TOUR has scrutinised more than 2,000 racing bikes over the past ten years. The frames of each bike were dismantled down to the last screw and weighed, bent and measured in the TOUR laboratory. The testers covered tens of thousands of kilometres on standardised routes to assess the riding characteristics and classify the laboratory values. Over the years, the bikes have become better and better - and not just in theory, but with all the senses. In their current designs, manufacturers have succeeded in combining high riding safety (frame stiffness) with increasing comfort: Stiff yet comfortable frames, predestined for epic marathons, are no longer a contradiction in terms. The best racing bikes of 2012 combine the steering precision of a racing car with the comfort of a saloon, and all this with minimal weight. Many frames now weigh less than one kilogramme.
The ambitious goal: to find out which manufacturer best harmonises such diverse requirements as lightweight construction, riding stability, comfort and aerodynamics. After various preliminary tests and extensive database research, eight models finally made it into the most exclusive TOUR test of all time. But who is the winner? Who can claim to build the best frame in the world?
You can find out more in the PDF download at the end of the article.
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