Cervélo Soloist Ultegra Di2

Value for money and a broad appeal lift it above the rest

THESE FOUR BIKES REPRESENT

where road bikes are heading for 2023, and all do it exceptionally well.

Canyon’s flagship Ultimate is almost impossibly light in this elite build; it’s also claimed to be more aerodynamic, more efficient and more comfortable than before. That taps into a common trend for 2023: bikes that manage to be more focused and yet more versatile.

In this build, the Ultimate is perhaps a little too focused on pure climbing. The lightweight wheel and tyre combo make sense on epic continental climbs but suffers a bit on home terrain. Another build could hit the mark if ultimate lightness is your priority though.

Trek’s lighter new Domane brings the Wisconsin brand’s endurance bike back towards its racing roots with its sportier handling and evolved aerodynamics. It keeps mudguard mounts, tyre clearance, and storage solutions, though, managing to blend excitement and practicality.

Giant took the Propel template with its aero-above-everything design and mixed it with the legendary TCR’s handling and low weight. The Propel is still a focused aero bike but it’s now not only for fast, flat roads and low rolling terrain, it could become a pro rider’s choice for big days in the mountains too.

That just leaves Cervélo’s Soloist. It’s a bold move to bring back the historic name of a groundbreaking bike, then to blend a cutting-edge aero road bike design (the original Soloist is arguably the genesis of that style) with a handling quality and ride position to suit non pros. That’s also reflected in the price. This range-topping model is thousands cheaper than its rivals here, but it’s on a performance par.

None of these bikes would look out of place in a pro tour, yet arguably only the Soloist looks at home as a club-level racer. The result will see Cervélo’s elite tech being enjoyed by an array of amateur riders.

“This range-topping model is thousands cheaper than its rivals here, but it’s on a performance par”