The Benotti sees itself as a flawless racing all-rounder. According to the manufacturer, the Fuoco Aero SL is "aerodynamic and light". The bike is entering its second model year and has already impressed in an initial test. New this year is the option of equipping the racer with impressive aero wheels from the AX-Lightness own brand using the configurator.
Aerodynamic and also lightweight?
With voluminous rims and flat carbon blade spokes as well as durable ceramic bearings, the wheelset not only looks good, but also contributes significantly to the low overall weight of the racing machine. The clinchers weigh in at just 2,540 grams, saving the wheels between 300 and 600 grams compared to the competitors in this first part of our large comparison test. The logical consequence of this is that the Benotti is also the lightest complete wheel and weighs a whole kilogramme less than the heaviest model in the comparison from Bianchi. Aerodynamically, the Benotti also fulfils the expectations of a versatile all-rounder. With 210 watts for 45 km/h, the racer ranks among prominent and high-priced representatives such as the Cannondale SuperSix, Giant Propel or Pinarello Dogma F on. Compared to Canyon's fastest candidate to date, however, the bike requires six watts more. The Fuoco, Italian for fire, benefits in the wind tunnel from the high-quality wheels, which are two watts faster than our reference model (Zipp 404, built in 2018), and from the smaller frame size. The first model in size 56, with flatter rims and steel spokes, was three watts "slower".
On the road
Outside the laboratory and wind tunnel, the competition bike emphasises its fast character. Thanks to the weight advantage, the all-rounder can be accelerated with ease, and on mountainous stages it is a suitable base, not least due to its design with a large cassette. The race-ready Continental tyres noticeably help you to speed over the tarmac with a lot of pressure on the pedals. The Benotti reacts directly, almost nervously, to quick changes of direction. Once it is turned in, it turns round corners with razor-sharp precision. The carbon cockpit deserves praise for its excellent grip and the aerodynamically favourable position of the forearms. The riding position is race-like.
Minor weaknesses
The TOUR score of 1.9 qualifies the Benotti, which despite its Italian-sounding name comes from Duderstadt in Lower Saxony, for the elite class of the best race all-rounders in the TOUR test. With the huge difference that the fairly priced Fuoco Aero SL costs up to 8400 euros less. The competition racer misses out on an even better result due to the below-average rear comfort, although the saddle with printed seat pad and carbon frame as well as the 30 millimetre tyres do a good job of concealing the only weakness worth mentioning. The frame and fork even leave room for tyres up to 35 millimetres wide. On such tyres, the Fuoco Aero SL doesn't shy away from bumpy roads, but it might lose some of its precise steering behaviour.
A total of eight equipment variants, including limited special models to mark the company's 20th anniversary, are listed in the online shop. The new carbon wheels, not yet configurable at the time of testing, cost an additional 800 euros. The basic model comes with a flatter version of AX-Lightness. A power meter (400 euros) is also available as an option.
Benotti Fuoco Aero SL: Info & test grade
- Price: 6599 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 7.3 kilos
- Frame sizes: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 (test size bolded)
- TOUR grade: 1,9
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 503/545/140 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 562/379 millimetres/1.48
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 605/574 millimetres/1.05
- Wheelbase/caster: 985/63 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Ultegra (2x12; 52/36, 11-34 t.) | Grade: 1.0
- Brakes: Shimano Ultegra (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Tyres: Conti Grand Prix 5000 TT TR 28 mm (eff.: 30 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Impellers: AX-lightness Ultra 65C
- Impeller weights: 1,044/1,496 grams (f./h.)
Measured values
- Weight of complete wheel: 7,250 grammes | Grade: 2.3
- Aerodynamics: 210 Watt | Grade: 1.7
- Driving stability: 8.4 N/mm | Grade: 1.7
- Rear comfort: 226 N/mm| Grade: 3.7
- Comfort front: 85 N/mm | Grade: 2.3
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 65 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
Advantages and disadvantages of the Benotti Fuoco Aero SL
- Plus: lightweight, high-quality wheels, lightning-fast tyres
- Minus: hard seat post
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 of the total score): 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 of the total score): 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 of the total score): 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 of the overall score): 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 of the overall score): 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 of the total score): 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 of the overall score): 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 of the overall score): Rolling resistance and grip are evaluated - if known from one of our independent tyre tests or based on driving impressions. The overall score is calculated arithmetically from the differently weighted individual scores (percentages in brackets). It primarily expresses the sporty qualities of the tyre.
The overall score is calculated arithmetically from the individual scores weighted differently (percentages in brackets). It primarily expresses the sporting qualities of the bike.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
