specialized tarmac vs trek madone

Best aero road bikes: The fastest bikes money can buy

The best aero road bikes will cut through the air and save you watts

Best aero road bikes you can buy today

Aero road bikes explained.

The best aero road bikes will give you a dose of free speed with their aerodynamic performance better than ever and saving you energy at all but the lowest speeds. Their aerodynamic gains are more important than the benefits of riding the best lightweight bikes on all but the steepest climbs.

Modern aero road bikes are also much more comfortable than their predecessors and many have reduced the significant weight of those bikes close to the UCI's 6.8kg weight limit in top spec builds.

That makes an aero road bike a compelling choice if you're looking for the best road bike for your next purchase. Even though pro-level builds are very expensive, most brands will offer a range of builds to soften the price. 

Read on for our pick of the best aero road bikes, or head to the bottom of the page where we answer some of the most common aero bike questions.

Specialized Tarmac SL 7

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Tarmac has traditionally taken on the role of a lightweight climber in Specialized's road bike range, but in the pursuit of performance gains there has been such a convergence in technology that the latest Tarmac SL 7 has assumed both the aero and the lightweight mantle, and is the bike ridden by Specialized's sponsored pro teams in almost all races, with the exception of Paris-Roubaix.

Specialized has managed to make the Tarmac SL 7 as aero as many out and out aero bikes while still skimming the UCI's 6.8kg weight limit, even in the commercially available S-Works spec.

There's fantastic handling although the ride is harsher than the previous SL 6 model. The top spec bike comes with Roval Rapide CLX wheels, although surprisingly still with inner tubes. It also carries a frightening price tag, although lower spec bikes are slightly more affordable.

There are two frame levels available. The S-Works models use the brand's FACT 12r carbon and will have a frame weight of 800 grams (size 56cm, painted). The lower-specced Pro, Expert and Comp models share the same silhouette but with FACT 10r carbon for a frame weight of 960g.

Model range

• Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 - Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
• Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 - SRAM Red AXS
• Specialized Tarmac SL7 Pro - SRAM Force AXS
• Specialized Tarmac SL7 Expert - Shimano Ultegra Di2
• Specialized Tarmac SL7 Comp - SRAM Rival AXS

Trek Madone SLR

The latest Trek Madone SLR Gen 7 bike takes a totally different tack to most aero bikes, with a seat tube that splits towards its top, leaving a large hole under the rider. Trek claims that this significantly improves airflow towards the rear of the bike, resulting in around a 10 watt energy saving over the previous Madone.

There's another 10 watts saving on offer from the redesigned bar/stem, which has a significant flare, resulting in a more aero position when riding on the tops.

Trek has also shaved around 300g from the bike's weight by removing its predecessor's adjustable IsoSpeed damping. It's been replaced by the non-adjustable IsoFlow design, which cantilevers the seat mast over that split seat tube.

The previous generation Madone was already an expensive bike and the upgrades haven't done anything to improve affordability, but the Gen 7 bike is a radical, distinctive take on the aero road bike. Trek continues to sell the older model alongside the new bike if you hanker after its more stocky looks. 

Model range (Gen 7 Madone)

• Trek Madone SLR 9 AXS
• Trek Madone SLR 9
• Trek Madone SLR 7 AXS
• Trek Madone SLR 7 
• Trek Madone SLR 6 AXS
• Trek Madone SLR 6

Merida Reacto

The Merida Reacto aero road bike has been updated to be more in line with modern trends - lighter, more aero, and more efficient. As such, the Reacto's slimmed down, aerofoil tubing and dropped seat stays make up the majority of the aero alterations.

To begin with its aero credentials, development of the Reacto IV saw six different models undergo computational airflow testing before heading into the real wind tunnel to refine and select the quickest frame.

The results include the fork being integrated into the frame, complete internal cable routing (into the cockpit rather than into the headtube), a redesign to optimise airflow at the seat stays and fork crown, and lower attachment points for the seat stays to reduce drag, among other touches.

Compliance and comfort are also the name of the game, with tweaks and improvements in the carbon layup – even more so in the higher-end CF5 frame – reducing the mass of the frame while bringing a reportedly smoother ride, which is something the Merida S-Flex seat post also assists with.

Further burnishing the Reacto IV's all-rounder tag are the 30mm tyre clearance, disc-brake cooling fins, an integrated rear light, and aero touches like the 'hidden' seat post clamp and thru-axles.

• Merida Reacto Team
• Merida Reacto 9000
• Merida Reacto 8000
• Merida Reacto 7000
• Merida Reacto Limited
• Merida Reacto 6000
• Merida Reacto 5000
• Merida Reacto 4000

Giant Propel Advanced

The Giant Propel Advanced had an update in 2022, which has aimed to make the bike lighter and more accommodating, with a rear end that's skinnier and more compliant without compromising power delivery or front end stiffness.

The new two-piece bar and stem are designed to make it easier to work on the bike than its predecessor. Giant says that the new bike is some 225g lighter than the last model Propel, and also more aero, saving over 6 watts. There's an increase in tyre clearance too, allowing you to fit 30mm rubber for increased road smoothing.

The top spec Propel Advanced SL bikes have an integrated seat mast, which limits adjustability, but the Advanced and Advanced Pro have a more normal seatpost design, which should make resale easier. 

• Giant Propel Advanced SL 0
• Giant Propel Advanced SL 1 (not US)
• Giant Propel Advanced SL Disc Di2 (not UK)
• Giant Propel Advanced Pro 0 AXS
• Giant Propel Advanced Pro 0 Di2
• Giant Propel Advanced Pro 1 (not US)
• Giant Propel Advanced 1
• Giant Propel Advanced2 (not US)

Pinarello Dogma F

This fourth iteration of the Dogma F has lost its numeric suffix, but follows the form of its predecessors; the winners of five Tours de France. 

At a time when many brands were developing separate lightweight and aero bikes, Pinarello stuck to its guns with the Dogma series, progressively refining its all-rounder design with increased integration and improved aerodynamics. 

The Dogma was never a lightweight bike though, leading Team Ineos Grenadiers and its predecessor, Team Sky, to stick to rim brakes long after other teams had switched to discs and look to save weight elsewhere by using Lightweight wheels for hilly stages.

But the Dogma F manages to reach a more competitive weight via small gains in parts like the 3D-printed titanium seatpost clamp, which together add up to a 265g reduction from the Dogma F12 and puts a top spec disc brake retail build at around 7kg. The Dogma F is not just light though, it's razor sharp, fast, and comfortable with it. It's also one of the few high spec bikes that's available with rim brakes, not just discs.

• Pinarello Dogma F Red eTap AXS
• Pinarello Dogma F Dura-Ace Di2
• Pinarello Dogma F Disc Super Record EPS
• Pinarello Dogma F Custom Build

Cannondale SystemSix

The SystemSix moniker is nothing new to Cannondale, having first appeared in the form of a hybrid carbon fibre/aluminium composite frame back in 2007. Ahead of its time in many ways, it paved the way for future models such as the lightweight and dynamic SuperSix Evo , which has also been given the aero treatment and an upgrade in 2023.

The blueprint for the SystemSix - Cannondale's dedicated aero road bike - has been touted by the American company to be the 'fastest on the planet'. At 7.8kg it may seem a little on the portly side, but Cannondale says the added grams will do little to thwart progress, even on the hills.

The SystemSix makes an endearing case for itself as far as free speed is concerned. It's seriously fast - be it on a descent, flat, or climb, and the powerful disc brakes make for controlled modulation mid-corner.

Offering a choice of Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 , Ultegra Di2, Ultegra mechanical, and Red eTap AXS groupsets, there are plenty of options to choose from depending on your budget. 

• Cannondale SystemSix Hi-MOD Dura-Ace Di2
• Cannondale SystemSix Hi-MOD Red eTap AXS
• Cannondale SystemSix Hi-MOD Ultegra Di2
• Cannondale SystemSix Carbon Ultegra

Wilier Filante SLR

The Wilier Filante SLR is designed to mix aerodynamics and low weight, with a design that reduces the amount of material used, resulting in a claimed 870g frame weight. The tube shapes are also said to make for better performance when riding in real world conditions like in a group or cornering, where airflow may be more complex than in a wind tunnel test.

Wilier has retained its signature widely spaced fork legs, which it says reduces aero interference with the turning wheel, as well as offering wider tyre options. The frame and fork are asymmetric to balance the loads on their component parts. Wilier fits its own SLR42KC wheels to many specs as well as offering a Vision Trimax alternative. 

• Wilier Filante SLR Campagnolo Super Record EPS Disc
• Wilier Filante SLR Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
• Wilier Filante SLR Sram Red eTap AXS
• Wilier Filante SLR Shimano Ultegra Di2
• Wilier Filante SLR Sram Force eTap AXS

Bianchi Aria

The Bianchi Aria is one of the most versatile aero road bike offerings gathered here. Not only is it super-efficient in a straight line, boasting a phenomenal turn of speed, but it's also impressively responsive to directional changes thanks to the steep head angle and racy geometry.

The frame comprises all the aero-optimised shapes you'd expect from a bike of this nature, with an integrated frame and fork, dropped seat stays and a D-shaped seat post - it all looks very fast.

Like most modern road bikes, it's now disc brake only, and while it does err on the heavy side it still climbs well and offers impressive compliance despite lacking the Countervail technology as used on the brand's higher-value models such as the Oltre RC.

That said, if it's greater comfort you're after, the Aria can accommodate wider tyres - it comes with 28C road tyres as standard.

• Bianchi Aria Ultegra Di2 Disc
• Bianchi Aria 105 Di2 Disc
• Bianchi Aria Ultegra Disc
• Bianchi Aria 105 Disc
• Bianchi Aria Rival eTap AXS Disc

Canyon Aeroad

With a name such as Aeroad, there's no mistaking what this weapon was designed to do - attack the finish line as quickly as possible.

There are three frame specs for the Aeroad, starting off with the top spec CFR (Canyon Factory Racing), which is available with a range of premium groupsets and wheels, as well as a power meter as standard.

The CF SLX level frames are equipped with mid-level electronic groupsets, but still boast a power meter and quality wheelsets, while the entry-level CF SL frameset is specced with Shimano Ultegra and DT Swiss ARC 1600 wheels. Smaller size CF SL bikes come with 650b wheels to keep the geometry similar to larger sizes with 700c wheels. Canyon quotes a bike weight of 7.8kg for the most basic CF SL 8 Disc spec, dropping to 7.2kg for the CFR Disc Di2.

There's a new Canyon Aeroad on the horizon for 2023, with Mathieu van der Poel spotted winning Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix on the new frame, which features subtle upgrades from its predecessor, the most obvious of which is a repositioned seatpost clamp.

• Canyon Aeroad CFR Disc LTD (not US)
• Canyon Aeroad CFR Disc Di2
• Canyon Aeroad CFR Disc eTap
• Canyon Aeroad CFR Disc EPS (not US)
• Canyon Aeroad CFR Disc MvdP (not US)
• Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8 Disc Di2
• Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8 Disc eTap
• Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 7 Disc eTap
• Canyon Aeroad CF SL 8 Disc

Scott Foil RC

The Scott Foil is another aero road bike that has had a recent makeover . Scott says that the changes have made the new bike lighter and more aero. Although the cut-out for the rear wheel makes it look as if the wheelbase has been reduced from the older model, the geometry is essentially unchanged. According to Scott the redesigned frame with its deeper tube profiles will save you over a minute over its predecessor over a 40km ride at 40km/h. 

The new Foil is also claimed to be more comfortable, with a carbon bar-stem that helps absorb road chatter and, as with the Merida Reacto, a seatpost with a large cut-away section at its rear, into which you can fit a light. Claimed weight has dropped to 7.22kg and you can fit 30mm tyres.

• Scott Foil RC Ultimate
• Scott Foil RC Pro
• Scott Foil RC 10
• Scott Foil RC 20
• Scott Foil RC 30

The notion of aerodynamics is nothing new to Cervelo, having single-handedly created the aero road bike concept back in 2002 with the aluminium Soloist. With aerofoil tubing developed by NACA – the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics – the Soloist was unlike anything seen before and started the aero genre that has taken over top level racing today.

The latest S5 dominated the 2022 Tour de France. It's had a more subtle upgrade than the Scott Foil, with the new 2023 model having frame clearance for 34mm tyres, tweaked tube profiles and a redesigned bar-stem that makes adjustment and maintenance easier than its predecessor. It's also gone disc brake and electronic groupset only - another trend in high-end bikes.

• Cervelo S5 Dura-Ace Di2
• Cervelo S5 Red eTap AXS
• Cervelo S5 Force eTap AXS
• Cervelo S5 Ultegra Di2

Factor Ostro VAM

Factor Bikes describes the Ostro VAM as an "everything bike". The VAM stands for " vertical ascent per minute", so as you'd expect it's lightweight and stiff to satisfy the climbers, with a frameset claimed to weigh 830g that Factor says can easily hit a sub-6.8kg build.

The Ostro VAM frameset is also aero, with truncated aerofoil tubing, front end integration and an aggressive ride position. Pair that with the option to fit 32mm tyres and a frame built for compliance and it's Factor's answer to the aero all-rounder.

It's designed to be easy to run, with CeramicSpeed SLT maintenance-free bearings and a T47 threaded bottom bracket. Factor builds to order and offers a wide range of bar-stem and groupset options as well as five different depths of wheels from its Black Inc sister brand.

Model Range

• Built to order

Aero is the road bike buzzword at present. But what makes an aero road bike, why are they so expensive and why do they all look the same ? Read on to find out.

What makes a bike aero?

The heart of an aero road bike is its aerofoil-shaped tube profiles. In fact, truncated aerofoils are used, which have the front end of a classic teardrop shape, but cut off the rear end sharply. This results in an aerofoil (like a plane's wing) that's as much as eight times longer than the actual tubing. Air behind the rear of the tube "completes" the aerofoil shape and results in the air flowing smoothly around the tubes. 

This creates a frame that's significantly more aerodynamic than a classic round tube profile, reducing the effort required to keep the bike moving at all but the slowest speeds.

In addition, modern aero road bikes hide the brake hoses (and gear cables if these are present) within the bar and stem, routing them directly into the head tube. 

As with round frame tubes, there's drag developed by exposed cables that's disproportionate to their width. This front-end integration and fitting bar-stems that are aerodynamically optimised save yet more energy.

Finally, an aero road bike will almost always be fitted with deeper section wheels, which are more aerodynamically efficient than shallower rims. The sweet spot tends to be between 40mm and 50mm deep, where there are significant watt savings, but the wheels are not too hard to handle in crosswinds.

Why do aero road bikes cost so much?

There's a significant amount of resource required to develop a modern aero road bike. That usually starts off with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies of airflow over the design and iteration of the design elements to optimise aero efficiency. 

Life size 3D-printed models of the bikes are then usually tested in a wind tunnel, which is a pricey, labour-intensive process. Airflow may be modelled at different wind speeds and wind yaw angles to ensure good aerodynamic performance in a range of conditions.

There may be several iterations and designers may perch mannequins on the prototype frame to see the effect of the rider on airflow. Some mannequins can even pedal, as this movement can alter the results.

It's all additional work and cost over developing a traditional round-tubed bike, in addition to ensuring it passes all the relevant safety standards too. It has to be shown to be comfortable to ride and stiff enough for efficient pedalling as well.

Are aero road bikes uncomfortable to ride?

The initial crop of aero road bikes from around 10 to 15 years ago had a, not unmerited, reputation for being jarring to ride and heavy. Modern aero bikes have overcome this though, with designers learning how to maintain aerodynamics while building compliance into the frame. The ubiquity of disc brakes has seen a trend to wider, more comfortable tyres too.

