In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant. All relevant referral links are marked with . Learn more.
White smoke rises from the chimneys of the production halls: Shimano's best-selling component group is finally available in the new Di2 version and with twelve sprockets. Although reportedly still only in homeopathic quantities, the first Ultegra bikes have been rolling onto the market since the beginning of the year. Almost six months after the launch of the R8100, the official model designation. In addition to the detailed Test of the Shimano Ultegra R8100 components we could hardly wait to test the first road bikes with the most popular and best-selling shift-brake groupset. Despite the wide price range from €3,499 to €5,999, all six models are on a par with each other, with only four tenths between first and last place in the overall rating. Nevertheless, our test bikes differ significantly in some cases and symbolise the wide range in this road bike category.
Comfort or sportiness?
One of the most important features of a marathon or endurance bike is and remains comfort. Anyone who has ever spent more than 100 kilometres in the saddle knows this. Then it's no longer just a question of good legs or the right food and drink. When cranking for hours on end, your back and wrists also need to be protected. Regardless of whether you are a newcomer or a Granfondo veteran. That's why all manufacturers are focussing on frame geometries that allow a relatively upright riding position. Short top tube, long head tube, and that's the marathon geometry. Not quite! Because only the stack/reach ratio (STR) expresses how relaxed you sit in the saddle.
Wide price range for the endurance road bikes in the test
In addition to the trade-offs between comfort and sportiness, the price tag also influences the purchase decision. As with the well-equipped Agree SLT, Cube also scores with the Agree Race with a remarkable price-performance ratio. We are currently not aware of a cheaper marathon bike with the new Ultegra Di2 than the € 3,499 model from the Upper Palatinate. At the upper end of the price scale are Storck (€5,999) and Stevens (€5,954), the latter of which can be configured with Ultegra Di2 2x12 from €4,699.
Six marathon road bikes in the TOUR test
Canyon Endurace CF SL 8 Di2
- Price 3,999 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel 8.1 kilos
+ excellent spring comfort
- Heavy wheels
Cube Agree C:62 Race
- Price 3,499 Euro >> available here
- Weight of complete wheel 8.3 kilos
+ attractive price, practical frame box
- Relatively high total weight
Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1
- Price 5,099 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel 7.8 kilos
+ good all-round properties
- Heavy tyres
Rose Reveal Four Disc Ultegra Di2
- Price 4,599 Euro >> available here
- Weight of complete wheel 7.9 kilos
+ lightweight wheelset, many sizes
- none
Stevens Xenith (Custom)
- Price 5,954 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel 7.7 kilos
+ Relatively low overall weight, many options in the configurator
- High price
Storck Fascenario.4 Pro Disc
- Price 5,999 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel 7.5 kilos
+ very light wheelset
- Relatively heavy frame, high price
You can find the whole test, all the details and individual scores for the bikes tested here Download for 2,99 Euro. Or in TOUR issue 4/22. Order directly here.
Download: The new Ultegra - marathon bikes on test
Julian Schultz
Editor
