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Trek’s Best Road Bike Ever Is the Third-Generation Domane SLR

Smooth, fast, and smart: The new Domane is everything a modern road bike should be.

The Takeaway: Higher performance, more features, more versatile: The third generation Domane is one of the best road bikes you can buy right now.

• Clearance for up to 38mm tires
• Internal storage system
• Improved aerodynamics save 12 watts
• 27 percent more compliant than the previous model

Price: $7,800 Weight: 18.9 lb. (54cm)

The third generation of Trek’s Domane is not just the best Domane, it is Trek’s best-ever road bike. And one of the best road bikes on the market right now.

Few bikes offer what the Domane SLR does: a bike that’s equal parts performance, comfort, practicality, and versatility. It’s more aerodynamic than the outgoing Domane (saving 12 watts at 4oKph) and takes at least a 38mm tire, and it has hidden fender mounts and sleek internal storage.

It has compliance-enhancing decouplers front and rear that work very well to improve both rider comfort and control, and that don’t detract from the bike’s pedaling efficiency or handling. The steering is light, and its handling precise, but with a mellower edge and more stability than a road-racing bike. That helps make it one of the best bikes on which to descend roads, as well as a capable all-road and light-gravel bike.

Style Road, All Road Material Carbon Tire clearance 38mm Drivetrain Shimano Ultegra Di2 Chainrings 34/50 Cassette 11-32 Brakes Shimano Ultegra Hydraulic Disc Wheels Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3v, tubeless ready, 25mm internal width Tires Bontrager 32 Hard-Case Lite, 32mm Handlebar Bontrager Pro IsoCore VR-CF Stem Bontrager Pro Saddle Bontrager Arvada

It is what a modern road bike should be: fast, crisp, useful, adaptable, and rider-friendly. The 32mm tires come stock on all but one model, a decision I couldn’t applaud more. Fat tires rule because they’re less prone to flats, can go more places, and don’t require you to dodge every groove and hole in the road. Not only do they ride smoother, Trek says its testing indicates they’re faster at speeds under 20mph (over 20 and the aero penalty takes over).

It is a touch heavy—it gains about 100 grams compared to the outgoing version—though it doesn’t ride that way. And it’s such a good and well-done bike, the extra weight seems worth it.

Trek Domane SLR 7

But if you’re a gram counter, know that the long-term review bike—a $7,800 Domane SLR 7 with Ultegra Di2 Carbon wheels and carbon handlebar—weighed just a touch under 19 pounds. That means the lower-end bikes will weigh even more. This new third-generation bike comes in 10 models priced from $2,300 to over $11k, plus the option to customize build and finish in Trek’s Project One program.

This is the bike most of us should ride. It’s entertainingly sharp and sporty, smooth, smart, and versatile enough for most forms of road riding—paved or gravel. And that’s why it’s one of the best bikes you can buy right now and why we chose it as the best bike of 2020.

Custom Options

There are 10 stock Domane models, but you can also customize in Trek’s Project One.

Big Clearance

The Domane officially fits 38mm tires. Unofficially, you can squeeze in 40s.

Now With Threads

The Domane uses a threaded T47 bottom bracket.

Flexy Tongue

The compliance of the rear IsoSpeed system is adjustable.

Burrito Carrier

Fit a repair kit and more inside the Domane’s down tube.

The 2020 Domane is the third generation of Trek’s venerable endurance—and race—frame. Jordan Roessingh, Trek’s global director or road product calls it “Our most versatile performance road bike ever,” which is the kind of thing you’d expect a person in his position to say. But it’s hard to argue with him when you look over the Domane’s details.

This system is up to 27 percent more compliant than the one found on the second-generation Domane, with a rubber elastomer providing damping to tame unwanted bounce. Compliance is pegged to frame size—larger bikes get stiffer IsoSpeed tongues, smaller bikes have softer tongues. Lower-grade Domane SL models continue to use the seat-tube adjustable IsoSpeed system from generation-two Domane models. This system does not have the size-specific tune or the damper.

The new Domane still uses Trek’s modified seatmast system—though the cap now fits inside the seat tube instead of over—with an internal binder for a sleeker look. The mast top comes in several lengths and two offsets.

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Most gen-three Domane models ship with 32mm tires. Bigger tires are more comfortable and offer better grip. And for most recreational riders, Roessingh says the 32mm tires are faster. According to Trek’s testing, says Roessingh, at speeds under 20mph, a 32mm is faster because it has less rolling resistance than a narrower tire. However, when speeds creep over 20mph, the aerodynamic hit of the bigger tire becomes a factor and begins to swamp the rolling resistance advantage of a wider tire.

The Domane can fit up to a 38mm tire with 4mm of clearance on all sides. That means you can shoehorn in a bigger tire—perhaps up to 40mm—though with less debris clearance. Like earlier versions, the new Domane has hidden fender mounts; with fenders, up to 35mm tires may be fitted.

Trek’s engineering elves managed to add a bit of free speed to the Domane by adding some aerodynamic features. Compared to the previous-generation frame, and with the same build, the new Domane saves about 12 watts at 40Kph (good for about one minute of time savings per hour). The aero gains are due to refined tube shapes, as well as new hose and housing routing.

The hose and housing routing is smart. The Domane’s front IsoSpeed system prevents Trek from stuffing hoses and housing along the fork steerer, a solution many other bikes employ. On the Domane, they enter the frame behind the headset, directed there by a simple hoop that clips into the faceplate of the bike’s Bontrager stem. The Domane is compatible with any bar and any stem, though only Bontrager stems work with the hose and housing hoop.

The Domane is the first bike to launch with Trek’s new internal storage system. It’s the same concept as Specialized’s SWAT box : Remove the panel under the bottle cage to access the inside of the down tube. Included with the bike is a cloth-covered organizer roll with spots for a tube, tire lever, Co2 cartridge, and inflator head. You can fit the organizer roll and a bit more—a few bars or gels, for example—though the amount of space varies with frame size. You can expect to see this system on more Trek models in the future.

Another new feature is a modified T47 bottom bracket system. Trek narrowed the width of the Domane’s BB shell by one millimeter (compared to the T47’s written standard) then added thicker flanges (a half millimeter on either side) to the BB itself. This gives the T47’s installation tool more material to bite on. Frankly, it’s a good modification: The standard T47 BB’s have very thin flanges and it’s easy to slip a tool when trying to install or remove one of the bottom brackets. Trek’s modification does not affect the system’s compatibility with cranks or bottom brackets.

Though an all-new frame in most ways, mainline Domane models carry forward the same endurance geometry. Through Trek’s Project One customization program, you can order a lower stack and longer-reach geometry that Trek calls H1.5.

The Domane Family

The new Domane line consists of 10 stock models priced from $2,400 to $11,299. All models have carbon frames and use disc brakes. If the stock builds don’t suit your needs, the new Domane is also in Trek’s Project One customizable-build-and-paint program. You can also purchase Domane frameset for $3,300.

There are two frame levels: SL with Trek’s 500-series carbon and SLR with 700-series carbon. SLR models get all the new features and are lighter. Lower-grade Domane SL models continue to use the seat-tube-adjustable IsoSpeed system from second-generation Domane models: This system does not have the size-specific tune or the damper.

Only SLR models get Bontrager’s IsoCore carbon bar which features a layer of vibration-damping material in the carbon. However, all models get IsoZone gel pads under the bar tape.

Following a growing trend, Trek did away with women’s-specific geometry and model designations in the new Domane line. Instead, the company added more sizes, more builds, and more color options to its mainline Domane models. So while Trek’s Domane WSD models go away, representatives argue that all riders get more options than before.

Some of the build adjustments from its women’s-specific models—shorter-reach and narrower bars, shorter stems, and shorter-reach brake levers—were incorporated into smaller sizes. The only thing not found in this new scheme are models that come stock with a women’s saddle. Buyers will need to work with their Trek retailer to get a saddle that suits their anatomy. I hope Trek retailers will swap for an equal-level Bontrager saddle at no charge.

Ride Impressions

I attended the Domane launch in Italy, where I had the opportunity to ride only a customized version of the Domane. Though it is possible to build the bike I rode through Project One (the price of the bike I rode would be approximately $11,600), it was not a mainline model with a stock build.

The day after Trek launched the new Domane, I received a Domane SLR 7 ($7,800 with black/silver finish) for long-term review. This model has Shimano Ultegra Di2 drivetrain (34/50 rings with 11-34 cassette) and brakes, Bontrager’s Aeolus Pro 3V tubeless-ready wheels, 32mm Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite tires, and a Bontrager IsoCore carbon bar.

On my scale, the Domane SLR 7 weighed 18.9 pounds (54cm). That’s not light for a nearly $8,000 carbon road bike in 2019. For comparison, my Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi-Mod Disc Ultegra Di2 ($7,750) review bike weighs 17.1 pounds (54cm) with similar build, and a power meter. The Domane SLR 9 with the 28mm tires, higher-end wheels, and top-of-the-line drivetrain will be lighter than my review bike. But almost all other 2020 Domane models will likely weigh about 19 pounds or more.

The Domane has a lot of stuff going on; it’s the most feature-rich performance road bike you can buy right now. But adding stuff adds weight. Adding performance—aerodynamics, and compliance—can add weight. “The new [Domane] SLR and SL frames both gained about 100g when all the frame and hardware (IsoSpeed included) are rolled up,” said Roessingh.

But given how obsessive cyclists are about weight—despite constant reminders that weight isn’t a major influence on performance in most situations—if a brand is going to add weight, it better damn well pay off.

Based on my impressions of the Domane so far—ride and otherwise—it does. The weight is not a concern. Most important, it doesn’t ride heavy. The bike is quick and fast feeling; extremely stiff at the bottom bracket, with light and precise steering. On the steepest grades, yeah… it’s not as crisp and ethereal as a 13-pound climbing bike , but then it doesn’t feel like a 19-pound bike either. Before I knew its weight, I had it in my head that it weighed around 17.5 pounds—a typical weight for a bike with an Ultegra Di2 disc group.

But more significantly, the amount of time I spend on the type of grades where its weight might be noticeable or impactful is tiny. I suspect it’s the same for most riders who aren’t in the pro peloton.

And what you get for a bit of extra weight is Trek’s best road bike, and one of the best road, and more, bikes you can buy.

This is a stiff, quick, and high-performance bike. The steering is light and communicative, though not as fast as the typical road-racing bike. But the Domane also has a lot of BB drop (about 78mm, almost a centimeter more than a typical road bike), a bit longer chainstays (420mm), and a slightly stretched wheelbase. All of that gives it supreme stability.

On top of the geometry are the IsoSpeed decouplers, which not only add comfort to the rider but also help the rider stay centered on the bike and not bounced off line by bumps. And then there are the floaty and sticky 32mm tires. Friends, the Domane has been a great bike to descend with, but this new model puts it on a whole new plain. It descends like an anvil dropped from the ISS.

As much as I love to go downhill, I’m only a good, not great, descender on the road. But I’ve never felt more confident on the descents or had as much fun descending as I have on the Domane. Its limits are very high, but it’s also very communicative and very confidence-inspiring.

So, it rides great. But it’s also extremely smart and versatile.

I loved the SWAT box when Specialized launched it, and I love it here. It’s more, and more elegant, storage for your tools and spares and food. However, I have some worries about the integrity of the door. With a full bottle in the cage, there’s a concerning amount of flex and wobble in the door (Specialized’s doors are rock solid). I wonder how this will play out with tolerance drifts, and over the long haul. How will it hold up after a year of pounding? Time will tell, I suppose. And as much as it wobbled and flexed, it held firm and makes no noise. Trek’s representatives say they’ve tested the snot out of the system and its passed with flying colors. I hope it proves so reliable in the real world.

I also love the tire clearance. Swap the tires, and this is a good all-road or even gravel bike. Frankly, I think a lot of gravel bikes are over heavy and over slow. But a good set of mid-width gravel tires on this Domane and it’s a cracking machine for all but the most gnarly gravel roads. Put lighter skinnier tires on it, and it’s going to be a fast road bike (watch those pedals in the corners—the BB is LOW with smaller tires). I love that blend of road-race performance with all-road versatility.

I also love that the new Domane has aero touches (because improved aerodynamics are one of the few things that legitimately make you faster), that it doesn’t use a stupid or annoying proprietary bar and stem system, has fender mounts, and that Trek was able to give this bike so many features, and they made it look good.

