cube vs trek road bike

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Cube or Trek?

• Thread starter jonnysnorocket
• Start date 20 Oct 2012

jonnysnorocket

• 20 Oct 2012

Having spent the last few weeks looking into buying my first full sus mtb, i have narrowed it down to two bikes; Cube AMS 130 race 2013 Trek ex 6 2013 the cube would appear to be better value, with respect to forks, xt, etc etc. but i am being reliably ??, informed that the trek offers a far superior suspension platform. and of course the option to upgrade forks, drive train etc etc at a later date, should i so wish. Any experience, views, on either bike gratefully recieved. cheers, John  

Legendary Member

• 23 Oct 2012

mrandmrspoves

Middle aged bald git..

I'm not disagreeing with Drago as above - but Cube DO make very good and highly rated bicycles at competitive prices, so I would not dismiss them out of hand. My Cube Attention was superb value for money. I am not sure why Drago feels that the Trek warranty would be any better than Cubes?  

Mr Haematocrit

Msg me on kik for android.

I would take the Cube  

mrandmrspoves said: My Cube Attention was superb value for money. I am not sure why Drago feels that the Trek warranty would be any better than Cubes? Click to expand...

• 27 Oct 2012

CopperCyclist

Bit late I know, but I can quote from experience that Treks customer service when it comes to warranty claims is awesome. I'd personally get a Trek because it was so good they deserve the plug! That said, I've never had cause to test Cube's, and they do give you a hell of a lot of bike for your money!  

Trek Only as i have 2 of them and both have been spot on sweet  

Glad you're happy with your purchase. I must agree my old Cube just felt like it could eat the miles.  

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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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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. Paul has contributed to Cyclingnews' tech coverage for a few years, helping to maintain the freshness of our buying guides and deals content, as well as writing a number of our voucher code pages. 

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Trek Vs Specialized Bikes – Which Has the Better Bikes?

You've decided to buy a bike, and you've narrowed your search down to two brands, Trek and specialized. Which one of them offers more value for your money? It's the classic case of Trek vs. Specialized. Well, Both of these cycle manufacturers are established and have their crowds of a loyal fan base. They both offer a diverse range of bikes across categories and budgets.

But there has got to be a clear winner between the two brands when it comes to deciding the reliability of their bikes, right? Frankly speaking, the answer isn't a clear cut one. It is true that Trek houses more varieties of bikes than Specialized. But the bikes in both brands boast high-quality components . Plus, the bikes from both brands do not vary too much in terms of their price range.

Both Trek and Specialized have a wide range of road bikes, mountain bikes , and even kids' bikes to their credit. As many characteristics as bikes from these brands share, they also have that many differences between them.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of which brand has the better bikes, here's a brief recap on what each brand stands for individually.

Trek Vs Specialized Bikes Comparison

Overview of trek.

Trek bikes are most popularly associated with the legendary Lance Armstrong. It was on these bikes that this Cycling champ won all of his Tour de France championships. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Trek is popularly known for their road bikes.

This American company made its entry into the bike market in 1976, but most of its bikes are made in Taiwan. Today, the brand has a commendable range of bikes for men, women, and kids. You can also be sure to find Trek bikes for every level of rider and for different riding terrains.

• The manufacturer has an extensive range of bikes for all kinds of riders.
• Trek bikes can be customized in more ways than one.
• The brand is most famous for its road bikes.
• Trek bikes can be pricey compared to cycles from other brands.

Overview of Specialized

Specialized began its journey of manufacturing bikes with their iconic road and touring bikes. Then in 1995, it added on to its accolades with its range of mountain bikes. This range of mountain bikes was aptly named 'The Full Force.' Today, Specialized is synonymous with mountain bikes, with the company even sponsoring Loic Bruni, the downhill world champion.

• Specialized is well known for its range of mountain bikes.
• Like Trek, Specialized also caters to riders of all levels.
• Specialized bikes are more expensive than Trek bikes.

Feature Comparison

When you are a beginner rider, it can sometimes be difficult to tell the minor differences between different bike models. But experienced riders are likely to notice even the slightest of differences. This happens especially for lower-end bike ranges. The high-end bikes typically boast quite visible differences in design, geometry, or components.

Regardless of that, bikes from Trek and Specialized both have their own unique appeal. So at the end of the day, which bike model or brand you decide to go with boils down to personal preference. Don't hold back from checking out as many options of bikes from both manufacturers. Doing so will only benefit you.

To help simplify your quest for the ideal bike for yourself, we've compiled a list of differences between Trek bikes and Specialized bikes. Take a look:

Customization

Trek allows riders the flexibility to build a bike of your liking. You have the option to choose your bike's fork, frame, and other parts so as to customize it. Pretty neat, isn't it?

Specialized has a wide range of bike types and styles, but this manufacturer doesn't offer customization services.

The Design of Their Bikes' Rear Suspension

Trek takes pride in their Active Braking Pivot and Full Floater rear suspension designs. The Full Floater rear suspension design system works in a way that prevents the shock mount's movement from increasing when you pedal. This way, there is more pedaling efficiency.

The Active Braking Pivot rear suspension design system works similar to the braking systems in modern cars. Here, the rear suspension allows more chatter, so your bike's wheels skid less.

Specialized bikes generally use the Future Shock rear suspension design. Incorporating this design into their bikes helps riders journey over rough roads with ease. This design system also allows more control and stability for riders.

The Pricing of Their Bikes

Bikes from Trek or Specialized aren't exactly cheap, especially if we're talking about mountain bikes. Even so, both manufacturers offer lower-end bikes just as they do high-end ones. The price range of bikes from Trek and Specialized are almost on par with each other. In this case, the bike model or the type of bike determines its price.

The Materials They Use

In most cases, both Trek and Specialized use the same materials with their bikes. With either brand, you'll find that they utilize premium aluminum for their lower-end bikes. Moreover, they both save carbon fiber for their higher-end bikes.

Components & Parts

This is another area where both manufacturers find common ground. They both use SRAM and Shimano components for their bikes. So if you want a fair comparison of bikes from these manufacturers, the fair way to do so is to compare bikes that are on the same price range.

Range of Mountain Bikes

Trek's range of mountain bikes covers cross-country mountain bikes, hardtail mountain bikes, aluminum mountain bikes, 27.5 m mountain bikes, carbon mountain bikes, entry-level, and beginner mountain bikes, and 29er mountain bikes.

Take the Trek Procaliber 9.6 mountain bike, for instance. It is a heavy duty mtb that allows you to experience the thrill of riding a carbon race bike that boasts IsoSpeed, all at a fairly affordable price. This bike is equipped with solid features, and it also provides you with the option to upgrade its parts easily if you want to.

Specialized's range of mountain bikes includes cross country mountain bikes, trail mountain bikes, and BMX/dirt jump mountain bikes.

The Chisel Comp is a classic example of an exemplary cross-country mountain bike from Specialized. It impresses with its superior performance and budget-friendly price tag. This bike's aluminum frame is responsive and facilitates easy handling when riding over technical courses. Getting you ahead of other riders are the bike's fast-rolling wheels. Its wheels boast high-speed control when riding on difficult terrain.

Range o f Road Bikes

Under its road bikes category, Trek houses performance, women's road bikes , aluminum, lightweight, endurance, carbon, and disc brake road bikes. These bikes typically feature IsoSpeed or Aerodynamic designs.

This Trek Domane 5 embodies everything this brand aims for with its road bikes - versatility, speed, and a smooth ride. It features a carbon frame (OCLV), which has both rear and front IsoSpeed. This detailing helps smooth out bumps on the road and does its bit to reduce fatigue on long rides. The Domane SL5 road bike from Trek is ideal for riders looking for a racing bike that is quick and able to withstand long distances.

For Specialized, their range of road bikes includes performance bikes, triathlon bikes, and gravel bikes.

A Specialized road bike that justifies this manufacturer's credibility is the Tarmac Disc Comp. It offers stiff competition with its impressive climbing responsiveness and great descending capabilities. This bike comes with hydraulic disc brakes, which boast precise shifting and good stopping power.

Features such as its cartridge hubs, which are sealed, and its reliable wheels equip this bike to confidently aid you in conquering highways, challenging terrains, and street corners. This Specialized road bike also comes with 24 spokes on its front and rear. These spokes help maintain the bike's weight and contribute to its durability.

What are the Differences and Similarities Between Trek Bikes & Specialized Bikes?

Initially, Trek was mainly associated with making top-notch cross country bikes. The company changed the game when they started manufacturing other styles of bikes. Today, Trek boasts an impressive range of bikes for all sorts of riding feats – road bikes, mountain bikes, and hybrid bikes .

Not one to be caught lacking, Specialized entices with its own versions of top-notch bikes for every type of rider. They are best known for their mountain bikes, but they also make road bikes , turbo E-bikes, active bikes, and kids' bikes. Specialized bikes are the ideal choice for you if you want precision, good quality components, strength, and aren't afraid of financially splurging on a bike.

What are the main differences between full suspension mountain bikes from Trek and Specialized?