Bike weight has decreased as well, with top spec modern aero bikes routinely approaching the UCI's magic 6.8kg weight limit, even with the disc brakes that are now the norm. 

In most ride conditions, aerodynamics are more important than bike weight, so an aero road bike is usually a better choice for most riders, even on hilly rides. It will be faster on the way back down too.

Why do all aero bikes look the same?

A result of the focus on aerodynamics and the need for designers to keep to the UCI's rules on frame design is that there's limited scope to innovate in frame shape. The same physics apply to airflow over every manufacturer's frame.

Features like deep aerofoil sections, horizontal top tubes, a deep bottom bracket area, dropped seat stays, integrated hose routing and sharp frame junctions have the same effect for all bikes and so feature in the majority of designs.

Having said that, there's still room for innovations like the Trek Madone's split seat tube that can potentially stir things up and change the aero calculus.

Would an aero/lightweight bike be a better choice than a full aero road bike?

Some brands offer both a lightweight bike and an aero road bike, so you may have a choice if you've decided on a particular bike brand. The majority of lightweight bikes now include some aero features though, just not as extreme as a full-on aero bike, so there's less energy saving. In general they retain a significant weight advantage.

Examples of lightweight bikes which have had the aero treatment include the Bianchi Specialissima , the Merida Scultura , the Scott Addict RC and the Trek Emonda . Other brands have merged the two categories: take the Specialized Tarmac SL 7 and the Pinarello Dogma F for example. 

For many riders, the combination of aero and light weight may be a compelling alternative to the all-out aero road bike.

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Paul has been on two wheels since he was in his teens and he's spent much of the time since writing about bikes and the associated tech. He's a road cyclist at heart but his adventurous curiosity means Paul has been riding gravel since well before it was cool, adapting his cyclo-cross bike to ride all-day off-road epics and putting road kit to the ultimate test along the way. 

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Best aero bikes 2024: fastest speed weapons ridden and rated

We've ridden and rated the best aero bikes and these are our favourites

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The Quick List

Best overall

Best handling

Best lightweight

Best all-rounder

Most adjustable

• What to look for

Best aero bikes 2023: Jump Menu

The list in brief ↴ 1. Best overall 2. Best handling 3. Best value 4. Best lightweight 5. Best all-rounder 6. Most adjustable

Advice What to look for

The best aero bikes can save you watts and help you to ride faster. Nearly every bike company has an aero bike somewhere in its range. And for good reason. Our independent testing shows that the difference between the best aero bikes and a lightweight bike with conventional round tube profiles could be as much as 25 watts at 45kph. It'd take a lot of training to gain 25 watts.

What makes a bike an aero bike? They're characterized by deep section tube shapes designed to reduce drag, integrated cockpits, disc brakes, and hidden seat post clamps. Often they'll have dropped seatstays and they will come with deep section aero wheels .

While it's all well and good having the fastest possible aero bike, you won't want to ride it very far if it's uncomfortable or too heavy. Happily, the latest generation of aero bikes boast impressively low weights and deliver a ride quality that's both comfortable enough for a long day in the saddle, as well as a sprint finish.

Increasingly, all-rounder race bikes are becoming more aero as well, with almost all of the best road bikes including many or all of the features mentioned above. The aerodynamic tuning may not be as extreme as the best aero bikes, but they'll be significantly faster than their round tubed predecessors.

We've tested a variety of the best aero bikes across a range of prices. Our picks are below, while towards the bottom of this page you'll find our buyer's guide to the best aero bikes and how to choose. 

The redesigned Madone is everything a modern aero race bike should be: fast, smooth and light. The only thing not to like is the price.

Read more below

The latest S5 won our Race Bike of the Year award thanks to its sublime handling and its supreme comfort, both of which help make it seriously fast.

It's a relative term when you're discussing high-end aero bikes, but the Propel Advanced Pro 1 does deliver a lot of bike for the money. 

The revamped SL8 retains the agility of its predecessor but now it's both stiffer and lighter - the SRAM Red AXS equipped model weighs just 6.6kg.

To gain this title an aero bike needs to be fast yet comfortable with handling that's responsive but assured. The updated Foil is all these.

The Aeroad is light and fast and holds its own among the best aero race bikes. The adjustable cockpit is an added bonus with three width settings.

Best aero bikes: our picks

Best aero bike overall.

1. Trek Madone SLR 7

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The seventh generation Madone impressed us enough to win 'best aero' category in our Race Bike of the Year awards. That it was up against stiff competition only deepened our appreciation of this striking machine.

The redesign has made the Madone lighter - our test model weighed just 7.5kg, which is light indeed for an aero bike. As a result it performed well when the road pointed up. But it was the overall ride quality that really caught our attention. It floated over poor road sections, even on 25mm tires, and handled beautifully on descents and around corners.  It's an enviable combination that any race bike would love to achieve - and the Madone does it with style.

Taking of style, the new IsoFlow tech may look different, but in conjunction with the new aero cockpit, it's clearly working. The Madone is flat out fast. Trek's claims of a 300g saving, coupled with it stating that it's almost 20 watts faster than its predecessor seems legitimate. However, all these improvements do make for a price tag that will likely make you wince.

Read more: Trek Madone SLR7 full review

Best aero bike for handling

2. Cervélo S5

If you followed our Race Bike of the Year awards, you'll know that the Cervélo S5 took top honours. That it doesn't quite win best aero bike here isn't a knock however, rather its testament to the updated S5's ability to perform brilliantly across the board.

In simple terms, for a blend of aerodynamics, comfort and handling, it's just hard to beat. It's little wonder that it's the choice of team Jumbo-Visma in all but the hilliest of stages and has been an important part of their recent successes, which includes back-to-back TdF titles no less.

So what makes it handle so well? It's really the balanced geometry that means you can ride hard without it ever feeling twitchy. The wheel and tire combination also play a part in the bike's impressive comfort and grip. On test our 28mm tires actually measured over 31mm, thanks to the generous internal rim width of the Reserve wheels. 

Read more: Cervélo S5 SRAM Force full review

Best aero bike for value

3. Giant Propel Advanced Pro 1

The updated Propel saw it slim down a little, especially the frame's rear triangle. It's helped make it more comfortable and a little more versatile, while still retaining it's genuine aero credentials. In fact, Giant says it's faster than the previous model by some 6.2 watts at 40kph.

Tire clearance has been upped to 32mm, which further aids comfort and handling. On review, it all added up to a smoother ride compared to previous iterations, so much so that it could easily be your every day road bike. If this raises eyebrows given the Propel's weight, we think that unless you live and ride in the mountains, it's unlikely to be a penalty - with the bike's innate speed more than making up for the number on the scales.

While the Propel Advanced can be had in various builds, our Advanced Pro 1 represented good value. While it's not cheap, it delivers unmatched performance-to-price ratio, making for  an "excellent bike with an exceptional price".

Best lightweight aero road bike

Specialized Tarmac SL7 merges aero and lightweight

4. Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8

The new SL8 builds on the aero all-rounder profile of the previous Tarmac. Designed a race bike for all occasions - or stages - the update is said to be lighter, stiffer and more aero. 

Certainly the drop in frame weight is notable. Using the same layup as the featherweight Aethos, Specialized have shaved off the grams, with the SL8 frame weighing just 685 grams. This helps make for a total weight of just 6.6kg for the S-Works model in a size 56cm. 

We found it added up to a bike that's super stiff and just as responsive. If you like the SL7, you'll be pleased to read that the geometry of the SL8 is much the same. The result is the same playful characteristics that translate to a fast and snappy ride feel.

Read more: Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 full review

Best aero all-rounder

The new Scott Foil is lighter and more aero but also more comfortable

5. Scott Foil Ultimate RC

The latest iteration of the Scott Foil has new, deeper tube profiles that Scott says improve the bike's aerodynamics, delivering a ride that's 1m 18s faster over 40k at 40kph. The curved seat tube hugs the rear wheel, although Scott says that the geometry is unchanged from its past Foil models.

Scott has reduced the number of joints in the frame as well, which it says reduces weight, although this - very expensive - Ultimate spec still weighs 7.3kg, which is a little more than its rivals. 

Comfort is also said to have increased, in particular thanks to the large cut-out in the rear of the seatpost, which adds a significant amount of flex at the saddle.

Fast on the flat and on gently descending roads and with good vibration damping on coarse tarmac, the Foil does show its weight on steep ascents, although that's mitigated by reassuring handling on descents.

Read more: Scott Foil Ultimate RC full review

Best aero bike for adjustment

6. Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8

Another aero bike that makes a solid claim as being an all-rounder, the Aeroad is fast, responsive and pretty lightweight. 

There's some compliance there too, with rear-end comfort delivered by a combination of a 28mm rear tire and a flexing seatpost. However, it's the Aeroad's level of adjustability that really sets it apart from other aero race bikes.

The stack height can be altered by 15mm without having to do any fiddly re-cabling or steerer tube cutting - but does require a proprietary headset tool. The width-adjustable cockpit, with Canyon says aids the bike's aerodynamics, delivers 40mm of adjustability, three width settings and collapsibility for travelling. Whether you feel the need to adjust your cockpit width is another question, however.

Read more: Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8 full review

BMC Time Machine 01 Road Four

7. BMC Timemachine 01 Road

Since its introduction in 2012, the BMC Timemachine has always been a head-turner, but there was no doubting its purely functional credentials, sacrificing comfort for ultimate speed.

The platform has come a long way since then, and the Timemachine Road iteration is far more rider friendly, and while it retains its rapidness, the latest design manages to also shoehorn in an element of compliance, with the end result being pretty close to perfect.

Equipped with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 disc brake set up, semi-integrated cockpit, 62mm deep section DT Swiss Arc 1400 Dicut 62 wheels and fast rolling Vittoria Corsa Control tires it leaves you with no question as to the bike's ambition, but with the added comfort factor, it now means it's a lot more than just a one trick pony. Our only grumble is with the limited 25mm tire clearance.

Read more: BMC Timemachine 01 Road full review

Pinarello Dogma F

8. Pinarello Dogma F

Pinarello's superbike is still the winningest Tour de France bike of the last decade, even if the Dogma F is yet to chalk up an overall win. There are several build options, including an increasingly rare a direct mount rim brake option. 

Pinarello says that the F is the lightest version of the Dogma yet, thanks to parts like a 3D printed titanium saddle clamp and redesigned bar/stem rather than a drop in frame weight. It's marginally faster than its predecessor as well. There are 352 different frame and component size options available, so there's plenty of scope to fine-tune your fit.

It's a dream of a bike, a rapid, nimble ride, and of course, with the price tag, a rather expensive one at that.

Read more: Pinarello Dogma F first ride review

Cannondale SystemSix Carbon Ultegra Di2

9. Cannondale SystemSix Carbon Ultegra Di2

The SystemSix is Cannondale's first ever dedicated aero road bike, and the brand has come out swinging. It looks exactly the way you'd expect an aero bike to look: it's all stark angles and chunky tubes and you'd be forgiven for thinking it'd be uncomfortable, but actually the SystemSix has comfort at odds with its chunky looks.

It's also a very fine handling bike, with a geometry that almost matches the Cannondale SuperSix Evo and hydraulic brakes that instil confidence on descents.

The SystemSix rolls on the Cannondale's Knot 64 wheels which are tubeless ready, very stiff and spin along like a freight train. Teaming it with the much rated Shimano Ultegra Di2 for rapid electronic shifting is the ultimate partnership.

With two back to back years as a Cycling Weekly Editor's Choice award winner, we can't speak highly enough of Cannondale's aero offering.

Read more: Cannondale SystemSix full review

Buyer's guide to the best aero bikes: what to look for

There are a few things to consider before opting for an out-and-out aero bike, particularly since you can get many of the benefits of a full-on aero bike from an aero optimised all-rounder road bike. 

Why would you buy an aero bike?

Well that's a very good question that. With the  Cycling Weekly  wind tunnel still seeking funding from the powers that be, we can't answer with complete scientific accuracy. However, we have conducted a couple of experiments in the past that have compared the performances of aero bikes with non-aero bikes.

In the first of these, we took two bikes to a velodrome to test how much faster is an aero bike . We rode each bike (a now superseded Cervélo S5 and Canyon Ultimate CF SLX ) for 10 minutes at 200W and 10 minutes at 300W, with the aero bike being 275m ahead and 1.7kph faster when ridden at 200W, and 435m ahead and 2.6kph faster when ridden at 300W.

In the second experiment we pitched an aero bike (again the Cervélo S5) against a lightweight bike (a Focus Izalco Max ) on a climb, tackling Box Hill in Surrey twice on each bike, again at 200W and 300W, to see which climbs faster , despite the Cervélo S5 being 800g heavier.

However, this time it was the lightweight bike that came out on top. At 200W, it took our test rider 9:24 to tackle the 2.5km climb on the aero bike at an average speed of 15kph, while the lightweight bike was 18 seconds faster with an average speed of 16kph.

At 300W, the lightweight bike was still faster, but the gap between the two was reduced, with the aero bike only being seven seconds slower with a 0.4kph difference in speed. This shows how much more important aerodynamics become at higher speeds, while weight is more of a factor at lower speeds.

The take home message then, is that for most riders over most terrain, an aero bike will be faster than a lightweight bike. The only case where weight begins to become more of a factor is on steeper climbs where you're travelling more slowly, and even then any time gains could well be balanced out on the descent, where the high speeds are going to make aerodynamics a factor again.

What features should I look out for in an aero bike?

At a most basic level, all aero bikes should come with tubes that have been shaped to smooth airflow, meaning that they will have a slender front profile but elongated rearwards. 

However, manufacturers can't go crazy if they want to see their bikes used in races, with the UCI's rules still restricting how deep tube profiles can be. The latest iteration of the rules has relaxed those governing tube shapes though, so the latest crop of aero road bikes has significantly more aero tuning than its predecessors.

Whereas the first aero road bike, the original Cervelo Soloist, had teardrop shaped tube sections, all now use kammtail tube profiles. This means that the tube retains an aerofoil shape at the front, but with the back half lopped off to give it a flat back.

A lot of people say that aero bikes now all look the same and a possible reason is because of the use of popular dropped rear stays, which the industry has collectively decided is the most aerodynamic shape. Helpfully, it's also comfortable, too.

Many aero bikes include a chunky bottom bracket shell. Again, this enhances aerodynamics as the air flows more smoothly over the bottom bracket area. It also adds stiffness and improves pedalling efficiency .

What is integration and what's its benefit?

Integration is also a big feature of aero bikes, with almost all aero bikes aiming to hide as much hardware as possible within the frame.

The key to this is cable routing. The sleekest aero bikes keep the gear cables and brake hoses hidden, routing them through the handlebars, stem, and frame before they emerge close to their partner components, usually on the rear side of the tubes to keep them out of the wind.

It's a feature that's now common on the best all-rounder road bikes too and that's made easier by the switch of high-end road bike groupsets to wireless electronic shifting.

You can also expect an aero profile seatpost with a hidden clamp, which will reduce turbulence. Many aero road bikes also include features to shield the bottles and bottle cages from the airflow and reduce turbulence around them.

Now, however, the market has moved a long way from integrated brakes, and disc brakes are the most common stoppers that you'll find on aero bikes, with some models even being disc brake specific. The bike brand's argue that they've managed to design the latest models around the rotors, or generate more aero savings across the frame.

However, possibly the most important part (or parts) of a seriously sleek aero bike are the wheels. Again, there's been a lot of development in the best road bike wheels with wheel makers typically wind tunnel testing them to enhance their aerodynamic performance in a headwind and stability and aero gains in crosswinds.

Deep section wheels are the norm on aero bikes

How easy is an aero bike to live with?