Yes, it is a bit less sharp than a pure road-racing bike, and it might be a bit heavy, but then so am I. The Domane is a blend of versatility, practicality, and performance that no other bike currently offers. It’s the kind of bike we could all use in our life.

A gear editor for his entire career, Matt’s journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and he’s been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. Previous to his time with Bicycling , Matt worked in bike shops as a service manager, mechanic, and sales person. Based in Durango, Colorado, he enjoys riding and testing any and all kinds of bikes, so you’re just as likely to see him on a road bike dressed in Lycra at a Tuesday night worlds ride as you are to find him dressed in a full face helmet and pads riding a bike park on an enduro bike. He doesn’t race often, but he’s game for anything; having entered road races, criteriums, trials competitions, dual slalom, downhill races, enduros, stage races, short track, time trials, and gran fondos. Next up on his to-do list: a multi day bikepacking trip, and an e-bike race. 

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Best carbon road bikes: Our pick of the best racing and endurance road bikes

Carbon road bikes combine meticulous weight saving, geometry tweaking and aerodynamic sculpting to rule the road

Best carbon fibre race bikes

Best carbon fibre endurance bikes, carbon road bikes explained.

Carbon fibre is a bit of a wonder material because it can be moulded into just about any shape, and tuned to be stiff in one plane and flexible in another. With these properties, it's heavily used throughout the bike industry and we see it in everything from frames down to brake levers. There are advocates of bikes made from steel, titanium and aluminium, but the best road bikes are most commonly made from carbon fibre. For evidence, look no further than the bikes ridden in the WorldTour .

Best road bikes Best aero road bikes Best lightweight bikes Best aluminium road bikes Best road e-bikes

There is no shortage of remarkable bikes made from aluminium, steel and titanium, but with its stiffness, strength and malleability, carbon fibre reigns supreme in road bike technology. Once a reserve for top tier racing bikes, advances in carbon production and technology has resulted in carbon being utilised across every cycling discipline from the best lightweight bikes to full suspension mountain bikes and surpassing the performance possible with metal tubes. 

Scroll down for a pick of our favourite carbon road bikes that are available today and an overview of what to look for when choosing a carbon road bike .

Specialized Tarmac Disc Expert

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

We're up to the SL6 version of the Specialized Tarmac, and the current frameset has lost a bit of weight and the tubing profiles are a bit boxier. The chainstays have been dropped drastically, and the back of the seat tube and seat post are now flat, a well-tested way to introduce compliance to the rear end.

Introduced a few iterations ago, the new Tarmac is based around what Specialized calls Rider-First Engineering, each frame size is built with a specific geometry, layup and tube shapes, meaning gone are the days of the ultra-stiff XS and noodly XL frames. Also gone are the gender-specific geometries, the only difference between the men's and women's versions are the touchpoints and cranks.

Specialized tell us the frame is more aero too, claiming the new Tarmac is 45-seconds faster over 45km compared to 'other lightweight bikes in the same category'. Only available with disc brakes for 2020, this has allowed the brand to balloon the max tire clearance to 30mm. The Expert spec comes with a Shimano Ultegra mechanical groupset, Roval C38 carbon wheels finished in with S-Works Turbo 120TPI rubber and one of our favourite paint jobs of the bunch.

Raced by: Bora-Hansgrohe , Deceuninck-QuickStep , Boels Dolmans

Trek Emonda SL 6 Disc

The Emonda is Trek's lightweight carbon road frame, and the top-end SLR version is one of the lightest framesets you can buy. While the SL version doesn't get the 600-series carbon and ultralight paint of the SLR trim, it's no slouch on the scale. Only available in the brands H2 more relaxed fit, the Disc version of the frame is made using the brand's second-tier OCLV 500 carbon.

At the back, the Emonda uses a seat mast and cap, which adds some vertical compliance, however, it does limit your minimum and maximum saddle height. Tipping the scales at around 8.6kg, depending on the size, it's not the lightest bike on the market but considering the price, it is well specced.

• Richie Porte's Trek Emonda – Gallery
• Sandy Floren's Trek Emonda gravel-lite race bike - Gallery

The latest version of the Emonda SL is noticeably stiffer and leads to a lively road feel, the stable BB creates a tight pedalling feel. Trek still hasn't applied its ISO-speed technology to the Emonda, and with the additional stiffness in the frame, some feedback from the road makes it through to your body, especially through the handlebars.

The Emonda SL is also specced with a Shimano Ultegra groupset and Bontrager Paradigm Disc tubeless-ready wheels; we feel it demonstrates decent value for money.

Raced by: Trek-Segafredo , Trek-Segafredo Women

Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi-Mod Disc

Launched just ahead of the 2019 Tour de France , Cannondale 's latest SuperSix Evo comes complete with a first for the frame – a sloping top tube. But it's not just the death of the flat top tube, Cannondale has swapped to Kammtail tube shapes for a claimed 30 watt saving (at 48kph) over its predecessor and the brand says the new SuperSix is between nine and 40 watts faster than a range of its competitors. The frame also gets a flat-backed seat post and seat tube, and the dropped chainstays which are becoming increasingly common among carbon race bikes.

Capable of taking 30mm tyres (28mm rim brake), the new frame is claimed to weigh 886g in a size 56, painted. The rim version of the bike uses the standard open quick release dropout, however, the disc version is shod with Mavic's speed release thru-axle system which pairs an open dropout with a threaded counterpart to speed up wheel changes.

• Cannondale SuperSix EVO review
• Lachlan Morton's Cannondale Supersix Evo - Gallery

Cannondale has also opted for an integrated bar and stem and sees the brands in-house KNOT components providing the seat post and wheelset. As you'd expect for a bike in this price bracket, the 45mm deep road wheels are carbon fibre and tubeless-ready, and a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset provides the gearing. The new SuperSix EVO also comes with a Power2Max NG Eco power meter installed in the HologramSiSL2 cranks, though you'll have to pay a fee on top of the retail price to activate it.

Raced by: EF Pro Cycling

Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 Disc

Giant's TCR has long been a no-nonsense performer, and the brand as a whole demonstrates top value for money. Designed around the brand's compact road geometry, the frame is built using Giant's Advanced Composite Technology, and moulded in a modified monocoque construction — meaning the front and rear triangles are moulded separately and then bonded together.

The TCR has always been known for its snappy ride quality and that's due in large part to its compact rear end. At the front, the TCR gets Giant's chunky Overdrive steerer which combine with the front and rear thru-axles and stiff carbon fork mean no steering input is lost to flex.

• A closer look at the new Giant TCR - Simon Geschke's 6.4kg bike
• Greg Van Avermaet's golden Giant TCR Disc - Gallery

Depending on where you live, the Advanced Pro Disc comes with either a Shimano Ultegra or SRAM Force eTap AXS drivetrain, but, regardless of your region, the wheels and tyres are tubeless-ready out of the box, meaning they come with valves and rim strips installed and Giant even gives you enough sealant to get rolling.

The Giant TCR has recently been updated, so the current model TCR is soon to be deemed 'old-hat', but that should mean discounts are readily available on what is still an excellent bike. 

Raced by: CCC Team , CCC-Liv

Canyon Aeroad 7.0

German direct-to-consumer brand Canyon has redefined the level of bike that you can get for your money, and the Aeroad 7.0 is proof. The frame and fork are made from a slightly lower grade of carbon than the SLX version that the Movistar Team rides, but beyond that it's identical. Aero tubing isn't prone to flexing, and the Aeroad offers a stiff ride, but it's still not as bone-rattling as some wind-cheating frames on the market.

For the £2,450 / $3,000 / AU$3,950 price tag, you get a Shimano 105 groupset, which offers fantastic shifting performance and reliability with 11 gears at the back. The base model of the Aeroad is only available with rim brakes; however, you still get direct-mount calipers, which are a reasonable trade-off to save a bit of cash.

While the majority of the bike is fitted with Canyon's own components, the wheels are Reynolds AR58 deep-dish carbon wheels . For the money, the Aeroad is damn hard to beat.

Raced by: Movistar Team

The third iteration of the S5 is claimed to be faster, stronger, and stiffer than its predecessor. At the front, the ultra-stiff front integrated bar and stem is more akin to the spoiler on a racing car than the front end of a bike. Combined with the proprietary external steerer tube that's designed to cheat the wind, Cervelo says as a system this creates a 17g reduction in drag when compared to a standard setup. With the cables routed completely inside the bike, you’re going to want the S5 with an electronic or wireless drivetrain, as replacing the fully internal gear and shift cables and housing will be time-consuming, at best.

Only available with disc brakes, the new frame has room for up to 30mm rubber and sees 12mm thru-axles using the quarter-turn RAT system developed by Focus, which is owned by the same parent company. With improved stiffness throughout, the robust front end makes for pinpoint cornering and allows you to push the limit through the corners. The downside is it can be a bit harsh through your hands.

• Tiesj Benoot's Cervelo R5 - Gallery

Cervelo is a brand well known for its aero bikes , and the new S5 is claimed to be around 5.5-watts quicker than its predecessor, which combined with increases in stiffness throughout make it sharp and always wanting to surge forward.

It's not cheap, but for your investment, you get a Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset and a set of DT Swiss ARC 1459 62 Disc carbon wheels.

Raced by: Team Sunweb

Scott Foil 10 Disc

The Scott Foil has come quite a long way from its origins, which were often touted as way too stiff, but ultra-responsive with zero flex or vibration dampening. In 2016, Scott completely revamped the frame and added discs in 2017, changing the layup to combat road buzz and dropping the seat stays for vertical compliance.

It's still a stiff and agile frame but lacks some of the snap of the original — not necessarily a bad thing because it makes the bike considerably more manageable, especially four hours into an all-day epic.

Available in both rim and disc versions, Scott graduated from Kammtail to aero tubing and even includes a carbon fairing to shield the disc brake caliper from the wind. The top-end RC versions of the bike come with a one-piece integrated Syncros bar and stem, which is why we like the Foil 10 Disc. Using the brands HMF carbon, it comes with a standard bar and stem and is kitted out with a Shimano Di2 Drivetrain and Syncros Carbon wheels. All that said, we’re not so sure about the brown paint job.

Race by: Mitchelton-Scott , Mitchelton-Scott women

Pinarello Dogma F12 Disk

Say what you will about Pinarello's Dogma but it has won seven of the last 10 Tour de France's. The latest iteration of the Italian brand's aero racer is the Dogma F12, and it's the first race bike from Pinarello to come with discs from the outset. It's quite a big deal given in 2017 Fausto Pinarello famously declared he wasn't convinced high-performance bikes needed disc brakes. The rim brake version also swaps from a single bolt to direct mount brakes.

At first glance, the F12 doesn't look all that different from the F10; there are quite a few claimed improvements to aerodynamics and stiffness throughout the frame. The fork has been revamped to better combat twisting forces from the disc brake caliper, and the frames themselves are said to be 10 per cent lighter than the F10 (unpainted). Pinarello has also made refinements to its asymmetric frame design and changed to a higher grade carbon, said to amount to a 10 per cent increase in stiffness.

• Luke Rowe's Pinarello Dogma F12 XLight
• Rohan Dennis' Pinarello Dogma F12 XLight - Gallery

Now with the ability to take 30mm tyres, the F12 is designed around the Most (Pinarello's component brand) Talon bar and stem combo, which is available in 16-stem length and bar width combinations. Pinarello is making the Dogma F12 in 13 frame sizes, however, they are so expensive, most retailers seem to only be offering framesets at the time of writing.

Raced by: Team Ineos

BMC Teammachine SLR02 Disc One

The BMC Teammachine is one of our favourite race bikes (in fact this writer owns one), and the latest iteration exemplifies the brand's prowess for engineering. As one of the first brands to adopt the dropped chainstays, the Teammachine finds a stellar balance, offering snappy power transfer, seemingly laser-guided handling while dampening a large portion of the vibration before they make it through to your touchpoints.

The big issue we have is the price tag for the range-topping SLR01 version. However SLR02 is about half the price, but still maintains the same geometry and the majority of BMC's hallmark ride characteristics. The frame itself is made with the brand's second-tier carbon, which adds a bit of weight, and doesn't absorb quite the same level of vibration.

Even at the second level of the frame, there are four specs, but it's hard to pass up the Teammachine SLR02 Disc One, complete with SRAM's shiny new Force AXS eTap wireless groupset. The bike is specced with BMC's Integrated Cockpit System, which uses a BMC stem, but standard bars, allowing for a bit of added adjustability, customisation and ease of servicing.

