17 competition road bikes tested: The premier class - fast & comfortable

The readers' interest was great - the result was a test of a total of 17 competition bikes. One of the largest test fields in TOUR history. The unusually high level of interest may also have been due to the fact that this time we weren't looking at outrageously expensive professional bikes, whose prices are now all in five figures. We deliberately looked at bikes with Shimano's popular Ultegra component group and set an upper price limit of 7,000 euros. This is undoubtedly still a lot of money for a road bike. However, a large proportion of cyclists now seem to have come to terms with the price trend: In the 2024 TOUR reader survey, around a third of participants stated that they wanted to invest more than €5,000 in their next road bike.

The 17 competition road bikes in the individual test

• Benotti Fuoco Aero SL
• Bianchi Oltre Comp
• Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8 Di2
• Corratec CCT Evo Pro Di2
• Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race >> e.g. available here
• Focus Izalco Max 9.8 >> e.g. available here
• Giant Propel Advanced Pro 0
• Lapierre Xelius DRS 8.0 >> available here
• Merida Reacto 9000
• MyVelo Verona
• Rose XLite 06 Ultegra Di2 >> e.g. available here
• Scott Foil RC 10 >> e.g. available here
• Stevens Arcalis
• Storck Aerfast.5 Pro
• Trek Madone SL 7 >> e.g. available here
• Van Rysel RCR-R Pro Ultegra Di2 >> e.g. available here
• Wilier Filante SL

The findings from the test

Our test field not only shows who builds the fastest and lightest frames, but also who calculates with a sharp pencil and puts together the best builds within the given budget. The first two instalments of the comparison test already provided an important insight, which can certainly be positive in an increasingly expensive world: The gap between many bikes and their professional counterparts, some of which cost twice as much or even more, is astonishingly small, in some cases almost negligible. In the best cases, this applies equally to the visual appearance, the technical properties and the riding behaviour. The key to an all-round convincing road bike is not only a good, i.e. light, aerodynamic and comfortable frame base. The biggest differences in the test, particularly in terms of weight, come from the equipment.

The fact that first-class wheels and tyres, a modern carbon handlebar combo and even a power meter are also possible in this budget frame is not only proven by price-aggressive brands such as Canyon or Cube. One realisation of this test is that with good components, even small weaknesses in the frame construction can be ironed out - because the competitors fall short and leave a lot of potential behind with cost-cutting measures. There are several examples of both extremes in our test field, including in this section. We were particularly excited about the Van Rysel bike from the final quintet, as Decathlon's own brand made a brilliant debut with the top model of the RCR-R.

With its own brands, the French sporting goods discounter no longer just stands for unrivalled low prices, but also for innovation and good quality in some areas. Racing bikes are to be part of this in the future - this message has been clear since the company's appearance in the WorldTour at the latest. But can the French replace established brands such as Canyon, Cube and Rose as classic test winner candidates? At least in this test, the bike can't quite fulfil this expectation. Although it is one of the cheapest bikes in the comparison, the components fitted are average for the class. The fact that the frame also has minor weaknesses in terms of stiffness and comfort cost the brand a better ranking.

With good frames and well-chosen components, some manufacturers manage to put together a better overall package for 7,000 euros than some established brands can offer their sponsored professionals.

Aerodynamics decide

Stevens and Storck are a positive surprise, with their extremely fast and relatively light bikes placing well ahead in the test field. The Storck Aerfast.5 in particular shines with an aero value that only a few top bikes can match: At 203 watts, it plays in the league of the fastest bikes in the world, aerodynamically on a par with a Colnago Y1Rs or the Cervélo S5. The Storck also sets the tone overall, but is not the only bike at the top aerodynamic level. The Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8 and the Scott Foil RC 10 are hot on the speedster's heels. The good news across the entire test field is that all the bikes are fitted with fast carbon rims that utilise the aerodynamic potential of the frames as far as possible.

This means that buyers are spared expensive wheel tuning. However, the differences between the candidates in the wind tunnel are still large: the Myvelo Verona, Focus Izalco Max, Trek Madone and Bianchi Oltre Comp all leave a significant gap to the front runners in this discipline, all with 15 to 20 watts. Depending on individual preferences and rider type, the handicap would be bearable if the latter had other strengths. However, the bikes are also not particularly light, which ultimately relegates them to the bottom of the overall rankings.

Equipment scores

The Benotti secures the crown in the weight classification with its exclusive equipment - it saves a whole kilogram compared to the heaviest bike in the test, which comes from Bianchi and is the only one to weigh more than eight kilograms. The Benotti is followed by the test winner from Canyon, 140 grams behind; the majority of the bikes weigh around 7.5 kilograms. In addition to Bianchi, Trek, Van Rysel and Wilier also have to pay the toll on the scales for simpler wheels and tyres - front and rear wheels including tyres weigh more than three kilograms.

However, these bikes still manage to stay under the eight-kilo mark. By way of comparison, the lightweight Benotti already has an advantage of a good 600 grams with the wheels alone. The fact that ride comfort on poor trails plays a rather subordinate role for some competition bikes is reflected in the results of our lab tests. The aerodynamically fast bikes in particular scored poorly in this criterion. Stevens and Storck turn out to be the most unyielding constructions, and the Myvelo also rides extremely hard.

