More tyre volume brings comfort for road cyclists in all classes. However, wide tyres also have their disadvantages and limits. This is why the suspension capacity of the frame and seat post remains a key development goal. The most comfortable bikes in this year's best-of test show that sophisticated technology is still crucial.
There are few inventions in the world of road bikes that are as simple and yet as effective - and durable - as the leaf spring seatpost from Canyon. It was presented for the first time at Eurobike 2011, when the endurance road bike segment was still in its infancy. Since then, the component has hardly changed and is a guarantee for the best comfort values in the TOUR test. The Canyon Endurace, whose model family only saw the light of day years after the invention of the dropper post, also proves this in 2025. Although the discrepancy in suspension capacity compared to other manufacturers' designs has narrowed, none of them still offer the same level of suspension. We find the development in the race sector exciting, where lightweight models in particular are becoming increasingly more compliant. One example is the Scott Addict RC, which can compete with the most comfortable endurance models.
3rd place: Scott Addict RC Ultimate
The Scott Addict RC showed that comfort is not only an issue for long-distance racers: with 87 N/mm on the TOUR test bench, it outperformed several endurance models. The handlebars also offer comparatively good suspension. This means that Scott not only delivered the lightest, but also one of the most comfortable road bikes this year.
- Weight: 5.9 kilogrammes
- Rear comfort: 114 N/mm | Grade: 1.7
- Comfort front: 87 N/mm | Grade: 2.3
- TOUR overall grade: 1,5
- Peis: 12999 Euro
2nd place: Cannondale Synapse
The biggest leap was made by the new Synapse from Cannondale. While the predecessor version of the endurance racer was still at the bottom of the comfort rankings compared to its competitors, the new model presented in 2025 is emphatically suitable for long distances. The special seatpost catapults the Synapse into the circle of the most comfortable road racing bikes on the market; this year, with 85 N/mm of suspension, it comes in second place behind Canyon.
- Weight: 9.3 kilogrammes
- Rear comfort: 85 N/mm | Note: 1,3
- Comfort front: 86 N/mm | Note: 2,3
- TOUR overall grade: 2,2
- Price: 5299 Euro
1st place: Canyon Endurace CF SLX 7
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Canyon Endurace CF SLX 7 Di2](https://media.delius-klasing.de/images/dpr_auto,fl_progressive,f_auto,c_fill,g_face:auto,w_768/q_auto:eco/tour/canyon-mb-7255-wp-1600jpg_3cabf23145fd85d6bf0adac5bd6dc649/-image-canyon-endurace-cf-slx-7-di2 "[Image]]
Canyon Endurace CF SLX 7 Di2")
With its leaf spring support, the Endurace has led the comfort rankings for road bikes since 2017. Few bikes handle bumpy roads with similar ease. The frame has changed in the meantime, but the seatpost has not. In 2025, it still sets the benchmark with 77 N/mm, this time in comparison with eleven competitors around € 4,000 in TOUR 3/2025. Because tyres up to 35 millimetres wide fit, the bike can be set up to be even more off-road capable.
- Weight: 8.1 kilogrammes
- Rear comfort: 77 N/mm | Grade: 1.0 (20 % share of the overall grade)
- Comfort front: 75 N/mm | Grade: 2.0 (10 % share of the overall grade)
- TOUR overall grade: 1,8
- Price: 4499 Euro
Jens Klötzer
Editor
