*Tour Aero Bike Tests*

[VTR1000SP2]

No love for the Merida Reacto? Big company, designed in Germany, major World Tour sponsor, won Milan-San Remo...

It didn't fair all that well in the previous Aero test: https://www.tour-magazin.de/typo3temp/p ... 10214.jpeg - what I'd like to see included is a 3T Strada and the Propel Disc in this test. I think the Propel Disc did well in the 2018 test.

[Monkeyfudger]

Yeah disappointed to see the the rim brake bike there instead of the disc one, the disc braked Propel is really the only option for a reasonably priced, aero race bike with discs IMO.

[VTR1000SP2]

Yeah disappointed to see the the rim brake bike there instead of the disc one, the disc braked Propel is really the only option for a reasonably priced, aero race bike with discs IMO.

It's my understanding that it's very fast but not comfortable like a Madone or Noah Fast.

[ryanw]

I would have liked to have seen:

3T Strada
BMC Time Machine SLR01 One
Scott Foil Disc
Giant Propel Disc SL0
Canyon Aeroad Disc

And a benchmark of say a S Works SL6.

[VTR1000SP2]

Venge translation:

The old Venge ViAS was aerodynamically great but was considered heavy, hard and complicated. Therefore, after only three years, Specialized presented the successor earlier than expected, which is more than 300 grams lighter with almost identical equipment. In the wind tunnel, the new model is just behind or just ahead of its predecessor, depending on your point of view. It's best aero result scored the Venge ViAS as a variant with rim brakes (204 watts, Tour 1/2016). With discs, it came to 209 watts (Tour 2/2018). The new Venge undercuts this value extremely thinly (208 Watts), whereby the combination of Roval wheels and turbo cotton tires aerodynamically still air upwards. The reference measurement with Zipp 404 gave a very good 206 watts. The most important quality was inherited by the new Venge from the old model: the intoxicating experience of sitting on a bike that feels much faster than most of its competitors. Responsible for this is the Turbo Cotton tires which roll extremely well and adhere remarkably well. For this driving experience forgive the wheel even the pronounced hardness at the rear.

[VTR1000SP2]

SystemSix translation (tried to make sense of some of the translation at the end but definitely lost in translation):

From scratch, the SystemSix catapults to the top of the fastest production bikes (203 watts). The resulting expectation turns it one to one. Even though the reading alone does not explain this, the bike feels amazingly faster than many of its rivals, reminiscent of the Specialized Venge in this regard. Jointly responsible for the outstanding aerodynamics are likely the KNOT wheels, the 64mm deep rims are significantly wider than the tires. Also interesting is the extremely flat handlebar, which is bolted from above to the stem and is adjustable in angle. Conversely, the design for maximum speed means that the SystemSix is ​​not a bike for leisurely cruising. Narrow tires, stiff support, hard saddle: you have to deal with what pros experience. But that could disturb the weight of 7.8 kilos. We are also looking forward to the feedback that the fork strikes the frame at a 45 degree impact. No problem with normal driving, but turning over at two meters is not possible with the SystemSix.

[spdntrxi]

I would have liked to have seen:

3T Strada
BMC Time Machine SLR01 One
Scott Foil Disc
Giant Propel Disc SL0
Canyon Aeroad Disc

And a benchmark of say a S Works SL6.

for sure that would have been nice...

[VTR1000SP2]

Noah Fast translation:

In the wind tunnel, the other models are slightly faster than the Noah Fast Disc (213 watts). Nevertheless, the bike emerges in the overall calculation as a narrow winner from the test. The deciding factor is the balanced performance and value. This starts with the respectable weight of 7.1 kilos and ends when - for a bike of this category - good comfort value on the saddle. The frame is clear and drawn in a straight line; as a small extravagance, he makes wing-shaped extensions at the front ends of the drop and beads on the fork, control tube and down tube, which should smooth the air flow. The extremely narrow down tube raises the fear that the frame may be susceptible to distortion, but the lab and practical test reveal triumph. The bike is one. The driving impression corresponds to that of a thoroughbred professional bike. The 130mm long, low positioned stem brings the driver in a very stretched position. The one-piece cockpit is great. We are curious to see if the pros from Lotto-Soudal get involved with the disc version in the next season or at the end decide on the rim brake variant of the Noah Fast again. The latter is said to be 500 grams lighter, according to Ridley.

[AJS914]

Thanks for the translations!

The takeaway seems to be that there isn't a huge difference between super bikes these days. You can make any bike faster with deeper, wider wheels and a relatively skinny front tire.

It's too bad that their wattage numbers make no sense. It's not clear to me how their hypothetical 10 watt difference between two bikes is meaningful in real life watts.

[VTR1000SP2]

My takeaway from all this is the new bikes are rapidly fast with really good stopping power and improved comfort over their predecessors. The average savage is going to benefit from all of this in most cases (long climbs, dry climates, short rides being the exception).

I went from a 2015 Cervelo S3 to the (now old) 2017 Izalco Max and while I'm happy with the move (much lighter, more comfortable), it takes more watts to hold the same top end pace. I'll eventually get into aero disc ownership but might wait for the next generation of this category.

[Monkeyfudger]

I’d also like to say thanks for the translations.

The Ridley is, for me, the best looking disc brake bike out there with great proportions, I wonder if the aero it gives up makes it climb better and much more like a “standard bike”? I’d love to see a head to head between its disc and rim versions.

Semi on topic, has anyone seen much of the new rim brake S3? I don’t think I’ve actually seen a picture and on any sites where it’s for sale it has the disc brake version with a disclaimer on.

[VTR1000SP2]

Semi on topic, has anyone seen much of the new rim brake S3? I don’t think I’ve actually seen a picture and on any sites where it’s for sale it has the disc brake version with a disclaimer on.

The frameset is on the Cervelo site and shows the direct-mount rim brake model. Full builds I haven't seen yet but if you're savvy online, look for the Sunweb training camp shots and you may see one or two there. I suspect they're using them alongside the R5/S5 models.

[Monkeyfudger]

Nice one, just re-looked and I’d never spotted the frameset. Shame there’s not a full bike. I’ll keep an eye on Insta.

[morganb]

All tested at 45kph on Zipp 404s:

2019 Cannondale SystemSix Disc - 203w
2016 Trek Madone - 204w
2016 Specialized Venge ViAS - 204w
2016 Cervelo S5 - 205w
2016 Felt AR FRD - 205w
2019 Cervelo S5 Disc - 206w
2016 Canyon Aeroad - 208w
2019 Specialized Venge Disc - 208w
2016 Giant Propel Advanced SL - 210w
2016 Scott Foil Premium - 211w
2016 BMC Time Machine - 211w
2016 Look 795 - 212w
2019 Trek Madone Disc - 212w
2019 Ridley Noah Fast Disc - 213w

Did they not aero test the Allez Sprint?

[VTR1000SP2]

Did they not aero test the Allez Sprint?

It's in the german text of the Allez's review on 1st page:

"The Aero performance is not bad at 219 watts and beats any classic round tube frame, but remains behind the top racers."