80:20 Frame - most of the aero without the fuss

[robeambro]

This is more of a curiosity I have as I'm not in the market right now, but was wondering what would be the fastest frame / setup that is also "easy", which - for me- means not compromising too much on other factors (though I'll state - no rim brakes) such as comfort, serviceability, ease of maintenance.

- as a watt weenie I am conscious of leaving some watts on the table, so I wouldn't want a round tube setup. I'd like some aero where it matters most (say, headtube and fork aero shaping, downtube too perhaps), but without things like proprietary parts that either compromise comfort too much, will be made obsolete as soon as the frame is out of production and/or they might malfunction (thinking of aero seatposts for example - would love a classic round seatpost instead. I've experienced slipping seatposts on my aero bike and being disappointed at a £5k frame is not something I enjoy).

- Integrated cables are fine but would prefer cables to run under the stem (though this is not mandatory), so I could run something like the Enve SES AR (which is by far the best shape handlebar I ever rode, and can be super narrow as well, and I'd presume is decently aero).

To be honest I'm not aware of (m)any semi-aero frames that have round seatposts but thought I'd ask.

[raisinberry777]

Merida Scultura? Semi-aero, integrated cables, round seatpost.

Not available in US though if that's where you are.

[robeambro]

Merida Scultura? Semi-aero, integrated cables, round seatpost.

Not available in US though if that's where you are.

Thanks - didn't know it had a round seatpost.

I'll add another one that I wasn't aware of: FiftyOne Sika. I love how it looks, it's basically some sort of mix between an Aethos and a TCR (at least that's what the front end reminds me of), and it even has clearance for up to 40mm tyres.

[steve028]

Merida Scultura? Semi-aero, integrated cables, round seatpost.

Not available in US though if that's where you are.

Thanks - didn't know it had a round seatpost.

I'll add another one that I wasn't aware of: FiftyOne Sika. I love how it looks, it's basically some sort of mix between an Aethos and a TCR (at least that's what the front end reminds me of), and it even has clearance for up to 40mm tyres.

just had a look, not bad at all

[robeambro]

Merida Scultura? Semi-aero, integrated cables, round seatpost.

Not available in US though if that's where you are.

Thanks - didn't know it had a round seatpost.

I'll add another one that I wasn't aware of: FiftyOne Sika. I love how it looks, it's basically some sort of mix between an Aethos and a TCR (at least that's what the front end reminds me of), and it even has clearance for up to 40mm tyres.

just had a look, not bad at all

it's definitely flying under the radar but it has good specs.

There are other bikes that I've found with varying degrees of fit to my requirements (bit of aero - simplicity - little proprietary parts). Some are well-known (e.g. the Time and the Orbea), some less. I'll list them below just in case they could be of help to anyone.

Dare MA-AFO,
Arc8 Escapee,
Sensa Giulia GF,
Time Alpe D'Huez,
Orbea Orca.