Test 2016: Road bikes around 2000 euros - Modern classics: 2000 euro road bikes on test

Aero bikes, ultra-light frames, marathon racers, gravel bikes: the diversification of the road bike market seems unstoppable, and some people are already finding it confusing. In view of the reports on the new products of the past few months, some people are asking themselves: Are there any "normal" road bikes left at all, and affordable ones at that? Those with a sporty riding position and agile handling, round frame tubes and aluminium rims, without the latest and possibly sensitive gimmicks such as electric gears, tubeless tyres or hydraulic disc brakes? And if they do exist - do the manufacturers also put development work into this normal-earner category? The TOUR test in issue 11/2015 aims to shed light on ten sporty speedsters for around € 2,000, all of which are new models for 2016. Only specialist brands are represented, partly because the relevant mail order companies do not offer any new models in this price range. Even though the average price of the most recently purchased road bikes is a few hundred euros higher according to our reader survey (currently €2,782), this "Ultegra class" has been the most popular road bike category for years, as it generally offers modern technology - carbon or high-quality aluminium frames, the latest generation of electronic drivetrains, plus solid quality stems, handlebars and seat posts - at a reasonable price.

The entire article and the test results of these models can be found below as a PDF download:

- BH Quartz Ultegra
- Cannondale CAAD12 Ultegra
- Eddy Merckx Blockhaus 67
- Fuji SL 2.3
- Ghost Nivolet LC Tour 4
- Giant TCR Advanced Ltd
- KTM Revelator 4000
- Lapierre Xelius SL 500
- Specialised Allez DSW SL Expert
- Trek Emonda ALR 6

One surprise is that four of the test bikes are based on an aluminium frame: the major US brands Cannondale, Specialized and Trek as well as Eddy Merckx's bike. Over the past few years, carbon frames have seemed to prevail in almost all price ranges, even conquering the market for entry-level racing bikes under 1,500 euros. But: The dead live longer - a hackneyed saying that applies to the aluminium road bike frame. Cannondale heralded the small renaissance five years ago with the CAAD10, the celebrated and extremely successful aluminium frame was on a par with most mid-range carbon frames with a weight of less than 1,200 grams in a medium size - and significantly cheaper.

ALUMINIUM REMAINS AN ALTERNATIVE

Its successor, the CAAD12, is now being tested for the first time. The Specialized Allez has been on the market since 2012, and Trek is now following suit with an aluminium version of the Émonda. In terms of technical values, the materials in this price range don't differ much; the aluminium frames tend to be slightly heavier than the carbon frames. Thanks to new hydroforming processes and sophisticated welding techniques, you can hardly tell the difference between the very individually shaped aluminium frames and the carbon frames. The main advantage is the price: production remains significantly cheaper despite the development effort. This is the only way that the high-priced brands can offer competitive equipment to compete with more aggressively priced brands such as Giant or Fuji. The best frames in this test come from Ghost, which has an unusually high-quality carbon frame, as well as Cannondale, Giant and Fuji.

The term "Ultegra class" has also become established outside the TOUR editorial team for the equipment level, as Shimano has an almost monopoly in this price range. Campagnolo and SRAM have largely been squeezed out of this market - at least for complete production bikes. This is not only due to the lower level of awareness or the poorer image of the groupsets among customers, but also - if you believe the statements of the bike manufacturers - to the pricing policy of the component manufacturers; Campa and SRAM are simply too expensive for the bike manufacturers compared to Shimano. If a brand even has a model with SRAM Force or Campagnolo Athena in its programme - these two groupsets are defined by their manufacturers as Ultegra competitors - it is usually significantly more expensive than a comparable bike with Shimano. It's no wonder that keenly calculating bike buyers tend to opt for the Japanese product, especially as Shimano is also a technical leader. The fact that our ten test bikes are all equipped with Shimano certainly speaks for itself.

EXPENSIVE GEARS, CHEAP WHEELS

However, eight of the bikes are equipped with Ultegra groupsets, while the Eddy Merckx and Lapierre are fitted with the functionally equivalent, but significantly heavier and cheaper 105 groupset. As the cheapest bike in the test for € 1,799, the Merckx is nevertheless a fairly calculated offer. Lapierre, on the other hand, pays tribute to the elaborately manufactured carbon frame - on a bike costing more than € 2,000, a 105 groupset is a below-average offer. As always, it's worth taking a closer look when cheaper parts are used here and there instead of standard components in order to save money. In the best case, this only affects the weight without any functional losses - as with the 105 brakes on the Fuji or the alternative crank from PraxisWorks on the Specialized. The FSA Gossamer crank on the BH, on the other hand, is not only heavy, but in combination with the Shimano drivetrain it doesn't shift quite as precisely. It is noticeable that comparatively heavy and simple wheels are fitted to almost all the bikes. Only the Ghost and Trek have wheels of a quality and weight appropriate to an Ultegra bike. On the positive side: On all the others, the wheels offer plenty of potential for tuning the bike.

Nevertheless, none of the bikes is a sham. The test winner, Ghost, is leading the way with an unrivalled competitive price - it is the best offer if the bike fits and appeals. But all the other test bikes also deserve a "good", which is expressed in scores between 1.9 and 2.5.

Whether aluminium or carbon, 105 or Ultegra: all bikes offer riding pleasure and unrestricted suitability for everyday use. You can buy what fits and what you like. The differences lie in subtleties that are not really important for our main realisation from this test: How wonderfully uncomplicated such a road bike can be.

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