The finest light-weight bikes can now offer you a fantastic mixture of low-weight and aerodynamic efficiency.
Gone are the times once you needed to sacrifice effectivity and on-the-flat pace for a better trip within the hills, with many light-weight bikes that includes among the many finest street bikes. The majority of those bikes and the elements with which they’re fitted offer you aero advantages whereas nonetheless usually coming near or under the 6.8kg weight restrict that the UCI imposes on its sanctioned competitions.
After a number of years of disc brake-equipped race bikes being a little bit on the heavy aspect, it now appears the very best race bikes are heading again down across the UCI weight restrict mark while nonetheless retaining aero options and designs. The exception under is the Specialized Aethos, the place aero features have been sacrificed for out-and-out low weight. Specialized has carried over design options of the Aethos to the brand new Tarmac SL8 although, the place you do get each.
The low total weight of the very best light-weight bikes is regardless of the overall shift to disc brakes, which nonetheless weigh greater than their rim brake counterparts. Bike manufacturers have discovered how you can use the properties of disc brakes, and the thru-axles with which they virtually at all times come, to construct a lighter body that is nonetheless as stiff as one utilizing rim brakes. There are fewer bodily constraints on disc brake wheel rims, with the very best light-weight wheels saving much more weight.
Below, we run via our choose of the very best light-weight bikes accessible at this time, adopted by a brief purchaser’s information on what to search for when selecting.
Best light-weight bikes: fast listing
Non-aero option
Specialized S-Works Aethos
Best non-aero light-weight bike
The Aethos achieves a 6.1kg weight in S-Works guise, though which means spherical tubes and exterior cables.
All-rounder
Cannondale LAB71 SuperSix Evo
Best all-rounder
The new SuperSix EVO is extra aero than its predecessor and the highest spec LAB71 body is lighter too.
Comfortable ride
Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8
Best for trip consolation
The newest Tarmac SL8 manages to be lighter and extra snug than the SL7 while being sooner too.
Aero and Light
Best Italian light-weight superbike
The new Bianchi Specialissima RC is extra aero and extra built-in, in addition to lighter at 6.56kg.
Best value
Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8.0
Best worth
A less expensive possibility for a light-ish light-weight bike, the Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8.0 presents spectacular efficiency with a high quality spec.
Best light-weight bikes
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Our specialists spend numerous hours testing biking tech and can at all times share sincere, unbiased recommendation that can assist you select. Find out extra about how we take a look at.
1. Specialized S-Works Aethos
Ultra-lightweight body for a motorcycle that shatters the UCI’s rulebook
Specifications
Weight: 6.1kg
Brake: Disc
Frame: Carbon
Sizes: 49cm-61cm
Rather than aiming for a motorcycle that fitted conveniently with the UCI’s rulebook, Specialized went all-in for a light-weight machine with the Aethos, leading to a body weighing simply 585g +/- 5g for a measurement 56cm, and a full construct, right here with Shimano Dura-Ace, that weighs simply 6.1kg.
Specialized has additionally majored in constructing a body that is stiff in all the precise locations however shunned the light-weight/aero idiom with spherical tube profiles to maintain the body’s weight to a minimal, leading to what’s claimed to be the lightest disc brake frameset accessible. It’s additionally a reasonably handsome one.
The model has bolted as many light-weight elements as it might probably muster onto the S-Works mannequin, with a set of 1,265g Roval Alpiniste CLX II wheels, a 9g 4iiii energy meter and titanium bolts in all places. It has retained a threaded backside bracket although.
Geometry is identical because the Tarmac SL8 (see under), leading to a trip that is as quick downhill and thru corners as it’s when the street tilts upwards.
