Three new range-topping road bikes were launched this summer with striking similarities, ushering in an era of indistinguishable mundanity when it comes to pro-level racing bikes.
The three new bikes – Scott Addict RC, Cannondale SuperSix Evo and Wilier Zero SLR – are only available with disc brakes, feature semi-aero tube profiling, integrated aero cockpits, D-profile seat posts and lowered seat stays.
All of these trends all have their merits and performance benefits, but the design cues have already been seen from Specialized and BMC in the Tarmac SL6 and Teammachine SLR launched in 2017, respectively, although these bikes have the benefit of also being available in direct mount rim brake setups.
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Other brands have also converged towards these similar design trends for aero-specific framesets, but it is the above five bikes, all of which were raced on at this year’s Tour de France, which have caught the attention as perhaps a new era of high-end, uninspiring road bikes.
The future is now
Classic designs of steel frames hardly changed for decades. Two large triangles, round tube profiles and components that are completely interchangeable from seat post to stem to handlebars were, and still are, available aplenty.
Cannondale, to an extent, stuck with the classic design with their flagship SuperSix Evo – albeit made from carbon – but the latest update to their SuperSix Evo saw an end to this and removed the classic, round tubes from their race bikes. The Ridley Helium SLX, Argon 18 Gallium Pro and Canyon Ultimate are now the last few remaining of these classic design bikes in the WorldTour.
What’s the alternative?
Can you future-proof your bike?
Disc brakes and finishing kit
Analogue or electric
Building a bike to last a lifetime
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/in-search-of-the-perfect-bike-build
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