Yes, for most people on most terrain, an aero bike will be faster, but if you're considering buying one, you also have to weigh up what day-to-day life will be like with your new pride and joy.

It used to be the case that the more aerodynamic the bike, the more difficult it was to live with, mostly because of complicated internal cable routing. This can make altering cable and brake hose length or raising and lowering stack height a bit of a pain because it involves cutting cables and bleeding brake hoses to do so.  However, many modern aero bikes now come with split spacers, which makes this process a lot easier.

Aero integrated handlebars can make cable and brake hose mechanics a bit more difficult

Finally, if you're going to get the most out of your aero bike, then you might want to fit a rear light to up your road presence or you may occasionally find yourself riding in the dark. In this case, aerodynamic seatposts and handlebars can make it a little tricky to fit bike lights , 

A standard cycling computer mount probably won't fit to aero handlebars, so you'll often need an out-front mount that's specific to your bike. It may be included with the bike or in some cases it's an extra.

Some makes allow you to fit an integrated rear light into the seatpost, so that it doesn't interfere with aerodynamics. The shape of the seatpost and an integrated light may also limit the saddlebags you can use - but you didn't really want to wreck your bike's aerodynamics with a bag on the rear did you?

How else can I be more aero?

Before you rush, wallet open, to your local bike shop in search of the latest aero bike, it's worth considering that there are plenty of other much cheaper ways to make some aerodynamic gains.

The vast majority of the wind resistance that you have to overcome while cycling is caused by you, so your position and clothing choice can make a big difference to your speed and there's a lot of aero optimisation you can do. 

Riding in a low, crouched position with your hands on the hoods, elbows bent, is roughly 20 per cent more aerodynamic than riding upright with your hands on the tops.

Similarly, tight-fitting aerodynamic clothing and an aero cycling helmet can also make a significant difference. The benefits might not be as pronounced as with changing your position, but if you're riding along with a baggy rain jacket unzipped and flapping in the wind, even if it is one of the best waterproof cycling jackets , then you can wave goodbye to any gains that you might have got from your expensive aero bike and flash deep sections wheels.

How much should I pay for an aero bike?

With aero bikes now being available at almost all price points, it's more a case of how much can you afford to pay rather than how much do you need to pay.

At the top-end of the scale, it's not unusual to see aero bikes costing over £10,000 / $10,000, which should be enough to get you a cutting-edge frame matched with some pretty tasty components and deep section wheels for a seriously aero machine that's similar to a bike ridden by the pros.

Top end models like a high spec Trek Madone will cost over £10,000 / $10,000

However, for a lot less you will often be able to pick up a bike with a frame that might not have the same premium quality carbon fibre (and so may be less stiff and will usually be heavier) but will have the same shaped tubes which will still be subject to the same laws of physics, at least on the flat and downhill.

Wheel choice is also important when considering how much to pay for an aero bike. If you already have aerodynamic, deep section wheels, then there's no point in paying more money for an aero bike that comes with similarly posh wheels. 

Instead, buy the bike with the cheaper wheels, take these off to use as training wheels, then put on the deep section wheels that you already own for race days.

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Paul started writing for Cycling Weekly in 2015, covering cycling tech, new bikes and product testing. Since then, he’s reviewed hundreds of bikes and thousands of other pieces of cycling equipment for the magazine and the Cycling Weekly website.

He’s been cycling for a lot longer than that though and his travels by bike have taken him all around Europe and to California. He’s been riding gravel since before gravel bikes existed too, riding a cyclocross bike through the Chilterns and along the South Downs.

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Specialized vs Trek Road Bikes: My Comparison Guide

So you’re interested in comparing the road bike ranges of Trek and Specialized, huh?

Well, you’ve come to the right… oh wait, you’re not?

No matter. I’m going to write about it anyway.

I’m interested and that’s all that matters (and you may find it useful, entertaining, a useful sleep aid). Onward!

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy something, I may get a commission.

Why Specialized and Trek For This Special Comparison, Mont?

Well, I’ve ridden a Trek carbon road bike for these past (nearly) six years and I’ve been very happy with it. I’d certainly consider buying another one.

We’ll get onto this, but one of the (less rational) reasons for buying my bike (the Domane) was that it was both an ‘endurance’ bike (built for the less fit who want a more comfortable ride) and cool* (it was the bike Fabian Cancellara would use to ride Paris-Roubaix).

(* I … M … H … O)

Things have moved on slightly (‘endurance’ and all out racing bikes have converged somewhat), but Specialized also had (still have) a cool ‘endurance’ bike (i.e. aimed at the less flexible gent) that evoked the spring classics: the Specialized Roubaix – the clue’s in the title.

So Specialized remains the bike manufacturer I almost went for (the one that got away).

Other Slightly Related Facts

I did end up buying a Specialized steed a year after the conclusion of my endurance bike purchasing quest.

Only it was a 20″ Specialized Hotrock hardtail mountain bike for my son. Whilst an excellent bike, less relevant for this post.

Finally, true fact, the colour scheme for this ‘ere blog, which I updated last year is based on my current favourite team jersey: the Trek-Segafredo women’s kit (circa 2019).

So Let’s Start With The Basics

Both Trek and Specialized are US manufacturers.

Trek was founded in 1976 in Waterloo, Wisconsin by Richard Burke, owner of an appliance distribution business, and Bevil Hogg, a bike shop owner. As a lifelong fan of Lord Wellington and Abba (both of who loved distributing appliances), this appeals to me.

The company started life in a barn , a building which I recall from an episode of the Cycling Tips podcast, Trek still keeps as part of its current ‘campus’.

(Come on, that’s history, innit.)

The company (as far as I can tell) continues to be owned by the family of the original founders, and is run by John Burke, son of Richard.

Specialized was founded in 1974, two years earlier than Trek, by Mike Sinyard. Initially Sinyard imported Italian bike parts that he’d discovered on his bike travels, but by 1981, Specialized had started making its own bikes, with one of the first being the Allez road bike*.

(* Wait! They still make the Allez, all these years later. Amazing…).

The company is 49%-owned by Merida, a Taiwanese firm that also make bikes. I think I probably knew this (prior to undertaking the ‘sort-of-research’ for this post) but was more surprised to discover that it made the acquisition in 2001. Anyway, Sinyard remains CEO.

Where Do Trek and Specialized Make Their Bikes?

Both companies undertake a large amount of their manufacturing overseas. It’s difficult (or impossible) to get precise figures as both are privately owned.

I can see why companies keep this information to themselves. When she was standing for political office a few years ago, the opponents of Mary Burke (of the Trek family) focused heavily on the fact that Trek bikes were made overseas and not supporting American jobs…

Trek sells in the millions of bikes per year (not all road bikes), of which maybe 10,000 of the really high end ones are manufactured in the US. Whilst much of the overseas production is (I think) in China, it also manufactures in Holland and Germany.

According to this article (which sounds legit but don’t believe everything you read on the internet, kids), all Specialized bikes are made in Asia, with key suppliers being Merida (makes sense), Giant and ‘Ideal’ (?!?)

Summary of the two ranges

I doubt you came here just for the history and some speculation over manufacturing facilities (though you should be aware that I do have actually have a history degree).

Wherez arez the bikez.

I thought I’d try to break down the road bike ranges of each company to help understand what compares with what. I could try to do that for their mountain bikes as well, but with my lack of knowledge on that front, I’d quickly be well over my skis. Look for that info elsewhere.

Similarly for their hybrid, e-bikes and other random ranges, well… whatever.

Trying to boil it down, here is a list of the road bike model ‘families’ made by each company, classified by the target sub-segment of the roadie market:

Trek’s Road Bike Range

• Aluminium (beginner/budget) road bike: aluminium versions of the Domane and Emonda
• Endurance (relaxed fit): Domane
• Lightweight (racey climby): Emonda
• Aero road (as opposed to pure aero): Madone
• Gravel (adventure): Checkpoint, Boone and Crockett (not a 1960s group of protest musicians)

Here’s a link to the full range of Trek’s road bikes , in case you can’t work out how to Google.

Specialized’s Road Bike Range

• Aluminium (beginner/budget) road bike: Allez
• Endurance (relaxed fit): Roubaix
• Lightweight (racey climby): Tarmac
• Aero road (as opposed to pure aero): Venge
• Gravel (adventure): Diverge

And here’s a cheeky link to the Specialized website , so you can see all the up-to-date variants.

How Do Trek And Specialized Denote Better Bikes (Model Naming Conventions)?

This is not always an exact science, as specifications can vary as models can be updated each year.

(Inexact science is my jam…)

Trek signal different levels of specification, higher quality (or lighter) frames, additional expensive features, through a combination of numbers (mainly) and letters (to a limited degree).

Higher numbers denote a higher specc’ed bike. The current Domane SL 5 has a Shimano 105 groupset. The SL 6 has Ultegra. Top of the range, the SLR 9 has full Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic gears.

Trek bikes at the lower end of the price scale generally have the ‘SL’ designation (unless they’re aluminium frames, in which case they’re ‘AL’). I query if all the bikes in a range can be Super Light (or superleggara ) but there you go.

At the upper end an R is added, to arrive at SLR (I’m guessing Super Light Race). The key difference between SL and SLR bikes is the frame.

Using the Domane as an example, the SLR frame has adjustable resistance settings on the Isospeed ‘suspension’ at the front and rear of the bike. The SL frame doesn’t (you’ll get the level of resistance you’re given).

The Emonda SL frame is made from 500 series OCLV* carbon and weighs 1.68kg. The SLR version is upgraded to 700 series OCLV and weighs 1.19kg.

(* Optimum Compaction Low Void, in case you’re wondering…)

Specialized (thankfully) adopt a slightly more straightforward forward approach to naming their bikes.

Generally speaking, the basic version is just called the, er, name. So the basic Specialized Roubaix is called the… Roubaix.

Then as you go up the spec tree (this monkey loves climbing the spec tree), you have the following suffixes:

Finally, at the top end, presumably in a nod to Lockheed’s advanced aircraft development arm (Skunk Works), Specialized does an ‘S-Works’ version of each bike (although ‘S-Works’ goes at the start, i.e. ‘S-Works Roubaix’ rather than ‘Specialized Roubaix S-Works’…).

Want To See More Photos Of Beautiful Trek and Specialized Road Bikes?

Of course you do.

The websites of both Trek and Specialized do a fine job of showing off their bikes to the fullest.

I ride a Trek Domane as my main road bike. I *love* the look of the new Emonda (shown here). Gold though...?

I am rather partial to the S-Works Tarmac (pictured here), if Specialized want to send me one to review....

Well there is no conclusion, is there?

Because I haven’t finished.

The first draft of this post (which wasn’t even finished) was knocking on 5,000 words. Too much for even the most patient blogfans to bear.

I’ve broken it down into what looks like four future posts, each one dealing with a different bike category. So I’ll compare the Trek Emonda with the Specialized Tarmac, the Madone with the Venge. You get the idea.

Update: I’m pleased to report that I’ve published the Trek/Specialized endurance bike comparison – so now you can read it:

• Trek Domane vs Specialized Roubaix: Endurance Road Bike Comparison  

Now, quick show of hands.

Who here owns a Trek road bike or a Specialized? Which one? What are your thoughts and would recommend the one you’ve got?

Let me know in the comments section below.

Cheers Monty

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33 thoughts on “Specialized vs Trek Road Bikes: My Comparison Guide”

I have 2013 S Roubaix and love it. Not sure I would purchase the latest model, everything seems to be getting to ‘technical’ and awkward to fix out on the road. I like to keep things simple stupid.

2016 Roubaix with 105 was my first drop bar bike, loved it but over time it became clear I needed a size 58 rather than the 61. Replaced it with a 2018 Roubaix and got it pro fitted, it’s amazing now. Followed up with a 2018 Diverge E5 to have an aluminum bike without the future shock but with the same fitting for dog trailer pulling, winter, and trainer use (SUPER similar geometry to the Roubaix)

I’ve been really happy with them, and never felt like it was holding me back compared to a Tarmac. They can be set up similar regardless, and the accumulated fatigue of chip seal around here makes the Roubaix a no brainer.

How tall are you? I’ve been waffling about a 58

Hi Jonathan – I’m between 5’9 and 5’10. Hope that helps!

I have a 2019 Roubaix Expert.

IT’S FABULOUS!!!!!

2018 Specialized Allez Sport. My first bike since I was a kid, so I don’t have much to compare it to, but it seems fast enough (I have a couple KOMs locally) and is comfortable at a century so nothing to complain about. It could be a little lighter, I’ve been thinking of upgrading and keeping the Allez for commuting but it will be hard to convince the wife it is a worthwhile expense.

Trek Domane. Great bike.

I have a Trek Checkpoint 5.0 and a Specialized Diverge Sport. I like both bikes. As a general comment, the Trek is heavier than the Specialized. So when you are buying at the bottom price of each carbon model, Trek seems to go for durability and flexibility of use over lightweight. By the way, my Checkpoint was made by Giant in Taiwan (on the bike box).

I finished 4 RAAM times on a Specialized S-Works Roubaix – loved it ; very comfortable to ride for hours, but slow and hard to ride fast. Just did RAW on my Trek Emonda – the best! Super light and fast. Actually, I love both of these bikes – there are just very different.

Had a 2013 Roubaix for a couple of years, loved it, did some 100 milers and the Grand Depart 2019 for Prostate Cancer UK 130 miles including cobbles. Last ride on Doris (the Roubaix) was Revolve 24 at Brands Hatch, again she performed well. I now have a 2016 Tarmac SL3 Expert, early days but loving the sportier geometry and the ability to put the power down.

I have a 2014 Trek Domane 4.5 which I purchased after a bike fit with my Boardman Team Carbon demonstrated that I needed a smaller bike. If this sounds familiar I went for the bike fit after reading your blog as I prepared for Ride London – just as you did a year before! I love this bike and have rode Ride London in 2014, Velothon Wales in 2015, Ride London 46 in 2016 and Velo Birmingham in 2017 numerous 100Km plus rides. I must have ridden well over 4000 miles. BUT – this year I was due to ride it on Ride London again. Following a gear cable break on a training ride I discovered play in the cranks and this was traced to a siezed BB bearing which was spinning in the frame and had worn the BB housing. This required a return of the frame to Trek for a repair which they would not do under the lifetime warranty- apparently this is wear and tear. The repair wasn’t cheap but wasn’t as bad as I first feared but couldn’t be done in time for this years Ride London. So I’d be interested to know what maintenance regime other Trek users have used to avoid this happening to them. With the Trek unavailable for RL this year used a smaller 2014 Boardman Team Carbon which I bought at the end of 2014 for £750 when it was end of line at Halfords, an absolute bargain and a third of the price of the Trek. Upgraded from 10-speed 105 to 11 speed Ultegra, and getting it set up properly for me it is just as good as the Trek and climbs better although is perhaps a little harsher on rough roads. I use Specialised Toupe saddles on all my bikes though!

I have a 2017 Trek Domane SL7 (Ultegra Di2) for my normal road bike. I’ve updated it in a few places, Deda Zero 100 bars and Stem, Hunt wheels with Swalbe Pro one tubeless tires, Absolute Black Oval chainrings,Selle Italia Superflow SLR saddle. Weight saved was 0.8KG. Overall love my Domane, a much better ride on the welsh pothole riddled roads than previous bikes. Will use it on next years Ride London (assuming I get a place) rather than my Look Huez (great as a lightweight climbing bike for the welsh hills).

I had a 2015 Specialized Roubaix expert. It was good. Made the mistake of test riding a 2018 Roubaix Comp with Future Shock. First ride not much difference. We changed the shock spring from the stiffest to lightest. Night and day better. This bike floats over bumps compared to my previous Roubaix. It’s quick and fast. The 28 tires are excellent too.

