With the summer season of cycling at an end, we shudder at the prospect of long nights and the prospect of being bombarded with Christmas adverts and pants weather for the next three months. However, we do have one thing to look forward to and that’s all the shiny new bikes that get showcased around this time of year ahead of next season. So we’ve rummaged through the lot to bring you a stunning selection of the ones that we think will prove to be some of the best bikes of 2017.
Specialized Roubaix Elite
The much-loved Roubaix has had a complete redesign with the Californian company going totally rad in the process. Gone are the Zertz inserts in the seatstays and fork, in comes FutureShock tech, which adds suspension to the handlebars. Using small springs inside the headset, it offers up to 20mm of travel when you’re bouncing over uneven surfaces – useful if your hands are taking a battering all day on the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix, that 20mm could be the difference between finishing the ride and sitting on the side of the road weeping. By neatly fitting the miniature suspension in the headset, the bike’s beautiful lines aren’t disrupted. Unlike those RockShox-equipped Team Z bikes used by Greg LeMond and co back in the 1991 Roubaix, which is the last time we can remember suspension being used in pro road racing. Models range from the handsome entry-level Elite shown to the eTap-equipped S-Works for the pros. Read our first ride review here.
£1,900, specialized.com
BMC Roadmachine RM01
The Swiss giant has jumped on the ‘all-road’ bandwagon with the Roadmachine. Using disc brakes and larger tyre clearance, BMC is promising a bike that can do it all – i.e. handle descents and climbs with aplomb, while still being comfortable and versatile enough to take on any terrain. To use BMC’s own lingo, this new offering is part of its ‘one bike collection’ – a three-bike range that goes from this the full-carbon, Dura-Ace equipped RM01 to the alloy-framed RM03. The RM01 uses BMC’s Tuned Compliance Concept and so promises stiffness where you need it and compliance (ie flexing) where you don’t. The neat ‘Dual-Stack’ system also allows you to choose between a racier lower front end or a more spine-friendly higher set-up. It comes in cool colours, too, like mint green or burnt orange and black.
£5,799, evanscycles.com
Rose Xeon CW-3100
Much like its German compatriot Canyon, online retailer Rose knows how to make a bike that is simple and affordable while also ready to race right out of the box. The proof is this CW-3100, a stunning Ultegra-equipped aero road bike – which is also available as a disc-brake model. The designers weren’t scared to get the paint pots out either – as well as this black option, there’s a lime green version promised which also sounds cool. Its aero profiling and integrated seatpost clamp finish off a daring-looking bike. We doff our cycling caps to you, Rose.
£2,585, rosebikes.co.uk
Specialized Venge Vias Expert Disc
The ultimate in futuristic race bikes, the Venge Vias Disc is the upgrade you never knew you needed. While the pro-level S-Works models – as trialled by the likes of Team Etixx-QuickStep in private – feature a wacky integrated stem that looks like something off the Death Star, the Expert model shown here is a more practical design (at a far more affordable price). It comes in Stealth Black for those Dark Knight fans out there, or this Glossy Red for riders who like a bit more colour. Oh, and a Matt Black and White iteration for those who like to keep it simple.
£3,900, specialized.com
Giant TCR Advanced Pro Disc
With its understated designs, Giant isn’t into showy bikes, but its lightweight stalwart has had an eye-catching upgrade for 2017 with the addition of disc brakes. This add-on has allowed Giant to tidy up the bike’s frame, particularly at the rear end, while also providing space for wider tyres. With increased stopping power and grip, this will be a machine for climbing and descending with speed and confidence on any surface. As well as the pricey Advanced Pro shown, two Advanced models will be available under £1,900.
£3,599, giant-bicycles.com
Scott Addict Premium Disc
While we generally like a bit more colour in our bikes, we must say the Scott Addict Premium Disc is just beautiful. The frame has been totally redesigned to accommodate disc brakes and the pro-level Premium model – with Dura-Ace Di2, of course – is claimed to be only 60g heavier than the non-disc version ridden by Adam Yates to Tour glory earlier this year.
£7,399, scott-sports.com
Orbea Orca M20 Team
Fun fact: despite sharing its name with a killer whale, the name of Orbea’s flagship road bike derives from a mix of (Or)bea and (ca)rbon. Fittingly, this mid-range model uses Orbea’s top-grade OMR carbon blend (a mix of Toray T700, T800 and M40J fibres). The stylish name also fits the cool colouring, the smooth sky blue and dashes of black and purple add a touch of class to an incredibly light and stiff machine. Among many small touches that show real care, we also really liked the integrated seat clamp. The devil is in the detail, after all. (First ride review available to read here).
£2,899, orbea.com
SpeedX Leopard Pro
Here at BikesEtc we’re firm believers that it’s what’s on the inside that counts and while the SpeedX Leopard Pro, designed by a Chinese start-up, isn’t the coolest-looking bike in the eyes of some, it is jolly clever, with a fully integrated computer and loads of sensors to measure things like cadence and speed. The computer is ANT+ and Bluetooth compatible so it can hook up to devices like your smartphone. It can also give you a heads up if you’ve got an incoming call or text. Much like a Garmin, then, but built into your bike so you’ll never leave it at home.
£2,500, speedx.com
Merida Scultura Disc Team CF4
First shown off at this year’s Paris-Roubaix, the Merida Scultura Disc is another superbike for the harsh roads of northern France, engineered to be super light and super comfortable on the cobbles. It also features a nifty cooling vent on the disc brake to prevent overheating, which Merida claims makes the whole system more efficient. What’s more, it uses the RAT (Rapid Axle Technology) axle – a much neater design than other bolt-thru axles we’ve see that makes wheel removal and installation a hell of a lot less hassle.
£6,500, merida-bikes.com
Mason Bokeh 105
The Brighton-based bike builders Mason featured in our sexiest bikes list last year, and now they’re back with the stunning Bokeh. Described as an ‘Adventure Sport’ bike and providing more weaponry in the ever increasing industry-wide adventure craze, it’ll take on everything from smooth tarmac to gravel and rocky paths, and is available in both aluminium and titanium builds. What we really love about it, though, is its use of 650b wheels to allow tyres as wide as 50mm. Great for tearing it up in the grit and grime that off-road riding offers.
£2,795, masoncycles.cc