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Autumn is here, and the end of the season is drawing near. But with that, our attention is already turning to the coming year: Canyon, Rose and others are gradually unveiling their new bikes for the 2024 season – so numerous manufacturers and online retailers are currently offering the previous models at prices that are, in some cases, heavily discounted. We’ve put together a selection of special offers on a number of bikes that TOUR has already put through its paces. Among them are the Cervelo Aspero 5 and the BMC Roadmachine X One from the trendy race-gravel bike category.
BMC Roadmachine X One – 4,999.99 instead of 6,199 euros
BMC is attempting to bridge the gap between a traditional road bike and the comparatively heavy URS gravel bike with the Roadmachine X One (reviewed here in TOUR) To sum up – essentially, it’s a road racing bike with a larger wheelbase. The tyre clearance of the Marathon model has been utilised to the full and a single-chainring drivetrain typical of gravel bikes has been fitted – and there you have it: the ‘Grenzgänger’.
The TOUR Round-up
If you’re looking for a bike that offers that road bike feel, is suitable for field and forest tracks, and also rides extremely well on the road, the BMC is the right choice. The riding position is still quite sporty, and thanks to the short wheelbase, the bike feels more nimble than gravel bikes with wider tyres. The gear ratio with the 44-tooth chainring is comparatively stiff, but suits the bike’s intended use well.
Rose Xlite 04 Ultegra – 2,999 instead of 3,299 euros
There are a total of 9 models ranging from 2,999 to 8,199 euros (reviewed here in TOUR). It’s all about being light: if a road bike’s model name already hints at its low weight, then it has to live up to that – and the new Rose XLite (meaning ‘extremely light’) does so remarkably well. The high-quality components are also a plus point on the Xlite 04 Ultegra – the wheels, handlebars and seatpost are all developed in-house by Rose >> Available at a reduced price at Rosebikes.
The TOUR Round-up
During our test rides, the new Rose XLite left a lasting impression. There’s hardly a riding situation that the Rose XLite 06 can’t handle. Whether it’s fast-paced riding on flat terrain, steep climbs or sharp sprints: this racer excels as an agile all-rounder, tuned for top speed whilst still offering plenty of suspension comfort.
Rocky Mountain Solo Carbon 50 – 3,120 instead of 3,900 euros
A comfortable road bike weighing around 9 kg, with a setup that’s also suitable for longer rides – that’s the Rocky Mountain Solo Carbon 50 (reviewed here in BIKE). Its greatest strength? The flex in the rear triangle. The frame absorbs bumps and kerbs like the fading numbness in your cheek: you can feel them, but only faintly – which felt very comfortable during the test. The Funk Rival gear system is unobtrusively precise and quiet. The bike itself is the same; the hub is of average noise level, whilst the WTB tyres take some getting used to, particularly in slow corners.
BIKE’s verdict
The carbon version of the Rocky Mountain Solo is very comfortable to ride thanks to the flex in the rear triangle and the fork. Its numerous attachment points make it the ideal bikepacking gravel bike for long distances or long hours in the saddle.
Koga Colmaro Allroad – €1,949.99 instead of €2,449
Six years after the first generation, there is once again a Colmaro by Koga (reviewed here in TOUR). The new Allroad bike has only undergone minor changes, including a slightly longer wheelbase and a seatpost clamp elegantly integrated into the top tube. What remains is the beautifully designed, classic-looking aluminium frame – and with it, the agile handling inspired by a cyclo-cross bike.
The TOUR Round-up
The Koga Colmaro Allroad features a stable frame set and is easy to maintain. The manufacturer offers a lifetime guarantee. Its weaknesses are the limited range of gear ratios and the fact that there is little tyre clearance.
Giant Defy Advanced 1 – €2,849 instead of €3,299
The Defy Advanced 1 (reviewed here in TOUR) is designed to serve as a marathon bike for endurance rides on a wide variety of road surfaces. The rear suspension works flawlessly thanks to the carbon seatpost with a D-shaped cross-section and 32-millimetre-wide tubeless tyres. This means you can ride comfortably even on gentle terrain. For more challenging terrain, tyres up to 35 millimetres wide can be fitted. The handling: a balanced blend of directional stability and agility.
The TOUR Round-up
The Defy is the ‘everyman’s bike’ among marathon models; a practical, unpretentious companion for a wide range of occasions, whose wide gear range with a 1:1 gear ratio makes it suitable for racing, cruising and climbing.
Wilier Rave SLR – 5,460 instead of 8,400 euros
The Wilier Rave SLR (reviewed here in TOUR) is intended to position itself as a ‘race gravel’ bike, bridging the gap between a road bike and a gravel bike. Two set-ups are available, each with three specification options. The complete bike’s weight of 8.1 kilograms clearly shows that this is a genuine racer. The Rave SLR also comes with the SRAM Rival eTap AXS electronic groupset.
The TOUR Round-up
Its versatile configuration and light weight are the Wilier Rave SLR’s main selling points. Its frame set is highly versatile, and depending on the setup, the bike can be used both as a road racer and as a bike for rough terrain.
Cervelo Aspero-5 – 9,999 instead of 11,499 euros
The Cervelo Aspero 5 (reviewed here in TOUR) It’s equally at home on the road as it is on more challenging terrain. The bike has good suspension, but it’s also clear from the spec that it’s essentially a souped-up road bike. The tyre clearance of the Marathon model has been utilised to the full and a single-chainring drivetrain typical of gravel bikes has been fitted – and there you have it: the all-rounder. nn with tyres up to 50 millimetres wide.
The TOUR Round-up
The Cervelo Aspero-5 offers plenty of tyre clearance, making it suitable for all types of riding. Its adjustable handlebar geometry, light weight and wide range of specification options make this race gravel bike a true all-rounder.
Maik Schröder
Editor