Full suspension mountain bikes from Trek and Specialized both offer a comfortable and smooth ride on rough terrain, but there are a few key differences to consider. Trek full suspension bikes tend to be more versatile and can handle a wider range of terrain, while Specialized bikes are often designed with a specific type of rider and terrain in mind. Trek also tends to use higher-end components and materials, such as carbon fiber, in their full suspension bikes, making them generally more expensive than Specialized models.

How do Trek and Specialized compare when it comes to mountain biking performance?

Both Trek and Specialized are highly regarded for their mountain biking performance, but there are some key differences to consider. Trek bikes are known for their versatility and ability to handle a wide range of terrain, while Specialized bikes are often designed with specific types of riders and terrain in mind. Trek also tends to use higher-end components and materials, such as carbon fiber, in their mountain bikes, which can give them a performance edge. Ultimately, the best choice will depend on your specific needs and preferences as a mountain biker.

Are Trek and Specialized considered to be among the top mountain bike brands?

Yes, both Trek and Specialized are widely considered to be among the best mountain bike brands in the industry. They both have a long history of innovation and performance in the world of mountain biking, and their bikes are known for their high quality and durability. They are also both respected by professional mountain bikers and are often seen as the go-to choice for serious riders.

What are some key factors to consider when choosing between Trek and Specialized mountain bikes?

When choosing between Trek and Specialized mountain bikes, there are several key factors to consider. These include the type of terrain you will be riding on, your riding style and preferences, and your budget. It's also important to consider the components and materials used in the bikes, as well as the level of support and service offered by the manufacturer. Finally, it can be helpful to talk to other riders and visit a local bike shop to get more information and advice.

Are Trek and Specialized bikes available at local bike shops?

Yes, both Trek and Specialized bikes are widely available at local bike shops. Many bike shops carry a range of models from both brands, and can offer expert advice and support to help you choose the right bike for your needs. In addition, both Trek and Specialized have their own network of authorized dealers, where you can find a wider range of bikes and accessories, as well as specialized service and support.

How do specialized mountain bikes compare to trek bikes in terms of performance and durability on rough terrain?

Both specialized and trek bikes are known for their ability to handle tough, rocky trails, but specialized is generally considered to have an edge in downhill riding. Specialized's advanced suspension systems and use of carbon fiber in their frames give them a more agile, responsive ride on steep, technical trails. Trek, on the other hand, is known for their durability and reliability, making them a solid choice for riders who value long-lasting performance.

Are specialized and trek bikes in the same price range?

Yes, specialized and trek bikes are generally in the same price range, with entry-level models starting around $500 and high-end models reaching over $5,000. However, specialized's use of carbon fiber in their frames often makes their bikes slightly more expensive than comparable trek models.

What are the key differences between specialized and trek's electric mountain bike offerings?

Specialized and trek both offer a range of electric mountain bikes, but specialized's e-bikes are generally more performance-oriented and designed for more aggressive riders. Specialized's e-bikes feature more powerful motors and larger battery packs, allowing them to tackle steep, technical trails with ease. Trek's e-bikes, on the other hand, are more geared towards leisurely, casual rides, with smaller motors and batteries that are better suited for flat, smooth trails.

Should a new mountain biker choose a hardtail or full-suspension bike from specialized or trek?

As a new mountain biker, it's important to consider your riding style and the type of trails you'll be riding on when deciding between a hardtail or full-suspension bike. If you're planning to ride mostly on smooth, well-groomed trails, a hardtail bike from specialized or trek will provide a lightweight, efficient ride that's easy to handle. However, if you're planning to tackle more challenging, technical trails, a full-suspension bike from specialized or trek will offer more control and comfort on rough, rocky terrain.

How do specialized and trek's entry-level mountain bikes compare in terms of quality and value?

Both specialized and trek offer a range of entry-level mountain bikes that are designed to provide a high-quality, affordable option for new mountain bikers. Specialized's entry-level bikes are typically made with lightweight aluminum frames, while trek's entry-level bikes are often made with a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber. Both specialized and trek offer a wide range of components and features on their entry-level bikes, so it's important to carefully compare the specs and prices of each brand to find the best value for your needs.

The Final Verdict

Every component in Trek bikes is carefully thought out to enhance the rider's comfort and performance. Most bikes from this manufacturer feature hydraulic disc brakes and trigger shifters. They are also no stranger to Rockshocks forks and SRAM gears. Similarly, Specialized bikes put up fierce competition with equally impressive features and components.

It's okay if you aren't willing to shell out too much cash on a Specialized mountain bike because the company offers lower-end bikes that promise just the same level of high performance. Detailing such as Suntour forks, mechanical disc brakes, and Shimano components make these lesser-priced bikes just as efficient as their more expensive counterparts.

Last Updated on October 14, 2023 by Daniel White

Trek vs. Giant Bikes | The Ultimate Comparison Guide

Trek vs. Giant is a great bike rivalry that has benefited everyone who loves bikes. If you need to decide between the two, you will have to compare the components of their respective road bikes, gravel bikes, and e-bikes. Warranty and customer service also need to be discussed. Let’s do this.

When compared to each other, Trek vs. Giant bikes results in a pretty close race. Giant is generally cheaper with more high-quality components on their bikes, whereas Trek tends to be more innovative in its designs. Both brands deliver high-quality bikes in different categories.

It could be a difficult choice when you are in the bike shop, and you need to choose between a Trek or a Giant model. As I will explain in the article, Giant is generally cheaper, but if you’re looking for a high-performance bike, then Trek leads the way. Choosing one over the other is a win-win situation, as both brands are fantastic.

Trek vs. Giant: Product Range

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Giant is the world’s largest manufacturer of bicycles, and Trek is the leader, most popular, and respected bike brand in the American market. Both of these bike manufacturers offer models in most categories, price points, catering for all types of cyclists.

When comparing Trek vs. Giant bikes, it’s like comparing Chevrolet and Ford vehicles. Both are hugely respected and liked brands, with solid reputations to boot. Ask a thousand people to choose between the brands, and it may be split down the middle of a clear win for one. 

Ask another thousand people, and the results could be different. I’m trying to get across that both brands are very well supported. There are some minor differences between the brands that can help you decide whether you want a Trek or a Giant bike.

As mentioned earlier in the article, Trek is the leader in the American market. They have the broadest range of bicycle options; whether you are looking for an entry-level bike or a high-performance bike used by professionals, Trek has you covered.

Giant also boasts an impressive selection of anything bike; however, they lack behind Trek in their product range. An interesting fact about Giant is that in some cases, they can manufacture bikes designed by competitor brands, as their team has excellent bike manufacturing facilities across the world.

Trek road bike designs are flashy and cutting edge, geared towards research and development, focused on making their bikes look and feel better when on the saddle. More people tend to go for a Trek Road bike when money isn’t a problem. 

Giant road bike designs are less flashy and more geared to adding quality parts to the design than turning heads on the road. Giant tend to merge the practicality of their bikes’ with added performance by going with their general design, whereas Trek’s models seem to be more streamlined every year.

Both brands have played an instrumental role in incorporating innovative ideas in bike manufacturing, changing the way we build and ride bikes.

Trek Innovations

Here are some of the revolutionary technologies developed by Trek over the years:

• OCLV Carbon
• Alpha Aluminum
• Active Braking Pivot 
• Full Floater
• Trek IsoSpeed 

Giant Innovations

Here are some of the innovative technologies developed by our friends at Giant:

• Compact Road Design 
• OverDrive 
• Comax Composite Technology  
• Maestro Suspension
• Dfuse Technology 

Both of these manufacturers have played a massive part in the evolution of the bicycle, and long may it continue.  

Today, both brands are still at the forefront of innovative designs, revolutionary accessories, and yearly improvements on the bikes we have grown to love. Deciding who gets your money may rest on what technologies are present in the model you’re looking at. 

Trek has proved its worth regarding the production of award-winning reliable racing bikes, where Giant is all about the comfort of the ride and producing affordable quality bikes for everyone.

Trek bikes are generally more expensive than Giant. The main reason for this is that Trek bikes are manufactured in the United States, where the components cost more than in Taiwan, where the components cost less.

Giant bikes are less expensive than Trek bikes, mainly because they are manufactured in Taiwan. The island contains a closely interweaved supply chain incorporated with mature manufacturing technology. 

The parts are cheaper, allowing Giant to add extra accessories within a reasonable price frame.

Everything is closely situated, from the suppliers to the OEM companies, this results in lead times in materials, manufacturing, and design being shortened. Giant differentiates itself from competitors that, from ideation to raw materials to the finished product, is all controlled in-house (whole process.)

Giant produces bikes almost half the time it would take in the United States and brings them to the market at a much lower cost . Lower cost, in this case, does not mean lower quality, as Giant prides itself on delivering quality products to the market at the best possible price.

With any product, the more expensive ones tend to be the best manufactured, best-performing ones. These bike brands offer some more affordable bikes and some pretty expensive ones.

Trek Road Bikes have been referred to as indestructible, and if you have ever owned one, this will make perfect sense to you. They use only the strongest OCLV Carbon fiber in constructing their road bikes.