Raced by: NTT Pro Cycling

Ridley Helium SLX Ultegra Di2

A Ridley product manager once told me that the design ethos for its bikes come directly from its sponsored race teams. He explained the design and performance elements are balanced against what will make race mechanics want to pull their hair out and the Helium SLX exemplifies this rational. It's not the stiffest or the lightest bike on the market but the cable routing is simple and while the majority of the finishing kit comes from 4ZA, Ridley's in-house components brand, there's no proprietary anything.

The Helium SLX might not be the stiffest frame out there but it's still robust were it needs to be. Made with a mix of 60/40/30-ton high modulus carbon, Ridley subtlety transitions from round to boxy tubing in areas like the down tube and BB and even the strongest sprinters will struggle to bend the tubing under pedalling.

At the back pencil-thin seat stays soften big hits and the layup does well to absorb vibration. The geometry is racy, but not so stretched out and aggressive that the weekend warrior can't find a comfortable position.

This particular model takes the top end frame, and bolts on the latest Shimano Ultegra Di2 drivetrain and finishing kit comes from 4ZA. Ridley sends these bikes out with Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels, with the assumption being if you're buying a bike like this you probably already own a nice wheelset and may not want to pay for another. However, in Australia, Ridley bikes are only sold as framesets, and the local distributor allows customers to customise everything from drivetrain and wheels to a fully bespoke paint job.

Raced By: Lotto Soudal

Bianchi Oltre XR4

Raced by the Jumbo-Visma team, Bianchi 's Oltre XR4 is an eye-catching ride, especially in the trademark celeste paint job. But, it's what's hidden inside the carbon that sets this bike apart. The CV Countervail carbon architecture, which is also used by NASA, incorporates a viscoelastic resin to better dampen road vibrations coming up through the frame, which the brand says also increases stiffness. There is no doubt the frame is stiff under pedalling forces, but you can feel the difference the countervail tech makes when it comes to comfort.

The main focus of the Oltre XR4 is to slice through the wind so it's no surprise to see the cables fully hidden, with Vision's 5D ACR one-piece cockpit wrangling everything into the frame. With these properties, the Italian outfit has also made the geometry fairly unforgiving and you'll need to be flexible to find a comfortable position.

Don't mistake the Oltre XR4 for an aero bike that's just meant to go straight, it handles with cat-like reflexes. The price tag is pretty heavy and depending on where you live it may only be offered as a frameset.

Raced by: Team Jumbo-Visma

Specialized Roubaix Expert

The Specialized Roubaix was the first commercially available endurance road bike when it was launched back in 2004. With a slightly more relaxed geometry and taller head tube, early versions of the Roubaix featured Zertz inserts, said to absorb road buzz — their effectiveness is still up for debate.

The Roubaix has come quite a long way since then, now featuring the Future Shock. Designed in collaboration with McLaren, the Future Shock is now in its 2.0 version and features a hydraulic piston inside the head tube which provides 20mm of travel, now with a dial to adjust the compression and rebound damping.

• Alison Tetrick's Specialized S-Works Roubaix for Super Sweetwater gravel race - Gallery

The cheaper models of the Roubaix (Comp and below) get a Future Shock 1.5, which is the same unit minus the adjustable damper. Specialized has also added a new D-shaped seat post at the back, complete with a drop-in clamp to maximise flex and create a more balanced ride quality front to back.

It's not as snappy as the Tarmac when you push on the pedals, but it does an excellent job of smoothing out square edges on the road. According to Specialized, the new Roubaix is more Aero than the Tarmac SL6 and lighter than a Venge. Like the Tarmac, it only comes with disc brakes and a unisex geometry, with the only difference between the men's and women's bikes being the touchpoints.

Ridley Fenix SL Disc

On paper, the Fenix SL looks like your typical Fondo bike, with sure-footed endurance geometry. In practice, the frame is on the stiffer end of the spectrum and makes for a ride quality that's anything but boring. There is precisely zero unwanted flex in the fork or laterally in the frame, a characteristic that's relatively commonplace in this category of road bikes. With dropped seat stays, the bike isn't harsh, however, we're not sure we'd describe it as a comfortable ride.

We'd argue among a field of endurance bikes, most of which look like they've been hit with the ugly stick, the Fenix SL, even with its chunky slightly aero tubing, is a pretty good looking bike.

It's not particularly light on the scale, but the Fenix is an endurance roadie that isn't willing to trade comfort for boring or sluggish ride quality.

Trek Domane SL 7

The third generation of the Trek Domane carries the dual front and rear IsoSpeed technology. The top-end SLR models borrow the Madone's top tube mounted adjustable pivot, while the rest retain the standard inbuilt flex point. Trek say the new Domane is more aero than its predecessor, with Trek claiming it's a full minute per hour faster than the previous version - although at what power output, we cannot be sure. 

Trek has fully committed the Domane to disc brakes and the result is that it can accept up to 38mm tyres, or 35mm with a fender. At the front, there is a nifty cable guide mounted under the stem; it's not quite as clean as the internally routed options, but not having to run cables and housing through handlebars and stem make maintenance and changes to bike fit considerably easier.

The Domane also features a clever down tube storage box that allows for tools and a spare tube to be stored in the frame inside a plush tool roll. The full Ultegra SL6 version pictured is built around Trek's H2 Endurance Fit, however, if you spring for the Project One SLR, the slightly more aggressive H1.5 is available. Trek has also ditched the gender-specific geometries, with the only difference between the gendered bikes being the touchpoints and paint jobs.

BMC Roadmachine 01 Four

At first glance, the BMC Roadmachine looks identical to the Teammachine racer, but closer inspection reveals a higher stack, shorter reach, softer ride and room for fat tyres. Even with the more relaxed geometry the Roadmachine still retains much of is racier cousin's efficiency and snap when pressure is applied to the pedals, but with slightly more forgiving steering characteristics.

The frame is made using the TCC (Tuned Compliance Concept) Endurance lay-up, which BMC says is designed to take the edge off rough roads. BMC has also employed what it calls Angle Compliance technology, which is marketing-speak for flex built into the fork, seat stays and seat post. The Roadmachine is where BMC first employed its integrated cockpit design, so it's no surprise to see it here and we love the addition of mounts for a top tube food/storage box so your pre-knock Haribo can be at hand at all times.

There is enough room in the frame for 33mm tyres so even though 'road' is in the name, nothing is stopping you from taking the Roadmachine past where the pavement ends. At the front, the new asymmetric fork is said to be ten per cent stiffer, while the back features the brand's dropped seat stays. The trouble, however, is the BMC sized price tag.

Giant Defy Advanced Pro 0

Since it was introduced in 2009, Giant's Defy has consistently been the brand's top-selling bike — it was also the first road bike to be offered exclusively in disc brakes. With only minor refinements to the geometry over the years, every other aspect of the bike has been improved from the D-Fuse seat post and handlebar to the oversized and tapered OverDrive 2 steerer tube.

The Defy Advanced sees an updated rear end with a slight curve in the seat stays to promote deflection. To balance out the plush rear end, Giant has adapted the D-Fuse technology for the front of the bike. The tops are now D-shaped like the seat post and Giant says the amount of flex can be customised by rotating the bar in the stem.

With these comfort features the remainder of the front triangle is robust with Giant employing its beefy Megadrive down tube and PowerCore BB shell, similar to what's seen on its race bikes. For a period in time, the Defy was the lightest frameset in Giant's range, but now made from the brand's second-tier carbon, it has gained a bit of weight.

Bianchi Infinito CV

While Bianchi's Infinito CV offers a more relaxed and upright riding position, it's anything but boring. The handling is sharp, but the bike is a tad more reluctant to change line than the racy Oltre XR4 or Specialissima climbing bike.

Bianchi has borrowed a good bit of the geometry from its racing bikes, but added ~20mm of stack and subtracted ~10mm from the reach (depending on the size), shifting a bit of weight away from the front wheel, but maintaining the steep angles.

Bianchi has also borrowed a bit of the aero tubing from the Oltre, and the frame gets the Brand's Countervail carbon, which uses a viscoelastic resin to insulate your body from road noise - aka vibrations. We'd argue the effect is a bit less noticeable on an endurance platform because, by design, there is more comfort built into the frame.

Even with the frame designed with more comfort in mind, it's not flexy. With beefy tube shapes and a large bottom bracket shell, there is no power lost out of the saddle or climbing. Specced with a Shimano Ultegra groupset, Bianchi has also opted for 160mm rotors meaning there is oodles of braking power accessible with a single finger.

Cannondale Synapse Carbon 105

Cannondale's Synapse was made stiffer last year, with engineers honing in on the head tube and bottom bracket. It's disc-specific with thru-axles, has improved cable routing, more tyre clearance and a geometry that offers more uniform ride characteristics across the range.

In previous years the Synapse had been a touch flexy under power, but Cannondale has nipped that in the bud and the brand tells us the new frame has the same head tube stiffness as the SuperSix EVO. It has a slightly longer and lower position than the Roubaix or Domane, and thus, its handling characteristics are a bit more aggressive. To keep things comfortable, Cannondale has built the bike with its SAVE micro-suspension, which is just a fancy way of saying that the flex points are built into the rear triangle, seat post, and fork.

Even with a Shimano 105 spec, the Synapse comes with Cannondale's lightweight HollowGram SL crankset and is the first model to come exclusively with disc brakes. The frame will take up to a 32mm tyre and there are even hidden fender mounts on the rear seat stays.

How carbon road bikes are made

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Carbon fibre is a bit of a wonder material because it can be moulded into just about any shape, and tuned to be stiff in one plane and flexible in another. With these properties, it's heavily used throughout the bike industry and we see it in everything from frames down to brake levers.

There are vast differences in the quality of carbon road bikes and components, and this ultimately comes down to the layup. Most carbon road bikes are made using pre-preg carbon fibre sheets; basically, the fabric is pumped full of uncured resin and shipped on massive rolls which are cut into the individual pieces that will be moulded into a bike.

Many brands use the same manufacturing facilities in Asia to produce all but their most premium bikes, and while certain details and processes may vary from brand to brand, the main bullet points of creating a carbon road bike frame are the same.

Sheets of pre-preg carbon fibre are hand laid into or around a mould and placed into a heated press, which is assisted by air bladders. Solid forms compact the layers of carbon together; spreading the resin through the frame, removing gaps and voids, and squishing out the excess. Then the frame is put into what equates to a giant pottery kiln where the resin is cured, and then the frames are sanded and painted.

The layup of a carbon road bike is essentially a really difficult 3D jigsaw puzzle with upwards of 400 individual pieces and the order in which they are put together will ultimately define the ride characteristics. Depending on the orientation of the fibres, using the same mass and modulus of carbon can yield a rigid structure or one that is noodly and flexible.

Woven vs Unidirectional

There are two main types of carbon, woven and unidirectional.

As you can probably guess, woven carbon sees the fibres knitted into a fabric, crisscrossing each other, allowing the material to be stiff in more than one plane. Woven carbon is used in areas where there are lots of different directional forces coming through the frame like the head tube and the bottom bracket and also around holes that have been drilled into the frame, like cable ports and bottle cage mounts.

On the other hand, with unidirectional carbon, all the fibres run parallel. This is what's used throughout the majority of the frame because sheets of unidirectional carbon can be laid on top of one another to combat specific directional forces.

The modulus refers to the stiffness of the individual fibres. Higher modulus carbon is accomplished by refining each fibre to make it smoother and thinner allowing for higher tensile strength. While high modulus carbon is stiff, it's also brittle, and a bike made of exclusively high modulus carbon would likely break on the first impact, whether that be from road debris or a crash. Lower modulus carbon isn’t as stiff, but it is also less delicate.

No matter the frame, it will be made from a mix of different modulus carbon, strategically placed throughout for the best possible performance and strength.

A french term meaning single shell, a monocoque is a structural system where loads are supported through an object's external skin, like an egg — or a bicycle.

When the term is applied to bicycles, it's a fancy way of saying the entire frame is moulded in one piece. True monocoque frames are becoming increasingly rare, and in most cases, the front and rear triangles are manufactured in two separate pieces and then bonded together. When you see a brand using a term like semi-monocoque or modular monocoque, this is how the frame is made.

What to look for in a carbon road bike

Our general advice when looking to buy a road bike is to spend as much as you can on the frame and worry less about the components bolted onto it. It's easy to upgrade wheels, handlebars and groupsets, but you're stuck with the frame.