Thanks for the great post.

After laboring (or “labouring” if you are in Europe) – or really obsessing – about my “retirement” bike, I finally chose the 2019 Specialized Tarmac Pro frameset (my first full carbon bike was the first iteration of the carbon Tarmac – so many decades ago!) I chose this over the Trek Domane SLR, and the Cervelo S-3 for its slight weight advantage and because it seemed to have the best overall reviews in terms of speed, weight and comfort. As I still race in age-grouped triathlons and aquabikes, but am now at an age when a full-on tri frame is too jarring, the last attribute was important.

Simply put, I love this bike. Though the others are amazing in their own right, the Tarmac has offered the speed and comfort that I longed for. I have raced it (including an aquabike with a 26-mile bike leg, and the one-person sprint tri that I did yesterday, (I came in first on that one, ) it has exceeded my expectations and wishes. It is built with Sram Etap, Reynolds Attack wheels (with 25mm tubeless tires,) a Zipp cockpit, and the stupidly expensive s-works saddle the name of which I have forgotten, but which is heaven to sit on.

I choose the 2017 Specialized Roubaix sport w/105 . Added Zipp’s course 30 wheel set W/ S-Work 28mm tires. this year Absolute black oval chain ring sub compact 32/48 for lots of climbing and 34/11 in the rear. I love the ride and the feel of the bike wish I could afford the S Works Roubaix

First road bike was an Allez and loved it several bikes and many years later I have a Roubaix Comp. This has to be the best bike I have ridden the perfect balance of comfort and pace, ok younger legs might get better speed out of a Tarmac, loving it.

I have a 2017 Roubaix with Specialized’s future shock suspension and at 50 years old appreciate that little bit of comfort. The rest of the standard bike is pretty good too

I’m not a top-end rider. I don’t race or compete at all, I’m just an average guy that likes to ride. I owned a Specialized hybrid and it was a very good bike. When I decided I wanted a road bike I found both Specialized and Trek lacking unless you were willing to spend a *lot* of money. My preference was a road bike with a Shimano 105 group set. While both Specialized and Trek advertized a 105 group set, both were only partially 105’s. Many of the components were not 105’s ( read “less expensive”). I wanted to by from an American manufacturer (I live in America), but I bought a bike from a German manufacturer (Bulls). The Bulls bike had 105 components across the board and cost about 1/2 (yes, a full half) of the closest equivalent Specialized or Trek. In my opinion, Specialized and Trek make some very good bikes, but they are more expensive.

I have a Specialized Roubaix Sport 2017 model which I bought to do Ride London 100 in August this year. My first carbon bike. I bought it on recomendation from a work colleague and I love it. Such a good comfortable bike. I had a professional fit on your recomendation Monty. 105 groupset. I put a 34/11 cassette on the rear to help me up the hills in the peak district. Don’t believe Shimano. 105 can take a 34 rear cog without any adjustment. All in all very happy.

Despite all the advice regarding Disk brakes I went for the Trek Emonda SL7 Disk, purchased at the end of May this year (2019) and not at all what I set out to buy. I use a Spa Audax Ti bike for winter and commuting so have only done 506 miles so far but have to say that the SL7 has exceeded my expectations in many areas including the Disk brakes. The bike was set up with data from a previous Retul bike fit in 2016 done on a Bianchi Infinito CV (loaned to me for a couple of years by my Son) and from the beginning has given me pain free cycling, I do intend to have another Retul fit done on the Trek when time and money allows. I would not hesitate to recommend both Trek as the manufacturer and the SL7 Disk as a fast, sporty climber that ticks many of the “Endurance” qualities along with a comfortable and smooth ride.

Trek Emonda ALR 5, this is my first bike since my Schwinn Varsity when I was a kid a long time ago. So not much to compare to, it goes up hills really nice, around turns with confidence. If I want to reduce any weight, the best way would be to lighten the rider not the bike! I think it is lightweight, had several people have asked if it is carbon, the welds are great. I ride it on the road and rail trails.

I’ve got a Trek Domane 5.2, 2014 vintage, replacing a Cannondale R2.8 that I really liked. But I was really amazed at the differences in the old Dale vs. the Trek. I had ridden several other bikes before selecting the Domane and all the others seemed to be just a newer version of the Dale, the trek felt like an actual upgrade beyond just newer.

Finally, I’ll be expecting Mont to compile these comments and add these survey notes to one of the remaining 3 posts : )

iI am a vintage weekend warrior (so to speak) ie +50 , i bought a Trek Emonda SL6 with upgraded Mavic wheel set about three years ago – best bike I have had ! especially on the hilly bits. Before this i was ( in recent times anyhow) a Specialized convert with an aluminium Allez followed by a carbon Roubaix – both great bikes

Thanks for posting this blog.. I’m recently getting back into road biking after over 20 years away from it when i was in college riding my, then at the time, Bianchi race bike. I’m been riding pretty regularly recently and just did a recent sportive, and looking to upgrade my bike, originally was thinking ‘endurance’ but others in my ‘sportive team’ all ride the ‘race’ bikes. Been back and forth between Trek Emonda vs Cannondale Supersix / CAAD13, as well as carbon vs aluminium. Specialized keeps coming up in my research but not sold by my LBS. Just asking out of curiosity and because I’m really interested in learning more.. 1) why you didn’t include Cannondale in your blog.. I thought this would have been a natural comparison in the mix (is there a reason i should discount Cannondale) 2) are any bikes still manufactured in the US by Trek and Specialized?… and more specifically the models you listed above? This would be helpful as I continue my search for my next bike and value the opinion in the other comments above. Cheers!

Hi Monty Firstly love your work please keep it up especially the videos, great fun 👍

I missed this last year so apologies

I spent a year waiting for the new Roubaix to be released in Australia and went to buy one May 2019 I wanted the Di2 version with a 61cm frame Well the only color Specialized would offer was Matt black I’m not a drug dealer so why would I want s stealth matt black bike

My local bike shop where amazing, they asked Specialized to offer another color anything but black but no luck After a month or so of trying the bike shop even offered to paint the bike for me

At that point I decided Specialized did not deserve my $6000 and purchased a Cervelo R3 which I am really happy with in fluro green 😎

May be you could do a blog on bike color/ paint jobs in the future

Keep up the great work Safe riding

KS Brisbane AUS

Thanks KS. Glad you’re enjoying the blog and the vids. That’s great to hear. I’ll keep the bike colour topic in mind for future content. Cheers, Monty

Kinda late, but just reading this. The Trek Domane versus S Works Roubaix argument. I have a 2012 Domane 6.1 P1 with the Ultegra, a superb bike, but no front suspension dampening. I’ve demo’d the Spech Roubaix also, and these bikes are quite different in their handling, IMO Mostly due to frame dimensions.

The Spech has a ton of stack ( I ride 58 cm at 5-10 ) and is a bit.more jittery at higher speeds on windy roads. So, I’m buying another Domane, the SLR 9 with Dura Ace as a P1 (mostly paint). I may also get the Spech S Works, same components, but I really need to ride the 56 and 58 again.

I’m older (62), so no racing, just like nice bikes!!

Did you ever wrote the comparison articles as I cannot find them

Hmm, I did…. but then I haven’t quite finished and posted them. You’re prompt is a helpful kick up the bum. I’ll get them published. loveyoubyeeee

Hi there, i hope you can help me out.

Im looking for a road bike. i am 5’8″ and 130 lbs. What size is good for me? thanks so much

I have trek madone 2013 after specialized tarmac 2016 now i have giant tcr advance 2019 and its the best for qualité and price

I have a Trek Emonda SL6 disc, which I bought new a little over 2 years ago. After reading about how light the Emonda was, I went to the Trek store to ride one. They didn’t have any SLs, but one of the guys at the shop let me ride his personal SLR disc. On a quick spin, the bike felt amazingly responsive and quick. I figured how much difference could there be between the SL and SLR, so for probably 1/2 the price, I got the SL6 instead of the SLR6. HUGE MISTAKE! The two bikes are nothing alike. I’m super disappointed in the SL, which weighed 17.75 lb without pedals or bottle cages at delivery. Plus it came with 60 tpi tires that roll like square blocks. I replaced the tires with Conti GP5000s, so at least the bike is rideable, but I now ride my wife’s old Trek 5000 WSD instead. I average about 10,000 miles per year, but I probably have only about 5000 miles on the Emonda in the past two or three years. That’s what I get for trying to save a few bucks.

2012 Madone 4.5, great bike, fast very comfortable 2015 S-Works Tarmac, great bike, extremely fast

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Madone vs Tarmac

There are two main types of road bikes – the Madone and the Tarmac. Both have their own unique features that make them ideal for different riding styles.

The Madone is a more traditional road bike, with a focus on comfort and stability. It has a longer wheelbase and taller head tube, which makes it more comfortable to ride for long periods of time.

It’s also a great choice for riders who want to be able to take on any terrain, as the Madone is designed to be able to handle anything you throw at it.

The Tarmac, on the other hand, is a race-bred machine. It’s designed to be lightweight and efficient, with a shorter wheelbase and lower head tube. This makes it more agile and responsive, ideal for riders who want to get the most out of their bike on the road.

If you’re looking for a comfortable all-rounder that can handle anything, the Madone is a great choice. If you’re looking to race or ride fast on the road, the Tarmac is the bike for you.

Tarmac Bikes

Tarmac Bikes is a bike company that focuses on producing high-quality, lightweight bikes. Their bikes are designed for both road and mountain biking, and they have a reputation for being some of the lightest and best-performing bikes on the market.

Tarmac Bikes was founded in 2006 by two former professional cyclists, and their bikes have been ridden to victory in some of the biggest races in the world, including the Tour de France and the Vuelta an Espana.

If you’re looking for a bike that can help you race to the finish line, then Tarmac Bikes is worth checking out. Their bikes are designed to give you an edge on the competition, and they’re used by some of the world’s top cyclists.

If you want a bike that can help you go fast and look good doing it, then Tarmac Bikes is the company for you.

Madone Bikes

Madone Bikes is a U.S.-based bicycle manufacturer that offers a wide range of bikes for both recreational and competitive cyclists.

The company was founded in 1986 by two former professional cyclists, including Lance Armstrong , and has since become one of the most respected names in the cycling industry.

Madone Bikes offers a full line of road bikes, mountain bikes, and triathlon bikes, as well as a wide range of cycling accessories.

The company’s bikes are known for their quality craftsmanship and advanced features, and have been ridden to victory in some of the world’s most prestigious races, including the Tour de France and the Olympic Games.

Madone Bikes is committed to helping cyclists of all levels reach their potential, and offers a variety of programs and services to support its customers.

The company’s website includes an online bike fit tool, which helps riders find the perfect bike size and geometry for their individual needs.

Madone Bikes also offers a trade-in program, which allows customers to upgrade to a new bike after riding their current bike for a certain number of miles.

Whether you’re just getting started in the world of cycling or you’re a seasoned pro, Madone Bikes has the perfect bike for you.

Madone vs Tarmac Bikes Frame

The Tarmac and Madone are two of the most popular bikes on the market. They’re both great for racing and riding long distances, but which one is right for you?

Here’s a comparison of the two frames to help you decide.

The Tarmac is made from lightweight carbon fiber, making it extremely stiff and responsive. It’s ideal for racing and sprinting, as it provides excellent power transfer.

The Madone is also made from carbon fiber, but it has a slightly different construction. It’s designed to be more comfortable for long rides, with a focus on smoothness and stability.

The Tarmac has sharper handling thanks to its stiffer frame. However, this can make it less comfortable on rough roads.

The Madone’s frame is slightly more flexible, which makes it smoother and more comfortable to ride. It’s a better choice for endurance riding and long days in the saddle.

Both bikes are available in a variety of sizes and geometry options, so you can find the perfect fit for your riding style. And, both bikes come with a lifetime warranty, so you can be confident in your purchase.

If you’re looking for a fast and responsive ride for racing or sprinting, the Tarmac is a great choice. If you want a comfortable bike for long rides, the Madone is a better option. Whichever bike you choose, you can be confident that you’re getting a high-quality, durable frame.

Madone vs Tarmac Bikes Groupset

When it comes to high-performance road bikes, the groupset is one of the most important components. It’s responsible for shifting gears and transferring power from the pedals to the drivetrain.

Groupsets can vary widely in terms of quality and price, so it’s important to choose one that will meet your needs and budget.

Two of the most popular groupsets on the market are the Madone and Tarmac. Both offer great performance and features, but there are some key differences to take into account.

The Madone groupset is designed for racing, while the Tarmac is more versatile and can be used for both racing and training. The Madone is also available in a wider range of configurations, so you can choose the one that best suits your riding style.

The Tarmac groupset is slightly lighter than the Madone, making it a good choice for riders who are looking to save weight. It also has a more compact design, making it more aerodynamic.

If you’re looking for the best performance possible, the Madone is a great choice. However, if you’re more concerned about weight or aerodynamics , the Tarmac may be a better option.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which factors are most important to you and choose the Groupset that best meets your Madone vs Tarmac Bikes Wheels

Wheels are an important part of any bike, and the Madone and Tarmac models both come with great options.

The Madone has Bontrager Race Lite tubeless ready wheels, while the Tarmac has Roval SLX 24 Disc Wheels.

Both sets of wheels are designed for speed and efficiency, but the Madone’s option may be slightly lighter and faster. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference.

Madone vs Tarmac Bikes Tires

Tires are an important part of any bike, and the Tarmac and Madone bikes both come with great tires that will provide a smooth ride.

However, there are some differences between the two types of tires that you should be aware of before making a purchase.

The Tarmac tires are designed for speed and performance , while the Madone tires are designed for comfort and stability. Tarmac tires are typically narrower than Madone tires, which means they will provide less rolling resistance and will be faster.

However, this also means that Tarmac tires may not be as comfortable on rough roads.

Madone tires are wider than Tarmac tires, which provides more surface area for contact with the ground. This gives the Madone more traction and stability, but it also makes the bike heavier.

If you’re looking for a fast bike that can handle smooth roads, then Tarmac tires are a great option.

If you’re looking for a comfortable bike that can handle rough roads, then Madone tires are a better option.

Madone vs Tarmac Bikes Brakes

Brakes are an important component of any bicycle, and there are a few things to consider when choosing the right brake for your bike.

Madone and Tarmac bikes both offer great brakes that are designed to provide optimal stopping power and performance.

Here is a closer look at the two options to help you decide which is the best choice for your needs.

Madone Brakes

Madone bikes come equipped with high-performance brakes that are designed to provide superior stopping power and performance. The brakes on a Madone bike are some of the most powerful on the market, and they offer exceptional stopping power in all conditions.

If you are looking for the best possible braking performance, then Madone brakes are a great option.

Tarmac Brakes

Tarmac bikes also come with high-performance brakes that are designed to provide superior stopping power and performance. Tarmac brakes are a great choice for those who want powerful brakes that offer excellent stopping power in all conditions.

If you are looking for the best possible braking performance, then Tarmac brakes are a great option.

Madone vs Tarmac Bikes Saddle

When it comes to road bikes, two of the most popular choices are the Madone and Tarmac. Both bikes are known for their speed and efficiency, but they also have some distinct differences. One key area of difference is the saddle.

Here’s a look at how the Madone and Tarmac Saddles compare:

Madone Saddle: The Madone saddle is designed for ultimate comfort and performance. It features a wide, supportive design that helps you stay comfortable even during long rides.

Additionally, the Madone saddle has a pressure relief channel that helps reduce discomfort and numbness.

Tarmac Saddle: The Tarmac saddle is designed for maximum efficiency and power transfer. It features a narrower, more race-oriented design that helps you stay focused and in control.

Additionally, the Tarmac saddle has a special textured surface that helps keep you from slipping during hard efforts.