Some of Trek’s models are made from Alpha Aluminium, and through the process of Hydro Foaming, creates a frame that’s not as stiff as aluminum frames of old, giving the frame:

• Reduced Weight
• Reduced Stiffness (in critical areas that produce a harsh ride quality)

Some of their frames are tested in wind tunnels to help with optimum aerodynamics, and they love to produce a stiff, typically rugged frame compared to that of the opposition.

When engineering quality carbon, it’s crucial to minimize voids – spaces between the layers of carbon that can compromise the frame’s durability and strength. Trek’s OCLV Carbon exceeds aerospace standards; your bike frame will literally survive when launched into space!

Giant Bike Frames are made from an Advanced Grade Composite (Raw carbon), which features an excellent stiffness-to-weight ratio, that is both light and highly durable.

For some models, they employ what they call Modified Monocoque Construction , where the front triangle is molded and assembled as one piece without reducing:

• The quality of the ride
• Strength of the frame
• Stiffness of the frame

Giant also produces frames from aluminum alloy, which is light in weight yet durable. However, these frames may need regular servicing to keep them in perfect condition and avoid rusting. 

One thing to remember is that Giant started as an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), making frames for their bikes, even some bikes for their competitors like Trek were their thing.

If your main aim is to enjoy the act of cycling, then a cheaper aluminum frame could work for you. If you aim to be super-competitive and train to win, you should spend your money on a carbon fiber frame.

Trek is a master when it comes to suspensions . Trek fits their models with the following suspension systems, each one playing a significant part in one of the essential areas of any bike, the suspension:

• Full Floater – This allows for an extraordinarily responsive and nimble suspension that gives you the feeling of bottomless travel.
• IsoSpeed – This road bike suspension system decouples the seat tube from the top tube, decreasing driver fatigue.
• RE:aktiv – This suspension system adapts to the terrain with affective dampening and low shaft velocity. 

Giant’s suspension systems are also top-notch and are of high-technological quality:

• Maestro Full Suspension – This suspension system is used on their mountain bikes; it utilizes four tactically placed pivot points connected to two linkages, creating a single floating point that minimizes suspension compression. 
• Flexpoint Suspension – A suspension system that offers the same benefits as a multi-link system without the added cost/need for regular maintenance.

In some of their higher-priced models, both Trek and Giant use SRAM RED eTap AXS Groupset, expect Shimano kits on the mid-range models. Trek uses higher gear ratios in their bikes, whereas Giant prefers to go with lower gear ratios in similar models.

Trek revolutionized the biking industry by releasing their patented  Active Braking Pivot or ABP system. Manufacturers struggled for years with breaks and the suspension system, as braking would lock up the suspension.

That was until Trek unleashed the ABP, which allowed the suspension system to function at its best while braking, resulting in:

• Less Unintentional Skidding
• Less Chatter
• Driver Confidence (On or off the brakes)

Trek and Giant Road bikes use hydraulic disc brakes on their road bikes , although you might find rim brakes on some older or specific models. Hydraulic disc brakes are a way more effective braking system and hardly get damaged when put to the test.

Both have a wide range of brakes that they use on different types of bikes, but it’s usually hydraulic for road bikes, which is considered the most efficient braking system available. 

If you are into competitive racing, you probably have a hero that you follow religiously. When looking at some pro-cycling wins for each of the respective brands, it looks like Trek nails it with regards to producing high-performance bikes in the pro-cycling circuit!

Trek vs. Giant Bikes: Road Bike 

When comparing two brands, it’s best to compare their top-of-the-range models with each other. Have you heard the saying that goes that you are only as good as your last bike?

When you compare Trek’s Émonda SLR 9 eTap vs. Giant’s Propel Advanced Pro Disc 1, the slight differences are usually found in the different technologies used by the specific manufacturer, a different part here or there, both bikes are of high-quality and worth the price.

Trek’s Émonda SLR 9 eTap won the Best Road Bike of The Year award, which comes as no surprise to Trek lovers.

Trek bikes are ideal for the serious, heavy-duty racer and heavier than the average rider. Trek is known for its superior rear suspension, making mincemeat any terrain without feeling bumps or ruts. 

When used in urban areas, giant road bikes are typically more geared for the average rider. Giant likes to give the user a very comfortable ride compared to a Trek bike where performance is everything, and people sometimes refer to Giant bikes as “souped-up” tourist bikes.

That being said, Giant is no slouch when it comes to producing high-end road bikes. They have been doing it for many years, maybe just not as regularly as Trek does.

Some manufacturers design e-bikes that use a twist throttle to engage the electronic drive system, where you are not required to pedal for the motor to engage, but not Trek or Giant. They only produce pedal-assist e-bikes that deliver power according to driver input.

You will notice that Trek has a wider variety of e-bikes models under each respective category, compared to Giant, servicing a larger consumer base:

• Verve+  
• Allant+ 
• Vale Go!  
• Powerfly Electric Mountain Bikes 
• Powerfly Equipped Electric Mountain Bikes 
• E-Caliber 
• Domane+ HP 
• Domane+ ALR
• Townie Go!  
• Townie Path Go!
• Attitude Go!

Giant’s e-bike range is also one of great variety, matching client expectations regarding options. The difference is the number of models under each category of e-bike (:

• FastRoad E+ EX (2022)
• Revolt E+ (2022) 
• Roam E+ 
• Trance X Advanced E+ 
• FastRoad E+ EX Pro
• Talon E+ 29 3 
• Trance X E+ Pro 29
• Revolt E+ Pro 28mph
• Stance E+ 
• Explore E+ 

There is little that separates both brands regarding their respective e-bike line of models . Your decision may rest on the price and functionality of the bike also what technology is used in the design.

Giant recently released a model – Reign E+ 0 (2022) that features a 750Wh battery – whereas, until last year, the most powerful battery used was 650Wh by both Trek and Giant.

They both produce bikes in the following categories:

The guys at Bicycling.com and Outsideline.com   concluded that Trek’s E-Caliber 9.9 XTR won the e-mountain bike of the year award in 2021. Another feather in Trek’s hat, a full hat, I might add.

Gravel bikes are designed to perform on gravel paths and tarmac, a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure bike. 

Trek again has a broader range of models for gravel bikes, and their new model Checkpoint SLR 9 eTap has taken the gravel bike scene by storm. 

Giant’s Revolt Advanced Pro (2022) is a cheaper option, with less technology involved, but still a fantastic ride. 

When you can’t afford the top-of-the-range models, you will always find a model from either company that gives you value for money . Finding the right bike for you is all about personal riding preference, your budget, and what you expect to get out of the bike.

Giant VS Trek Mountain Bikes

Both are major mountain bike brands and leaders in the industry, for the right price you get an awesome bike. Some Trek MTB frames are in fact from Giant! Both make great bikes and crappy bikes depending on the price range, anything over $800 is often far superior to a $600-$700 bike.

If you’re a very fast rider or rather heavy don’t get a Giant. Giant’s MTB  suspension have long and flexible lower link which is less comfortable at high speeds and heavy riders might consider it a bit too flexible. Your weight might compress the suspension too much wasting energy and performance.

Only just a couple of years ago Trek had better geometry and suspension design but nowadays there’s hardly any noticeable difference. The most important part is the frame, both offer great frames but with a few small differences . Most of the components come from Shimano or SRAM.

Giant offers the best bang for your buck, they recently even cut prices where Trek did the opposite. From a value proposition, Trek is less attractive , with the recent difference in prices, this is where Giant stands out. Unless you’re able to get a discount on a Trek,  budget-wise Giant is the better choice.

Giant is the largest manufacturer in the world and makes bikes for every brand, their frames are top quality and even Trek sometimes has Giant frames (check the photos from the Giant bike factory in Taiwan). 

Other people report that they find Giant’s frames not stiff enough, but it depends on what you like best and it’s less relevant when it comes to mountain biking. If you’re not the racing type or break bikes occasionally, get a Giant.

Others find Giant’s frame angles less progressive compared to Trek .  When it comes to hydraforming (a process using fluid and high pressure to shape the tube), Trek is doing trickier stuff to gain strength and stiffness.

Most of the time Trek does a better job optimizing frames when it comes to the strength-to-weight . In doubt and if you feel they are equal, check which of them offers the best warranty.

Both perform excellent depending on the bike and your personal preference or body type. Heavyweights and racers will often be better off with a Trek because of the differences in suspension.

Trek is often considered like a plow bike and Giant is more playful , this also depends on how you set up your bike. The more you pay the better the performance and this goes for every reputable brand.

A $500 mountain bike performs a lot worse compared to a higher-end $1500 bike. You get what you pay for and sometimes saving a little bit more is really worth it if you’re looking at a lower range bike. I’d stay away from the cheaper models if you can unless you only plan to use it on roads and pavements.

Here’s a big difference, you often get better quality components when you buy a Giant MTB considering you’re comparing bikes at the same price range. Like mentioned before, Giant can get their parts cheaper because they own many of the factories and buy in bulk.