Specialized Aethos early evaluation
Fourth technology of one of the crucial acclaimed light-weight bikes
Specifications
Weight: 6.8kg
Brake: Disc
Frame: Carbon
Sizes: 48cm-58cm
Reasons to purchase
Ride traits and dealing with
+Aerodynamics
+New threaded BB
A contented conjunction has seen Cannondale replace its SuperSix Evo and launch its premium LAB71 collection bikes collectively at first of 2023. The result’s a fourth technology of Cannondale’s light-weight/aero machine that is, effectively, extra light-weight and extra aero.
The LAB71 SuperSix Evo hits the UCI 6.8kg restrict, with a painted measurement 56 body weighing 770g. Although the geometry hasn’t modified – no dangerous factor – aero tweaks have saved 12 watts. Cannondale incorporates a battery slot forward of the underside bracket, permitting it to suit a skinnier seatpost, for instance. Like the Aethos, the SuperSix Evo additionally now sports activities a threaded backside bracket.
Our first trip on the SuperSix Evo 4 round Girona displayed the bike’s all-around traits: mild on the climbs, quick on the flat, nice dealing with on descents, full of life once you need it to be however mellow once you trip straightforward.
Cannondale SuperSix Evo 4 first trip evaluation
Even lighter and extra aero than its predecessor
Specifications
Weight: 6.8kg with pedals and cages
Brake: Disc
Frame: Carbon
Sizes: 44cm-61cm
Reasons to purchase
Grand Tour successful pedigree
+Sub-6.8kg weight
+Aerodynamics and energy switch
Reasons to keep away from
A barely decreased worth from SL7 remains to be excessive
–Limited lower-spec choices
The newest model of Specialized’s massively fashionable Tarmac retains the implausible effectivity and dealing with of the SL7 whereas shedding weight. It’s additionally extra aero, because of the one-piece cockpit on larger spec fashions and the ‘Speed Sniffer’ headtube.
At the rear, Specialized has slimmed issues out, utilizing its experience from the Aethos to cut back the seat tube’s width. It says that aerodynamics are much less of a precedence right here than on the entrance of the bike and that the skinnier sections add additional compliance.
With a measurement 56 body weighing a claimed 685g, a full construct at S-Works spec stage has a claimed 6.8kg weight able to trip, full with pedals and bottle cages. Our quick first trip advised that the Tarmac SL8 is quick each on the flat and when climbing, with nice energy switch.
Although the value tag remains to be exhausting to swallow, it is really cheaper than its predecessor. There’s not a lot depth to the vary for these searching for a less expensive construct although.
Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 first trip evaluation
Bianchi’s range-topping light-weight/aero bike
Specifications
Weight: 6.56kg
Brake: Disc
Frame: Carbon
Sizes: 47cm-59cm
Reasons to purchase
Very light-weight
+Now extra aero than ever
Reasons to keep away from
Narrow tyres do not encourage confidence
Bianchi has reworked the Specialissima, with improved aerodynamics and a weight that now sits at 6.56kg for a measurement 55 in high RC spec.
As with the Tarmac SL8, the entrance finish is the place the aero remedy has been biggest, with a one-piece cockpit and nostril cone to the pinnacle tube, whereas weight is saved on the rear. Bianchi claims that the Specialissima will probably be sooner than its Oltre aero bike at a comparatively shallow gradient of between 4 and 6 per cent.
With its weight, it is no shock that we discovered the Specialissima a formidable climber. Its aerodynamics additionally make it really feel quick on shallower climbs and on the flat, whereas the inertia feels decrease than when using an aero bike.
Bianchi’s wheels weigh a claimed 1,380g and the bike rolls on 26mm tyres, each of which assist, though the tyres do not present the sensation of cornering confidence or the consolation of wider choices. The trip feels barely jittery and the Specialissima feels extra generic than Bianchi’s heritage would point out.