We've split our favourite carbon road bikes into two categories, race bikes and endurance bikes. While you’ll likely see a crossover in terms of technology and features, these bikes are designed to do separate things, and the geometry will vary to help in achieving these goals.

Race bikes are designed to go fast, which can sometimes come at the expense of things like comfort. A race bike's geometry will have steep angles for fast steering and facilitate a long reach and low stack to achieve an aerodynamic position. To get the most out of a race bike, you need to be pretty flexible.

Endurance bikes feature a more upright geometry, slacker angles and plenty of built-in comfort technology. As things have progressed, quite a lot of new technology gets its start on endurance bikes before it's then adapted onto a brand's race bikes. You’ll often see pro teams don endurance bikes for the cobbled classics, not only for the additional comfort but for the slower handling that makes maintaining control through the bumpy and slippery cobbled sections slightly less herculean.

A lot of these bikes will feature aerodynamic cues, but if you're looking for out and out speed, our guide to the best aero road bikes will provide the fastest, most aerodynamic bikes available.

Disc brakes have been utilised for years in just about every other cycling discipline other than road bikes because of their superior performance in all conditions and the additional tyre clearance they allow. The brakes and rotors themselves may weigh a bit more than calipers, but they also allow for light rims because there is no brake track needed.

Most road bikes are available in both rim and disc varieties, but unless you've got a stable of the very best road wheels in your garage, we'd recommend seriously considering discs brakes. With this, most disc-equipped road bikes have swapped to 12mm thru-axles, not only for a more secure wheel to frame connection, but the end to end lateral stiffness is vastly improved.

Integrated cockpit

With most bike brands now having an in-house or partner components brand, quite a few high-end bikes come with one-piece bar and stem combos. They have a definite cool factor while allowing for cables to be fully hidden from the wind which makes them aero and they are a bit lighter than their standard bar and stem.

But changing cables can be an absolute nightmare, and even with brands offering plenty of handlebar widths and stem lengths, if you can't find the numbers that match your specific fit needs or a bar shape you like, you are out of luck.

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Based on the Gold Coast of Australia, Colin has written tech content for cycling publication for a decade. With hundreds of buyer's guides, reviews and how-tos published in Bike Radar, Cyclingnews, Bike Perfect and Cycling Weekly, as well as in numerous publications dedicated to his other passion, skiing. 

Colin was a key contributor to Cyclingnews between 2019 and 2021, during which time he helped build the site's tech coverage from the ground up. Nowadays he works full-time as the news and content editor of Flow MTB magazine. 

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Review: Trek Domane 4.5 – A High-End Frame and Smart Build Kit

While many brands have introduced “endurance” road bikes over the last few years, few have taken the idea to quite the extreme as Trek.

Trek Domane 4.5 – A High-End Frame and Smart Build Kit

The Domane was developed with considerable input from Swiss pro cyclist Fabian Cancellara , who is known for his steam-engine riding style, using his massive power output to crush cobblestones in the fabled Spring Classics. He is said to enjoy the bike so much that he rides it year-round, even in the Tour de France, choosing it over Trek’s racier Madone model.

The frame features the intriguing IsoSpeed decoupler , an ingenious system that separates the seat tube from the top tube and seatstays, and allows the seat tube to flex and pivot at the mounting point. If you stand next to the bike and put your weight on the saddle, you can see the seat tube flex slightly, but while riding it is imperceptible until you hit a bump.

A High-Performance Machine

Make no mistake: IsoSpeed is not a suspension system, and this is still a high-performance machine. If you’re expecting something akin to a suspension seatpost, think again. The frame’s ride quality is distinctly carbon—a muted road feel with less of that high-frequency vibration you feel from some aluminum frames, but still generally stiff.

Iso Speed makes itself most noticeable when crossing railroad tracks or other high-speed, sharp impacts that would normally require you to lift or shift your weight on the saddle to avoid being bounced. Not having to do that means you can keep your cadence smooth and the power high. The system seems so extreme some might think it’s a gimmick, but I’m convinced. Trek is as well—the technology will soon be adapted to its line of hardtail mountain bikes .

At the other end of the bike, the fork deserves some of the credit. It was developed with an asymmetrical steerer tube that is slightly thicker side-to-side than front-to-back, giving it a touch of compliance, but it never felt soft or shuddering.

The difference between the Domane 4.5 and the higher-end models is in the stiffness of the carbon fiber itself, and that this version uses a standard 27.2mm seat post rather than a seatmast that is integrated into the frame. I actually prefer the standard post, as it can be swapped for countless alternatives and provides an easy spot to clamp the bike in a work stand.

Trek’s DuoTap Hidden Speed

Other frame details include a spot for Trek’s DuoTap hidden speed and cadence sensor, an integrated chain guide to eliminate dropped chains and more generous tire clearance than most frames. It also has removable fender eyelets, so you can keep the clean look if you’re not using them. For an even smoother ride, you can ditch the tubes and set up the Bontrager Race wheels tubeless—another technology that is easy to dismiss until you try it.

It would be a mistake to write off the Domane as a “comfort” bike for weekend warriors. Despite accommodations for a smooth ride, it is as stiff and race-worthy as I could ask. Yet the slightly longer wheelbase makes it extremely stable, and it’s one of the few bikes I’ve ever plunged downhill at 40mph with a crosswind while still feeling relaxed. The fit adds to the comfort factor, as the slightly taller head tube gives you a more head’s-up position than Trek’s race bikes. Paired with a set of shallow-drop Bontrager handlebars , I felt great in each of the riding positions, an essential element of a long, comfortable ride.

Domane: Initial Acceleration is Direct and Instant

The adage “laterally stiff and vertically compliant” has gone beyond cliché to become something of a running joke in road bike circles. The notion that a bike can be a stiff-as-heck race machine and still be comfortable over rough pavement on long rides is not unlike a unicorn—a magical beast that surely can’t exist. But on the Domane, initial acceleration is direct and instant, with the massive, squared down tube and BB90 bottom bracket all but eliminating lateral flex.

Trek Madone 3.1 review

Versatile carbon framed road bike

Russell Burton / Future Publishing

Trek's 3 Series is the third up in its seven-model road bike range – and the first to offer carbon frames. It may be Trek 's lowest price carbon offering, but the company is keen to stress how much technology has gone into this frame.

Certainly the lines look familiar, and there is a good combination of features aimed at performance and practicality, which makes a lot of sense at this price.

• HIGHS: Fine riding, versatile frame and do-anything gearing
• LOWS: The wheels lack go and the brakes are slow to slow
• BUY IF... You want a fine day-long ride with scope to upgrade

The 3.1's tapered head tube and steerer come in Trek's slightly taller H2 fit, which will suit most riders and does away with ugly-looking stacks of spacers. We easily found a good position that was low enough on our 56cm model, even with the compact bar, which sensibly makes the drops more accessible.

Bontrager supplies everything on the Madone except for the groupset, and it's all reliable kit, the Affinity 1 saddle being the item most likely to split opinions – we found it to be a good shape but a little over-padded.

The OCLV (optimum compaction low volume) frame uses Trek's favoured construction method to minimise the quantity of resin and carbon needed and produce a light, strong frame. A giant BB86.5 bottom bracket allows the down tube to fill almost all of the width between the cranks, necessitating protective shields on the chainstay and down tube to guard against an unshipped chain.

The right fork leg incorporates an ANT+ compatible Speed Trap speed sensor, while Trek's neat hidden dropout mounts allow full-length mudguards to be fitted.

The Trek is available with an all- Shimano drivetrain or SRAM; our model came with Shimano 105 plus a Tiagra front mech and SRAM GXP compact chainset.

Braking is courtesy of some unbranded, mudguard-friendly long-reach dual-pivot callipers. The drivetrain works well together, and benefits from the chainset's 30mm axle that makes good use of that super-sized bottom bracket shell, but it does have a bit of a parts bin feel to it.

The Madone's ride quality is firm but composed over rougher road surfaces and unerringly stable, but with an excellent feel and a rapidity that shows its long racing lineage. The handling while cornering and descending is surefooted, but could be improved by more positive brakes.

With a 30t sprocket, the lowest gear should conquer the steepest climbs, but the Bontrager Approved wheels aren't the most willing climbers and seem to dull efforts, putting them at odds with the frame. Overall, the Trek's slightly docile character lends itself to lengthy rides, but there's a racer lurking within that some faster hoops could release.

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Trek 1.5 road bike review

The Trek 1.5 is designed to be solid and dependable option for the new road cyclist, that will feel equally at home on a commute as a long Sunday ride

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If you are looking for a first road bike or solid winter steed, this is a quality frame that will last the course and not let you down. The geometry is very relaxed, with this bike better suited to all day comfort and less flexible riders. The ride is smooth, but the brakes and a couple of other minor details let the overall package down when we consider the price.

Smooth ride

Accelerates well

Tiagra shifting is good

Tubeless ready rims

Lifetime warranty on the frame

23mm tyres not 25mm

No 32t cassette

Boring styling

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Trek frames are synonymous with quality and their faith in the product is backed up by life time warranty. The frame is Trek's top drawer 'Alpha aluminium' whilst the fork is carbon fibre. In order to test the Trek 1.5 we have been riding it throughout winter, on commutes and longer training rides.

>>> The best cheap road bikes ridden and rated

The One series is Trek's base level frame and would potentially suit a large number of cyclists. If you are in the market for your first road bike, a dependable winter bike, or just something for epic sportives that won't break the bank, the Trek 1.5 is a great option. Hinting at this versatility is the inclusion of eyelets on the stays and forks, to aid the fitting of mudguards. There is also loads of mudguard/tyre clearance under the brakes. But, if you are flexible, or have good core strength you may find the upright posture this bike encourages limiting when you want to get lower and more aero.

 Geometry

The geometry of the Trek 1.5 is relaxed. For those new to cycling, this means that the horizontal reach from the saddle to the handle bars is shorter and the vertical height of the handle bars is higher. Rather than a super aggressive flat back like Bradley Wiggins , this enables the rider to sit more upright, in a more relaxed position.

This makes it ideal for new riders, who are yet to develop the core strength and flexibility that makes an aggressive position more sustainable. Our 58cm test model came with 44cm bars, which although less aerodynamic than a narrower bar, they may help add stability to overall handling to less confident riders.

>>> Complete buyer's guide to road bike groupsets

The Trek 1.5 comes fitted with a range of components. The shifters and derailleurs are Shimano Tiagra , but the chain set is FSA Vera and the brakes are unbranded callipers. We were hugely  impressed with the quality of the shifting on this bike. The FSA chainset works well in this regard with little or no flex, to hamper shifts.

We felt that the brakes let the bike down. The unbranded callipers didn't feel as responsive or stable as a Tiagra or Shimano 105  calliper. The lack of strength translates to less braking power and compromised modulation. That considered, the first thing we would upgrade on this bike would be the brakes. This is disappointing when we consider the overall price.

Our test model featured 23mm Bontrager R1 tyres. These rolled nicely and were puncture free for over a few weeks of winter riding and commuting on roads strewn with potential puncture hazards. We would have preferred to see this bike come fitted with 25mm tyres as they are stronger and can aid comfort. We do however like that Trek have equipped the bike with tubeless ready rims . Using tubeless tyres could reduce the risk of punctures.

>>> Guide to road bike tyres

The Tiagra rear cassette is 12-30t. With professionals even adopting 32t cassettes on steep mountainous days, it would be nicer if the Trek came with either a 12-32t cassette or a medium length cage rear derailleur, which would allow a 32t cassette to be fitted. Being a short cage derailleur, it is designed to only go up to 30t. This is in contrast to other bikes in a similar price range, such as the Giant Defy 3 and B'Twin Alur , which both have 32t cassettes as standard.

Ride and handling

Our favourite thing about the Trek 1.5 is the ride handling. Use of round tubes helps contribute to stiffness, whilst the carbon fork offers some dampening. The ride is very smooth, with the frame doing an excellent job of ironing out imperfections and bumps. Considering how well the frame absorbs road buzz we were pleasantly surprised to find that the bike is no slouch when you want to accelerate out the saddle either.

Compliant frames can often feel spongy when you give it the beans, but the Trek 1.5 quickly gets up to speed without any fuss. Wheels on bikes in this price range can often be bargain basement, with spokes that feel as if they are made of cooked spaghetti, but we were pleasantly surprised by the Bontrager wheels on this bike. They compliment the frame well and don't sacrifice ride quality.