The components often don’t have anything to do with the brands, they buy them from other manufacturers but the price makes a difference.

Both make great designs and this is really a personal preference. It’s all in the eye of the beholder but often people like Trek designs better . This also might have to do with the brand’s status. Giant is less shiny/flashy, like the Toyota of mountain bikes. They’re reliable, more affordable but not the sexiest.

Giant’s focus is on the quality of the parts and Trek is more into research and development trying to innovate and make better bikes. Suspension layout, for example, is a bit different on Trek bikes.

Trek vs. Giant: Warranty And Customer Service

A warranty is a manufacturer’s guarantee that the product you buy from them is of good quality and doesn’t contain manufacturing defects from their side. 

It gives the consumer (you) the legal right to ask for help from the manufacturer, should any problems arise with their product, according to their terms and conditions.

Both Trek and Giant offer lifetime warranties on their frames and forks, with Trek offering a two-year warranty on:

• Parts 
• Accessories
• Rear Suspension Linkage Components – Rocker link, bearings, accompanying hardware, and components
• Bontrager wheels (with alloy rims)

Trek allows ownership to change from the original owner to a buyer, offering the new owner a warranty on frames and forks. Trek’s Carbon Care Warranty allows customers to get a discount on frame repairs for non-warranty damages.  

Giant’s warranty is for one year on the following and only applies to the original owner of the bike:

• All original components and the paint finish, all Giant repair parts, accessories, and replacement parts are warranted to be free from defects in workmanship and material for one year from the original date of purchase.
• Normal wear and tear
• Improper maintenance
• Improper assembly
• Installation of any components, accessories, and parts not originally intended for or compatible with the bicycle when sold
• Damage or failure due to misuse, accident, abuse, or neglect
• Labor charges for the replacement of parts or changeover
• Non-proprietary products – any other original component or part – covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty

Any modification of the bike’s frame, fork, or any of the components will void the warranty in its entirety. The warranty will be valid from the purchase date and is expressly limited to the replacement or repair of defective items at the manufacturer’s discretion. 

All bikes must be registered when bought by the manufacturers to place the bike under warranty. Spending lots of cash on a bike and not registering it for a warranty is negligent. Please remember to register your new bike immediately.

Both manufacturers offer excellent customer service, as you would expect from industry leaders, such as themselves:

• Customer Service | Trek Bikes  
• Customer Support Contact | Giant Bicycles US

Having the most retail outlets and service centers, Trek might edge Giant in this department regarding faster service delivery.

If you are stuck with a set budget, then Giant may be the bike for you. If your finances allow for it, and you like flashy things, then Trek is the easier choice. High-performance road bikes are Trek’s domain at the moment. A Giant will do just fine for the average rider looking for a comfortable, more playful ride. 

When it comes to Trek vs. Giant, one will always bring out a better model than the other, placing the ball in the other’s court. The thing is that the rival always responds with innovation and upgrades, which is why the bicycling industry is in such a healthy state. 

It all comes down to personal preference, and the whole world can tell you what’s best, but until you get on the saddle of the bike, it’s all just noise. Try both brands at least once, and make your choice from personal experience.

I always had a thing for cycling sports and love almost anything that involves bikes and boards. I work part-time as a designer in the tech industry and work on my blogs whenever I can.

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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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electric bike reviews, buying advice and news - ebiketips

Head into 2023 with cube – a guide to the brand’s best new e-bikes.

We pick out our favourite new e-bikes – as well as non-assisted road, cross, gravel, commuter and mountains bikes – from CUBE’s 2023 range

• This article includes paid promotion on behalf of Cube
• Read more about sponsored content

The weather isn’t exactly perfect for riding at the moment, which means we find ourselves spending a little more time indoors, dreaming about adventures later in the year – and especially dreaming about new bikes on which we might ride them. That situation has only become even more of a problem recently, with the news that CUBE has released its 2023 range, and there’s no shortage of fantasy material there.

One of the great strengths of CUBE’s catalogue is its frankly mind-blowing array of choices, especially when it comes to e-bikes. Whether you’re looking for a new assisted mountain bike, leisure bike, commuter or even something a bit more specialist, there is a plethora of CUBE options for you. That’s great for untrammelled dreaming, but it also makes choosing one bike a little tricky – they’re all corkers.

So we’ve done a bit of the hard work for you and picked out some of the highlights from CUBE’s bike releases for 2023. Is your next bike to be found below? You won’t be disappointed if it is. 

Leisure e-bikes

Our pick of 2023 – CUBE Touring Hybrid Pro 625 £2,999  

CUBE’s range is fantastic for offering women’s bikes, and kids’ bikes, and bikes for almost any discipline or purpose you can think of. But, as a brand, CUBE is REALLY great at offering a huge selection of e-bikes (or ‘hybrid’ bikes as it calls them). So let’s start with what is, in theory, a fairly ‘standard’ e-bike – but don’t let appearances deceive you. With its Bosch Performance motor with Bosch Smart System and PowerTube battery all neatly integrated into the frame design, an integrated rear carrier, and a seat clamp that even has a hidden tool in its lever, this is a very advanced do-it-all pedal-assist machine.

Hardtail mountain e-bikes

Our pick of 2023 – CUBE Reaction Hybrid Performance 625 £2,699

CUBE’s assortment of off-road-specific e-bikes is a true smorgasbord of pedal-assisted goodness that ranges from fairly reserved hardtails all the way up to wild full-sussers. We’ll start at the more restrained end with Reaction Hybrid Performance 625, which comes with everything a sensible e-bike should have, such as its Bosch Smart System and power unit. However, to say this bike has hidden depths is an understatement: it’s refined enough to be a weekend pleasure cycle; easy-to-live-with enough to be a daily commuter; and powerful enough to be a beast on the trails. 

Full-suspension mountain e-bikes

Our pick of 2023 – CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC SLT 750 £8,499

Did somebody say ‘wild full-sussers’? You don’t get a much more extreme machine with pedals than CUBE’s Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC. This enduro-capable bike features a carbon main frame that has been purposely designed to house its Modular Battery System – including a battery up to 750Wh – to power a fourth-generation Bosch drive unit. And that electric-assist system doesn’t hamper trail fun; CUBE has purposely designed the Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC with race-inspired geometry, a Boost 148 rear end and a 1.5in head tube for pinpoint on-trail control. Truly awesome!

Specialist options

Our pick of 2023 – CUBE Cargo Dual Hybrid 1000 £6,299

Finally for e-bikes, what about a model where the extra assistance from the battery and motor comes in especially handy? The CUBE Cargo Dual Hybrid is the ultimate in utilitarian cycling with a truly massive load bay that will accept up to 220kg of goods, or even a couple of young passengers. With all that extra weight, you’ll be especially thankful for the cargo-specific Bosch drive unit.

Non-assisted bikes

Our pick of 2023 – CUBE Litening Aero C:68X SLT £8,499

If you want the ultimate in uncompromised road race performance, the Litening Aero C:68X SLT should be your first port of call. The awesome lightweight carbon frame has been designed with extensive use of Computer Fluid Dynamics and real-world wind tunnel testing to provide a staggering 30% reduction in drag. That means it’s naturally very fast. But it’s also entirely UCI-compliant, so you can race it with complete confidence that you’re following the rules. 

Cross bikes

Our pick of 2023 – CUBE Cross Race C:62 SLX Teamline £3,399

If the competitive juices are flowing, here’s an option for you: cyclo-cross. CUBE’s Cross Race C62 SLX Teamline is a perfect option for any experienced cross racers who want to take their performances to new levels in 2023. It features a selection of top-end design innovations – such as its semi-integrated seat clamp and cable routing – all wrapped up in CUBE’s proven, lightweight C:62 carbon frame. For seriously competitive drop-bar mud-plugging, it’s the perfect option. 

Gravel bikes 

Our pick of 2023 – CUBE Nuroad WS C:62 Pro £2,099

As we mentioned, one of the CUBE range’s great strengths is its wide selection of women-specific models – whatever kind of riding you want to do, there is an easily-found and specifically-designed female-friendly option available. In fact, whatever kind of riding you want to do, you can probably do it on just this fantastic carbon-framed gravel bike. The Nuroad WS C:62 Pro’s comprehensive design and spec sheet will allow you to take to road, gravel, mud, trails, leisure riding, challenge riding, competition, and – thanks to its rack mounts – even a spot of touring.

Mountain bikes

Our pick of 2023 – CUBE Reaction Pro £1,499

CUBE has a well-deserved reputation for delivering outstanding value for money, and the Reaction range of do-anything hardtail mountain bikes is the perfect showcase. This Pro model features a super-refined aluminium frame with internal cable routing and tapered headtube for handling. The quality continues onto the spec sheet – with a RockShox Judy Silver fork, Shimano XT hydraulic disc brakes and matching XT rear derailleur, this is one finely appointed and ultra-capable machine. 

