Aero Road Bike up to $15k

wiucksch

Hey, thoughts on best aero road bike up to US$15k?

I like rides of 75 miles or so, 2x week, mostly flat terrain, currently riding a fully upgraded Trek Domane, which I love for the comfort, but every time I get to ride a proper aero bike, I’m just amazed w the cornering and how easy I can sustain speed.

Anyway, my biggest concern is to avoid a bike that makes a 4 hour ride painful on the back. Finally, I mostly prefer brands that have good distribution networks. Always good to support local shops, so we get good service when we need

My current list includes:
- Trek Madone SLR9
- Cannondale System Six HiMod
- BMC time machine road 01-01

Outside contenders
- Pinarello Dogma F12 (“acquired taste”)
- Specialized Tarmac SL7 (not true aero?)
- Scott Foil Pro (questionable quality?)

Or should I wait for something else coming up in the next few months?

Thanks!

Werner
Singapore

il_principe

Ok it won’t support any local shops but the Canyon Aeroad is a great aero bike. New model launches tomorrow. Had mine for 5 years and it’s been faultless.

brundonbianchi

Bianchi Oltre XR4 would be my suggestion.

joe_totale-2

brundonbianchi said:

Bianchi Oltre XR4 would be my suggestion.

A bike that's several years old?
Canyon are launching the new Aeroad today, could be worth a gander at.

lettingthedaysgoby

brundonbianchi said:

Bianchi Oltre XR4 would be my suggestion.

Or he could get something new and good.

brundonbianchi

lettingthedaysgoby said:

brundonbianchi said:

Bianchi Oltre XR4 would be my suggestion.

Or he could get something new and good.

You obviously haven’t ridden an XR4. Bianchi have gone down the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it’ route. Just because something is new, doesn’t necessarily make it better.
The Pinarello Dogma is a great example. The F10 is a far nicer ride than the ‘newer / better’ F12 in my opinion. In order to ‘improve’ the F10, Pinarello made the F12 lighter, which meant it had to be stiffer, to compensate for reduction in material. In my opinion, that makes the F12 an unnecessarily harsh ride, in comparison to the F10. Again, the Bianchi scores highly because Bianchi are one of ( if not the ) oldest bicycle manufacturer with 135 years of experience, if they say the XR4 is fine as it is, I’m not arguing. That brings me back to the O.P’s question. If he wants to go for a Pinarello, I’d say try to find an F10, rather than an F12.

mrb123

They will say that... until they have a new model out.

Ben6899

If I had $15k to spend on a bike, I'd make sure it was something no one else owned...

yellowv2

Ben6899 said:

If I had $15k to spend on a bike, I'd make sure it was something no one else owned...

This 100%

Cargobike

$15k on a bike used a couple of times a week?!!

Seems a tad extravagant, especially when you're going into super-superbike territory which aren't renowned for being the most comfortable of bikes, off the peg.

Buy whatever allows you to willy wave the most, as I don't understand how you can justify that kind of price tag otherwise. You don't mention whether you race, but I can't see what perceptible gain you get from spending that kind of money that couldn't be gained by buying something cheaper.

If money really is of no concern, I too would go bespoke and buy something made to measure, a one-off that is 100% yours only.

diamonddog

Nice Colnago would do nicely.

wiucksch

yellowv2 said:

Ben6899 said:

If I had $15k to spend on a bike, I'd make sure it was something no one else owned...

This 100%

Never thought of that. How can I tell a good bespoke bike maker? Any recommendations?

Or are you talking about customisation? (Eg: Trek Project One)

Cheers!

joe_totale-2

wiucksch said:

yellowv2 said:

Ben6899 said:

If I had $15k to spend on a bike, I'd make sure it was something no one else owned...

This 100%

Never thought of that. How can I tell a good bespoke bike maker? Any recommendations?

Or are you talking about customisation? (Eg: Trek Project One)

Cheers!

Sarto could probably build you something bespoke carbon aero bike with your budget. It'd be very much made for someone with your measurements instead of just an off the shelf bike.