Overall, the bike feels nicely balanced, with the weight centred. This is noticeable when riding uphill or track standing. Our 58cm test weighed in at a respectable 8.7kg without pedals. Cornering can feel a little tame, but will always be the case when a bike has a high front end. A lower front end enables you to lower your centre of gravity to a greater degree.

Whilst colour is subjective, we feel the Trek is rather boring to look at. The first thing that draws your eye to a bike is the way it looks and the Trek looks pretty utilitarian. Don't expect to cop admiring glances at the cafe stop. That said, plenty of us value function over form.

For more information, head over to Trek .

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Oliver Bridgewood - no, Doctor Oliver Bridgewood - is a PhD Chemist who discovered a love of cycling. He enjoys racing time trials, hill climbs, road races and criteriums. During his time at Cycling Weekly, he worked predominantly within the tech team, also utilising his science background to produce insightful fitness articles, before moving to an entirely video-focused role heading up the Cycling Weekly YouTube channel, where his feature-length documentary 'Project 49' was his crowning glory.  

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New Trek road bike with 'IsoFlow' seat tube hole leaked — so, is it a new Émonda or revamped Madone?

With the Tour de France just a month away and one unreleased road bike already doing the rounds today  in the form of a potential new Canyon Aeroad , it looks like mysterious new road bike leak season is well under way... and fittingly, the next one we're bringing you news of will almost certainly have a gaping hole in, more commonly known as Trek's IsoFlow bump-taming technology.

The question is, will the new bike be a long-awaited new Émonda, Trek's lightweight model, or a new version of the Madone aero road bike? 

We first reported on this new bike back at the start of the year when pro rider Giulio Ciccone was spotted riding it at a training camp . At the time, we thought it was a revamped version of Trek’s lightweight Émonda, which is overdue an update as the current one is nearly four years old, but it could just as easily be a new version of the Madone, which would make it the eighth generation.

This photo (below) was shared on the Weight Weenies  forum and shows the latest Trek road bike retaining the IsoFlow technology and the cantilever seatpost design of the existing Madone model. However, it comes with shallower tubes, likely aimed at reducing weight. It's clearly a recent photo given that the bike is equipped with the newly released  SRAM Red AXS groupset . Also, the aero water bottles suggest it's not solely focused on lightweight performance, which could rule out the Émonda theory. 

We first spotted the seventh-generation Madone SLR at the Dauphiné  two years ago, although it wasn’t officially launched to the public until a month later. 

The standout feature of that bike was its IsoFlow technology, which involves an interrupted seat tube. Trek claims that IsoFlow provides dramatic aerodynamic improvements – it “smooths air as it moves over the bike and accelerates it through the frame for even more free speed”, according to the US brand – while reducing weight and adding compliance. The cantilever upper seat tube/seatpost design is intended to flex over bumps to smooth the ride.

Like most of the cycling world, we thought Trek would likely extend IsoFlow to its lightweight Émonda platform next. Why? Mainly because the Émonda hasn’t been updated in nearly four years, whereas the Madone got its radical new shaping in 2022. 

> Trek releases radical Madone SLR, its “fastest road race bike ever” 

Although similar to the seventh-generation Madone model (above) in some ways, particularly regarding the IsoFlow technology at the heart of things, integrated cockpit and integrated seat mast, the new bike features shallower tubes across the board. The head tube and down tube are far, far shallower than those of the seventh-gen Madone, and the same goes for the fork legs. 

The lower section of the seat tube wrapped around the leading edge of the front wheel on the previous Madone. That’s no longer a feature here, and the deep seatstays have been replaced by decidedly skinny ones.

What is Trek up to with this design? That’s harder to say because this new bike has yet to be launched and the company has released precisely zero information about it.

Over recent years, Trek has offered the Madone as its aero road bike and the Émonda as the lightweight alternative. However, several brands have moved away from that two-pronged attack (and some, like Pinarello, never went there in the first place). 

Specialized, for example, has been down the ‘one bike to rule them all’ route with its Tarmac SL7 and SL8 – bikes designed to be both lightweight and aero. It claimed a 56cm frame weight of just 685g in its lightest colourway, and a fork weight of 358g.

The seventh-generation Trek Madone SLR was launched with a frame weight of just under 1,000g, and a fork weight of just over 400g.

Trek clearly thought a little extra weight was a price worth paying for the aero gains, but we’d imagine that the tubes have been slimmed down to save grams. That’s speculation, of course, but it’s usually the way of things.

Will Trek have sacrificed aero performance to save weight? The brand will doubtless have a good story to tell and a white paper’s worth of justifications for the changes.

> What do Trek’s plans to ‘right size’ mean for the industry… and you?

One final question: where does this leave the Émonda if the leaked bike is a Madone? One final answer: we don’t know. It could be that Trek is putting all its eggs into one basket with the Madone in the same way that Specialized has with its Tarmac, having shelved the aero Venge.

Maybe Trek is merging its lightweight tech and its aero tech into a single platform. On the whole, though, we suspect that the Émonda is too strong a model to let drift; it’s just really odd that the Madone (if that's what this mysterious new bike is) will now have been updated twice since the last Émonda launch. 

Hopefully, everything will be revealed when Trek officially launches this new bike. When will that be? We've asked Trek for comment, and in the meantime we'll be keeping our eyes peeled... 

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Emily is our track and road racing specialist, having represented Great Britain at the World and European Track Championships. With a National Title up her sleeve, Emily has just completed her Master’s in Sports Psychology at Loughborough University where she raced for Elite Development Team, Loughborough Lightning.

Emily is our go-to for all things training and when not riding or racing bikes, you can find her online shopping or booking flights…the rest of the office is now considering painting their nails to see if that’s the secret to going fast…

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If they merge the lines, it'll be back to 2016 or whenever it was that Trek split the lineup. I own a 2014 Madone 5.9 and it is a very capable aero and climbing bike even now. 

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Maybe a new anagram name then to replace them both.  I'm calling Nomade and Admeon.

Will they do an upright version with a basket?  That could be the DamOne.

You wouldnt believe how many years I've been waiting for the Deamon and the Daemon to be released. The Deamon being a mean gravel racing machine and the Daemon a gentle tourer 

Trek doing what Specialized did and going to one do it all model, though it'll still be called the Madone. Potential Project One customers have already posted all over the internet about the fact both Emonda and Madone have disappeared from the P1: site ie. there's no stock of either frame left.

The current Emonda is rather beautiful.

That new thing... not so much.

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The Best Road Bike Wheels of 2024

When it comes to road bike components, a quality set of wheels is one of the biggest performance upgrades you can make . Whether you’re looking to improve aerodynamics, reduce weight, or simply improve the ride feel of your bike, there are lots of great options to suit every need and preference.

Of course, having all those options can make deciding which road bike wheels to buy a challenge, especially when every brand and model claims to be better than the next. And, the rapid evolution of road bike wheels in recent years means that choosing the right wheels has gotten even more confusing than it used to be. Carbon, aluminum, disc brake, rim brake, rim depth, rim width, hookless tubeless, hooked tubeless, or clincher? There are so many options these days it could make your head spin.

To help provide some clarity, we’ve tested a huge selection of the best road bike wheels on the market to provide honest feedback about how they perform in the real world. Each set of wheels was tested by review author Bennett Shane or another member of our editorial team. Over hundreds of miles of riding, we examined and scrutinized each model’s performance while considering important factors like weight, stiffness, stability, vibration damping, aerodynamics, tire compatibility, and overall build quality.

Whether you’re a climber looking for a snappy and feathery set of low-profile rims, a breakaway addict looking for a set of “deeps” to save every watt of drag possible, or a roadie with an uncanny knack for getting lost on gravel, we’ve tested many of the most popular models and some lesser known newcomers to help you decide on this crucial upgrade.

Among the models we’ve tested, we zeroed in on our favorites which are listed below, followed by the best of the rest which are also great options we feel are worthy of consideration. To see all the models we tested at a glance, check out our comparison chart, and if you need help deciding what you need, take a look at our buying advice and FAQ section.

• Best All-Around Carbon Road Bike Wheels: Reserve 40|44 DT 350
• Best Value Carbon Road Bike Wheels: Hunt 44 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc
• Best Carbon Disc Climbing Road Bike Wheels: Cadex 36 Disc
• Best All-Around Aluminum Road Bike Wheels: Roval Alpinist SLX
• Best All-Around Road Bike Wheels for Rim Brakes: HED Ardennes RA Black
• Best Climbing Road Bike Wheels for Rim Brakes: HiFi EP30 SL Rim Brake Carbon Clinchers
• Best Entry-Level Race Wheels: Vision Trimax 35 DB CL
• Most Elegant Road Bike Wheels: Chris King ARD44

Reserve 40|44 DT 350

• MSRP $1799 (DT 350, as tested), $2,199 (DT 240), $2,499 (DT 180)
• Weight 1534g (other hub options are lighter)
• Tubeless Yes, Hooked Tubeless Ready
• Rim material Carbon
• Brake Type Disc, Centerlock
• Depth 40mm (front) / 44mm (rear)
• Width 25.5mm internal/33mm external (front), 25mm internal/31mm external (rear)
• Plush ride quality
• Responsive performance
• Choice in hub spec
• Minimal branding
• Not the lightest
• No stock Campagnolo freehub option

Reserve is the wheel supplier of Team Visma-Lease a Bike, whose riders won the general classifications of all three grand tours in 2023. So, it’s safe to assume their latest road wheels, including the brilliant 40|44 DT 350 wheels, are fast enough for the rest of us. While the 40|44 are speedy and efficient, Reserve touts comfort as the most compelling attribute, and we strongly agree. These are the most buttery-smooth and pleasant carbon wheels we tested and are an ideal choice for racking up big miles on any road, from minty fresh tarmac to aged and weathered pavement, even dirt and hardpack gravel. With internal rim widths of 25 mm in front and 25.5mm in the rear, they are optimized for tires no smaller than 28mm, all the way up to 45mm, making them a solid choice for those with all-road intentions. 

Another reason to love the 40|44 and all Reserve wheels is the choice of pricing, based on the hub spec. Our test set featured the workhorse DT Swiss 350 Staightpull hubs, and retail for $1799. The DT 350 packs a huge amount of performance, reliability, and serviceability into the 40|44 while allowing the weight to remain respectable at just over 1500g with tubeless tape and valves installed. At an additional cost, Reserve also offers the 40|44 with DT Swiss 240 (1445g) and DT 180 (1381g) hubs for weight savings, but realistically, hubs are about reliability and quick cassette engagement, both of which the 350 has covered and then some. 

As the name denotes, the 40|44 are a mixed-depth wheelset, meaning the front rim is shallower than the rear. Reserve designs all of their road wheels this way because, in reality, the demands and conditions affecting front and rear wheels are slightly different. Up front, turbulent air is hitting a lighter wheel that is bearing far less of the rider’s weight and is free to rotate along with the fork. So, the shallower 40mm rim offers more stability because it catches less airflow. The taller 44mm rear rim makes for a slightly stiffer wheel build, for more responsive acceleration. Bearing more of the rider’s weight, shielded from the wind by the rider’s lower body and locked into the rear triangle of the bike, the rear wheel is much less of a liability in blustery conditions, so there’s no downside to the increased depth.

Straightpull spokes are another great choice for this wheelset, allowing for very high spoke tension, which creates plenty of responsiveness during accelerations and lateral stiffness during aggressive maneuvering. 

Reserve also made the 40|44 easy to get along with. The hooked tubeless-ready rims are compatible with any tubeless tire or clinchers run with tubes. DT Swiss’ hubs are reliable and easy to service. There is also no weight limit and Reserve offers a lifetime warranty and crash replacement discount for added peace of mind to protect your investment. And, our experience with Reserve’s warranty department has always been good. 

While other wheels might stand out more in certain situations, the Reserve 40|44 is a super capable all-arounder that has you covered on any ride, pace, surface, or distance. At $1799 US, they are moderately priced (compared to some premium options) and a great performance and comfort upgrade for any disc brake road bike.

Read our full review of the Reserve 40|44 Road Wheels .

Hunt 44 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc

• MSRP $1,279
• Weight 1528g (including tape, valves, and rotor lock rings)
• Tubeless Yes, Hooked Tubeless
• Ri Material Carbon
• Width 20mm internal / 29mm external
• Affordable for carbon
• All the freehub body options
• Come with rotor lock rings, tape and valves
• Great ride quality
• Quick engagment
• Test wheels trapped water inside
• 240 lbs weight limit

Hunt Bike Wheels have made a name for themselves and become synonymous with value in the cycling wheel market. The Hunt 44 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc wheels are a great example. This is a quality carbon wheelset with virtually no drawbacks that performs nearly on par with models that cost as much as double the price.