So, which saddle is right for you? If you’re looking for maximum comfort and performance, the Madone Saddle is a great option. However, if you’re looking for an ultra-efficient design that helps you stay focused and in control, the Tarmac Saddle is a better choice.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which saddle best suits your needs.

Madone vs Tarmac Bikes Riding Experience

When it comes to high-performance road bikes, the Trek Madone and the Specialized Tarmac the two models that stand out above the rest.

Both bikes are equipped with top-of-the-line components and features that make them ideal for racing or riding fast on paved roads.

To help you decide, we’ve put together a side-by-side comparison of the Madone and Tarmac, so you can see how they stack up in terms of riding experience, features, and value.

Riding Experience:

Both the Madone and Tarmac offer an excellent riding experience. However, there are some key differences that you should be aware of.

The Madone has a more aggressive riding position, thanks to its taller head tube and shorter top tube. This gives you more control over the bike and makes it easier to handle at high speeds.

Additionally, the Madone’s frame is made from Trek’s proprietary OCLV carbon fiber , which is known for being extremely stiff and responsive.

The Tarmac, on the other hand, has a more relaxed riding position that some riders may find more comfortable. Additionally, the Tarmac’s frame is made from Specialized’s FACT 10r carbon fiber, which is also very stiff and responsive.

Both bikes have race-proven geometry and are designed to offer a fast, efficient ride. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and riding style.

Madone vs Tarmac Bikes How To Choose?

It can be tough to decide between a Madone and Tarmac bike. Both are great choices for road biking , but there are some key differences that might sway your decision. Here’s a quick rundown of the main points to consider:

Madone bikes have more aggressive geometry, which is great for racing or riding hard on the road. Tarmac bikes have more relaxed geometry, which makes them more comfortable for longer rides or less experienced riders.

Madone bikes are typically lighter than Tarmac bikes. If you’re looking to save every ounce, then a Madone might be the way to go.

But if you’re not as concerned about weight, then a Tarmac might be a better option.

Components:

Both Madone and Tarmac bikes come with high-quality components, so you can’t go wrong either way. But if you’re looking to upgrade to even higher-end components, then a Madone might be the better choice.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. If you’re looking for a fast, aggressive bike for racing or hard riding, then a Madone is a great choice.

If you’re looking for a comfortable bike for long rides or less experienced riders, then a Tarmac might be better. Either way, you can’t go wrong with either bike.

Related Posts:

• Specialized Tarmac vs Trek Emonda Detailed Comparison
• Trek Madone Vs Domane Road Bikes (8 Key Differences!)
• Madone Vs Aeroad (7 Helpful Differences)

Dogma F12 v Trek Madone SLR 9 v Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7

Looking for a new bike and have it narrowed down to these three. Looking for feedback before I make my final decision.

Planning on SRAM RED eTap group set - but open to suggestions

Planning on the factory wheel sets with the Madone and Tarmac. Haven’t decided on the Dogma yet but leaning toward deep (50-60) Zipp or Enve

I am a recreational rider that starting riding about 10 months ago. Currently ride a Specialized Roubaix Expert with CL50 wheels and Di2.

Enjoy group rides at around the 40-60 mile range. Would like to do a few local road races and be competitive but not go into it expecting to win.

FWIW I was in a similar position a while back - a fringe A/B rider with an endurance bike and deep section wheels. I bought an aero bike (Wilier Cento10Air) and it was definitely noticeably faster, but it didn’t make the fastest guy in the group by any stretch. It does make me want to get after it in training, though, and that’s been the ticket to hanging with the As (at least once group rides start again).

A tarmac is not in this category for me here but I have an sl6 and love it!

Ps. Trainerroad put me in the bracket of dropper rather than droppee…

Madone for me all day, I think it’s the best looking (hate hate hate dropped seatstays on road bikes) and the ISO speed really improves the ride quality.

First of all: which ever bike you choose will be an awesome one! Congrats!

No experience with the Tarmac og the high-end Madone, but I own the F10 with rim-brakes and it just feels different from all the other bikes I´ve ridden. My “spare” bike is a Scott Foil, and going from the Foil to the F10 feels like going from a tractor to a Porsche. I have it set up with the 404 Firecrest wheels and DI2.

Without sounding harsh, you already have a really good bike with top equipment (I assume you have as you’re running Di2). None of those bikes are ‘different’ but that might depend on where you live. The bikes you’re looking at won’t make you any faster.

Each to their own and spend your money where you see fit. If it was me and I had to pick one of the bikes you’ve listed, it would be the F12.

Get the one you think looks the best.

Personally I adore my F12d

Ps get an Orca Aero or a Factor.

Wow! Congrats on being able to get a machine like these three. Damn.

“Have something different”

None of those bikes tick that mark.

I can’t imagine you’ll be even marginally faster/slower between those bikes.

Get the best color. Have fun!

Dogma all day every day. Do a custom myway paint scheme from the Pinarello factory as well for a little extra special one of a kind.

One thing to bear in mind with the Pinarello is, that delivery time/ servicing and getting parts can be a pain in the rear end. I have made very good experiences with the other two brands, especially Spesh here. Pinarello not so much.

If I had that kind of money, I’d start with a very good bike fit and take the fitter’s advice on board about what setup I needed. i’d then look at the bikes which got closest to that. Any differences in speed between comparably equipped and priced top end bikes from the major manufacturers will be less than the difference between a really good and an average fit.

But if you want something different and beautiful…

I haven’t ridden the others, but can tell you hands down, the Madone A). Gets me excited to get out and ride the bike and B) is the most comfortable bike I’ve ever ridden. It is so smooth over imperfect roads and so freaking responsive. I still, 2 years in, find myself commenting too myself out loud during a ride how amazing it is.

I’m sure you’ll love any of those, get the ones that pulls on your boas the most!

With that money on the table, how about:

• doing a proper bike fit that has the riding-style you look at in mind (fit differs a lot for competitive race setups, endurance-riding, gran fondos)
• try to set up your current bike so that it gets as close as possible to that fit
• see how the fit feels, get used to it (for two months or so, this takes time)
• choose a bike where the frame is really, really close to the ideal measures.

And on point 4: should the three bikes you mentioned not fit perfectly - why not go for something really “different” and spend the cash on a great (custom?) frame. RITTE for example, even FESTKA might be an option. If you’re seriously looking for something unique that lets you look and ride fast… I’d for sure consider custom-models and smaller brand before buying. After all, the Pinarellos, Speshs and TREKs are great bikes … but they are mass-market bikes, not really exclusive or unique. Not to say you’re not going to be happy with either of them, but I would like to make really sure the frame you buy fits you like a glove - especially considering that you’re relatively new to cycling, so your fit might change a bit when riding a lot.

Also CyclingTips had an article on one of their models. Just have a look:

Not saying you have to buy this one … to each their own … just want to widen your horizon a bit (assuming you weren’t looking at those bikes already).

Thank you. Extremely helpful I formation.

SL7 I absolutely love mine!!!

This ^^. I sort of said it earlier, but this spells it out. I am willing to take a bet that a perfect fit will create more speed for most people, even at the cost of 500-700g. And if you’re not at the very least at cat 1 amateur, would even a small decrease in speed be worth greater comfort? (Nb-the OP may well be a cat 1 or better; that comment was a general observation and not specifically directed at him)

I agree that my post was mostly redundant to yours, however wanted to also make the point on required adaptation for a particular fit and riding style, which will undoubtedly take afair bit of time.

The only downside for the Madone for me personally is it seems a bit heavy. I would probably go for the Emonda (not sure how much slower it is aero wise than Madone). The Madone SLR9 is 17.2lbs while Emonda SLR9 is 14.8. I think the S-Works SL7 is around 14.7lbs and the F12 is 16.8. If it were between Madone and F12 I’d go Madone for the IsoSpeed, and I think it looks better, but the SL7 seems more comparable to the Emonda on paper

I have been reading a lot of information about weight vs aero and which one equates to more speed. I keep getting pulled down the path that says aero improvements will get more speed than weight improvements (all other things equal). The hard part about the aero theory is finding a way to prove which bike increases aerodynamic efficiency the most for my particular body shape and riding style. The weight is a more simple argument because weight is easier to compare from bike to bike.

Several posts commented that these 3 bikes don’t qualify as “different” and that’s probably true for a lot of riders but there are different for me and where I ride. While there are a lot of Specialized and Trek bikes here, there aren’t many S-Works or SLR 9s. And I haven’t seen a Dogma on the road yet.

At the end of the day, I will probably end up making the decision based on the most scientific data - the one that I think looks the best. Ha Ha

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Best aero road bike 2024 | 20 top-rated aero bikes and buyer's guide

The best aero road bikes tested by BikeRadar – and everything you need to know about these go-fast aerodynamic machines

Steve Sayers / Our Media

Paul Norman

The best aero road bikes add an extra dose of speed to your ride, and the pursuit of speed is undoubtedly part of what makes cycling so exhilarating. When it comes to going fast, on the flat or downhill at least, aerodynamic drag has the biggest influence.

Representing the leading edge of road-bike technology, the best aero road bikes challenge traditional notions of what makes a fast race bike.

The latest aero bikes combine wind-cheating profiles with next-level integration to make these machines as slippery as possible. Sure, they may not always be at the cutting-edge when it comes to weight, but if you think an 8kg road bike can’t be fast, think again.

Are aero road bikes worth it?

Aero bikes are commonplace in the pro peloton, where riders are chasing marginal gains and, of course, have access to the latest WorldTour bikes from their team sponsors.

The angular, sculpted frames of aero bikes particularly come to the fore on long, flat stages and under the sprinters, where the lower drag of wind-cheating tube profiles can give them the extra turn of speed they need to clinch a victory.

Teams and their bike sponsors will typically provide riders with the choice between an aero bike and a lightweight climbing bike , and some riders will swap between them depending on the terrain.

Some riders now stick to their aero bikes regardless of terrain, riding them on more undulating and mountainous territory. This is particularly true for breakaway specialists, who spend a lot more time in the wind than other riders and seek out whatever advantage they can get.

That said, one of the recent trends in bike design has been the combination of low weight and aerodynamics, and some brands offer just one machine to meet both requirements. The Specialized S-Works SL7 and Pinarello Dogma F are just two examples of aero-influenced all-rounders.

However, aero road bikes are the fastest option out there in the majority of circumstances and you don’t have to be a pro to benefit, especially if you’re a rider who places a lot of significance on riding fast. After all, for a lot of people, riding fast is fun .

Still, there is a lot to consider when it comes to finding the best aero road bike for your needs, especially for everyday riding.

For those of us who aren’t blessed to be WorldTour pros with a team of mechanics at hand, an aero bike still needs to be easy to live with. Do you need an engineering degree to maintain it? Do the deep-section wheels make it a handful on windy days? How does it perform on broken roads?

We’ve answered all of those questions in pursuit of finding the best aero bikes money can buy.

Read on for our pick of the best aero bikes, as tested by the BikeRadar team, and read our full buyer’s guide at the end of the article to help you find the right bike for you.

The best aero road bikes in 2024, as tested by BikeRadar

Cannondale systemsix hi-mod etap axs.

• £10,500 / $12,500 as tested
• Still one of the fastest bikes in the world
• Nimble handling and a comfortable ride

This Cannondale SystemSix is an incredibly fast bike that left us feeling other brands are still playing catch-up with Cannondale when it comes to creating aero bikes.

The Hi-Mod frameset is Cannondale's stiffest carbon fibre, and despite the stiffness and aero tubing, we found this to be a remarkably comfortable bike to ride.

This bike has a halo-spec with a SRAM eTap AXS groupset, 64mm-deep carbon wheels and Cannondale's two-piece aero KNOT handlebar, which still allows for plenty of adjustment.

The price is high, but when you compare it to other bikes of this spec it's competitive, and there is always the Cannondale SystemSix Carbon Ultegra .

• Read our full Cannondale SystemSix Hi-Mod eTap AXS review

Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 7 Disc eTap

• £4,949 / €4,999 / AU$7,399 as tested (CF SLX 8.0 Disc eTap $7,499 in US)
• Great spec with SRAM Rival eTap and a power meter
• Superb ride that's fast but comfortable

The latest Canyon Aeroad is a superb ride: lightning-fast and efficient but still comfortable enough over broken surfaces, with a 28mm rear and 25mm front tyre helping smooth things out.

The component list on this model includes SRAM Rival eTap AXS complete with (single-sided) power meter and 50mm-deep DT Swiss carbon wheels.

Canyon's clever three-piece bar makes width adjustment and travelling with the bike easier. The 8.3kg weight for the size large is competitive too. We did get some front-brake rub; it was easily fixed, but with Canyon, you don't have the benefit of a shop to help if you need to tweak things.

• Read our full Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 7 Disc eTap review

• £9,599 / $9,000 / €10,199 as tested
• Wide tyres for a comfortable ride
• Fast, sharp, responsive ride feel

Cervélo has made some subtle changes to the S5 with the latest model, announced in July 2022 . The tube shapes have been tweaked to make them a little more aero, the front-end design has been simplified and made easier to adjust and there's 6mm wider clearance, so you can fit tyres up to 34mm.

The result is a bike that feels incredibly fast but also smooth, with the fitted nominally 28mm tyres measuring 31.7mm. It's also really sharp-handling, planted at speed and still firm enough to respond immediately to pedal input.

The S5 isn't a light bike though, at 8.2kg for a size 56cm, and there's not much fore and aft saddle adjustability, although seatposts with different setback are available.

• Read our full Cervélo S5 review

Cervélo Soloist Ultegra Di2

• £6,800 / $6,800 as tested
• Balance of speed and comfort, but some rivals are lighter
• A few spec concessions on this model

The Cervélo Soloist was the original aero bike, released in 2002, and the Canadian company has now resurrected the Soloist name 20 years later .

With the S5 pitched as Cervélo's pro-level aero bike, the Soloist is aimed at speed-hungry amateurs, with a (slightly) more affordable price and all-round flavour. It's claimed to be lighter than the S5 and more aerodynamic than the R5, and offers clearance for 34mm tyres.

And the result on the road? The Cervélo Soloist Ultegra Di2 is a very comfortable and fast aero-optimised racer deserving of the Soloist name. Sure, it may give up speed and weight to other Cervélo bikes, but if you want an aero-influenced bike that offers a bit of everything, this is a contender.

• Read our full Cervélo Soloist Ultegra Di2 review

Cube Litening SLT C:68X SL

• £8,099 / €6,899 as tested
• Fast with agile handling
• High-spec with quality bespoke components

Cube's Litening range includes this aero-focused frame (renamed the Litening Aero since our test) and the Litening AIR, launched in August 2022 as a slimmed-down, lightweight frame for riders who want an all-rounder with aero touches.

Back to our test bike, and the 7.54kg weight is still impressive for an aero machine, helped by the high-spec SRAM Red eTap build and Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 Disc wheels.

It offers straight-line speed in abundance, making it fast and exciting to ride. A single-piece bar-stem with a low frontal profile helps the bike cut through the wind.

• Read our full Cube Litening SLT C:68X SL review

Factor Ostro VAM

• £9,450 / $11,499 as tested
• Wide tyre clearance and light weight
• Plenty of comfort for broken roads

An all-rounder with an aero edge, rather than a full-on aero bike, the Factor Ostro VAM manages to mix aerodynamics with a 7.4kg weight for the tested size 56 and clearance for 32mm tyres.

There's a proprietary bar-stem from Factor's Black Inc component brand, although you can swap this out for a standard model. The 45mm-deep carbon wheels come from Black Inc as well.

It's a bike that feels composed and confidence-inspiring, with fast steering but predictable handling at speed and enough comfort to handle broken roads.

