Need to know

All four of these top new road bikes for 2023 show off some impressive new design and technology…

AS WE USHER IN A NEW YEAR

we have high hopes for new models and equipment, such as Shimano’s more cost- effective 105 Di2. There are new wheels, tyres and tech on the horizon too.

For this month’s bike test, we’ve picked four exciting new road bikes and given them a closer look. Alongside updates to current favourites such as Giant’s groundbreaking Propel aero bike, Canyon’s flyweight allrounder the Ultimate, and Trek’s classicsfocused endurance bike the Domane, we also have Cervélo revitalising its classic Soloist as a ride that brings aero gains to real-world riders like us.

01 Going solo

Cervélo has revived the Soloist from the original that debuted 20 years ago and inspired the whole aero-road bike genre. The Soloist was a legendary design for Cervélo and the new bike brings the brand’s extensive aerodynamic design knowledge and wraps it up in a bike described by Cervélo as an aerodynamic race bike that’s fast to ride yet easy to live with.

This new model is aimed at amateur racers and riders alike. That’s reflected in the specifications of the range, which tops out with this Ultegra Di2-equipped model and starts with a mechanical Shimano 105 edition.

02 A new Domane

Trek’s Domane is now in its fourth iteration since the original bike designed with Fabian Cancellara to take on the cobbled classics came on the scene back in 2012. The Domane debuted the IsoSpeed system, a pseudo suspension system that decoupled the seat-tube from the top-tube allowing the special carbon construction to flex and absorb bumps and vibrations of the Belgian cobbles. This model features an overhauled IsoSpeed system at the back, while getting rid of the front-end IsoSpeed system.

03 The ultimate Ultimate?

Canyon has managed to produce a ridiculously light bike that, in this build, can skip up mountains with consummate ease. It’s so light in fact, that it comes in under the UCI’s minimum legal weight limit for racing. But, with such superlight wheels and tyres, is this bike in this build lacking a bit of durability for our less-thanperfect UK roads?

04 Giant steps

This new Giant Propel is still plenty aero enough, but its new-found lightness now serves to broaden its appeal for climbing too. With a geometry that’s taken its cue from the TCR, it’s nippy and agile to boot. Then there’s more tyre clearance, keeping up with this general trend for more comfort with no apparent loss of speed. Also among its innovations are an integrated seatpost and a new two-piece aero cockpit.

05 How we tested

This month’s testers are Cycling Plus’ senior tech editor Warren Rossiter (Cervélo and Trek), and BikeRadar’s senior technical writer Simon von Bromley (Giant) and senior road technical editor Ashley Quinlan (Canyon). The bikes were tested in autumn in Somerset and Wiltshire, with endurance rides and higher-paced efforts on hilly and flat terrain, and in a variety of conditions.