With our large TOUR reader survey, we have one goal: we want to make the magazine and the TOUR brand even better and adapt to the wishes of our readers. It would help us greatly in the further development and optimisation of TOUR if you would also take part in the reader survey.
The election for "Road Bike of the Year 2024" - 3 categories, 15 bikes
In addition to questions about the TOUR brand and readers' expectations, we are also presenting the "Racing Bike of the Year" for the election. You can choose your favourite 2024 in three categories: Competition, Marathon and Gravel. There are Five racing bikes each which convinced the TOUR editors with their top function, innovative approaches or excellent price-performance ratio.
Marathon bike of the year: the candidates
Canyon Endurace CFR
Aero development does not stop at marathon bikes either. The best example is the new Endurace CFR. In addition to the optimised frameset, which TOUR has not yet put to the test in the wind tunnel, the Canyon is almost traditionally characterised by excellent suspension comfort and geometry suitable for long distances. The mini storage compartment in the top tube makes a saddle bag obsolete. In the CFR version, the Endurace is clearly performance-orientated.
Giant Defy
Last autumn, the world's largest bicycle manufacturer relaunched its marathon classic - and put a base on the tyres that plays a special role in the segment of long-distance racing bikes. The high-end version, which weighs just 7.1 kilograms, delivers the kind of agile handling normally only found on competition bikes. The compliant carbon seat post and supple tubeless tyres also allow the Advanced SL to glide smoothly over uneven road surfaces. Thanks to its large tyre clearance, the Defy is even equipped for bumpy roads.
Pinarello Dogma X
High-end meets marathon bike: Pinarello has given its Marathon platform an exclusive Dogma version for the first time in autumn 2023. The striking detail of the expensive new model is the so-called X-Stays. A suspension concept between the seat stays and seat tube that, in combination with wide tyres, is designed to smooth out bumps in the road surface. The carbon racer is also characterised by finely graduated frame sizes, eleven in total, and a high-quality frame.
Rose Reveal Four
The Reveal Four from Rose impressively demonstrates how well a comparatively favourable price point can be concealed. The frameset is exceptionally comfortable, respectably light and extremely stable; the in-house aluminium wheels are almost on a par with the weight of carbon rims. First-class tyres and an electronic gear shifting system convey the feeling of a racer with top equipment. The fact that you only have to put up with an extra kilogramme of weight compared to high-end models from leading brands for a quarter of the price is certainly acceptable.
Specialised S-Works Roubaix SL8
Since its market launch more than 30 years ago, the Specialized Roubaix has been one of the most comfortable marathon bikes. The latest version, which the US bike manufacturer presented in autumn 2023, also offers exemplary suspension thanks to a suspension system between the stem and head tube as well as wide tyres. The SL8 even goes one step further: as the frame and fork can accommodate gravel-sized tyres, the Roubaix also feels at home off-road. This means that the Specialized has arrived in the new niche segment of all-road bikes.
Competition bike of the year: the candidates
Giant Propel Advanced SL
Although the top version of the Giant Propel had to let the Specialized Tarmac pass it as the best road bike in the 2023 TOUR test, it is still one of the absolute top materials. The workhorse of the Jayco-AlUla professional team is as fast as an arrow (209 watts), extremely light (6.7 kilos) and offers razor-sharp steering behaviour. In particular, the full carbon wheels from our own brand Cadex raise the top model to a high level and distinguish it from cheaper equipment variants. The riding position is extremely stretched for hobby riders, and the seat height can only be adjusted to a limited extent due to the seat dome.
Specialised S-Works Tarmac SL8
The new Tarmac from Specialized earned its nomination with a new top score in the TOUR test. The race all-rounder achieves a symbiosis of lightweight construction (6.6 kilograms) and aerodynamics (209 watts). A torsion-resistant frame set and a sporty, stretched seating position emphasise the character of the thoroughbred racer. The result: the exclusive S-Works version was the first racing bike in the age of disc brakes to achieve a score of 1.3.
Cube Litening Aero C:68X
Top aerodynamics at a top price: this is what characterises the Cube Litening Aero C:68X. With an aero performance of 207 watts in the TOUR test, the aero bike from the German bike manufacturer joined the ranks of the fastest production bikes in the world. The high-quality wheels, which can be found in almost all equipment variants, play a major role in the first-class aero performance. The Cube also scores with remarkably fair prices: The equipment variants cost around 25 per cent less than comparable competitors.