• Read our full Factor Ostro VAM review

Felt AR Ultegra Di2

• £6,299 / $6,999 / €6,999 as tested
• Fast, user-friendly and with an excellent spec
• Internal routing limits handlebar-height adjustment

Felt claims the AR Ultegra Di2 is 9.4 per cent more aerodynamic than its predecessor, and there's no denying that out on the road you can feel the aero difference over a more orthodox road bike. It isn't as light as other aero road bikes, but this doesn't get in the way of the Felt being incredibly fun to ride.

When it comes to spec, Felt has done a great job with a near-faultless package including carbon finishing kit, an Ultegra Di2 groupset and Reynolds wheels with Continental GP5000 clincher tyres.

While the internal cabling looks clean and aids aero performance, it leads to some handlebar height-adjustment issues, which is worth bearing in mind.

• Read our full Felt AR Ultegra Di2 review

Giant Propel Advanced Pro 0 AXS

• £6,399/$8,000/€6,900/AU$8,499 as tested
• Blends low weight and aerodynamics
• Assured handling

The Giant Propel Advanced Pro 0 AXS costs half as much as the WorldTour-level Advanced Pro SL and gives away little in terms of performance.

Our aero B ike of the Year 2023 is a brilliantly versatile aero road bike due to its balance of weight, speed and handling.

Not all of Giant's spec choices hit the mark, but the Propel Advanced Pro 0 AXS's mid-range price could leave you with cash for upgrades.

• Read our full Giant Propel Advanced Pro 0 AXS review

Giant Propel Advanced SL 0

• £11,999 / $12,500 / €12,000 / AU$14,000 as tested
• Very light for an aero bike at 6.9kg
• Easy maintenance and adjustment

At 6.9kg, the Giant Propel Advanced SL 0 is exceptionally lightweight for an aero bike. Giant claims it's also more aero than its predecessor.

It's designed to be easy to work on, although the integrated seatmast means that once cut there's only a few centimetres of saddle-height adjustment.

The bike rolls on 25mm tyres, although there's room for 30mm, but despite this the ride is comfortable. The two-part bar and stem make for adjustability, although Giant doesn't offer bars under 40cm width.

• Read our full Giant Propel Advanced SL 0 review

Lapierre Aircode DRS 8.0

• £6,300 as tested
• Fast with accurate handling
• Superbly equipped

Now in its third generation, the Lapierre Aircode DRS 8.0 follows the trends for aero bikes with the integration of disc brakes and hidden cables – not forgetting clearance for 28mm tyres.

The bike also addresses weight and comfort, two issues that are often associated with aero bikes, with a 900g frame and a carbon layup that's said to improve frame compliance.

Despite the aggressive geometry that screams urgency as soon as you get on the bike, there's no denying it's comfortable to ride. It's a real technical achievement and the spec does it justice with Ultegra Di2 gearing and a DT Swiss wheelset. Lapierre even throws in some bolt-on aero bars for extra versatility and value for money.

• Read our full Lapierre Aircode DRS 8.0 review

Merida Reacto 6000

• £2,800 as tested
• Great value for money
• Excellent frameset but wheels are heavy and tyres are average

The unisex Merida Reacto 6000 is a great-value aero road bike with excellent handling, and a stiff and fast frameset that shares its geometry with the Merida Reacto Team-E .

It puts you in an aggressive position, which makes sense for a bike that is built for speed. This could be tiring on your arms and hands on long rides, but we had no issues during testing.

The spec is good, but there are compromises. It has a cockpit that bucks the trend by sticking with a non-integrated design, which might not be desirable for some, but others will find it very practical.

There is an Ultegra groupset that performs as well as ever, but the wheels are on the heavy side and you would probably want to upgrade the tyres right away.

We've also reviewed the Merida Reacto 4000 , equipped with Shimano 105 and earning the same 4.5-star rating.

• Read our full Merida Reacto 6000 review

Orbea Orca Aero M10iLTD

• Fast, comfortable ride
• Clever add-ons for those not racing
• A bit heavier than the competition

Orbea claims the latest iteration of its Orca Aero saves 15 watts over its predecessor. It feels fast, but is still comfortable and adjustable, and the spec leaves no reason for swap-outs. The bike comes with an optional aero bottle and storage under the down tube, the latter not UCI-legal.

There's a nicely integrated bar, although we found the sharp trailing edge hit our wrists when sprinting. The bike is compatible with a standard bar and stem though.

The Orbea is a bit on the heavy side too at 8.3kg, although we didn't notice this when out riding and we were impressed by the Orca's comfort levels.

• Read our full Orbea Orca Aero M10iLTD review

Ribble Ultra SL R Enthusiast

• £6,599 as tested
• Fearsomely fast
• Well priced

The Ribble Ultra SL R Enthusiast's eye-catching aero design translates into visceral speed with minimal concession to overall practicality.

If you just want to ride fast, you'd be hard pressed to find a better aero road bike for the money.

However, an integrated power meter would be nice, as would more handlebar size options and a simpler seatpost clamp.

• Read our full Ribble Ultra SL R Enthusiast review

Vitus ZX-1 EVO CRS Ultegra Di2

• £3,999 / $5,200 / AU$6,800 / €5,500 as tested
• Incredible-value fast aero bike
• Integrated handlebar rules out front-end fit adjustments

The ZX-1 EVO is Vitus' flagship aero bike, and despite the relatively low price tag, the bike boasts a spec that wouldn't be out of place on a much more expensive ride, with Ultegra Di2, deep-section wheels and aero-profiled finishing kit.

The bike is incredible value for money, then, and it doesn't disappoint on the road either with a joyous ride. The geometry is racy, but it isn't the most aggressive, making this bike a good choice if you value stability.

The only thing to look out for is the integrated cockpit, which doesn't allow for front-end fit adjustments, so it might be wise to try before you buy.

We've also tested the mechanical Shimano 105 spec of the Vitus ZX-1 EVO. Priced at £2,800, it's great value for an aero bike.

• Read our full Vitus ZX-1 EVO CRS Ultegra Di2 review

Cervélo S3 Disc Ultegra

• £3,999 / $5,000 as tested
• Awesome aero experience
• Choppy ride on rough surfaces

Cervélo invented the aero road bike, and the S3 Disc builds on the brand’s 25 years of aero knowledge with a claimed 13 watts less drag and a 68g weight saving on its predecessor. Cables all run internally, despite the S3 having a separate bar and stem for adjustability.

The wheelbase is short even on larger-sized frames, leading to sharp handling, although the bike would benefit from an upgrade from the alloy DT Swiss P1800 wheels. Run tubed, they lead to a rather choppy ride over uneven road surfaces; a swap to 28mm tyres might help.

• Read our full Cervélo S3 Disc Ultegra review

Orro Venturi Evo 105

• £2,100/ $2,667 / €2,457 as tested
• Tunable spec
• Reasonable price
• Some flex in the front end

At £2,100, the Orro Venturi Evo is a British aero bike that won’t break the bank. It looks great too, with space for 28mm tyres and an aggressive racing position. We reckon it rolls with the best on flatter undulating roads, although there’s a little front-end flex when pushed hard.

You can custom-tune the spec to your requirements, and alongside a Shimano 105 R7000 groupset , the test bike came with Vision Team 30 aero alloy wheels and fast-rolling Continental tyres. It’s a nice package at a nice price.

• Read our full Orro Venturi Evo 105 review

Scott Foil RC Pro (2023)

• £10,499 / $10,999 / €10,499 as tested
• More aero than the previous Foil
• Plenty of comfort, particularly at the rear

The latest Scott Foil has a claimed increase of 16 watts in its aero efficiency at 40kph over its long-running predecessor, thanks to wind tunnel tuning with Simon Smart, the man who's also behind the ENVE SES wheel range . At 7.4kg, the new Foil is light too, despite having deeper aero sections than the previous bike.

The frame geometry is the same as the Scott Addict RC , offering sharp, predictable handling at high speeds, but not at the expense of comfort, particularly at the saddle. That's thanks to a three-piece seatpost design with a rubber insert and a wider 28mm rear tyre.

It's a bike that's fast, lightweight and comfortable.

• Read our full Scott Foil RC Pro review

Tifosi Auriga Chorus Disc

• £3,499 as tested
• Long and low ride position
• Better tyre rubber would up the Auriga's game

The Tifosi Auriga is a fast bike in a straight line, with a stiff frame, and it handles direction changes with admirable agility. Despite its 9kg-plus weight, it climbs well too.

The Auriga frame's geometry puts you in a long and low position, which should cut down your frontal profile for aero benefits, while the FSA ACR system allows cables and hoses to be run internally, also lowering drag.

Tifosi claims 28mm tyre clearance, but we think there's room for more and the Auriga is equipped with a Campagnolo Chorus mechanical/hydraulic groupset, which we enjoyed. The tyres are in need of a swap-out though.

• Read our full Tifosi Auriga Chorus Disc review

Trek Madone SLR 9 eTap (2023)

• £13,800 / $13,199 / €14,999/ AU$17,999 as tested
• Very fast, very expensive
• Slightly twitchy in crosswinds

With distinctive, aggressive looks, the latest Trek Madone SLR is every inch the aero race bike.

The distinctive IsoFlow seat tube is designed to funnel airflow into the area behind the rider, improving aerodynamics while retaining some of the comfort from the old IsoSpeed system.

The rigid frame and sharp handling make for fast riding that's predictable, in most circumstances, and inspires confidence. We did find the Madone somewhat sensitive to crosswinds though, probably down to the slightly angular Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 wheel rims. The fitted 25mm tyres felt a little narrow too, and they're not tubeless.

• Read our full Trek Madone SLR 9 eTap review

Wilier Triestina Cento10 SL Ultegra Di2

• £5,540 / €5,600 as tested
• Sharp handling
• Firmer ride than some

The Cento10 SL is a lower-priced version of Wilier's previous flagship road bike, the Cento10 Pro (the Filante is now its top aero racer).

The SL shares much in common with the Pro, using the same moulds for the frame, and it feels like a masterstroke because the bike is almost indistinguishable from a superbike, at a much more affordable cost.

The bike is firmer than some, but it's a dream to ride with a long and low position that feels balanced when cornering fast, and handling that puts other aero bikes to shame.

The equipment spec is high, too, with Shimano Ultegra Di2, Wilier's own carbon wheels and a Selle Italia SLR Boost Carbonio saddle, but the 25mm tyres might be on the slim side for some.

• Read our Wilier Triestina Cento10 SL Ultegra Di2 first ride review

Buyer’s guide to aero road bikes: what to look for

What is an aero bike.

An aero bike prioritises aerodynamic features, aiming to give you a little free speed as you ride.

That starts with aero tube profiles, usually a truncated aerofoil design (also known as a Kammtail), with a smoothly curving leading edge and an abruptly chopped-off rear. The idea is to trick the wind into following the drag-saving shape of a full aerofoil while saving weight and maintaining frame stiffness.

Truncated shapes are particularly evident on the down tube and seat tube, but on dedicated aero bikes usually carry over to the head tube, fork blades, seatpost and the rest of the frame.

The latest aero bikes are all about integration and it’s rare to see exposed cables at the front end of the bike. The trick for bike manufacturers is providing that integration without sacrificing fit or everyday usability – some brands do this better than others.

Aero bikes will sometimes have more aggressive road bike geometry than all-round race bikes – and certainly more aggressive than endurance road bikes or sportive bikes. That normally means a longer, lower position that allows the rider to hunker down over the bar, reducing frontal profile for less wind resistance.

An aero bike arguably needs deep-section aero wheels to complete the deal. The best will come with them, but some makers fit more basic wheelsets (usually to keep the price down), expecting you to buy your own.

Aero bike vs road bike

It looks as if the era of the specialist aero bike may be passing. As we’ve already mentioned, the latest generation of lightweight/all-rounder race bikes increasingly incorporates aero features.

Take the Specialized Tarmac SL7 road bike, for example. It’s almost as aero as the brand’s Venge specialist aero bike, which has now been removed from the range with Specialized adopting a ‘One bike to rule them all’ philosophy.

Other formerly conventional road bikes that have had an aero makeover include the Cannondale SuperSix (overall winner of our Bike of the Year test in 2020), the Trek Emonda and the Scott Addict , with all these brands promoting aero benefits in a lightweight package.

As with any bike purchase, it’s a case of weighing up the options and choosing the right machine for your needs. If you’re looking for more of an all-rounder with an aero edge, there are now plenty of options out there. Equally, if all-out speed is your thing, a dedicated aero bike will have that ace up its sleeve.

What is the fastest aero bike?

Almost every aero bike will be accompanied by some kind of claim about how the bike is faster than its predecessor or competitors. Aero gains are often quoted as seconds saved over 40km at 45kph or such, but do you regularly ride at that speed? The laws of physics mean that if your average speed is half that, you’ll reap an eighth of that figure.

With around 80 per cent of wind resistance down to you, rather than the bike, there is only so much help an aero bike can provide. That’s before we get to the rider’s engine, too. If speed is your thing, here are five ways you can ride faster for free .

Having said that, few riding experiences beat the feeling of free speed when riding fast on a sharp-handling aero bike, especially on a rapid downhill or full-gas on a flat or rolling road.

As for the ‘fastest’ aero bike, as ever we’d tread with caution when it comes to manufacturer claims. Sure, you can factor it into your buying decision, but there’s lots more to consider besides, including fit, usability, frame features (for example, tyre clearance) and budget.

Tube shapes

It goes without saying that an aero bike will have aero tube profiles. These are most obvious on the main tubes of the bike, the down tube and the seat tube in particular.

Aero features will likely extend to the seatstays, which are often dropped, hitting the seat tube some way down from its top, as well as being aero in profile. The head tube, fork and seatpost (and its clamp) are also likely to have had the aero treatment.

The first crop of aero road bikes, led by the Cervélo Soloist (which has now made a comeback in 2022), had teardrop-shaped tubes. It’s the classic aerodynamic shape, but the tail adds a lot of weight without much structural benefit, so the frames tended to be heavy. The extended profile could also make for tricky handling in crosswinds.

That’s changed now, with the realisation that a truncated aerofoil (or Kammtail) can be more aerodynamically efficient than a teardrop.

Air forms an eddy behind the cut-off edge of the tube and air flowing past this forms a teardrop shape that’s much longer than the tube. Trek says that although the length of its Kammtail tubing is less than three times its width, it behaves aerodynamically as if it’s eight times the width.

With that in mind, there’s potentially a quadruple benefit from truncated aerofoils: they use less material for a lighter frame, they are more structurally rigid, they produce longer virtual tails to the tubes and they’re less edgy in crosswinds.

Another plus: they make it much easier for manufacturers to produce aero designs that comply with the geometry rules set by the UCI, cycling’s world governing body.

Integration

The new frontier in aero bike design is front-end integration. That means the handlebar and stem are often one piece, with a broad, flat aero shape to the bar. At least some of the brake and gear cables will run internally into the frame, so they’re out of the airflow.

There’s a surprising amount of drag from round cables routed externally. Pinarello claimed burying the cables inside the bar and stem of the Dogma F12 improved aerodynamics by more than 5 per cent relative to its F10 predecessor, which had external cabling (Pinarello has since launched the new Dogma F ).

The flip side is that some integrated systems can be difficult to work with, so expect to spend more on maintenance or to deal with more frustration if doing it yourself.

Also, make sure you’re comfortable with the position dictated by a bike’s integrated carbon bar/stem. There are limited size options and adjustability to many integrated systems.

The best integrated cockpits keep everything clean and tidy, hiding the cables from the wind, but still allow for easy servicing and fit adjustments, most likely by keeping the handlebar and stem as two separate units.

Ride quality

With their chunky tube profiles, aero bikes of old had a (often justified) reputation for a harsh ride.

