Shortly before the turn of the year, the Leggerissima TLO from Schmolke made history: at 5.4 kilograms, the new model was not only the lightest road bike in 2024, but also took the lead overall among the lightest disc models in the TOUR test. The climbing specialist thus clearly relegated the Benotti Fuoco Carbon Ultra (6.1 kilos) and Giant TCR Advanced SL (6.5 kilos) to the other places. Both models were also introduced this year.
The Leggerissima earns its abbreviation TLO (The lightest one) through consistent tuning with lightweight components. Schmolke uses its carbon expertise for the stem (80 grams) and handlebars (140 grams) as well as the saddle (57 grams) and seat post (90 grams). One highlight is the in-house wheelset. Thanks to prepreg production, carbon spokes and lightweight Extralite hubs, the front and rear wheels weigh less than 1000 grams. The record-breaking set-up is rounded off with carbon chainrings from Carbon-Ti, which superstar Tadej Pogacar also uses on his Colnago, and a carbon crank from THM.
Curious: Almost at the same time as Schmolke, another German manufacturer, Benotti, presented a beguilingly light racer. Although the Fuoco Carbon Ultra has a six in front of the decimal point in terms of weight, this still puts it in second place in the eternal TOUR best list (as of December 2024). Both bikes thus displace the previous leader, the Specialized S-Works Aethos. At 6.2 kilos, the US bike was at the top of the weight table in our database.
Another new addition will soon be added to the perpetual leaderboard. Finally, Scott also presented the Addict RC Ultimate, a lightweight competition bike that, according to the manufacturer, weighs just 5.9 kilograms. Although the top model has already rolled into our test lab, it is not yet fitted with the new ultra-light tyres from Schwalbe.
Schmolke Leggerissima TLO
- Weight: 5.4 kilos
- Price: 16500 Euro
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Dura-Ace (2x12; 50/34, 11-30 t.)
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix TT (25/28 millimetres)
- Impellers: Schmolke Carbon TLO 37
- Click here for the detailed test report
Benotti Fuoco Carbon Ultra
- Weight: 6.1 kilos
- Price: 10999 Euro
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Red AXS (2x12; 48/35, 10-33 t.)
- Impellers: ax-lightness Ultra 30C
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix TT (28 millimetres)
- Click here for the detailed test report
Giant TCR Advanced SL
- Weight: 6.5 kilos
- Price: 12299 Euro
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (2x12; 54/40, 11-30 t.)
- Impellers: Cadex Max 40
- Tyres: Cadex Race GC 28 mm
- Click here for the detailed test report
Julian Schultz
Editor