Cannondale SuperSix Evo
The SuperSix from the US manufacturer symbolises the trend towards a versatile all-rounder for competition. Although the frame shape is relatively conventional compared to aero specialists, the racing machine (207 watts) is one of the fastest bikes in the TOUR test. At 7.2 kilograms, the Hi-Mod 2 version is comparatively heavy. In practice, however, the Cannondale conceals the weight well and also scores with excellent suspension comfort.
Scott Foil
With the fourth generation of the Foil, Scott is not only setting aerodynamic standards: with 206 watts in the TOUR wind tunnel test, it is one of the fastest racing bikes ridden on the professional circuit. However, the bike makes hardly any compromises. The bike is characterised by excellent suspension comfort, and at 7.2 kilograms in the Ultimate version, it is also respectably light. The result is a TOUR score that only a few competitors can match: The 1.4 stands for material at the absolute top level. The fact that the Foil is absolutely good-natured and predictable and rides like a board even at high speeds is not just a minor matter.
Gravel/cyclocross bike of the year: the candidates
BMC Kaius
Fast, faster, Kaius: The race gravel bike from the Swiss bike manufacturer is designed for full speed off-road. The top-equipped Kaius 01 One is extremely powerful and the sporty, stretched seating position is reminiscent of racing bikes for the road. The narrow aero handlebars, which are specifically designed to be flexible and absorb impacts better off-road than any other gravel bike without suspension, are a defining feature. The Swiss "gravel tiller" weighed in at 7.6 kilograms on the TOUR scales, making it one of the lightest gravel specialists.
Canyon Grail CFR
By winning the Unbound, the unofficial gravel world championship in the USA, the new Canyon made headlines even before its market launch in late summer 2023. High suspension comfort, upright riding position, stoic straight-line stability and well thought-out luggage solutions: The Grail is predestined for long days in the saddle. In contrast to its predecessor, whose double handlebar cockpit was the subject of controversy, the gravel bike with flat aero handlebars also looks more appealing.
Cervelo R5-CX
Cyclocross is out? Not if you have a model like the R5-CX under your saddle. Thanks to its low weight, this no-frills cross-country bike sprints over hill and dale and changes direction with ease. The large tyre clearance also transforms the work tool of all-rounder Wout van Aert into a race-oriented gravel bike, which means that even rough terrain can be taken under the studded tyres.
Specialised S-Works Diverge STR
Innovate or die - there is hardly a bike that fits Specialized's motto better than the Diverge STR gravel bike. The centrepiece of the bike is the complicated rear suspension, in which a carbon seatpost clamped into the lower seat tube acts as a spring and a hydraulic mini-damper integrated into the top tube results in a highly customisable chassis. Hardly anyone believes that the system will have any significance for the mass market. Nevertheless, the idea caused quite a stir in the industry. The fact that our test bike with the heavy Rival groupset already costs 7,500 euros and weighs a hefty 9.7 kilograms - no problem, because most innovations had an unattractive start. What would the road bike world be without such experiments?
Time ADHX
The ADHX all-road bike from TIME is undoubtedly an all-round good bike, even though it doesn't attract attention with its particularly low weight, outstanding comfort or innovative technologies. The reason for the nomination here lies rather in its origins. The traditional brand with French roots operates a factory in Slovakia, where the frame of the ADHX is produced using a patented weaving process. The equipment with Campagnolo components and Tufo tyres also comes almost entirely from European production. With the ADHX, TIME shows that a competitive racing bike can now be produced independently of Asian manufacturing locations - and even at an acceptable price.
TOUR reader survey: Click here for the participation form
By taking part in the reader survey, you secure the chance to win one of our numerous prizes with a total value of around 45,000 euros.
As the main prize of the TOUR reader survey 2024, we are giving away a racing bike worth 5,999 euros! We will reveal which bike will be raffled off in the course of the survey.
>>> HERE you can take part in the TOUR reader survey 2024. Thank you for taking part and good luck!
The closing date for entries is 30.04.2024.