Kids mountain bikes

Our pick of 2023 – CUBE Elite 240 C:62 SLX £2,399

CUBE doesn’t only excel with adults’ bikes – its range of options for smaller cyclists is possibly the most impressive offering from any global bike manufacturer. The new CUBE Elite 240 C:62 SLX is a perfect case in point, featuring the same quality of carbon frame as CUBE’s full-size alternatives but scaled down superbly to fit younger riders. There really is no shortage of advanced design elements: tapered head tube, full carbon fork, internal cable routing and 12mm thru axles front and rear are all present and correct. Add in SRAM GX gearing and Magura MT8 Pro hydraulic disc brakes, and you’ve got an incredible bike. 

Commuting bikes 

Our pick of 2023 – CUBE Nulane Race FE £1,599

You’d be forgiven for thinking the CUBE Nulane Race FE is something of a contradiction. For example, it sits within the brand’s ‘gravel’ section, yet it has a flat handlebar. And it’s called the ‘Race’ model, yet – with its integrated rear rack, mudguards and lighting system – you’re unlikely to see it on any starting line any time soon. Actually, though, the naming convention isn’t that far wrong. Yes, it’s not built for true racing. But its lightweight aluminium frame, full carbon fork, thru axles and disc brakes means it’s built for a particularly speedy and rewarding commute.

To see CUBE’s full range, visit  https://www.cube.eu/uk-en/ .

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Best gravel bikes 2024: our pick of the top models

The best gravel bikes to suit all styles, terrain and budgets from bikepacking to gravel racing

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The Quick List

• 1. Best for adventure
• 2. Best for versatility
• 3. Best value
• PERFORMANCE
• 1. Best overall
• 2. Best for bikepacking
• 3. Best for racing

Gravel bikes: all you need to know

Gravel bike and adventure bike components, how we test.

Best Gravel Bikes 2023: Jump Menu

The list in brief ↴

Best value 1. Best for adventure 2. Best for versatility 3. Best value

High-performance 1. Best overall 2. Best for bikepacking 3. Best for racing

Advice How to choose a bike Gravel bike components How we test

What is the best gravel bike? This deceptively simple question is almost impossible to answer as the gravel bike genre now covers so many different facets and sub-genres that what is best for you and your riding might be totally unsuitable for the next rider. We rode lots of bikes in our gravel bike of the year test, and some of them feature again here, including the overall winner, the Giant Revolt Advanced Pro.

In this article, we have bikes that are out-and-out gravel racers along with bikes that will make perfect bikepacking companions, all tempered with some more all-round options. There are premium bikes that cost more than $10,000 / £10,000 and some of the best budget gravel bikes too, so there should be something of interest for everyone.

What to look for in a good gravel bike is covered towards the bottom of the article with advice about fit, frame material and other features to look out for. 

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Best for adventure

The plethora of luggage mounts and the relaxed geometry found on the Specialized Diverge E5 will appeal to long-distance gravel riders. The Future Shock front end adds further comfort and provides effective isolation from trail chatter although some might find the ride a little too upright.

Read more here

Most versatile

The racy-looking Vitus Venon Evo-GR proved itself to be a rapid and enjoyable bike to ride. It's very light despite the aero wheels and would make a fine road bike too, but it does lack many of the mounts and bosses typically found on off-road machines.

Most for your money

Available with either 700c or 650b wheels, the Ribble Gravel AL Sport makes an excellent bike for tougher trails. The slack head tube angle coupled with long, low geometry gives it plenty of stability and capability off-road whilst the relatively basic GRX 400 groupset performed very well.

High-performance

Best overall

Gravel Bike of the Year 2023, the Revolt has proved itself a highly capable choice. A flexy seat post and comfortable carbon frame ensure plenty of vibration damping and the 2-position rear dropout allows for the geometry to be fine-tuned to suit terrain or rider. 

Best for bikepacking

Well specced for multi-day epics, the Checkpoint SL7 features plenty of luggage mounts and even has a space in the frame for spares. Trek's IsoSpeed decoupler allows the seat tube to flex for extra comfort on big days off-road and the long wheelbase ensures predictable handling.

Best for racing

The Kaius from BMC is unashamedly racy, with an aero frame and low riding position. Mounting points are limited, but there is clearance for 44mm tires and the short wheelbase keeps the handling suitably quick and engaging.

Best value gravel bikes 2023: Our picks

The Diverge is a do-it-all machine that can handle on and off road adventures

1. Specialized Diverge Comp E5

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

If your riding leans towards the more adventurous end of the spectrum, exploring new trails, all-day epics and occasional multi-day bikepacking trips, then the Specialized Diverge Comp E5 is well suited to you.

It comes with a relaxed geometry and a high front end for a more comfortable riding position - with the caveat that we found it a little more difficult to weight the front tire sufficiently when really pinning the corners. 

There's a full complement of mounts, with pairs under the down tube and on top of the top tube, as well as triple bosses on the fork legs. Full fenders and a pannier rack are also catered for if you prefer a more traditional luggage-carrying and splash-defending setup.

However, the most significant feature of the Diverge Comp E5 is the Future Shock 1.5, which is usually only found on carbon models. This does a good job of damping out some of the trail chatter and high-frequency bumps, but we found that it's not sufficient to replace front suspension, if you were considering this as an alternative.

Read more: Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon full review

The Vitus Venon Evo Force AXS is light and versatile

2. Vitus Venon Evo-GR Force AXS

The Vitus Venon Evo combines a fast gravel bike and an endurance road bike in one all-road package, with Vitus selling GR specs geared towards gravel and RS specs for road use. We found the riding position is a good compromise between upright and aggressive.

This Force AXS XPLR 1x build is gravelly, with 40mm wide Michelin Power Gravel tires mounted on Prime Primavera 44 carbon wheels and clearance for 45mm if wanted. Even so, the bike weighed just 7.9kg, making for lively progress even on trickier off-road terrain. Swap in 28mm tires and you're good for endurance road rides too.

You do miss out on some of the mounting points typically found on the best gravel bikes, although no more so than on many gravel race bikes, and the aero front end and fast ride certainly make the Vitus Venon Evo a good option for competitive riding.

Read more: Vitus Venon Evo-GR Force AXS full review

Ribble's Gravel AL Sport comes equipped with a reliable Shimano GRX drivechain

3. Ribble Gravel AL Sport

The Ribble Gravel AL Sport has 47mm tires on 650b wheels, although you can also spec 700c wheels. The 650b option makes it a highly capable go-anywhere option that doesn't break the bank. 

The alloy frame is long and low, with a slack headtube. longish reach and short stem. There are loads of mounting points, although oddly not those needed for a rack. The 2x10-speed Shimano GRX 400 build is the bottom of the range, but still offers excellent performance and ratios down to 30x34t to tackle the rough stuff. 

Although not light, we discovered that the bike still felt quick and that it coped well with both degraded tarmac and rough tracks, although the grip tended to wane when we ventured on to muddier passages. 

Read more: Ribble Gravel AL Sport full review

Best performance gravel bikes 2023: Our picks

Best overall gravel bike.

Giant Revolt won the Gravel Bike of the Year award 2023

1. Giant Revolt

The Giant Revolt won our Gravel Bike of the Year title in 2023. It's a gravel bike that covers the broad spectrum of gravel riding really well. Its saddle comfort is augmented by a D-shaped seatpost with a claimed 12mm of flex, but it fits in a standard 30.9mm round seat tube, so you can fit a dropper if you ride more technical terrain.

The rear dropouts feature two-position adjustable geometry, which lets you choose between a more agile ride for racing or wider clearance with increased stability. You also have mounting points for bikepacking kit, including on the fork legs. 

The frame soaks up bumps well too, both front and rear, although we'd have preferred a shorter head tube for more versatility in the bike's set-up.

We were impressed with the value offered as well, with the spec tested including Shimano GRX RX815 Di2 electronic shifting and Giant carbon wheels.

Read more: Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0 gravel bike full review

Trek's Checkpoint SL7 is ideal for long rides and bikepacking

2. Trek Checkpoint SL7

The Checkpoint majors on mounts, including on the fork legs, as well as storage in Trek's down tube cubbyhole for tools and a tube. The frame allows you to fit 2.1" 650bs and the IsoSpeed seat tube decoupler provides added comfort when in the saddle.

We thought that the Checkpoint's long wheelbase and high fork trail provided great stability for longer rides, without going overboard. It's still quick enough though, despite its carrying capacity, and remained good to ride whether fully laden for bikepacking or stripped down for a shorter blast.

Our long-term test concluded that the Checkpoint is best suited for crushing long-distance rides with its reassuring handling, comfy ride characteristics and considered componentry.

Read more: Trek Checkpoint SL 7 gravel bike full review

Best for gravel racing

BMC Kaius 01 gravel is perfect for racing

3. BMC Kaius

At the other end of the gravel spectrum from the Trek Checkpoint, the BMC Kaius is an out-and-out gravel race bike, with a low ride position and aero frame that borrows from the BMC Teammachine road race bike. 

The ride feels similar to BMC's road bikes as well and you get a pared-down road bike-style set of mounting points that doesn't even include fender / mudguard bosses. There is room for 44mm tires though, which might help mitigate the lack of comfort in the stiff, race-tuned frame.