Bianchi Specialissima RC evaluation
Lighter weight possibility that sits alongside the most recent Teammachine R
Specifications
Weight: 6.7kg
Brake: Disc
Frame: Carbon
Sizes: 47-61cm
Reasons to purchase
Sharp seems to be
+Stiffness and dealing with prowess
+Aero features
Reasons to keep away from
No energy meter
–Restricted handlebar compatibility
While the most recent Teammachine R aero street bike grabs the headlines with its Formula One-derived tech, BMC will proceed to promote the Teammachine SLR alongside it as a lighter-weight climber’s bike.
Dropping the seat stays for improved consolation and aerodynamics is now a bike-design must-have, however the BMC dedication to progressive bicycle design is such that it debuted this function again in 2010 on the Teammachine.
The newest technology Teammachine SLR inherits that bike’s DNA however with an built-in cockpit and the standard lighter, sooner, stiffer, extra compliant mixture. It’s extra aero thanks partially to the bottle cage design, but additionally the ICS carbon cockpit, though this solely is available in two widths and six-length choices, limiting adjustability.
BMC’s D-shaped seatpost provides consolation – you possibly can match 30mm tyres if you need extra. The body design presents spectacular energy switch because of its chunky down tube and backside bracket, whereas the stack and attain are in the course of the pack, making for a not-too-racy trip.
BMC Teammachine SLR evaluation
An out-the-box hill climb machine
Specifications
Weight: 6.7kg
Brake: Disc
Frame: Carbon
Sizes: 46-61
Reasons to purchase
6.7Kg able to trip
+Racy Geometry
+Comfortable responsive trip
+Stunning one-piece bar and stem
Reasons to keep away from
Some construct high quality points
The Factor O2 VAM Disc can simply maintain its personal towards the section’s finest street bikes. It’s critically mild, greater than quick sufficient on the flats and descends with a stage of confidence. Sure, there are sooner bikes on the market however except you are using on the highest stage of the game or testing it back-to-back towards its rivals in a managed setting, these nuances are imperceptible to us mere mortals.
We stated most individuals would in all probability be higher served by the model’s extra aero Ostro mannequin, however if you’re available in the market for a surprising, light-weight bike that makes you’re feeling sprightly each trip, the O2 VAM could also be simply the ticket.
We’ve accomplished our evaluation of the most recent technology Factor O2 VAM which launched in late 2023. Factor claims that it improves on its predecessor’s aerodynamics by 12 watts in its wind tunnel assessments and that it’s 35 per cent stiffer than the earlier technology bike.
Factor O2 VAM evaluation
Great worth, super-efficient light-weight bike with top-of-the-line spec
Specifications
Weight: 7.43kg (with pedals)
Brake: Disc
Frame: Carbon
Sizes: 3XS-2XL
Reasons to purchase
Stiffness
+Aerodynamic cockpit
+Value
+Wide vary of sizes
Reasons to keep away from
Can solely be bought on-line
The fifth technology of the Canyon Ultimate is accessible in three guises. We examined the SLX with Canyon’s mid-spec carbon, however head as much as the CFR body and you’ll anticipate a weight of round 6.3kg – and it is nonetheless not as costly as many of the bikes right here.
Our take a look at bike got here with Ultegra 12-speed (with a 4iiii energy meter) and DT Swiss ARC 1400 Dicut db wheels however nonetheless weighed in at a featherweight 7.4kg with pedals. All specs get the identical adjustable-width bar/stem as used on the Canyon Aeroad, there is a D-shaped seatpost and 32mm tyre clearance. There can also be a variety of sizes accessible, with smaller frames coming with 650b wheels for related dealing with to the bigger sizes which run on 700c wheels.
We discovered that the Ultimate shone uphill, significantly when issues received steep, with a stiff body and weight distribution that will get you extra over the pedals than another choices. With aero thrives, it ticks alongside fortunately on the flat too, though the dealing with is on the edgier aspect.
Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8.0 evaluation
A no-compromise light-weight bike that hides its efficiency credentials behind traditional seems to be
Specifications
Weight: Unpublished
Brake: Disc
Frame: Carbon
Sizes: XS-XXL
Reasons to purchase
Classic seems to be
+Aerodynamics
+Stiffness
+Handling
+User friendliness
Reasons to keep away from
Design arguably getting dated
The Cervelo R5’s newest makeover has resulted in a 16 per cent discount in body weight to a claimed 703g. It can also be maybe the one bike to have gotten much less stiff in its newest iteration, Visma-Lease a motorcycle riders demanding extra consolation. Although pedalling effectivity hasn’t decreased, the brand new headtube and fork design are claimed to extend compliance.
Otherwise, the R5 has the traditional seems to be of a street bike, whilst different bike makers have moved on to dropped stays, and regardless of the marginally retro seems to be, that is nonetheless a high-performance bike.
The body is digital groupset appropriate solely and tyre clearance is now 34mm. Carbon wheels come from sister model Reserve, with a claimed weight of 1,300g a set.
Cervelo R5 launch story
Combining trendy efficiency with conventional aesthetics to a quick uphill climber
Specifications
Weight: 6.8kg
Brake: Disc
Frame: Carbon
Sizes: XS-XXL
Reasons to purchase
Stiffness
+Uphill climbing
+Excellent bar/stem for consolation
+Impressively low weight in XL measurement
Reasons to keep away from
No girls’s builds can be found
–Heavy wheels
–Very costly
Replacing the Wilier 0 SLR, the brand new revamped Verticale SLR is a powerful light-weight all-rounder, stiff and punchy with aggressive geometry and reassuringly surefooted stability.
The Verticale SLR doesn’t fairly have the all-day consolation of the Factor O2 Vam, neither is it fairly as quick on the flat because the Wilier’s personal Filante. It isn’t even essentially the most light-weight bike in the marketplace, with each the Tarmac SL8 and Giant TCR sitting at an analogous weight level with out pedals. Despite this although it nonetheless packs a punch, providing a nimble and keen acceleration, excelling significantly in each steep technical ascents the place its stiffness and light-weight weight are significantly helpful and instilling confidence on quick twisting descents. It is a particularly pleasant approach to spend a quick afternoon.
A motorbike that mixes trendy efficiency with a conventional aesthetic (however the inexperienced paint job that surprisingly grew on me), the Wilier Verticale SLR stacks up effectively towards different light-weight bikes and blends excessive efficiency with a playfulness that you just don’t usually get in such critically aggressive bikes.
Wilier Verticale SLR evaluation
Trek’s one bike to rule all of them
Specifications
Weight: 7kg – M/L body
Brake: Disc
Frame: Carbon
Sizes: XS-XL
Reasons to purchase
Rigid in energy and switch dealing with
+Extremely light-weight
+Extraordinarily quick
Reasons to keep away from
Water bottles and cages are a bit uncommon
–Bike not as quick when aero bottles aren’t used
Skinnier, lighter, sooner and extra aero than its predecessors, Trek’s new Emonda-killing Madone Gen 8 is claimed to be among the best ultra-lightweight climbing superbikes, and the brand new upgrades actually level to it being a formidable climber.
Riding the Ultegra Di2-equipped SLR 7 we discovered it blisteringly quick on the flats and distinctive on descents, with the IsoFlow system considerably enhancing the trip high quality by sustaining a connection to the street with out compromising consolation, a definite enchancment over earlier fashions. In a nod to gravel versatility, the Madone has upped the tyre clearance from 28mm in earlier iterations to a powerful 33mm.
In the top-spec SLR 9, Trek has managed to hit the 7kg mark, integrating an distinctive stiffness we couldn’t have dreamt of even 5 years in the past. It’s a fantastic all-rounder as a race bike, bridging the hole between the wants of among the better of there world’s athletes and regular on a regular basis lovers.
