Hi All -
Kicking around the idea of getting a new bike. Where I live, it is pretty flat, but you can find 10-20 minute climbs if you seek them out. As a result, I’m looking for an all-around bike that is aero, but also light. I currently have a Trek aluminum composite frame, but looking to go carbon.
I see the Canyon Ultimate fits the bill, but I dont know much about other brands/models. Any suggestions?
From the big brands, the Trek Emonda, Specialized Tarmac and Cannondale SuperSix would all meet your requirements.
I think in this day, any of those combo aero/light weight bikes (I have an older disc Ultimate) are going to be great, so it’s more about your budget and looks, and random things that might annoy or excite you. Integrated stem/handlebar, cabling, needing to buy more upgrades post-bike purchase.
The Tarmac SL8 and new Cannondale Super Six would fit your needs. SL8 is a little lighter, Super Six tested more aero but they’re probably too close to say what real world would be. The Tarmac probably will have a little more spare part availability just due to pure numbers of Specialized shops. But I doubt you’d regret either.
The Emonda is there too but probably less aero and heavier than both the above. And some people don’t like the seat mast. But still a great bike.
Factor has the Ostro (similar to Tarmac) or the new O2 VAM that both look nice. Ostro will be more aero. O2 VAM is their super light climber.
Cervelo got good reviews with the Soloist, although not the lightest or most aero, but a good all rounder. R5 is their climbing bike. Don’t know much about it.
Enve has the Melee which can fit 35mm tires or slightly bigger.
I’m sure I’m missing more.
Edit: The new Giant Propel looks really nice for an aero bike and is supposed to be a lot lighter than previous gen. Not SL8 light but lighter than most dedicated aero bikes.
my vote would be for the Giant TCR
I have a TCR and it is, by far, the best carbon road bike I have ridden……but I don’t know if I would out in the Cateogry the OP is looking for since it does not really have any specific aero design features.
The new Giant Propel, however, could well meet his requirements.
Honestly, I would test ride a lot of bikes and then decide on feel. Personal taste will play a big role. E. g. the Cannondale SuperSix left me cold, it is an alright bike but did not excite me. My Cube endurance road bike had great specs and was inexpensive, but I hated the (endurance) geometry. BMC’s Teammachine is still one of the best bikes I have ever ridden. Next to the 3T Strada, which I now own. But even these great (in my mind) bikes have a very different character.
Of course, these are my preferences and yours are likely different. So try out a lot of bikes and see what fits. Don’t pigeonhole yourself into a brand. In the end, it is hard to get a bad bike these days.
Do you like your current fit and what bike has geometry that you would fit on? It’s hard to go wrong with any of the super bikes. Ride some stuff and see what you like.
Specialized S-Works SL8, Giant Propel, Cannondale SuperSix Lab71.
The Propel is probably the best balance ‘as is’ and if you mod it carefully you can keep it as aero while shaving 200g.
The S-Works SL8 is the lightest so you have more wiggle room to fit deeper wheels without breaking 7.0Kg, which would make it more aero than the rest. Depending on how much you’d be willing to upgrade (or build from frameset) you can have it weighing in at 6.5Kg and nearly as aero as everything else around 7.+Kg.
The Cannondale doesn’t do anything for me personally but per the Tour test weighted avg is more aero than the SL8 with HiMod kit.
Well, I’d like to say go to your local shop and try a few of these out. But, they’ve either been bought by Trek or inventory bullied by Specialized. Conglomerates such as PON and Pierer do the same with the bike brands they own, though, no one seems to be as notorious as Trek for converting independent bike shops into Trek shops. I’ve known a few small bike shop owners and they fiercely try to stay away from the big brands.
Like any purchase though, no company is perfect.
I’d buy an independent company’s steel frame, put Campy on it, the deepest wheels I could manage/afford, and ensure I can hold an aero position when I need to. However, I have a local shop that can work on Campy. Many don’t and that’d be a pain.
That’s great, provided you know what bike you want. Aero and weight are usually less important in practice (e. g. because body position >> deep wheels).
Agreed. Admittedly, I’d be heavily relying on my local bike shop, and not everyone has one that’ll play matchmaker for you.
Yeah, my advice is based on the fact that I built my bike from frameset into complete bike on my own. Not everyone can do that and have the time to select every bolt and component with sometimes hours spent researching a single one of them.
As such, and for the person relying on a shop, for a complete bike, I’d go Giant Propel Adv SL. If spending another 2500€ isn’t an issue, Specialized S-Works SL8.
That’s why I love LBSs. 
I also have one, and also have this feeling.
I’m a huge fan of the Giant TCR. I realised how good they were renting them on cycling trips and eventually got the TCR advanced pro 1 disc 2021.
A joy to ride and a real bonus it comes with Giant pro power dual sided power meter. I won’t be changing it anytime soon but I’ll be looking at another TCR when the time comes around.
Lauf just released new user fiendly aero bike. From configuration and pricing seems like a great machine:
Reviews should come out soon.
But I believe it’s very hard to buy bad bike these days.
Pricing looks great, bikes look good…geometry is horrible (at least for me)…
My ML Giant TCR has a Stack / Reach of 562 / 393. My 120 stem is almost slammed, maybe 5mm of spacers. If I went with the right stack (Med), I lose 1 cm of reach. If I size up to a Large, I can get the reach I need (and reduce stem size by ~1cm), but I gain 3cm(!!) in stack.
Ooof…
I am getting older, still unflexible in hamstring with short arms. So any real racing geometry is not for me - low is no problem but long is bad.
I’m 57 and about as flexible as a 2x4…but I can still slam my stem (well, almost). 