As the name suggests, the 44 Aerodynamicist Carbon features a Carbon rim with a 44mm depth. This depth strikes a good middle ground between super-deep aero rims and shallower rims where they still slice through the air efficiently but avoid getting pushed around in variable winds. The hooked rims are 20mm wide internally and 29mm wide externally, and Hunt claims they are aero-optimized for use with 25c-28c tires. That said, they should work with any tires between 23-50mm as the hooked rim is compatible with tubeless-ready tires or clinchers with a tube.

The rims are laced with straight-pull aero spokes to Hunt hubs with center lock brake rotor interfaces, plus they come with rotor lock rings, which is a nice touch. The freehub features three pawls and a 48-tooth ratchet for quick 7.5-degree engagement. Hunt has also accounted for all freehub styles, and you can pick between Shimano HG, SRAM XDR, Campagnolo, and Campagnolo N3W (Ekar), so drivetrain compatibility shouldn’t be an issue. They also include a spacer for 8/9/10 speed cassettes along with a few spare spokes, nipples, and washers.

Beyond the build, the performance of the 44 Aerodynamicist is also great. They feel lighter than their weight suggests when climbing and getting on the gas, yet reassuringly stable at speed and generally unfazed when subject to crosswinds. They also provide a good amount of comfort over less-than-perfect road surfaces like weathered pavement or the occasional detour down a gravel road. They also look fantastic, with a matte black finish and subtle logos that look classy and will go with any bike build.

At $1,279, the Hunt 44 Aerodynamicist still are no drop in the bucket, but they’re hundreds less than most moderately priced carbon road wheels. On top of that, Hunt offers a 3-year warranty and riders can purchase the H_Care lifetime crash replacement policy for $69. They also have a 60-day Ride and Return Policy, so you try these wheels with confidence knowing that you’re not committed if you don’t happen to like them. But, you probably will because these are excellent wheels, especially for the price.

Read our full review of the Hunt 44 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc wheels .

Cadex 36 Disc Tubeless

• MSRP $2500/set (or $1400/front and $1800/rear)
• Weight 1354g (including tape and valves)
• Tubeless Yes, Hookless
• Width 22.4mm internal / 26mm external
• Incredibly responsive
• Predictable and confident handling
• Comfortable ride
• Tire choice is limited to hookless tubeless only

If you aren’t familiar, Cadex is the component division of Giant Bicycles, and they produce a wide range of bike parts and accessories including premium wheels like the Cadex 36 Disc . Given their reputation for delivering exceptional performance and featuring the specs to support that, we were excited to see how good they really are. 

Big Gains for Big Days is the Why behind the 36 Disc, according to Cadex. At 1354g with tape and valves installed, the Cadex 36 is an impressively light wheelset but delivers more than just uphill speed. With a 22.4 internal width and a hookless rim, the Cadex 36 Disc are also optimized for running bigger tires at lower pressure, which makes big days on the bike less exhausting through improved rolling efficiency and enhanced comfort. 

High tensile strength carbon spokes are a big part of the weight savings achieved in the Cadex 36 Disc but also make for an incredibly stiff and responsive wheel. The spokes are bladed for improved aerodynamics and stability in windy conditions. Cadex’s own R1-C30 low-friction hubs feature precision-machined internals and ceramic bearings which they claim roll up to 50% more smoothly than steel hub bearings. Additionally, Cadex uses what they call “Custom-Tuned Dynamic Balanced Lacing” to achieve a wider bracing angle and higher spoke tension to bolster stiffness and responsiveness.

Setup was quick and easy as the wheels come with tubeless tapes and valves installed. Tires seated easily with just a floor pump, but be aware that the Cadex 36 Disc rim is hookless, so it is absolutely critical to run compatible hookless approved tires. No clincher tires are compatible with hookless rims, and a fair number of “tubeless-ready” tires are not compatible with hookless rims, either, so it’s best to do some research prior to choosing your rubber. (They are currently selling the wheels as a set with tires included for $2,500)

“Big gains” is something that can be felt from the first pedal stroke. The Cadex 36 spin up very easily and hold speed incredibly well uphill. Stomping on the pedals, the lateral rigidity reminds one of a deeper rim, but with the responsiveness and zest of a wheel this light. Whether tapping out a deliberate, measured cadence or dropping the hammer, these wheels are happy to do whatever you please. And despite their stiffness, at 36mm deep, the Cadex 36 do still offer some forgiveness over road chatter, cracks, and bumps in the road. Handling at all speeds is predictable, precise, and they feel stable at speed and virtually unaffected by crosswinds.

While it can certainly be hard to justify the premium price tag of the Cadex 36 wheels at $1,400 and $1,800 for the front and rear, respectively, they are currently being sold for $2,500 as a set with a pair of Cadex tires. While that clearly isn’t inexpensive, it’s an easier pill to swallow and even undercuts the price of several other premium wheelsets. And, Cadex’s Composite Confidence Guarantee covers damage for the first two years, along with a 5-year warranty against manufacturing defects.

So, if you’re looking for some light, stiff, and classy-looking wheels to help make hills feel flatter, the Cadex 36 is worth a serious look. They don’t come cheap but these wheels offer premium performance for those seeking the best.

Read our full review of the Cadex 36 Disc wheels .

Roval Aplinist SLX Disc

• Weight 1485g
• Rim material Aluminum
• Width 20mm internal / 23.5mm external
• Excellent hubs
• Great handling
• Comfortable
• Reasonably lightweight
• Could be wider

Roval touts the Alpinist SLX as the best aluminum wheelset the company has ever produced for road riding. By combining tubeless ready rims laced to excellent DT Swiss 350 hubs with Sapim spokes and nipples, they’ve created a respectably lightweight wheelset that does everything well. At $800, the Alpinist SLX sits at a price point a few hundred dollars below entry-level carbon fiber wheels, which in many cases are less inspiring to ride than premium aluminum, being heavier or built with lower-quality hubs.  

The Alpinist SLX rim is made from 6061 aluminum aluminum alloy with a shot-peened finish. The rim is a hooked and tubeless-ready design with a moderate internal width of 20mm and an external width of 23.5mm that will work great with tires from 25 to 30c. While a touch narrower than what is quickly becoming the norm, these rims still work great with the vast majority of tires most people are using for pure road riding. That said, the Alpinist SLX rim still manages to feel plush and maneuverable, especially when set up tubeless with 30c rubber. With aluminum rims and a lightweight overall build, it’s critical to choose the best tires, otherwise, the ride quality and rolling resistance will be less than ideal. And, being a more affordable aluminum option, it leaves room in the budget to upgrade tires as well. 

Moving away from the rim, it’s clear that Roval was committed to making intelligent choices in selecting the parts for the Alpinist SLX wheelset, making them as well-rounded as some more expensive custom-built wheels. First, we find Sapim D-Light spokes, which aren’t the lightest or most aero spokes, but do enhance the ride quality of the Alpinist SLX. Those are laced to the legendary DT Swiss 350 hub with a 36-tooth star ratchet system for solid 10-degree engagement under power. The DT 350 is also one of the most reliable and easily serviced hubs ever produced.

Setting up the Alpinist SLX tubeless was fairly easy, with both tape and tubeless valves supplied inside the box. We did need to use an air compressor to pop the tire beads into place, but once that was done, the tires held air perfectly. 

On the road, the Alpinist SLX were pleasant to ride at a steady pace across any terrain. Only during the most extreme maneuvers and accelerations was it evident that they weren’t quite as stiff and snappy as some carbon options we tested. It’s no surprise that many of the professional teams that Specialized sponsors use the Alpinist SLX as training wheels between races. These are comfortable, predictable, and stable wheels for munching up big miles.

If you want an affordable, comfortable, and worry-free upgrade to your stock aluminum wheels, the Roval Alpinist SLX are a smart pick. Just be sure to match them with a high-end tubeless tire to realize their full potential.

HED Ardennes RA Black

• MSRP $1,300
• Weight 1475g
• Tubeless Yes. Hooked Tubeless Ready
• Brake Type Rim
• Depth 24.5mm
• Width 21mm internal / 25mm external
• Serious braking power
• Exquisite ride quality
• Looks the business
• Perfectly built

For the rim brake holdouts, we feel the HED Ardennes RA Black is one of the best wheelsets available, regardless of rim material. With a great design and all-around performance, the aluminum-rimmed Ardennes avoid many of the compromises and shortcomings of carbon fiber rim brake models that cost significantly more.  

The “Black” in HED Ardennes RA Black is a reference to its namesake, the textured black braking surface that features “Turbine Braking Technology”. The main benefit of Turbine Braking Technology is that the textured surface dramatically reduces stopping distances and the force required at the brake lever, which is of particular importance when running rim brakes. HED makes some lofty promises that these wheels will stop up to 25% faster in dry conditions and as much as 70% faster in wet conditions compared to other rim brake wheels with carbon brake tracks. The other obvious benefit is that the black brake track looks super stealthy, just like carbon rims, but without the concerns around heat buildup at the brake track, and poor wet-weather braking performance.

While controlling your speed is obviously super-critical, these wheels are also focused on ride quality and performance. The rims themselves are designed and constructed to provide a comfortable yet lively ride with an internal width of 21mm that is well suited to pure road riding tire widths between 23 and 30c. Unlike disc brake wheels, brake track width and tire volume are more of a consideration, and here the HED Ardennes hit the sweet spot.

Those rims are laced to HED HU216 (f) and Sonic 545 (r) hubs with Sapim CX-Ray bladed spokes. The front wheel uses straight pull spokes and radial lacing while the rear uses J-bend spokes in a 2x cross pattern. These spokes are light, aerodynamic, and provide a great ride quality in addition to being relatively easy to find should you need to replace one. And, in our experience with HED Ardennes wheels, you may never need to replace one or even true your wheels. The 5-pawl freehub engages quickly, and while it has a somewhat aggressive freewheeling sound, it isn’t over the top.

HED includes tubeless rim tape with the wheels, but you’ll need valve stems to complete the system which they sell separately for $15 a pop on their site in a range of lengths. Outside of that, setting up tires proved to be super easy and only required the use of a floor pump.

On the road, the HED Ardennes RA Black feel efficient and comfortable and not far off from more expensive deep-section carbon hoops. Super discerning riders might feel a slight reduction in efficiency, but the ride quality, responsiveness, and comfort these wheels provide over rough pavement is hard to ignore. Likewise, the rim brake stopping power is the best we’ve ever experienced, competitive in power and modulation to hydraulic disc brakes.

So, if you’re not convinced that carbon fiber rims or disc brakes are for you, the HED Ardennes RA Black is our top recommendation. While $1,300 isn’t exactly cheap, they cost less than most carbon options while providing a nicely balanced ride quality, excellent stopping power, and good looks.

Read our full review of the HED Ardennes RA Black wheels.

HiFi EP30 SL Rim Brake Carbon Clinchers

• Weight 1320g
• Rim material Full carbon
• Width 19mm internal / 25mm external
• What is gravity?
• Micro-hooked tubeless rims for the win
• Sensible width for rim brake frame clearances
• Replacement spokes may take time to source

HiFi Sound Cycling Components is based in Portland, Oregon, and has focused on hand-built wheels for every major cycling discipline since 2013. Since bike racing is about going fast, it’s no surprise that HiFi remains committed to offering high-end rim-brake wheelsets, like the EP30 SL .

Setting up the EP30 SL with tubeless tires was a cinch, thanks to nice and sticky tubeless tape that only requires one layer, and high-quality tubeless valves, which are included with purchase. Since the EP30 SL rim is hooked, you can run any tire under the sun with or without an innertube, which we love and applaud. While the rim is hooked, the hook is less pronounced than traditional clincher rims, a design HiFi terms “micro-hook”. The benefits are the tire security and compatibility of a traditional hooked design, with a more advanced rim/tire interface that allows the tire to better protect the top edge of the brake track from impacts with potholes and other road debris.

The EP30 SL’s 19/25mm internal/external width is a bit narrower than most road wheels being developed at present. Keeping in mind that the tires must safely clear rim brake calipers and narrow parts of the frame and fork, 19/25mm is a smart choice from a compatibility standpoint. Thanks to a ride quality that balances stiffness with a good amount of compliance, we found that with 25c and 28c rubber installed, the EP30 SL had a nice balance of speed and comfort, and allowed the tire to grip confidently at all times.