Read our evaluation of the Trek Madone Gen 8 SL7
11. Scott Addict RC Ultimate
Addicted to the climbs and the sprints
Specifications
Weight: 6.9kg
Brake: Disc
Frame: Carbon
Sizes: 47cm-61cm
Reasons to purchase
Fully built-in cockpit
+Aero tube shapes
The Addict RC Ultimate unsurprisingly sits on the high of Scott’s lineup. The frameset, which has been ridden by Roman Bardet and the remainder of the DSM staff, is constructed from Scott’s HMX SL Carbon and kinds aerofoil tube shapes for improved aerodynamics. Following the aero pattern, Scott has additionally utterly hidden all cables inside a Syncros Combo Creston iC cockpit.
The Ultimate spec mannequin comes with a choose of the very best street bike elements and options an SRAM Red AXS groupset (together with energy meter), Zipp 353 NSW wheels and Syncros carbon ending package. If the heavy price ticket of the Ultimate is off-putting, Scott presents the identical body in a spread of construct specs all the way down to mechanical Shimano Ultegra 11-speed to cater for extra cheap budgets too.
Check out our Scott Addict RC 15 evaluation
12. Van Rysel EDR CF Ultegra Disc
A lightweight-ish weight bike with a excessive efficiency spec for a fraction of the associated fee
Specifications
Weight: 7.7kg (with out pedals)
Brake: Disc
Frame: Carbon
Sizes: S-XL
Reasons to purchase
Accessible worth for a light-ish weight
+High efficiency specs
+Full Ultegra hydraulic groupset
A contact over the UCI weight restrict of 6.8kg at 7.7kg, the Van Rysel Road Bike EDR Ultegra Disc nonetheless presents an impressively light-weight and excessive efficiency at a fraction of the associated fee: good for many who need a racy light-weight bike however aren’t bothered about holding to the UCI’s numbers.
Designed for endurance racing and able to tackling all situations, the EDR offers clearance for 30mm tyres for extra consolation throughout gravel however with a remarkably stiff body for extra aggressive climbing.
As with all Decathlon bikes, the EDR presents a excessive spec for its low worth, that includes a Shimano Ultegra R8000 mechanical groupset with a semi-compact 52/36t chainset and an 11-28 tooth cassette. It additionally contains the Ultegra hydraulic disc brakes for highly effective exact braking, complemented by a Deda cockpit and a Fizik Antares saddle.
The Fulcrum Racing 3 DB tubeless wheels are on the heavier aspect however do supply each the steadiness and sturdiness you’d anticipate from an endurance racing bike aimed toward tackling each roads and a little bit of the tough stuff.
The Giant TCR Advanced SL vary is a tried and examined efficiency platform
Specifications
Weight: 6.96kg
Brake: Disc
Frame: Carbon
Sizes: XS-XL
Reasons to purchase
Weight (sub 7kg, measurement massive)
+Holds pace effectively over flat and rolling floor
+Power switch is much like a devoted aero bike
Reasons to keep away from
Handling confidence takes time to construct
–The built-in seatpost makes flying with the TCR troublesome, however not unimaginable
The Giant TCR has been round for a very long time now and has taken all method of victories on the street on this time.
Earlier within the 12 months Giant up to date the TCR platform and as we reported on the time time, we felt it was a case of ‘If it ain’t broke, do not repair it’. The tenth technology TCR acquired built-in entrance cabling, in addition to reducing weight and changing into extra aero. Tyre clearance was additionally boosted in addition to the body stiffness-to-weight ratio. So consider a programme of enhancements throughout the board quite than dramatic adjustments.
Giant presents an entire suite of TCR fashions together with a rim brake possibility and frameset. Specs go proper the way in which as much as the top-end Advanced SL fashions which include Shimano and Sram builds, one thing earlier bikes did not do.
We are very acquainted with the TCR household and have examined most of the vary’s earlier fashions, we’re at the moment testing a model new tenth gen TCR and can embrace our evaluation right here when it’s prepared.
