2019’s bikes put to the test
2019 looks set to deliver some dynamic new bikes. We’ve rounded up the six most exciting for this exclusive test
Next year is set to be a big one. It will see the arrival of a new era of politics as the UK leaves the EU and there’ll be a new arrival for the royal family, but the new arrivals we care about most are the bikes. That’s why we’ve rounded up six 2019 bikes that have impressed us the most.
First up is Giant’s Defy. The gamechanging endurance bike has always been a favourite. Recently, we tested the Pro 0 model in Italy and were blown away by the ride and the value of the premium model, but can the Defy set such a high standard with a more modest spec?
Next, it’s Cannondale’s first foray into aero road bikes. It’s taken a famed name from the past to label its truly cutting-edge aero bike, but how does the inaugural SystemSix hold up against rivals that are already into their third or fourth generation?
Specialized has revamped its aero Venge, taking what was a technical marvel that carried a weight penalty for aero gains and reinventing it into a lithe, lightweight race bike with all of the aerodynamics intact.
Orbea’s design direction in recent years has taken on a much more technical edge, continuing with the reinvention of the Orca into a lightweight disc-equipped race bike with impressive aerodynamics.
Cervélo’s aerodynamic engineering is a step beyond its rivals in the S5, so the Canadian brand that invented the genre could well be set to revolutionise aero bikes once again.
Finally, it’s Trek’s flagship Madone SLR9, a bike that combines beautiful lines with stealth-like aerodynamics and integrates an adjustable iteration of its Isospeed comfort system that set the bar for on-road smoothness.