At 1320 grams, the EP30 SL is an ideal choice for hilly terrain, but far away from a niche wheelset for pure climbers. Not only were the 395g rims quick to spin up, but the 30mm deep profile was tenacious at high speed, helping us bomb down descents and charge across flat terrain like much deeper options. The EP30 SL rim offers plenty of stiffness, providing pinpoint maneuverability and surefooted confidence with the bike leaning through fast turns. Climbing on them is special, though. We set numerous personal best times on local climbs that we’ve ridden dozens of times while testing these wheels.

The braking performance of the EP30 SL rim was excellent, with zero shuttering, squealing, or brake fade. While we don’t recommend any carbon brake track wheel for day-in and day-out riding in wet and grimy conditions, we can confirm that the EP30 SL is ready to descend aggressively and ride in traffic with total confidence, in dry and slightly damp conditions. They also come with carbon-specific brake pads that we found to work great for slowing down in a hurry.

The EP30 HiFi Fidelity R36SL straight pull hubs feature high-quality Japanese steel bearings and use a 4-pawl system engaging with a 36-tooth ring. The R36SL hubs offer quick and reliable engagement, lightweight, and long-term dependability. The R36SL hubs are laced by hand to the EP30 SL rim with Sapim CX-Ray straight pull spokes. and Sapim Secure Lock Alloy nipples. The front wheel features an 18-spoke radial lacing pattern, while the rear utilizes a 24-hole 2:1 lacing pattern with 16 spokes on the drive side and 8 on the non-drive.

In the case of major incidents, HiFi offers a generous crash replacement policy that provides a 50% off MSRP discount on any wheel and necessary parts that are structurally damaged in a crash or accident. HiFi also guarantees their wheels to be free of manufacturing defects for 24 months from the date of purchase by the original owner. 

At $1970, the HiFi EP30 SL is a significant investment but will have you setting new personal bests and keep your beloved rim brake race bike on the road for many more years to come, instead of spending a lot more money to ride a different bike that is heavier and more complicated to maintain.

Vision Trimax 35 DB CL

• Weight 1650g
• Width 19mm internal / 23mm external
• Excellent lateral stiffness
• Affordable speed
• Narrow by today’s norms
• 3-pawl freehub engages less quickly

The Vision Trimax 35 DB CL wheelset represents an affordable upgrade in aerodynamics and lateral stiffness, making it a great choice for those just getting into road racing or time-trialing. 

The Trimax 35 rim features a slightly more aggressive 35mm depth and material is milled away around the spokes nipples, ensuring a race-worthy strength-to-weight ratio and creating a striking aesthetic. While Vision offers no specific aerodynamic claims about the Trimax 35 rim, it’s documented that deeper rims provide an advantage when riding at higher speed, by giving the air more surface to flow across, thus reducing the turbulence and aero drag that slows the rim down.

The rim is wide enough across the spoke bed to work well with 28c tires but for the best aerodynamics, a 25c tire is ideal and will create a smooth transition from the rim to the tire sidewall. Thankfully, the Vision Trimax 35 is tubeless ready, so those smaller 25c tires will still be comfortable and fast-rolling because they can be run at lower pressure without a tube inside. 

While the Trimax 35 DB CL wheelset isn’t a featherweight option at 1650 grams, when set up tubeless and paired with a lightweight and supple tire, it’s a fast set of wheels. The deeper rim and shorter spokes react with vigor to sudden spikes in power. The only thing that holds these wheels back a bit at times is the 3-pawl freehub, which takes a moment to engage the rear wheel during sudden accelerations, which we found most noticeable when climbing. Once the climbing is done, the Trimax 35 wheels are more than ready to rip descents, corners, and long flat stretches of open road. 

We were honestly quite pleasantly surprised by the Vision Trimax 35 DB CL given their reasonable cost of just $550. Sometimes it’s easy to get swept up in all the latest and greatest tech when testing the best of the best. To their credit, Vision has created a fast and nice-looking set of wheels that won’t break the bank but might help you break away from the pack.

Chris King ARD44

• Weight 1525g
• Tubeless Yes, Hookless Tubeless
• Rim material Fusion Fiber
• Width 25mm internal / 30.5mm external
• Flat out gorgeous
• Unbeatable comfort
• Built to last – lifetime warranty
• Recyclable rims
• Made in USA
• Your new bank balance
• A tad heavier than similarly priced options

Chris King has been making some of the most lust-worthy components in the cycling industry for many years, but the ARD44 is the brand’s first dedicated wheels for road cycling. These also happen to be the first road wheels made with Fusion Fiber , a US-made carbon fiber that has previously been applied in both gravel and mountain bike wheels. Built around Chris King’s excellent R45D hubs, these hookless tubeless wheels come at a premium price but back that up with amazing craftsmanship, stellar ride quality, and an outstanding lifetime warranty.

One of the standout features of the ARD44 wheels is the Fusion Fiber rims. Made in Utah by CSS Composites, Fusion Fiber has been used by Forge+Bond and in Chris King’s other recent complete GRD and MTN wheelsets. Using a thermoplastic resin, Fusion Fiber is not only recyclable but claims to absorb vibration better than traditional carbon fiber as well. On the road, the comfort is readily apparent as they soak up road buzz and impact as well as any other wheels we’ve tried. That smoothness translates directly to grip and rolling efficiency since everything seems less affected by imperfections in the road surface, handling is super calm and predictable, and the wheels are surprisingly quiet and damp sounding too (other than the freehub).

With a 44mm depth, the ARD44 rims offer a moderate level of aero advantage, which is enhanced by the hookless design for a smoother transition at the rim-tire interface. Despite the 44mm depth, we found them to be impressively stable in crosswinds where some deep section rims can feel sketchy. In varying winds, they did not waver or get pushed around and felt more similar to shallower designs. The hookless design and 25mm internal/30.5mm external width have been “aerodynamically tailored for 28mm-30mm tires”, meaning tires of those sizes will be the most aero-efficient. That said, they are claimed to work with tires up to 47mm wide, meaning they also have your all-road and gravel needs covered.

At the center of those rims are Chris King R45D hubs which are made in their factory in Portland, OR. These stunning hubs are available in a range of color options, have a center lock brake rotor interface, and can be purchased with Shimano HG, SRAM XDR, or Shimano Microspline freehub bodies. The house-made stainless steel bearings are ultra-smooth (plus you can upgrade to ceramic for $110) and feature King’s RingDrive system which has 45 points of simultaneous engagement, or 8°, for a zesty, precise feel. Twenty-four bladed, J-bend Sapim CX-Ray spokes connect the rims and hubs together.

At 1525g, the ARD44 isn’t the lightest wheelset around, but what little additional weight they have goes virtually unnoticed on the road, much the same way that cracked and weathered pavement seems to disappear beneath you. Should you manage to damage your wheels, Chris King’s Lifetime Warranty has your back, and they really mean it. If you damage your rim, they will pay for shipping both ways, a new rim and rebuild, plus a hub service. It doesn’t get much better than that.

At $2850, the ARD44 wheelset is well within premium-priced wheelset territory. While they aren’t the lightest, they offer a beautiful ride quality through their Fusion Fiber rims, bombproof Chris King hubs, excellent craftsmanship, and attention to detail. They are also great looking, with a raw carbon finish and subtle, matte King logos. For those in search of an elegant carbon wheelset to grace your forever bike and who value comfort and stability over outright speed, then the Chris King ARD44 may well be worth the cost.

Read our full review of the Chris King ARD44 road wheels.

Best of the Rest

Zipp 303 firecrest tubeless disc.

• MSRP $2,046
• Weight 1352g (no tape or valves included)
• Tubeless Yes. Hookless Tubeless
• Brake Type Disc, Centerlock (also comes in rim brake version)
• Depth 40 mm
• Width 25mm internal / 30 mm external
• Lighting quick acceleration
• Balances aerodynamics and handling
• Tire options limited to hookless tubeless

The latest version of Zipp’s 303 Firecrest marks a few significant changes for this venerated line of wheels. Most notably, the 303 has become even more versatile, by adding width and adopting a hookless rim profile. While that does limit you to fewer compatible tires, the hookless design actually opens up more possibilities for the 303, as an “all-road” wheelset, capable of being fast, smooth, and comfortable while standing up to abuse from unruly and unpaved roads. 

A hookless rim is an interesting choice for a wheelset so steeped in road heritage, as the technology was first developed for mountain bike rims before becoming commonplace on gravel and cyclocross-focused designs. While it is true that tire options become limited with hookless rims, nearly all leading brands now offer a road tire that is hookless compatible. For a sampling of these, check out our Buyer’s Guide to the Best Road Bike Tires of 2024 .

For a road wheelset, the primary claimed benefit of hookless is the more aerodynamic and efficient profile that the tire assumes when installed. By smoothing the transition from rim to tire, airflow is less disrupted and the rim itself is less exposed to impact. Additionally, manufacturers claim the rim itself can be kept lighter without adding hooks. Yet despite these claimed advantages, there are plenty of riders who are opposed to hookless rims in road riding.

So, how does this new-school philosophy in rim design affect the ride characteristics of the 303 Firecrest? When paired with 28c tires (the minimum volume that is compatible, according to Zipp) and inflated to 70 PSI, the 303 Firecrest feels so smooth, that it takes some getting used to. On a few occasions during the first ride, we were compelled to look down to ensure there wasn’t a puncture. In reality, the 303 Firecrest and the wider tires were doing their job in perfect harmony, soaking up road buzz and decreasing rolling resistance, which in turn preserves more speed and more energy in the rider, a win-win! While that level of smoothness doesn’t always translate well to cornering, we found it felt natural, confident, and precise. This is due to the 30mm external rim width, which prevents the tire from deforming under the lateral force generated by leaning the bike into a turn. 

Climbing, the 303’s low weight was readily apparent, and they made easy work of even double-digit gradients. The rear hub’s 66-point engagement helps here as there is no lag when your cadence drops or pedaling gets choppy. At high speed, the 40mm deep rim was surprisingly efficient, reminiscent of a rim with greater depth. With the 303 Firecrest, it’s easier to hold onto higher speeds, because the entire wheel and tire (+ bike and rider) system is suspended more efficiently above the road, so the road is essentially smoothed out, and watts are thereby saved.

Testing this wheelset wasn’t as much an “ah-ha” as an “uh-huh”, as the 303 Firecrest has been and will remain on the short list of the best-performing road wheels available. Zipp realizes that their bread and butter – aerodynamics – has hit a plateau in development, and smartly pivoted to rolling resistance to stay ahead of the pack with the 303 Firecrest. At $2046, they are actually competitively priced compared to many top-tier models. It’s a hard wheelset to look away from and was even harder to send back to Zipp.

Bontrager Aeolus Pro 49V Disc TLR

• MSRP $1,800
• Weight 1555g
• Rim material OCLV NEXT Thermoplastic Carbon
• Width 25mm internal / 32mm external
• Wide rims for higher volume tires

The Bontrager Aeolus Pro 49V is an aerodynamic road disc upgrade that’s within reach for more riders compared to the brand’s premium Aeolus RSL model. Bontrager’s use of OCLV NEXT thermoplastic carbon makes the Aeolus Pro 49V rim more durable and better able to dampen vibrations, resulting in a lower rolling resistance for a smoother and faster wheelset. The aerodynamically-optimized 25mm internal width rim is ideal for pairing with higher volume road tires size 28c and above. Because of the added width, the Aeolus Pro 49V rims allow those larger tires to run at lower pressures, enhancing traction and comfort. 

We had the chance to test the Aeolus Pro 49V back-to-back against the range-topping Aeolus RSL 51. On the same bike, with the same tires and tire pressure, riding the same 15-mile loop, it was honestly challenging to identify a difference in performance. If the test had been blind, we’re not sure we could have correctly which was the $1800 wheelset, or the one costing $1,000 more. Safe to say that whatever difference could be measured by CFD analysis, or by a truly rigorous road test using a power meter, the differences would be marginal. 

So, where exactly do the cost savings come from? The most direct cost-saving difference is the level of carbon fiber used in the respective rims. While the Aeolus RSL range features Bontrager’s lighter top-tier “RSL OCLV”, the Aeolus Pro range uses the  slightly heavier “OCLV Next” carbon, to match the same level of strength as the RSL. The heavier rims are part of why the Aeolus Pro 49V weighs 1555g, while the Aeolus RSL 51 wheelset is just 1410g. 