That’s largely changed with the modern crop of aero bikes, because brands have learned how to design frames for a more comfortable ride without compromising aerodynamics, and road disc brakes have increased tyre clearances – you can now run a 28mm or even 30mm tyre on many of the latest aero bikes.

Nevertheless, it’s something to look out for if you’re thinking of buying an aero bike. It’s worth reading road bike reviews and, ideally, taking a test ride before parting with your cash, especially if you live somewhere with rough roads.

As mentioned above, an aero bike will typically promote a long, low ride position. That’s great for cutting through the wind, but make sure you’ll be comfortable riding an aero bike (or that it offers the adjustability you need) before taking the plunge. Neck, back, shoulder and hand pain can be issues if you’re not very flexible or not used to an aggressive position.

You may adapt to the position, but if you’re not racing you don’t want to end up suffering on your bike to go a little faster – being forced to cut your ride short due to pain or picking up an injury is counter-productive, to say the least.

Weight used to be a driving factor behind bike design, with a lower weight perceived to result in a faster and better ride. Aero bikes disprove the rule, with many tipping the scale at around 8kg and feeling lightning-quick.

While a lightweight bike might serve you better on long climbs, the weight and performance difference between many more conventional bikes and aero bikes is marginal, and improving your power-to-weight ratio can be one way to offset the difference.

There are also ways to make your road bike lighter if you’re that way inclined.

A lightweight bike might feel more responsive, but geometry and tyre choice arguably have as much impact on the feel of a bike as weight. If you want something that feels responsive and snappy, look for a bike with a short wheelbase and a head tube angle of around 73.5 degrees.

An aero bike needs an aero wheelset to complement – and make the most of – the frame’s aerodynamics. It’s still all too common to find an aero frameset equipped with budget, non-aero wheels. Recognising this, some brands are now fitting wheels worthy of the investment they’ve made in their frames.

Unless you’ve got a set of go-fast wheels already sitting at home, it’s worth looking for a bike that comes with decent deep-section wheels. If not, and you do want to upgrade, budget the best part of £1,000 for a set of the best road bike wheels .

Disc brakes have largely taken over on all new bikes, but rim-brake outliers are still out there, particularly if you’re buying a second-hand bike .

If you go for a rim-brake aero bike (and, most likely, an older model), you may find the calipers have been moved out of the wind. The front brake may be integrated into the fork and the rear brake may be under the bottom bracket.

Fortunately, this is less common nowadays and, as a general rule, we’d steer riders away from integrated brakes. Integrated front brakes are often less effective than a separate caliper, and rear brakes under the bottom bracket are prone to brake rub and getting covered in filth.

Most high-end aero bikes now come with disc brakes, but it’s worth bearing in mind if you’re looking at a lower-priced rim-brake model.

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Trek’s Seventh Generation Madone Blends Radical Design and Performance

Trek's new Madone is made to go fast and win races.

Takeaway: A pure-bred road race bike designed to win at the WorldTour level. With its latest Madone, Trek ditches the IsoSpeed decoupler for the new lighter weight, more aerodynamic, and visually radical IsoFlow seatmast.

• Drops weight and gains efficiency.
• Proven geometry remains unchanged from the gen-6 model.
• Flared bars for reduced drag.
• Three SRAM and three Shimano build kit offerings.

Trek Madone SLR 9 eTap Gen 7

Trek’s Madone is an iconic bike. First launched in 2003, the Madone has evolved massively over the past two decades. The platform’s most significant technological leap came about in 2014 when Trek debuted the Emonda, its dedicated lightweight bike. The Emonda freed the Madone from having to strictly be a light bike, allowing aerodynamics to become its primary focus.

To deal with the notoriously stiff and uncomfortable ride of early aero bikes, Trek’s engineers incorporated an IsoSpeed decoupler, similar to the one used on the brand’s Domane endurance bike. With IsoSpeed, the bike’s seat tube moved independently from the top tube and seat stays, allowing it to absorb road chatter and small bumps. The resulting sixth-generation Madone was incredibly fast against the wind while also receiving praise for its ride quality. But the downside was the added weight.

With the new seventh-generation Madone, Trek set an ambitious goal of reducing weight without sacrificing the comfort and aerodynamic properties of the old bike. The most obvious place to shed grams was the IsoSpeed system, now replaced by the visually striking IsoFlow.

According to Trek, function drove IsoFlow’s development. Aided by computational fluid dynamics (CFD), Trek sought to overhaul the entire aerodynamic package of the Madone. The result was a new generation of Trek’s Kammtail tube shapes, including a smoother head tube, a down tube better optimized for use with and without bottles, a taller bottom bracket area, and the radically designed seat tube.

The new Madone is bold and will not be mistaken for any other bike. But it definitely won’t please riders who prefer a more traditional aesthetic. Trek deserves props for pushing the design language of a bicycle forward. Though its looks won't please everyone, I’m happy to see something other than a cookie-cutter, dropped-stays, aero-ish, all-around-er that seems so popular amongst bike designers.

The new seat mast set-up is well-designed, offering easy and consistent height adjustment. But the best detail was in the seat clamp, which allowed for fore and aft adjustment independent of saddle tilt. It’s a small detail that makes setting up the bike much easier, as it allows for minor saddle angle tweaks while leaving it clamped in place.

These changes account for roughly half of the aerodynamic improvements of the new bike. Trek claims that the new Madone saves riders 19 watts of pedaling energy at 28 mph, but just half of that savings (9.3 watts) is from improvements to the frame. The remaining watt savings come from changes to the rider position due to the new flared handlebar design. The Madone SLR handlebar measures a traditional width in the drops, but the bar's flare positions the hoods inward by 30mm. This narrower hood location puts the rider in a more aerodynamic position when riding, thus saving watts.

Thankfully for riders that are particular about their contact points, Trek made the new bike compatible with standard 1-⅛” stems so riders can set up their cockpit however they like. However, changing to this would give up a large chunk of the Madone’s claimed aero benefits unless riders choose a narrower-than-normal bar width.

More importantly for pro riders and weight weenies alike, the new frameset is now two-thirds of a pound lighter than its predecessor. Our 56cm test bike came in at 16.2 pounds which is pretty svelt for an aero bike with 51cm deep clincher wheels and disc brakes. A big part of the weight saving comes from the new IsoFlow design. The cantilevered design of the seat tube and IsoFlow allows for engineered flex in the new Madone. This design is how Trek maintains the Madone’s celebrated ride quality.

Trek stuck to its H1.5 geometry as used on the previous generation Madone. It conceived this as a meeting point between Trek’s old racing-focused H1 geometry and its more relaxed H2 angles. The wheelbase on our 56cm bike was only 983mm, nearly a centimeter shorter than the Specialized Tarmac SL7 and Giant’s TCR, and 13 mm shorter than Canyons Ultimate. Combined with a relatively steep 73.5-degree head tube angle and a 58mm trail figure, you get a bike that will dive into corners as hard as you’re willing to push it.

Pricing and Build Options

There is no getting around the fact that as the top-of-the-line road racing bike from Trek, the Madone is not cheap. The move to electronic-only groups on all builds of the Madone does the price no favors as well. While equivalent new models of the Madone only get $200 more expensive for 2023. The entry-level build for the 2023 Madone SLR 6 (with Shimano 105 Di2) comes in at $8,000. That is a $1,100 increase over the 2021 Madone SLR 6 equipped with mechanical-shifting Shimano Ultegra. Top-of-the-range Dura-Ace and Red eTap builds retail for $12,750 and $13,200, respectively.

Trek offers the new Madone in six builds, three with SRAM (Red, Force, and Rival eTap) and three with Shimano (Dura-Ace, Ultegra, and 105 Di2). All of the Madone builds ship with the new integrated cockpit; Dura-Ace and Red-equipped Madones ship with Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 wheels, while all other builds get the slightly heavier Aeolus Pro 51.

Ride Impressions

The new Madone has an exceptionally smooth ride, lacking the characteristically dead and harsh feel of past aero bikes. But the mellow ride is not without an edge. The Madone does an exceptional job of balancing all-day comfort with the agility and aggression needed to be a top-tier race bike. Under sharp accelerations, especially at speeds under 25 mph, the Madone felt impressively stiff. But accelerations from the high 20s into 30+mph territory felt a bit more muted, which is not inherently a bad trait. A twitchy bike is not helpful when you’re going that fast.

Once the Madone is up to speed, it just wants to stay there. I was impressed with how quickly and easily the bike would get rolling up to 20-22 miles per hour. Combined with the gentle ride quality, it felt like the new Madone would constantly surprise me with how fast I was going. The sensation of speed on this bike is almost sneaky, you get used to what 25mph feels like on a road bike, but on the Madone, the same pace feels calmer and less frantic, at least in a straight line. Throw the Madone into a corner, and it instantly feels sharp and aggressive.

As a racer, I very much enjoyed the Madone’s willingness to corner aggressively, but it did expose one of the bike's faults. The 25mm tires shipped on our test biker are simply too narrow. Trek claims that the Madone can fit tires up to 28mm, but this feels short-sighted. Wheel brands such as Reserve, Enve, and Zipp now design around a 28mm tire as the default width. There is plenty of space in the frame for wider tires, so Trek is likely very conservative in its stock tire choice and maximum tire width recommendation.

Even riding the stock 25mm tires with pressures as low as 65 psi front and 75 psi rear, the narrow rubber still felt like it was missing grip, with the back end stepping out multiple times when exiting a corner. It was also discouraging that a road bike selling for over thirteen thousand dollars does not ship with tubeless compatible tires or the proper bits to easily set up the Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 wheels as tubeless.

Another thing missing from the bike was a computer mount. Usually, it is not something I would expect a brand to include, but the bars require a Trek-specific part. Given the complete bike’s price tag and Trek’s integrated cockpit, it should come with a computer mount. I sourced a Blendr mount from my local Trek store, but it was not without its issues (it rattled loose during a training crit and fell off). It is possible to entirely avoid this proprietary part by using a standard 1-⅛” stem and handlebar but making this swap would involve cutting hydraulic houses and would not be cheap.

I was also pleased to see Trek continue using the T47 bottom bracket standard on this bike. A threaded bottom bracket shell is a win for mechanics everywhere. However, the latest Madone is now only compatible with electronic shifting. We can argue whether it's bike brands like Trek (releasing electronic-only high-end bikes) or component brands like SRAM and Shimano (no longer developing high-performance mechanical road groupsets) or if consumers are just voting with their dollars. But the result is that we are witnessing the death of mechanical shifting from high-end racing bikes. And that's a little bit sad.

Ultimately this Madone, like the versions that have come before, was conceived and designed to meet the needs of World Tour professionals. Everything about the bike, from how it rides, to how much it costs, reflects that niche design requirement. Aside from a small pool of professional racers, very few people will likely make the most of this bike’s capabilities. It’s analogous to the way most drivers will not benefit from driving a Formula One car. It’s a pure-bred race bike designed to win at the highest level. If that’s what you’re looking to do—or you just want to own a bike with that ability—then the Madone should be on your shortlist.

Test Editor Dan Chabanov got his start in cycling as a New York City bike messenger but quickly found his way into road and cyclocross racing, competing in professional cyclocross races from 2009 to 2019 and winning a Master’s National Championship title in 2018. Prior to joining Bicycling in 2021, Dan worked as part of the race organization for the Red Hook Crit, as a coach with EnduranceWERX, as well as a freelance writer and photographer. 

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Tarmac SL7 Pro Di2 vs Madone SL7 Di2

Moderator: robbosmans

Post by tyleromeo » Sun Sep 13, 2020 6:55 pm --> by tyleromeo on Sun Sep 13, 2020 6:55 pm

by » Sun Sep 13, 2020 6:55 pm --> by Weenie on Sun Sep 13, 2020 6:55 pm

Post by CasualRider » Sun Sep 13, 2020 7:10 pm --> by CasualRider on Sun Sep 13, 2020 7:10 pm

Post by gzon » Sun Sep 13, 2020 7:11 pm --> by gzon on Sun Sep 13, 2020 7:11 pm

Post by tyleromeo » Sun Sep 13, 2020 9:58 pm --> by tyleromeo on Sun Sep 13, 2020 9:58 pm

CasualRider wrote: ↑ Sun Sep 13, 2020 7:10 pm I think it would be more fair to compare SL7 vs new Emonda. I'm at 4W/Kg.

Post by Noctiluxx » Sun Sep 13, 2020 10:10 pm --> by Noctiluxx on Sun Sep 13, 2020 10:10 pm

Post by Nickldn » Sun Sep 13, 2020 10:11 pm --> by Nickldn on Sun Sep 13, 2020 10:11 pm

Post by CasualRider » Sun Sep 13, 2020 11:47 pm --> by CasualRider on Sun Sep 13, 2020 11:47 pm

tyleromeo wrote: ↑ Sun Sep 13, 2020 9:58 pm CasualRider wrote: ↑ Sun Sep 13, 2020 7:10 pm I think it would be more fair to compare SL7 vs new Emonda. I'm at 4W/Kg.

Post by tifosiman » Mon Sep 14, 2020 2:01 am --> by tifosiman on Mon Sep 14, 2020 2:01 am

Noctiluxx wrote: ↑ Sun Sep 13, 2020 10:10 pm Go with the bike that gets you excited about riding it.

Post by tyleromeo » Mon Sep 14, 2020 3:37 am --> by tyleromeo on Mon Sep 14, 2020 3:37 am

tifosiman wrote: ↑ Mon Sep 14, 2020 2:01 am Noctiluxx wrote: ↑ Sun Sep 13, 2020 10:10 pm Go with the bike that gets you excited about riding it.

Post by guadzilla » Mon Sep 14, 2020 6:06 am --> by guadzilla on Mon Sep 14, 2020 6:06 am

Post by cyclespeed » Mon Sep 14, 2020 7:59 am --> by cyclespeed on Mon Sep 14, 2020 7:59 am

tyleromeo wrote: ↑ Sun Sep 13, 2020 9:58 pm That was my orignal plan but the Emonda came back around 30 watts slower at 45Kph than the Tarmac SL7.

Post by motdoc » Sat Oct 17, 2020 10:58 pm --> by motdoc on Sat Oct 17, 2020 10:58 pm

Post by RussellS » Sun Oct 18, 2020 1:06 am --> by RussellS on Sun Oct 18, 2020 1:06 am

tyleromeo wrote: ↑ Sun Sep 13, 2020 6:55 pm I'm 183cm with an inseam of 83cm so I'm looking for a 56 with at least a 110 stem which the SL7 has but the Madone needs an upgrade.

Post by TheRich » Sun Oct 18, 2020 1:28 am --> by TheRich on Sun Oct 18, 2020 1:28 am

tyleromeo wrote: ↑ Sun Sep 13, 2020 6:55 pm I live in Long Island NY where rolling hills and climbs of 200 feet is all youre going to get

by » Sun Oct 18, 2020 1:28 am --> by Weenie on Sun Oct 18, 2020 1:28 am

Post by ianbenny » Tue Nov 03, 2020 9:40 am --> by ianbenny on Tue Nov 03, 2020 9:40 am

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Whats everyone thoughts on the trek madone slr 7 disc vs. the specialized tarmac sl7 pro??? Looking at these two specifically for next bike. Im not worried about a weight diffewrence between them. Looking for a bike to do everyday riding, climbing, and maybe some crits. Currently ride a 2012 trek madone and consider it a great all around type of bike.  

I favor the Tarmac . Madone's frame is too aero worked for me. And my goodness, refreshing to see this forum come alive with some spirited bikes and riders. Lets see and encourage some more of this eh?  