When we tested it we enjoyed the novel combination of a short wheelbase and low bottom bracket, which gave the bike snappy, precise handling and prodigious speed.

This lower-spec model is more affordable than the top level of the BMC Kaius, but is still more expensive than the highest spec available for the Giant Revolt though.

Read our review of the BMC Kaius in our Gravel Bike of the Year coverage.

The Scott Addict 10 Gravel bike offers good value and great performance

4. Scott Addict Gravel 10

The Addict Gravel is designed for speed rather than off-road load-lugging, but still with a longer wheelbase and higher stack than other gravel race bikes like the BMC Kaius. This results in a well-balanced ride that's as good for fast, technical riding as it is for multi-day bikepacking, despite the absence of fork leg mounts.

We loved Scott's paint job on the Addict Gravel and the bike is good value, with the lower spec SRAM Rival AXS-equipped bike as reasonably priced as bikes from brands that are normally more value-oriented than Scott.

Read our review of the Scott Addict Gravel 10 in our Gravel Bike of the Year coverage.

The Topstone features Cannondale's Kingpin suspension system

5. Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3

The Cannondale Topstone Carbon has a geometry that, on paper, looks aggressive, but is more forgiving than you'd expect. It also includes Cannondale's now-simplified and lower-weight Kingpin rear suspension. This provides 30mm of travel from a pivotless design which improves rear-end traction over rougher ground, although it doesn't aid front-end comfort. For that, you'll need the  Topstone Carbon Lefty  with its suspension fork. 

There's the option to spec Cannondale's Smart Sense lighting system, with its rearview radar. Cannondale's prices are competitive too, despite the high-tech frame features.

Our test of the Topstone 3 concluded that it is “a sublime blend of exuberance, speed and comfort” that gives a poised and playful ride, but it is also perfectly at home carrying overnight gear on multi-day epics thanks to multiple mounting points.

Read more: Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3 full review 

The Crux is lightweight, stripped back and ready to race

6. Specialized Crux Pro

More reasonably priced than the S-Works Crux , the Crux Pro is still very light and has the same responsive geometry as the top-spec bike. That results in lightning-fast acceleration, although the 38mm tires result in a jittery ride over rougher surfaces.

You could plump things up to 2.1" 650b rubber though, which should help add a touch more comfort and extra traction whilst the round seatpost allows you to fit a dropper or suspension seatpost.

We reckon that the Crux fits the bill for riders who want agile performance on gravel, but with the ability to put down the power for outright speed. 

Read more : Specialized Crux Pro full review

What are gravel bikes?

Gravel bikes are drop-bar bikes that allow you to veer off paved roads and onto more exciting terrain.

From racing to bikepacking, there'll be a best gravel bike for you, built ready to cope with the demands of tricky terrain and longer, multi-day off-road rides.  

As with all bikes, it's vital that you get the best bike to fit you, and it doesn't need to be gender specified. But if you are after a women's specific model, which often includes smaller sizes and different touchpoints like a wider saddle and narrower bars, you might want to check out our best women's gravel bikes for off-road adventures page. 

If you're juggling a tighter budget, but still want the best, our page dedicated to the best budget gravel bikes: gravel bikes under £1,000/$1500 is ideal for getting the best value for money adventures on two wheels. 

Born with the spirit of adventure, the best gravel bikes sit somewhere between the best endurance and sportive bikes and the best cyclocross bikes , with a blend of the best hardtail mountain bikes thrown in. They're nimble on paved sections of road compared to fat-tired MTB steeds, but more confidence-inspiring when it comes to tackling rough surfaces when compared to their slick-tired road-going siblings. 

These bikes are ideal for mixed-terrain adventures; gravel paths, broken tarmac, fire roads, and of course unpaved dirt tracks. Taking cues from their cyclocross cousins and MTB siblings, don't let the drop bars fool you, these bikes can tackle some pretty technical terrain, including flowy mountain bike trails.

This crossover discipline can add a slight confusion in the cycling gear department too, i.e. to Lycra or not to Lycra. Thankfully our guide on the best gravel bike clothing: cycling kit for your gravel ride should sort out any kit quandries.  

The best gravel bikes will come with wide tires, with room for extra mud clearance, and disc brakes as standard. Expect anything up to 47c or more on either 700c or 650b wheels.

Mounts for pannier racks and extra storage will often feature on the best gravel bikes, as will the option for fitting fender / mudguards. In fact, that's probably the biggest difference between gravel and cyclocross bikes, along with bottle cage mounts.

Are gravel bikes any good on the road?

Compared to road bikes, you'll also find wider and lower gear ratios on the best gravel bikes, which will help you ride over loose or hilly terrain especially when carrying bikepacking bags if you're gearing up for multi-day expeditions.

In general, the best gravel bikes will also have a lower bottom bracket than a cyclocross bike, helping to provide enhanced stability on rocky, rooty and rough terrain.  For more details on exactly what the differences are, you might find our gravel vs cyclocross bikes: what is the difference page really helpful. 

For those wanting to head off the beaten track, but worried about keeping up, you might want to consider an electric version. Electric gravel bikes give you all-terrain capability and confidence-inspiring stability, but with some additional assistance.

Why are gravel and adventure bikes so popular?

If you’ve ever gone out on a ride on your best road bike and noticed unpaved roads, fire trails or alluring singletrack as you passed, wondering where they lead but hesitating to head off the tarmac, then a gravel bike or adventure road bike may be for you.

These bikes aim to meld on-road efficiency with off-road capability, so you'll find overlaps in design features with both road and cyclocross bikes, as well as incorporating elements from mountain bike technology. When you're shopping for your first gravel bike , as standard you should expect disc brakes and clearance for wider tires.

Whereas cyclocross bikes are designed with short, muddy races in mind, gravel and adventure bikes take longer unpaved rides into account. You'll still find race-orientated builds in the gravel category for gravel racing, alongside adventure bikes that feature additional clearance and mounts to accommodate luggage and often even wider tires for more remote journeys.

Does the frame and fork material matter on a gravel bike?

As with road bikes, gravel bikes can be made from carbon, aluminum, titanium or steel.

Carbon and aluminum are the two most commonly used frame materials, and all the bikes in this guide are made from one or other of these two options. Carbon tends to be more expensive and lighter whilst aluminum frames are heavier but cheaper. This means that for a similar price, you can expect better components on an aluminum-framed bike than on one with a carbon frame so you might have to decide where your priorities lie when choosing between the two.

The big advantage of using carbon as a frame material is that it can be added exactly where it is needed for strength and stiffness or removed where it is not needed to lower weight and fine-tune compliance. 

Titanium gravel bikes are less widely available, with aficionados often describing the ride quality as being more ‘lively’ than carbon or aluminum whilst also offering low weight and high strength among its qualities.

High-end steel frames offer an almost titanium-like ride, albeit with a bit of a weight penalty whilst at the lower end some manufacturers offer steel bikes as a potentially more durable and repairable option to aluminum.

Regardless of frame material, most gravel bikes have carbon forks as the carbon layup can be tuned to provide some degree of protection against trail vibrations which is important at the front end of an off-road bike.

How does gravel bike geometry differ from road bikes?

Stability and handling are key when it comes to riding off-road. Expect to see a lengthened wheelbase, slack headtube angle and lower bottom bracket compared to road bikes, all of which aid with technical terrain and steeper descents.

The rider position is typically more upright than on road bikes, both for comfort over long rides and to allow the rider to move their weight around more easily when negotiating off-road obstacles.

12mm thru-axle and hydraulic discs on a gravel bike

Do gravel bikes have other specialized features?

Thru-axles and disc brakes have quickly become standard on gravel (and many road) bikes, technologies borrowed from mountain biking. You can also find front and rear suspension, although these aren't commonplace yet.

The norm is 12mm thru-axles, which make for easier disc brake alignment and rigidity. Rear-axle spacing for disc brake wheels is typically 142mm (thru-axle), or occasionally 148mm Boost spacing for stronger wheelsets.

More adventure or utility-centric frames will come with mounts for racks and fenders so that the bike can be used as a sturdy commuter or year-round road bike. At the most extreme end of the adventure bike market, fork leg mounts and extra frame mounts are becoming increasingly common for even more luggage carrying options.

There is a wide range of specialist gravel bike components which add extra features for gravel rides that are different from those you'd find on road bikes. Below are a few things to consider when looking for the best gravel bike for your needs.

What are the best tires for gravel and adventure bikes?

You can find adventure road and gravel bikes shod with tires of pretty much any width between a 28c and 47c, plus tires measured in inches on 650b wheel builds! 

The best gravel bike tires can dramatically improve your ride. There's a real range of tread patterns available, which can add extra grip for muddy conditions or lower rolling resistance if you're mixing in more tarmac and cater for everything in between.

We think changing your tires is one of the best gravel bike upgrades you can make. Going tubeless is also a great option to improve comfort and reliability.

