Test 2021: Aero road bikes for around €4,000 - Intoxicants - 10 aero road bikes on test

Not all manufacturers manage to offer an aero road bike that is suitable for competition in all respects for 4,000 euros. Some give away aerodynamic potential with simple wheels, other bikes are indisputably heavy. The bikes from brands that equip the frameset so intelligently that the result is a fast bike without going beyond the price range are convincing.

10 aero road bikes in the test

• Canyon Aeroad CF SL 8 Disc - 3,799 euros - Fastest bike
• Cube Litening C:68X Pro - 4,049 euros - Best specialised dealer bike
• Felt AR Advanced 105 - 3,499 euros
• Fuji Transonic 2.1 - 3.899 Euro
• Giant Propel Advanced 1 Disc - 3,699 euros
• Lapierre Aircode DRS 6.0 - 4,299 euros
• Look 795 Blade Disc - 3,549 euros
• Merida Reacto 7000-E - 4,349 euros
• Scott Foil 30 - 3,999 euros - Most comfortable bike
• Storck Aerfast3 Disc Ultegra - 3,999 euros

The fascination of aerodynamics

Sleek, tidy and beguilingly fast - aero racing bikes are regarded as the pinnacle of technical creation among competition bikes. This is where manufacturers put all their skills to the test: engineers use computer simulations and wind tunnel tests to develop frames that are as streamlined as possible while still complying with UCI regulations. Tubes are moulded into streamlined profiles, cables for brakes and gears are hidden in the handlebars and frame, water bottles or brakes are placed in the slipstream.

At the same time, the frames should be stable and light, and ideally also offer some comfort; these are characteristics that often run counter to the goal of the best possible aerodynamics. If it is possible to combine all of this in the best possible way, the riders benefit: because in most situations, an aerodynamically optimised racing bike is faster than a slightly lighter but less aerodynamic one.

Affordable aero exhilaration for everyone?

The immense development effort also has to be paid for - the fastest production bikes often cost far more than 10,000 euros. But even their cheaper versions are usually more expensive than their less elaborately moulded lightweight counterparts (see also test in TOUR 4/2021). Is it worth it? Our comparison of aero racers costing around € 4,000 will show you.

Ten manufacturers supplied suitable test bikes - many of which are their cheapest aero models. The exceptions are Canyon, Giant and Merida, who also offer bikes at even lower prices in their wide ranges. On the other hand, there are premium brands such as BMC, Cannondale, Cervélo, Trek or Specialized, whose cheapest aero models are significantly more expensive - from € 5,000 to € 7,000 - and are therefore not represented in this test.

The cheapest bikes in the test field come from Felt and Look at prices of around € 3,500; at the top end are Lapierre and Merida at € 4,300. The price window is not large, but the technical differences seem all the greater at first glance: although all the test candidates use Shimano systems for shifting and braking, they are of very different quality: From the inexpensive 105 groupset to the electronic Ultegra version, everything is included.

The complete test with all the information on weight, aerodynamics, features and detailed grading can be downloaded 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!

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PDF: Test 2021: Aero road bikes for around 4000 euros