Top 3 from 2025: The lightest road bikes from TOUR tests

Last year, extremely lightweight bikes were already a key topic. With the Legerissima from tuner legend Stefan Schmolke weighing just 5.4 kilograms, a bike rolled into the editorial office whose weight record is likely to stand for some time to come. A 5.7-kilo racer from Benotti also impressed. However, both brands tend to be niche suppliers with small production runs. As a mass-produced manufacturer, Specialized was able to compete with the lightweight Aethos model at 6.1 kilograms - nothing came after it for a long time.

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Lightweight construction renaissance

This year has seen a lot of movement in terms of the scales. Even as competition racers, lightweight models are experiencing a small renaissance after initially being swept away by the aero wave. Scott provided something to talk about with the Addict RC, which weighs less than six kilos. Cervélo slimmed down the R5 significantly: a mere 6.0 kilos. The Aethos has also been updated; although it is hardly any lighter, it is more versatile and suitable for everyday use and also sets "light" accents in the endurance sector in the literal sense of the word. It is noticeable that weight has largely been saved by using lighter components: Light handlebars, lightweight tyres with TPU tubes and wheels with carbon spokes enable amazingly large jumps.

3rd place: Specialised S-Works Aethos

The original Aethos model was a kind of monument in terms of lightweight construction: launched in 2020, it led the ranking of the lightest bikes in the disc brake era for a long time. With professional geometry and nervous steering, but without any aero attributes, its place in the racing bike world was never really clear. The successor, which was presented just a few weeks ago, is likely to be the more usable bike for many people: it is lighter, but with a more relaxed riding position, wider tyres and better-natured handling. The new Aethos thus presents itself with the typical features of a leisure and long-distance bike. It is likely to find fans in this environment: Whilst others have caught up overall, it remains by far the lightest in this class.

• Weight: 6.1 kilogramme
• Price: 13,499 Euro
• TOUR grade: 1,5

>> The Specialized S-Works Aethos in the detailed TOUR test

2nd place: Cervélo R5

The same applies to the Cervélo R5 as to the Scott Addict: the pros would have to mount additional weights to reach the prescribed 6.8 kilos despite the pedals and bottle cage. However, when they ride the bike, they tend to prefer faster wheels and more robust tyres than the delicate time trial tyres on the test bike. The single-speed drivetrain shown, which the Visma-Lease a Bike team made acceptable on the S5 aero racer, is also unlikely to be found on the lightweight bike: The gear range is unsuitable for the mountains in particular, and it also didn't work optimally on the R5 due to the short wheelbase. Apart from that, the ride feel is impressive. The bike has yet to receive an overall rating as a competition racer because it has not yet been tested in the wind tunnel.

• Weight: 6.0 kilogramme
• Price: 12,999 Euro >> available here
• TOUR grade: 1.5/Best of test 2025

>> The Cervélo R5 in the detailed TOUR test

1st place: Scott Addict RC Ultimate

Of course, you could deny the Addict RC its raison d'être: A competition racer that is not allowed to be ridden in UCI races because it is too light for the regulations at least raises questions. From the first turn of the pedals, however, this quickly becomes a theoretical consideration. The riding experience is a blast, especially the carbon wheels with Schwalbe lightweight tyres catapult the bike forward with every pedal stroke. The racer is also stable, comfortable and, as the aero test shows, not even particularly slow: 216 watts is the level of a moderately good aero racer. The result: with a score of 1.5, one of the best competition racers in the world. Despite the competition ban.

• Weight: 5.9 kilogrammes
• Price: 12,999 Euro >> available here
• TOUR grade: 1.5/Best of test 2025

>> The Scott Addict RC Ultimate in a detailed TOUR test