How to decide on
If you are searching for the very best light-weight bike, listed below are the issues that mark out a light-weight bike from alternate options among the many finest street bikes.
What’s the importance of the 6.8kg UCI weight restrict?
With the UCI weight restrict seemingly caught at 6.8kg, ‘light-weight’ has been largely outlined at that time, and types have been in a position to focus their consideration on enhancing different areas of the bike, as an alternative of merely chasing grams in a race to the underside (though, naturally, that’s nonetheless a factor).
Where aero bikes usually should make compromises on issues like trip high quality, match and user-friendliness in pursuit of all-out pace, light-weight street bikes have tended to grow to be the all-rounders of street biking, with growth centered extra on these vital, however usually undervalued traits.
Such are the enhancements in these areas that many WorldTour professionals nonetheless select to trip light-weight bikes over their sponsors’ aero-bike choices, regardless of the obvious penalty in aerodynamic effectivity.
When does a light-weight bike make the distinction?
The knowledge tells us that aerodynamic bikes are sooner on flat and rolling programs and on all however the steepest climbs. But let’s be sincere – the hills are nonetheless the place it actually counts. The vital Strava segments are, usually, not boring sections of flat or rolling street, they’re hills, and, on the correct hills (when you dip under about 15kmh), decrease weight nonetheless beats aerodynamics.
Most of the very best light-weight bikes now sport disc brakes. Rim brakes have lengthy been favoured due to the distinction in weight, however the hole has narrowed significantly, to the purpose the place disc brake-equipped bikes are commonly skimming or bettering the 6.8kg restrict.
Should I select a light-weight bike over an aero bike?
The excellent news is that at this time you do not have to decide on – many light-weight bikes are additionally aero. To maintain their weight down, they could not have fairly such developed aero options as the very best aero street bikes, however many manufacturers’ light-weight bikes have aero tube profiles.
Couple that with aero seatposts, built-in one-piece cockpits and deep-section light-weight wheels and you do not have to sacrifice watts on the flat to save lots of watts on the climbs.
On the opposite hand, there at the moment are loads of aero bikes that aren’t that far off the UCI’s magic 6.8kg, so you have received much more light-weight decisions. A full-on aero bike will nonetheless be the extra fast possibility if you wish to trip quick although.
Does a decrease weight present a tangible distinction?
Perhaps extra crucially, light-weight bikes nonetheless retain the ability to impress your pals or members of the family, as a result of weight is tangible. Show them an extremely costly aero bike and the very first thing they will do is choose it up and complain that, “It’s fairly heavy… How a lot did you say this value?”
By the time you have began explaining that “over a typical 40km rolling course, efficiency modelling exhibits that this bike is 45 seconds sooner at 50kph than an equal light-weight bike…” they will possible have misplaced curiosity and wandered off, pondering that you just received royally ripped off.
A light-weight bike offers an apparent tangible distinction, and, generally, that gives a larger psychological profit than the few intangible seconds provided by producers. It’s truthful to say most of us will nonetheless get excited by a extremely mild bike.
Do I have to lay our a fortune on a light-weight bike?
Unsurprisingly, carbon fibre dominates the scene for light-weight street bikes. Its distinctive, tunable traits make it the proper materials for making mild and stiff bikes that excel when pointed uphill. The draw back is that these light-weight frames and elements have a tendency to come back at an exorbitant value.
As the good Keith Bontrager as soon as stated: “Strong, mild, low-cost. Pick two.” That stated, if the UCI restrict is what you are taking a look at, you do not essentially want to purchase the top-of-the-range mannequin as of late, which can usually really be lighter than the UCI’s minimal weight restrict. Some manufacturers are even in a position to supply builds with Shimano Ultegra that may nonetheless hit the 6.8kg benchmark; simply do not anticipate them to be significantly low-cost.
Of course, bikes are readily discounted, so it is price looking at our roundup of the very best street bike offers to seek out the very best bike-to-price ratio.