AND THE WINNER IS... COLNAGO V3

The smooth-riding Italian takes it at the finish …

Colnago’s V3 is as sporty as I’d ever need a bike to be while maintaining a super-smooth ride

Both Colnago’s V3 and Specialized’s Aethos Comp are superb. Either one will light up your riding and constantly impress you, whether it’s the Aethos’s low weight or the Colnago’s dynamic prowess.

Nevertheless, neither of them represents great value, as both bikes deserve better wheels and tyres. You can compromise on many things, but the rubber you’re rolling on adds so much to the ride that it’s worth looking for compromises elsewhere first. I’d love to see Specialized’s Gripton tyres on the Aethos and Continental’s GP5000 tyres on the Colnago.

I never felt I wanted better shifting or braking – Rival eTap AXS is smooth, swift and accurate wherever you find it – and I couldn’t honestly recommend spending another grand for a lighter groupset. Both bikes offer all the performance you’d want from a road bike (once the wheels and tyres are upgraded) and the extra £7,000 you’d spend on their range-topping stablemates would only make a difference to your bank balance.

As for the winner, my heart says Specialized’s Aethos. I love its super-fast handling and looks, but it needs more upgrades than the Colnago to make the most of its flyweight chassis, which makes it feel like more of a project. But my head plumps for the Italian. Colnago’s V3 is as sporty as I’d ever need a bike to be while maintaining a super-smooth ride. Plus, its quality carbon bar and high-grade components all work in its favour.

It’s an unusual outcome when a bike from Colnago, a brand so heavily associated with the romance of cycling, is the considered choice over one from Specialized, a brand with a reputation built on research, testing and engineering savvy. But there you go.