In the UK, you're likely to come across patches of wet mud or loose dirt year-round, so a more aggressive tread can be useful in those situations to help you maintain grip, albeit at the expense of on-road speed. 

But in the US, gravel roads can range from well-graded packed dirt that almost resembles tarmac, to the crushed and graded limestone you find in the Flint Hills of Kansas. 

Finding the right tires for your riding terrain may take some experimentation, and don't be afraid to try something with more or less tread than you're used to. You might also want to change your tires between summer and winter to get the best width and tread pattern for the conditions.

Most gravel and adventure bikes are specced with tubeless or tubeless-ready tires and rims, ready for conversion to a tubeless set-up . Rather than having to replace an inner tube every time you flat, the sealant in the system will (in theory) plug any punctures from sharp objects like thorns, which is a real advantage when it comes to riding off-road. 

You may need to re-inflate the tire a little if you have a puncture. Tubeless tire plugs can get you riding quickly, but make sure you're equipped with a spare tube and full tubeless repair kit for more serious tire damage.

What are the best gearing options for gravel and adventure bikes?

Adventure road bikes and gravel bikes are designed to be ridden on the road as well as off, so you'll typically find a wide gear range to allow both efficiency and speed on the road, as well as enough gears to cope with loose and steep terrain off-road. 

The choice between a double or single chainring up front is usually down to rider preference. A 1x (one-by) set-up gives ultimate simplicity and can allow for greater tire clearance, but sometimes at the cost of wider jumps between ratios, although the latest 12 and 13-speed groupsets go some way to avoiding this. 

Double chainrings offer more options for riders who prefer to spend more time on smoother terrain or on the road and may give you a greater overall range with smaller jumps between ratios.

A 1X drivetrain keeps it simple and can allow for greater rear tire clearance

Gravel bikes often feature a drivetrain that goes below 1:1 for off-road climbing and load carrying. That might be via a 1x set-up like SRAM XPLR with a cassette that goes to 42 teeth or greater or a two-ring supercompact chainset with 48/32 or 46/30 chainrings paired with an 11-32 or 11-34 cassette. You'll even find "mullet builds" that mix a road chainset with an MTB cassette and rear derailleur for ultra-low gearing, as low as 38x52t.

Read our guide to gravel bike gearing for more.

What pedals are best suited to gravel and adventure bikes?

Pedal choice is a matter of personal taste and will be dependent on your riding style, but check out our guide to the best gravel bike pedals for advice. If you ride predominantly on roads and well-maintained paths where you rarely need to put a foot down, then road cycling shoes , clipless pedals and cleats may be a good choice.

On the other hand, more demanding off-road riding may mean that you need to dismount and walk with the bike or put a foot down for stability. In this case, gravel bike shoes and two-sided gravel bike pedals with grippy treaded soles and recessed cleats derived from mountain bike systems may be a better choice for their ease of walking and easier foot engagement with the pedal. 

Mountain bike style pedals make walking, mounting and dismounting easier

What components should I expect to find on the best gravel bikes?

Adventure and gravel bikes use disc brakes for their better modulation and more consistent stopping in dry, wet and muddy conditions. This also has a really positive impact on wheel rim longevity compared to rim brakes for off-road riding.

On higher-value models, the brakes will be hydraulic, while budget bikes typically have mechanical callipers. With Shimano's GRX and SRAM's gravel-specific groupsets available with hydraulic discs only, this tends to be the preference. You'll occasionally find mechanical disc brakes on adventure bike builds, where long-distance riders find them easier to maintain and repair in more remote situations.

Different types of handlebars are also worth considering on adventure bikes. Again, we've got a guide to the best gravel bike handlebars for more info.

Flared bars are generally accepted as a good upgrade to give greater stability in the wider drops for rough terrain and descending off-road. The wider the flare, the easier it is to fit a handlebar bag on the front of the bike and still be able to fit your hands on the drops and brakes at the same time. Raised bars such as the Specialized Hover Bar also help to give more clearance over the front wheel for smaller riders, as well as providing a more upright riding position.

With a lack of innovation-quashing UCI rules in the gravel sector, more ambitious designs are being tested, like the radical double-decker bar on the Canyon Grail , designed to add additional compliance to the ride.

Canyon's double-decker handlebar certainly divides opinion

Short travel suspension forks like the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR and the Cannondale Lefty Oliver are also an option that is sneaking into gravel bike design.

We have a dedicated team of testers here at  Cycling Weekly , whose job is to review a whole range of cycling products and to write objective reviews of their experience of using them day in, day out in a whole range of conditions.

With huge experience, they're well-placed to compare products, identify their strengths and weaknesses and bring you an honest, unbiased assessment of how they perform.

Testing gravel bikes calls for the logging of plenty of miles - and our testers do just that. Depending on the bike, routes range from technical mountain bike-style trails to multi-day bikepacking adventures and plenty in between. We also make sure that we test the bikes on paved roads, given that many riders will use gravel bikes for commuting and winter riding and many gravel rides will involve some tarmac as well.

While out riding we asses the bikes across a range of factors, including comfort and handling, suitability for a variety of gravel terrain and bikepacking, as well as the quality and durability of components and the bike's overall value for money.

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After winning the 2019 National Single-Speed Cross-Country Mountain Biking Championships and claiming the plushie unicorn (true story), Stefan swapped the flat-bars for drop-bars and has never looked back. 

Since then, he’s earnt his 2ⁿᵈ cat racing licence in his first season racing as a third , completed the South Downs Double in under 20 hours and Everested in under 12 .

But his favourite rides are multiday bikepacking trips, with all the huge amount of cycling tech and long days spent exploring new roads and trails - as well as histories and cultures. Most recently, he’s spent two weeks riding from Budapest into the mountains of Slovakia . 

Height: 177cm

Weight: 67–69kg

Cameron Wurf is both a member of Team Ineos Grenadiers and an accomplished professional long course triathlete who has racked up numerous World Tour and Ironman race finishes across his career.

By Kristin Jenny Published 24 April 24

Joe on Joe. What does it take to make a fine mug of Joe? We sent Joe Baker to find out.

By Joe Baker Published 24 April 24

Best gravel bike shoes and cyclocross shoes for riding and running off-road

By Hannah Bussey Last updated 16 November 23

When it comes to gravel bike riding, tires are all important. Here's our pick of the best gravel tires on the market to suit different terrain, conditions, frame clearances and budgets.

By Katherine Moore Last updated 16 November 23

These budget gravel bikes allow you to enjoy off-road trails and explore new places without breaking the bank

By Katherine Moore Last updated 11 July 23

The best handlebars for gravel riding might look similar to road handlebars, but there are some subtle differences that will help elevate your gravel riding. Here are some of the best options.

By Katherine Moore Last updated 7 February 24

Could electric gravel bikes be the best and most versatile e-bikes on the market?

By Katherine Moore Last updated 19 April 23

What are the best wheels for your gravel or adventure bike? We round up the best options for you.

By Katherine Moore Published 15 June 22

From quick and easy wins to significant component changes, here's our pick of the best gravel bike upgrades you can make

By Katherine Moore Last updated 12 June 23

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Trek vs Giant road bikes, who will win?

Road bikes are the fastest most versatile bikes I know. They are built to perfection to give you high performance and to keep you comfortable throughout the ride. Here is an in-depth Trek vs Giant road bikes comparison pitting two top of the chain bikes against each other. Some tips I find useful when road biking is number one, to find a bike that is not going to give up on me. Number two, always put on the right protective gear. At first, I thought road biking was as easy as a walk in the park. After all, what could be so hard about riding on a paved road? But as I would soon find out I was wrong. Olympic track pro cyclists have admitted to road biking being very hard. See it is not so much about the ground you are riding on as much as it is about, the endurance, balance, energy, and concentration needed to see you get to the other end. Did you know that you can burn up to 900 calories by going for a vigorous ride at 16 to 19 miles per hour? If you are buying a Trek or a Giant road bike to keep fit or lose weight, then this right here is reason enough to take your cycling seriously. Here, we look at two bikes I consider man’s best invention. A true representation of high quality and perfection merged into one. This Trek vs Giant road bikes comparison dives deep to dissect intricate tidbits just to see which one comes top.

• Superior shock absorption qualities
• Sleek lightweight design for faster speeds
• Powerful 11-speed gear
• This bike is limited to a maximum load of 275 pounds which is much lower compared to what other bikes in the same category can carry.

Table of Contents

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• Powerful 9-speed gears
• Wide tires give you better balance
• Designed with highly effective disc brakes
• Aluminum alloy has its own shortcomings in regard to how durable it is when exposed

  Final say I love drafting behind a group of riders as a means to save energy while covering more distance. With time I realize that I may be forced to get out of my comfort one if at all I want to test my skills and become better. The goal is to become a pro-rider one day, and I am sure that a Trek bike comes with all the qualities to get me there fast. Going by this Trek vs Giant road bike review, you will understand which bike is best suited where and make your choice favorably.  

Trek Vs Giant Bikes: Which Is Better?

Trek and Giant are arguably two of the largest and most reputable bike brands globally. So, it’s always debatable which is the superior brand between Trek vs Giant bikes, seeing that each brand claims supremacy over the other.