Speed and convenience combined

However, one exception shows that it can also be fast and comfortable: with its special aero seatpost, the Scott Foil achieves a decent amount of suspension travel, making it easy to cope with bad roads and longer distances on the bike. Even the aero handlebar absorbs subtle vibrations better than the handlebars of all other bikes. However, the Rose X-Lite is the lone leader in the comfort ranking; it offers more comfort on the saddle than many endurance road bikes.

The fact that seven bikes scored a TOUR grade with an A before the decimal point is a positive surprise. After all, even significantly more expensive models do not easily achieve such a result. Despite all the frustration about rising prices, this is good news for the current vintage of road bikes: good performance doesn't necessarily have to cost a fortune. At the same time, the best bikes in the test do not necessarily have to be the best choice for everyone. This is because the candidates achieve their results with very different strengths, which may be more or less in demand individually.

The podium: The best 3 competition road bikes in the test

1st Canyon Aeroad CF SLX Di2 - TOUR grade 1.7

2nd Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race - TOUR grade 1.8

2nd Scott Foil RC 10 - TOUR grade 1.8

The best lists: The lightest, fastest & most comfortable

The lightest

1. Benotti Fuoco Aero SL - 7,250 grammes
2. Canyon Aeroad CF SLX Di2 - 7,390 grammes
3. Stevens Arcalis - 7,450 grammes
4. Rose Xlite 06 Ultegra - 7,470 grammes
5. Storck Aerfast.5 Pro - 7,470 grammes

The fastest

1. Storck Aerfast.5 Pro - 203 watts
2. Canyon Aeroad CF SLX Di2 - 204 watts
3. Scott Foil RC 10 - 205 watts
4. Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race - 207 watts
5. Stevens Arcalis - 209 watts

The most comfortable

1. Rose Xlite 06 Ultegra - 108 N/mm
2. Scott Foil RC 10 - 134 N/mm
3. Focus Izalco Max 9.8 - 136 N/mm
4. Trek Madone SL7 - 141 N/mm
5. Corratec CCT Evo Pro Di2 - 157 N/mm

The results at a glance

At a glance: The sub-scores from 4.0 are in red, so you can see which bikes are out of the question for you due to weaker individual scores. *LL = Lifetime CR = Crash Replacement RA = Race exclusion

How TOUR tests

Weight (25 per cent of the overall grade)

The weighed complete wheel weight in the standardised test wheel size of 56-57 centimetres counts for the evaluation. However, we also show the wheel weights for orientation purposes. The grading scale is designed so that the physical effect of weight and aerodynamics on the average speed is comparable for an average route profile of 1,000 metres in altitude per 100 kilometres. For orientation: the aerodynamic optimisation of the bike can compensate for up to almost four kilograms of weight on such a route. Simultaneous top marks in weight AND aerodynamics are mutually exclusive, but there are racing bikes that find a very good compromise. If the route is more hilly than our reference route, weight becomes more important; if the route is flatter, aerodynamics become more important.

Air resistance (25 per cent)

Dynamically measured in the wind tunnel, with TOUR dummy, rotating wheels, moving legs and over a wide range of flow angles. Summarised to an aerodynamic grade for typical environmental conditions.

Front stiffness (10 per cent)

Important parameter for steering precision and confidence in the bike at high speeds, determined in the TOUR laboratory. The overall stiffness is determined on the fully assembled frame set, i.e. including the fork. The stiffness values are capped. The aim is not an infinitely stiff frame, but one that is sufficiently stable to ride.

Bottom bracket stiffness (10 per cent)

Reveals how much the frame yields under hard pedalling, for example when sprinting. This measurement also takes place in the TOUR laboratory, with realistic clamping, in which the frame can deform as it would when riding.

Rear comfort (10 per cent)

A measure of compliance under road shocks, measured in the TOUR laboratory. A suspension travel is measured when the seatpost is loaded. The measured value correlates very well with the riding impressions and the feeling of comfort. Good marks also mean decent riding dynamics, which have a positive effect on speed on poor roads.

Comfort front (5 per cent)

The deformation of the handlebars under load is determined in the same way as the rear. A good score means a lot of suspension comfort, which takes the strain off your hands on long rides. However, strong sprinters who want a lot of stiffness should look for stiff handlebars.

Switching (5 per cent)

The shifting characteristics are determined in the driving test. It is not the price or the quality impression of individual components that is assessed, but exclusively the function of the entire gearbox. For example, the cable routing, the quality of the cables and the mounted chain also play a role.

Brakes (5 per cent)

As with shifting, the test on the road also counts here, and the experience from our countless tests of brakes is also incorporated into the assessment. It is not the component itself that is assessed, but the function of the interaction between the brake body, pads and discs: How well can the brakes be modulated? How durable are the brakes, how long are the braking distances?

Tyres (5 percent)

Rolling resistance and grip are evaluated - as far as known from one of our independent tyre tests or on the basis of driving impressions.

The overall score is calculated arithmetically from the individual scores weighted differently (percentages in brackets). It primarily expresses the sporting qualities of the bike.

>> We have compiled all the information about our test here.