon: Grizl CF SL 8
Canyon expanded its gravel bike portfolio in spring and launched the adventure-ready Grizl after the sporty Grail. According to the Koblenz-based company, the new model is designed to be more versatile with more space for wider tyres and attachment points for bags, making it ideal for bikepacking tours. And the realisation? It was a success. This is shown by both the overall score of 1.7 in TOUR 7/2021 and the feedback from our test riders. "When buying a bike, you're always faced with the question: do you want an expert or an all-rounder? With the Canyon, you clearly want the latter," says Konstantin Rohé, emphasising the versatility of the Grizl CF SL 8. "I could well imagine the bike for multi-day tours." The high weight of 9.2 kilos - despite the carbon frame - is compensated for by the very good comfort.
Gravel bike / Price: 2,799 euros / Weight: 9.2 kg
Info: www.canyon.com
While the entire bike industry is almost exclusively talking about gravel bikes and launching one new product after another, cyclocross bikes seem to be living a shadowy existence. But the TCX Advanced Pro 0 shows that there are also exciting models in this segment. "It's not only fun off-road, but also on the road. You immediately notice the acceleration," says Konstantin Rohé about the 7.5-kilo competition crosser: "At the same time, I didn't miss the comfort - if you're not travelling on trails." But Giant has made provisions for rougher terrain. The frame and fork are approved for tyres up to 45 millimetres wide - however, only tubeless tyres fit on the rims, which only a few manufacturers have in their range. SRAM's 1x12 drivetrain with 38 teeth, combined with a road bike cassette, takes some getting used to. "I'm missing a few gears," says Birgit Waxenberger. The gearing is fine for brisk rides on flat gravel paths, but on longer climbs it would need lighter gear ratios.
Cyclocross bike / Price: 4,678 euros / Weight: 7.5 kg
Info: www.giant-bicycles.com
In some of our websites we use so-called affiliate links. These are marked with an asterisk (*). If you click on such an affiliate link and make a purchase via this link, we receive a commission from the online shop or provider concerned (e.g. Rose or Amazon). This does not change the price for you.
Julian Schultz
Editor