If Bianchi are the Fiat of the italian cycling brands then Sarto are the Maserati.

Here's a review that may help:

https://cyclingtips.com/2019/05/sarto-lampo-plus-frameset-review/

wiucksch

Cargobike said:

$15k on a bike used a couple of times a week?!!

Seems a tad extravagant, especially when you're going into super-superbike territory which aren't renowned for being the most comfortable of bikes, off the peg.

Buy whatever allows you to willy wave the most, as I don't understand how you can justify that kind of price tag otherwise. You don't mention whether you race, but I can't see what perceptible gain you get from spending that kind of money that couldn't be gained by buying something cheaper.

If money really is of no concern, I too would go bespoke and buy something made to measure, a one-off that is 100% yours only.

“Willy wave”? Seriously? Kindergarten time...

shirley_basso

A few bespoke ideas off the top of my head, below is a mix of carbon, steel and titanium - so the 'aero' may be subjective here.

Sarto
Feska
Passoni
Pegoretti
(Ricky) Feather
(Rob) English
Donhue (sp?)
Baum
Legend
Independent Fabrications
Cherubim

(may need to check spelling there)

If you need ideas, then weightweenies is a great place to have a look as they spend serious amounts of money on kit over there.

This guy, for starters:

https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=138252

The best bit about buying a bike for general flat riding - no need to go discs

wiucksch

il_principe said:

Ok it won’t support any local shops but the Canyon Aeroad is a great aero bike. New model launches tomorrow. Had mine for 5 years and it’s been faultless.

Just watched the launch on GCN, looks very nice. Similar to the Cannondale SystemSix in appearance, even the Color scheme. Thanks for the tip

slowmart

There are only marginal gains after your distill the marketing BS and real world performance gains from a retail price of $3000 for a bike.

Personally I would lower your budget and invest the rest in a week or two of personal excess and indulgdance ( whores , drugs, cake, partying etc) or if that doesn't float your boat, donate the balance to a charity of your choice. A much better outcome than dropping that amount of cash on bike rather than pontificating around a choice of bike with total strangers whose knowledge is only subjective from the perspective of the OP.

racerex

I've always thought Argonaut was a great looking bike, but I never hear much about them. What's the general feeling about them? Worth the money?

shirley_basso

See my link on weightweenies above. That guy has one and writes a detailed review of the build.

davidof

Ben6899 said:

If I had $15k to spend on a bike, I'd make sure it was something no one else owned...

If I had 15K to spend on a bike it would have four wheels and a motor... and a roof and windows.

davidof

slowmart said:

There are only marginal gains after your distill the marketing BS and real world performance gains from a retail price of $3000 for a bike.

The marginal gains start from about 800 quid up (ie cheap carbon with 105 gruppo)

Ben6899

wiucksch said:

yellowv2 said:

Ben6899 said:

If I had $15k to spend on a bike, I'd make sure it was something no one else owned...

This 100%

Never thought of that. How can I tell a good bespoke bike maker? Any recommendations?

Or are you talking about customisation? (Eg: Trek Project One)

Cheers!

Bespoke. Project One, as nice as some are, they're just paint jobs.

shirleybasso's list is a good one ^^^. I would add Rourke to that list.

Btw, you won't have to be anywhere near $15k unless you buy some bonkers wheels.

DeVlaeminck

The Canyon has to be a consideration - prices look reasonable as you are likely to get with some decent wheels included and the geometry is a bit less extreme than the previous model - that's an individual thing I suppose but it was very long and low before - now it's just fairly long and low.

shirley_basso

davidof said:

Ben6899 said:

If I had $15k to spend on a bike, I'd make sure it was something no one else owned...

If I had 15K to spend on a bike it would have four wheels and a motor... and a roof and windows.

If you have 15k to spend on a bike you already have the car you want.

While I'm a bit envious of your budget, more the power to you for spending it on an awesome toy rather than something sensible with seats and a steering wheel.