Both good bikes. Neither is better than the other. Test ride both bikes. Buy the one that you like the feel and fit of better. If you like them both equally well, buy the one from the shop you like better. A better shop will spend more time tweaking your fit on your new bike.  

Tweak’s are best done by the rider as indicated. The fitter hopefully will put one in the ballpark if the rider can’t do it on their own. The OP likely knows this, though clearly others don’t. Back to the bikes; the Tarmac is likely considerably lighter than the Trek with disks.  

If you want to do climbing and crits, an Emonda would be the better bike, but they aren't available. Fit between the Madone and Tarmac are pretty close. For a 56 cm frame, the Tarmac has 8mm longer wheelbase, 7 mm more reach and 8 mm less stack. If you can ride them both, you'll probably know which one you want, and the shop (how they treat you, how they'll go the extra mile to make sure you get what you want and need) can also make a world of difference in the satisfaction of your purchase.  

Buy the one that will inspire you to ride more.  

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Specialized Tarmac SL7 vs Trek Emonda: Which Bike is Better?

Trying to decide whether the Trek Emonda or the Specialized SL7 Tarmac is better for you? Read for a detailed comparison of the geometry, design, and components of these two premium, lightweight carbon fiber bikes so you can find out which one suits your riding style and preference.

Similarities Between the Specialized Tarmac SL7 and the Trek Emonda

Let’s start with what these two racing bikes have in common—after all, they’re designed to fit the same all-around performance-oriented road bike market niche.

The Tarmac SL7 and the Trek Emonda are both manufactured in Taiwan for the American companies Trek and Specialized, so you can expect a similar build quality between the two. They are both manufactured in Giant’s factory, in fact.

Both the Tarmac SL7 and the Trek Emonda are outfitted with disc brakes and have no rim brake options. This is typical of modern road bikes. Since these bikes are at the higher end of the market in terms of price, disc brakes’ increased cost won’t add much to the already high price tag.

Both bike frames are available in two levels of carbon layup. The highest-grade carbon options for both the Tarmac SL7 (Fact 12r carbon) and the Trek Emonda (OCLV 800) are about the same weight—but the Emonda SLR is ever slightly lighter. The lower-grade Tarmac SL7 (Fact 10r carbon) is lighter than Emonda’s lower-grade carbon frame (OCLV 500).

The two bikes’ maximum tire width is also nearly the same, with the Emonda’s official tire rating coming in at 28 mm and the Tarmac’s at 30 mm. Unofficially, both the Emonda’s and the SL7’s wheels can accommodate up to 32 mm tires with at least 2 mm of tire clearances on each side, so the maximum tire widths between the two bikes are virtually the same.

Tarmac SL7 vs Emonda: Frame Geometry

The geometries of the Tarmac SL7 and Emonda are true to a road racing bike design, being longer and lower to the ground on the front end, with a short wheelbase.

The Emonda has a more comfortable geometry than the Tarmac SL7, with a higher stack and lower reach. However, its RSL integrated barstem handlebar has a longer total reach at 100 mm, 25 mm more than the SL7’s Roval Rapide handlebar at 75 mm.

If you compare the two bikes in the same frame and handlebar/stem size, the Emonda’s frame and handlebar together come out a bit longer than the SL7’s—9 mm to be exact.

The Emonda offers one more frame size option than the SL7, offering eight sizes to the SL7’s seven frame size choices. However, the SL7 frame is available in smaller sizes than the Emonda frame, making it a better choice for shorter cyclists.

The distance between the two wheel centers or wheelbase is roughly the same between the two bikes, and so is the trail measurement. This means that the SL7 and the Emonda handle in roughly the same manner—they both feel agile and aggressive.

Bottom Bracket Comparison

While both bikes use press fit bottom brackets in the last generation, this generation’s Specialized Tarmac SL7 and the Trek Emonda both use threaded bottom brackets.

In theory, press-fit bottom brackets are lighter and stiffer than threaded ones. But in practice, threaded bottom brackets have gained favor among cyclists over press-fitted ones because press-fitted bottom brackets often become loose inside the frame’s housing, making a telltale creaking sound.

The two bikes use different standardized threaded bottom brackets: the Emonda has a T47 bottom bracket, while the SL7 has a BSA bottom bracket.

T47 bottom brackets have a larger diameter than BSA, so Emonda’s frame has a larger housing. The T47 threaded housing has its bearings inside the bike frame, while the BSA has external bearings. This means that the T47 bearings are held more stiffly in the carbon frame housing because of its internal bearings.

When buying a new crank or spindle set, make sure that its diameter and length are compatible with the T47 or BSA housing on your SL7 or Emonda bike. Both the T47 and BSA housing are compatible with mainstream spindle and crank measurements.

Tarmac SL7 vs Emonda Complete Bike Components

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the components each of these bikes will have if you buy a pre-built Emonda or Tarmac SL7. 

The Emonda comes with a Bontranger Aeolus RSL integrated barstem, while a Roval Rapide two-piece handlebar set comes with the SL7. The Emonda’s one-piece, integrated barstem has a cleaner, sleeker look, and is lighter than the Roval Rapide handlebar set. On the other hand, a two-piece handlebar and stem set allows for more customization of your handlebar rotation angle setup.

Both the Emonda and the SL7 use proprietary Trek and Specialized seatposts respectively. The Specialized seatpost is D-shaped, while the Trek seat mast cap is round.

The D-shaped seatpost should, in theory, make the SL7 a more comfortable ride. In reality, SL7 is stiffer and harsher than the Emonda.

There’s no real difference between the two bikes here. You can outfit either one with a Shimano groupset or an SRAM groupset. The only main difference here is that you can’t buy the Tarmac SL7 S-Works bike equipped with lower-level groupsets like SRAM Force and Shimano Ultegra. You need to buy a frameset and customize the components by yourself for that.

The Tarmac SL7’s Roval Rapide is only available in one size (51 mm front depth, 60 mm rear depth) compared to the Emonda’s Bontrager Aeolus which is available in four sizes of rim depth (37 mm, 51 mm, 62 mm, and 75 mm).

That said, depending on the bike shop where you buy the Tarmac, they might allow you to swap the Roval Rapide with a much shallower Roval Alpinist (33 mm depth) if you prefer it.

The Specialized Tarmac SL7 comes fitted with Turbo or Turbo Cotton tires, while the Trek Emonda comes with the Bontranger R3 or R4 tire. The Turbo and Turbo Cotton tires have a lower rolling resistance than the Bontranger R3 and R4 respectively. The lower rolling resistance leads to less energy loss as the tire moves along, making you faster. However, the Bontranger R3 and R4 tires are more durable and long-lasting than Turbos which are known to be very fragile.

The Emonda and the SL7 are both racing bikes. True to this purpose, they’re equipped with short, snub-nose saddles that put the rider in an aerodynamic position angled forward towards the ground. The Emonda uses the Bontranger Aeolus saddle and the SL7 uses the Specialized Power saddle. Both saddles are very popular on the market.

Tarmac SL7 vs Emonda Paint Job

The paint job you choose to put on your bike is, of course, a personal choice that doesn’t affect performance. 

That said, if you’re dead set on a certain color for your bike or if you value your bike’s looks highly, the Trek Project One program has far more customization options than the Specialized bike brand has on offer. Color personalization from Trek Project One does come at a higher cost.

Personalizing your bike may not have anything to do with performance, but it can be one of the most fun aspects of riding—it feels great to show off a cool, tricked-out bike to your riding buddies.

Another notable difference is the side logo on the highest-grade Tarmac SL7 frame that reads “S-Works” vs the lower-grade Tarmac SL7 which has the normal “Specialized” text. This is a little dirty trick by Specialized to differentiate their highest-grade carbon even though they share the same shape.

The fact is that these bikes have very similar geometry, so their ride feel is quite similar too. If you select the same handlebar and stem dimensions on both bikes, they feel virtually the same to ride.

The Emonda and the Tarmac SL7 are meant to be lightweight, maneuverable, and fast with a reasonably high aerodynamic performance. They make tough climbs easier and offer stability and safety on fast descents.

Since they both use threaded frames to hold the bracket in place, they both lack stiffness in that area. Press-fitted frames like the Cannondale SuperSix EVO and the Giant TCR outcompete the Emonda and SL7 in this aspect. Between the SL7 and the Emonda, the SL7 feels stiffer during pedaling when the same crankset is installed.

Overall, neither the Emonda nor the SL7 shine in terms of the comfort on the front end. However, the SL7 has a beefier stem handlebar setup, making it better for sprinting than the Emonda. In another win for the SL7, the Emonda’s lighter barstem transfers more vibrations from uneven terrain, making it less comfortable on a rough road surface. 

The SL7’s D-shaped seatpost is theoretically stiffer during the side-to-side motion that cyclists do during pedaling out of the saddle. The D-shaped design is also meant to increase comfort on rough riding surfaces. In reality, while the SL7 does feel stiffer than the Emonda the Emonda’s back-end is more comfortable.

Which is the Better Bike?

Both the Trek Emonda and the Specialized Tarmac SL7 offer superior performance, responsive handling, and low weight. The bikes are so similar that the choice between them comes down to which one is a better fit for your body.

The frame geometry of the Emonda is better for riders who need a higher and shorter front end (though, you shouldn’t get the Bontrager RSL integrated handlebars), while the Tarmac SL7’s frame is lower down on the front end. The lower front on the SL7 means that many riders will need to add spacers below the stem so they can get a comparable stack height with the Emonda.

The performance difference between the two bikes skews slightly in favor of the SL7. If you’re absolutely set on the most aggressive, stiff, high-performance bike, the SL7 is better suited to your needs. If you’re comfortable with sacrificing a tad of performance for the sake of comfort, the Emonda may be the way to go for you.

The Project One Program from Trek gives the Emonda a clear advantage over the SL7 in customization options. Through Project One, Trek gives riders control of almost every aspect of their bike, offering a wide range of colors and letting them choose almost every component.

The Emonda SLR, a high-grade, lightweight, composite frame, is lighter than Specialized’s high-grade S-Works frame, giving Trek a slight edge in high-end frame choice. If you’re after a low-cost frame, however, Specialized has a lighter low-grade frame. The low-grade Emonda SL frame is heavier than the corresponding low-grade Tarmac SL7 frame.

The overall appearance of both bikes will appeal more or less to different riders’ tastes, and the differences between the two are slight enough that personal taste is a fine basis to make your choice. Both of these bikes are excellent for road cyclists and are great examples of modern bike design. Whichever choice you make, you won’t end up dissatisfied. 

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2024 Cervelo S5 vs Trek Madone

Our road bike specialist Bernard Lu explores the differences between the Cervelo S5 and Trek Madone, comparing the variant, features, technologies and pricing.

This article compares the differences between the Cervelo S5 and Trek Madone .

The comparison covers the model lineups, specifications, and retail pricing. It compares the carbon fiber technology ( vs Trek OCLV ) and frameset technologies on each bike.

The objective is to provide you with a clearer understanding of Cervelo S5 vs Trek Madone before making the purchasing decision.

The Cervélo S5 is all about aerodynamic performance and maximizing speed.

This can be seen throughout the frame’s design. Most road cyclists would concur that the Cervélo S5 is among their top choice for an aero road bike. They come with 25mm tires, but the frame allows up to 30mm.

The Cervélo S5 has a very aggressive frame geometry , placing the rider much lower on the bike and reducing their frontal area. A size 54 Cervélo S5 has a 13mm lower stack and 6mm longer reach than a size 54 S-Series (discontinued in 2022). The Cervélo S5 has an extended seat tube cutout; a close-fitting curve in the seat tube fully shields the rear wheel’s leading edge.

The Cervélo S5 is available in a complete bike setup or frameset only.

Trek Madone

Dubbed the ultimate superbike, the Trek Madone is all about maximizing aerodynamics and speed .

Trek refreshed the Madone in June 2022, just before the Tour de France started. The new Trek Madone features a radical-looking seat tube with a big hole. The previous IsoSpeed system, which allows the seatpost to flex for extra comfort, is replaced by the IsoFlow Technology. According to Trek, the IsoFlow technology adds an aerodynamic advantage, reduces weight, and smooths the road ahead.

The range-topping Madone SLR is built on the Trek’s lightest OCLV 800 carbon, with a one-piece carbon handlebar. The Madone SL models are still based on the previous Madone frame design and use the OCLV 500 carbon.

The Madone SLR frameset is also available separately.

Trek Madone vs others

2024 BMC Timemachine Road vs Trek Madone

2024 Canyon Aeroad vs Trek Madone

2024 Giant Propel Advanced vs Trek Madone

2024 Orbea Orca Aero vs Trek Madone

2024 Pinarello Dogma F vs Trek Madone

2024 Scott Foil RC vs Trek Madone

Cervelo vs Trek carbon fiber

Cervelo carbon.

Cervelo doesn’t publicly release information about the types of carbon fiber used on their road bikes.

From my observation of the current Cervelo bikes lineups, there are at least two carbon fiber grades used.

• Highest grade. Cervelo R5 and S5 could be using the highest carbon fiber grade of all the models. These are pure race bikes used by the pros and would likely have the best carbon fiber available at Cervelo.
• Mid-grade. Cervelo Caledonia and Soloist could be using a mid-level carbon and heavier fiber grade of all the models. These are endurance bikes that prioritize comfort over stiffness. So it’s not a surprise to see a lower-grade carbon fiber being used here.

Trek OCLV carbon

The OCLV (Optimum Compaction, Low Void) carbon is a proprietary carbon fiber manufacturing technology developed by Trek.

• Optimum Compaction refers to the heat and pressure applied during the curing process to squeeze out excess resin and ensure that the carbon layers are compacted to the optimal density.
• Low Void refers to the goal of reducing microscopic air pockets or voids that can occur in the carbon fiber and create weaknesses.

One of the key advantages of OCLV carbon is its ability to achieve an optimal balance between stiffness, strength, and weight. Trek engineers carefully tune the carbon layup and utilize varying modulus carbon fibers to create stiff frames in certain areas to maximize power transfer while maintaining compliance in other areas to enhance comfort and ride quality.

The OCLV carbon is available in 800 and 500 series.

• OCLV 800 is the highest-grade carbon fiber used by Trek. The carbon modulus is higher in OCLV 800, making it stiffer and lighter. The manufacturing process is more refined, using more advanced carbon and resins, leading to a bike frame that provides top performance levels for stiffness, weight, and strength. OCLV 800 is used in all models with SLR .
• OCLV 500 is a lower-grade carbon but still offers a high level of performance. It has a slightly lower carbon modulus, meaning it’s a bit less stiff and heavier than OCLV 800. OCLV 800 is used in all models with SL .

It’s worth noting that the different OCLV grades don’t only refer to the material itself, but also to the manufacturing techniques used to form the carbon fiber into bike frames. Higher-grade carbon requires more precise manufacturing techniques to take full advantage of its superior material properties.

Frameset technologies and innovations

Cervelo S5 and Trek Madone framesets incorporate advanced technologies to enhance their bikes’ performance and ride characteristics.

Here’s an overview of the technologies used in each bike model.

Where to buy

Cervelo retailers.

• Cervelo retailers . Use this tool to find your nearest Cervelo retailers.
• Trek online shops . Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States
• Trek retailers . Use this tool to find your nearest Trek retailers.

Bernard Lu has 7+ years of experience working in a bicycle shop, overseeing the retail and workshop operations. He’s a qualified bicycle mechanic who understands a cyclist’s needs and speaks the same cycling lingo.

If you meet him at the cafe, he will happily talk to you for hours about all the intricacies of bikes and cycling tech. Just buy him a coffee next time you see him.

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Based on frame geometry and build specs.

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Madone SLR 9

S-Works Tarmac SL7 - SRAM Red eTap AXS

REACTO 9000-E

(descending)

Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.