Giant offers a wide selection of top-end bikes at friendlier prices than Trek, but Trek is better suited to professional racers due to its innovative suspension and designs.

But overall, there is so much to separate the two bike brands in terms of production volume, bike cost, frame technology and strength, suspension technology, components quality, warranty, design, brand reputation, and bike preference.

So, I’ll help you compare Giant Bicycles and Trek on those grounds. I’ll also compare the bike categories: road bike, MTB, gravel bike, hybrid, and e-bike.

Trek Vs Giant Bikes Table Summary

Here are the peculiar differences between Trek and Giant bicycles.

What Is the Difference Between Trek and Giant?

Let’s look at the differences between the two top bike brands:

1. Production Volume and Bike Cost

Giant has its factory in Taiwan. The location enjoys a supportive supply chain that allows the manufacturer to source the materials cheaply and produce the bikes in less time.   

As a result, the manufacturer can produce the bikes in large volumes. And since they get the raw materials cheaply, they make their bikes more affordable.

Mark you; Giant also makes bicycle frames for other leading bike brands, including Trek, Schwinn, Bianchi, and Specialized.

As for Trek, the fact that the manufacturer sources the frame and components from Giant and other third parties means they don’t make as many bikes as Giant.   

Furthermore, Trek invests in research and design to distinguish itself from Giant and others. So it prices its bikes slightly higher.

Verdict – Giant has a larger production volume and sells cheaper than Trek.

2. Frame Technology

Both Giant and Trek are always at the forefront of bicycle innovation. They pride their innovative, lighter, stiffer, stronger, and durable frames.

Giant is known for CADEX carbon fiber frames, which they unveiled in 1987. It’s also the first brand to employ computer-aided design (CAD) in its carbon fiber road bikes.

Overall, Giant’s carbon fiber bikes are lighter, stronger, stiffer, and durable.

And when it comes to aluminum, Giant is also known for Aluxx aluminum alloy frames. The frames are also lightweight and durable.

On the other hand, Trek is known for OCLV (Optimum Compaction Low Void) and alpha aluminum technology.

Both frame technologies promise lightweight, robust, stiffer, and comfortable frames. The difference is that OCLV frames are more high-end than alpha aluminum frames.

Verdict – Both bike brands have patented technologies that make their frame stronger, durable, and lightweight. So, it’s an even score here, in my view.

3. Frame Strength

Trek prioritizes in better strength-to-weight ratio, enabling its lightweight bikes to hold up to 300 pounds. While some Giant bikes can hold that much, a majority hold less.

Verdict – Due to having a higher strength-to-weight ratio, Trek has stronger frames than Giant.

4. Components

Giant not only gets its frames cheaply but also its components. They take the time to research the best quality components for cheap, buy them in bulk, and obtain huge discounts.

That, however, doesn’t mean that Trek uses inferior components. No! The difference is that Giant offers the same components as Trek but only at a slightly lower price.

Note that these two manufacturers get most of their components from SRAM, Shimano, KMC, and other reputable third parties, which means they have the same quality.

Verdict – These two bikes often get their components from the same suppliers. So, they have the same quality. The only difference is that Giant gets them cheaply, making the bikes more affordable than Trek.

5. Suspension Technology

These two bike brands share a couple of suspension technologies and have a few patented options that only apply to them.

For example, both employ ABP (Active Braking Point) and ReAktiv suspension, which promise unmatched comfort.

Other than the two, Trek sets itself apart by utilizing Full-Floater and IsoSpeed Suspension. Full-Floater suspension makes you feel like you are floating on air. IsoSpeed, on the other hand, gives Trek road bikes a stiffer feel, which is essential for racing.

Giant conversely is known for the Maestro System in addition to ReAktiv and ABP. The Maestro Suspension generally offers Giant mountain bikes unmatched climbing power.

Verdict – Both bike brands employ ReAktiv and Active Braking Point suspensions and have their top-performing patented suspensions.   

6. Giant Vs Trek Bike Design

Despite their build quality and high-end design, Giant bikes are among the simplest you can find. These bikes are not flashy like Trek bikes.

Trek is known for going the extra mile to distinguish its designs from the rest. So, the bikes are often flashy.

Verdict – Trek bikes are more innovative and flashier than Giant bikes. Giant bicycles are all about quality and performance and not aesthetics.

7. Usage Preference

Though Giant makes bikes for everyone, the choices are not the best for racers and heavyweight riders. Essentially, their suspensions have lower links that stretch a lot under too much weight and when you ride at high speed.

In contrast, Trek bikes have less flexible lower link suspensions, which won’t stretch under too much weight or ride fast. As a result, they are best for racers, especially pro racers and heavyweight riders.

Verdict – Trek bikes suit heavyweight bikers and pro racers more. Giant bicycles are suitable for everyone else apart from the two groups.

8. Brand Reputation

Giant and Trek are two of the oldest bike brands, and they enjoy a reputation that most cannot match. Globally, their reputation supersedes their popularity.

But overall, Trek is more reputable in the elite cycling world as it has won more Tour de France titles.

Verdict – These two bike brands are pretty reputable, but Trek edges Giant slightly, having won more Tour De France races.  

9. Trek Vs Giant Warranty

Trek and Giant are famous for offering good warranties to back their pricey price tags.

Giant generally offers the following:

• Limited lifetime warranty on all its frames apart from downhill options
• 3-year lifetime warranty on downhill options
• 1-year warranty for decals and frame paints

Note that when it comes to non-Giant branded components like the groupsets, they are all subject to their respective manufacturers’ warranties.

As for Trek, you can expect the following coverages:

• Limited lifetime warranty on most bike frames
• 5-year warranty for its full-suspension bicycles’ swing arms
• 3-year warranty for its aluminum swing arms
• 1-year warranty for the decals and frame paint

Like Giant, all non-Trek branded components come with their respective manufacturer’s warranties.

Verdict – There is no clear winner here as both brands offer lifetime frame warranties for most of their bikes and several other coverages.

Comparing Individual Trek and Giant Bikes

Trek vs giant mountain bikes.

Giant and Trek mountain bikes have so much in common. For starters, they both feature lightweight, strong, and stiff frames with lifetime warranties. They also employ the most advanced suspensions.

The difference is that Trek’s Full-floater and ReAktiv suspension makes them better racers, while Giant’s Maestro System makes Giant mountain bikes better climbers.

Also, note that Trek suits heavyweight riders more because its suspensions are less flexible, and therefore the mountain bikes are not very shaky at high speed.

Trek Vs Giant Road Bikes

Giant and Trek road bikes also share a lot like their MTB counterparts. The two brands employ the most advanced and lightweight frames and feature top-tier components.

Price-wise, Giant road bikes are more affordable than Trek, but Trek has the upper hand because of IsoSpeed suspension. IsoSpeed makes Trek road bikes stiffer and, therefore, faster racers.

Trek Vs Giant Hybrid Bikes

Trek and Giant hybrid bikes are almost alike. They all come at budget-friendly prices and enjoy limited lifetime warranties. The difference is that Trek hybrid bikes are more versatile than Giant hybrids.

You can easily accessorize a Trek hybrid bike with fenders, seats, water cages, racks, and other add-ons.

Trek Vs Giant Gravel Bikes

Trek and Giant gravel bikes have so much in common. They are robustly built to take on rowdy usage and are comfortable to ride.

The difference is that Trek gravel bikes have a better strength-to-weight ratio, thus have a larger carry capacity. Giant gravel bikes, however, are more affordable, therefore, best for users on a budget.

Trek Vs Giant E Bikes

Both Giant and Trek e-bikes are all about comfort, fast riding, and ease of commuting. They also come with lifetime frame warranties and have impressive motors and batteries.

Giant’s EnergyPak carriers make Giant e-bikes better for long-distance rides and commutes as they promise a more extended battery range. In contrast, Trek’s RIBs (Removable Integrated Battery System) make Trek e-bikes sleeker and better racers.

People Also Ask

1. is trek or giant better.

There is no better or worse bike brand between Trek and Giant, as choosing between them depends on what you want. If you want a racing bike or a stronger bike for an overweight person, get a Trek. But if you want the bike for any other reason, go for Giant.

2. Are Trek Bikes Made by Giant?

Giant makes some bike frames for Trek, Bianchi, Specialized, and other brands. Note, however, that Trek has an independent factory that handles most of the bike frames and general assembly of the bikes.

3. Why Are Giant Bikes So Expensive?

Giant bikes are expensive because they are high-end. The manufacturer assembles the most high-end components and lightweight frames and employs advanced suspensions and designs.

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Closing Thought on Trek Vs Giant Bikes!

Generally, choosing between Trek and Giant solely depends on the cyclist and budget. If you are a racer or heavyweight cyclist, Trek suits you more. But if you are none of the two, go for Giant as it offers a wide selection of bikes at varying price points.  

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.

2024 Rail 7 Gen 3

2023 STEREO HYBRID 140 HPC, SLX 750

(descending)

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