Moving away from the rim, the Aeolus Pro 49V uses heavier hubs, which don’t use the same DT-Swiss internals as the Aeolus RSL 51. Still, the Bontrager Rapid Drive 108 hubs found on the Aoelus Pro 49V offer excellent engagement and a precise, snappy feel when accelerating and climbing. They also feature the same DT Swiss Aerolite Spokes, which can withstand super-high tension and have been tested to be one of the most aerodynamically efficient spokes available. 

Next to the Aeolus RSL 51, the Aeolus Pro 49V has a less refined finish, but it’s certainly still a classy-looking wheelset. As someone who likes to occasionally throw fast wheels on my gravel bike for a race, the extra 2mm of internal rim width and the extra $1000 in my bank account would choosing between the two super easy. While weight is what a lot of folks fixate on when upgrading wheels, in our experience this year testing wheels and tires, we’ve downgraded its importance somewhat, assuming it’s under 1600g. Aerodynamics and low rolling resistance are where it’s at for us, and the Aeolus Pro 49V delivers both in good measure. 

All Bontrager carbon wheels are warrantied for life for the original purchaser and come with the added protection of Carbon Care. If you structurally damage your wheels while riding in the first two years of ownership, Bontrager will replace them. This is a significantly more generous offer than what most carbon wheel manufacturers list as “protection”. So, if you’re looking for a versatile aero wheelset that is comfortable and reliable and has an excellent warranty, the Bontrager Aeolus Pro 49V is a winning pick.

ENVE SES 3.4

• MSRP $2,850
• Weight 1455g
• Rim material Carbon fiber
• Depth 39mm front / 43mm rear
• Top-notch handling
• Compliant ride quality
• Hookless rims limit tire options
• Internal nipples not ideal with tubeless tire

The ENVE SES 3.4 is a versatile, aero, light, and fast wheelset, according to ENVE, and we agree that it’s one of the best all-around wheelsets available. While it doesn’t stake a claim as the best wheel in any particular category, it excels across the board, making it a true all-rounder and a great pick for those of us who want one carbon wheelset that can do it all quite well. In the real world, where the dynamics of road cycling are constantly changing, the ENVE SES 3.4 adapts seamlessly to whatever’s up the road, from steep climbs to twisty, pothole-riddled descents, to windblown straightaways.

At 25mm wide internally, the SES 3.4 is wide enough to support huge gravel tires but is also aerodynamically optimized for 28c road tires designed for road racing. Speaking of tires, the ENVE SES 3.4’s hookless rim is only compatible with approved hookless tubeless-ready tires. It is possible to run the ENVE SES 3.4 with tubes, but those tubes will still need to be used in conjunction with a hookless tubeless-ready tire. In most cases, such a combination will be heavy and add significant rolling resistance, so we recommend the ENVE SES 3.4 only for riders who intend to use tubeless tires. 

The SES 3.4 rims are different depths, but only marginally so, with a 39mm front and 43mm rear. The added depth bolsters responsiveness in the rear and the shallower front rim is more easily maneuvered, and also easier to hold steady in windy conditions. Responsiveness also gets a boost from the excellent ENVE Premium Road Hubs, which feature flange diameters, spacing, and spoke hole lacing that are all intended to maximize torsional stiffness, spoke tangency, and power transfer. 

Until a few competitors updated their wheels recently, the SES 3.4 were the most comfortable wheels we had ever tested. While they are no longer alone at the top in terms of ride quality, they’re still at the top. The SES 3.4 has an uncanny ability to ride pitch-perfect relative to whatever tire size and pressure is installed. Whether shod in 29c ENVE SES race tires at 68PSI, or a set of knobby gravel 42s, the ride is always responsive but well-damped, inspiring you to take any type of ride you choose.

The one thing we don’t like about the ENVE 3.4 also goes for every wheel ENVE makes, and a few other brands as well, and that’s internal nipples. This design saves a couple of watts of drag and gives ENVE wheels a sleek appearance, but truing the wheels becomes considerably more difficult when it involves tearing apart a complete tubeless tire setup, including removing the tape, before even beginning to adjust the spoke nipples. It’s not a huge issue, but most of the industry sticks with external nipples, for easy spoke tension adjustments that don’t involve tire and tape removal. 

That one issue aside, the ENVE SES 3.4 is everything we want a quiver-killer, all-around wheelset to be. As ENVE says, they are versatile, thanks to their width, aero of course (this is ENVE we’re talking about), light at 1455g, and fast, thanks to their low rolling resistance and excellent hubs. At $2850, they’re also expensive, but that’s no surprise with ENVE, a company that is still batting .1000 after a long time in the game.

Shimano Dura-Ace C50 Tubeless Disc

• MSRP $2,100
• Weight 1461g
• Width 21mm internal / 28mm external
• Priced less than many high-end competitors
• Fast everywhere
• Look the business
• Compatible with any road tire
• Compatible only with Shimano cassettes
• Hubs require proactive maintenance
• Not as wide as many compeititors

Looking at Shimano’s latest Dura-Ace C50 Tubeless Disc Wheelset, one might think that these race-bred deeps are among the most expensive carbon road wheels available. The Dura-Ace moniker, painted no less than six times on each rim, is synonymous with cost-no-object bike builds. Aside from the Dura-Ace branding, the C50 wheelset strikes a stance that looks seriously fast and thoroughly refined, as we’d expect of any wheelset at the top of the Shimano range.

And yet, the Dura Ace C50 cost $2,100 which is less than many of the other premium options on the market. It’s an interesting price point, just a few hundred dollars more than some newcomers without the race-winning pedigree, and nearly 15-20% less than other premium offerings from ENVE, Chris King, Zipp, and Roval. For racers running the requisite Shimano drivetrain, the allure of the C50 combined with its pricing makes them impossible to ignore. 

The C50’s 50mm rim is an all-around aero rim that has tangible watt-saving benefits when pedaling at high speed and also gives a huge boost on descents but never feels sluggish to spin up or maneuver. Its depth is only noticeable when starting from a complete stop and during very slow-speed maneuvers. Once you’re rolling, the C50 feels eager to attack any terrain or situation. For riders wanting a shallower rim that is quicker to spin up and change direction at high speed, Shimano offers the 36mm deep Dura Ace C36 . For racers, and I do mean racers, wanting the most free speed available, the Dura Ace C60 takes it even deeper, for high-speed races on flat to rolling terrain. Of course, most of us only want to have one high-end wheelset that can do it all, and of the Dura-Ace range, the C50 is that wheel. 

We thoroughly enjoyed riding the Dura Ace C50, which is something that isn’t always the case with wheels this deep. While it’s nice knowing on a scientific level that wheels are fast because they are deep and aerodynamically optimized for slightly wider tires, often wheels of this depth feel cumbersome to spin up and less than eager to change direction quickly, and can be less than plush throughout long rides on rough roads. The C50s offer a damped ride quality and hum happily across broken pavement. They are nimble, allowing for easy course correction at high speed when the need arises. Climbing is surprisingly nice, with a direct, eager response to accelerations and a smooth and easy efficiency during steady seated efforts. All these things are great and should be checked off by any high-end 50mm wheel, but are all outshined by how the Dura Ace C50 responds to all-out throw-downs of power. These wheels light up and burn across the tarmac.

High praise aside, an important consideration with these or any road wheels from Shimano is that Shimano hubs are now only compatible with Shimano cassettes, and it’s not possible to run these wheels with any 12-speed drivetrain from SRAM or Campagnolo. Next, Shimano hubs use a cup-and-cone style bearing system that needs to be serviced at more frequent intervals than the much more common cartridge bearing hubs. Lastly, these are road wheels, not gravel-sometimes, do whatever wheels. They do not have the ride quality and handling characteristics that work well on super rough terrain, and what little gravel we did ride rendered them less than potent weapons.

So, for those running a Shimano drivetrain who want to race or just shred aggressively on paved roads, and who ride in dry climates or don’t shy away from a little proactive hub maintenance, the Dura Ace C50 wheelset is a clear winner in the all-around deep section carbon wheel category.

OTHR Anywhr 40

• MSRP $1,749
• Weight 1360g
• Tubeless Yes, Micro-Hooked Tubeless Ready
• Rim material Toray T800s carbon fiber
• Width 24mm internal / 31mm external
• Top-shelf build
• Still moderately expensive
• Silver Holographic decals are super flashy (also come in black)

OTHR is the component division of Ritte Cycles, much like Bontrager is to Trek or Roval is to Specialized. I mention these other brands because some of their top-tier carbon wheels are priced such that not many of us can afford, or justify them. Dissatisfied with other options, the Ritte engineers set out to make wheels for the “meat of the bell curve”. So, Ritte created OTHR and went to work picking apart the most advanced wheels, in a quest to come up with something competitive with these top-tier offerings, at a more reasonable price, resulting in the brilliant Anywhr 40 Wheelset .

“Anywhr” is a fitting name for this wheelset, as it performs well on any surface, gradient, and wind condition. For us, the Anywhr 40 is most impressive on long rides where tapping out a steady pace over varied terrain is key, and wheels must balance aerodynamics, low inertia, and comfort. These wheels make sense for a large segment of riders, from dedicated road and crit racers, to endurance-focused g-roadie, or recreational riders who want to have fun and ride great wheels.

The Anywhr 40 were a breeze to set up tubeless, thanks to OTHR mounting and seating Vittoria Corsa Pro Control 30c tires before shipping the wheels. If you’re not a fan of doing tubeless setups at home, we recommend purchasing new tires with your Anywhr 40, to enjoy this convenience and get on the road quickly. 

Climbing and descending on the Anywhr 40 was dreamy. Uphill, the wheels held speed easily, seeming to smooth out the small acceleration and deceleration of each pedal stroke. This is made possible by not only the low rim weight of 395g but also the 36-tooth ratchet system in the rear hub, which engages the cassette quickly. On descents, the 24mm wide rim maximized the tire’s grip but also held shape perfectly to quickly change direction when needed. At high speed, the 40mm depth means the front wheel was stable and predictable, allowing us to descend aggressively with total confidence. 

The situation we weren’t blown away by the Anywhr 40 was in all-out sprints. These wheels feel more about consistent speed by way of low rolling resistance versus short bursts of acceleration. While some other wheels were a bit spicier than the Anywhr 40 when we had the urge to throw down our max power, those wheels’ deeper, heavier rims were also less comfortable, and not as easy to maneuver as the Anywhr 40.

After testing and loving the OTHR Anywhr 40 , we’re scratching our heads and trying to understand why many of the high-end wheels we tested cost almost double. While they may not dominate the best wheels from Zipp, ENVE, and the like in any one area, they are equal to all these wheels in that  “meat of the bell curve” Ritte references, where we do 95% of our riding. For this reason, we think they are a solid value and are worth a serious look for anyone looking to upgrade this year.

Shimano 105 C32 Tubeless Disc (WH-RS710)

• MSRP $1,050
• Weight 1504g
• Compatible with Shimano cassettes only

The Shimano 105 C32 Tubeless Disc wheelset may not be all that exciting on paper, with higher weight than some of its shallow carbon competitors, and a respectable but safe internal width of 21mm. At $1049, the price itself may even cast doubts on its ability to perform against many other wheels costing double that and beyond. 

In reality, the Shimano C32 is one of those rare but glorious products that receive very little hype and attention but deliver astonishing performance and value. On the road, the C32 is impressive, climbing much better than its weight of 1504g would suggest, gliding over weathered pavement with reassuring stability, and maneuvering precisely and confidently at any speed. 

Only at high speeds above 30 mph does it become obvious that the Shimano C32 are not as aero as some slightly deeper options in the 40mm range. That said, the C32 feel so stable and easy to maneuver at speed that it lends confidence which will in turn enable you to maneuver the bike more efficiently and go plenty fast. And, for those seeking a slightly more aero version, Shimano also makes the C46 with a 46mm rim depth.

Shimano lists one of the key features of the C32 as its ability to “be easily matched to any bike”. While it’s true that these wheels will work with any disc brake road frameset using 12×100 and 12×142 thru axles, and their subdued aesthetics won’t clash with any other equipment, the C32 is not currently compatible with bikes running SRAM or Campagnolo drivetrains. Without getting into the weeds, when running a 12-speed drivetrain, Shimano hubs are now only compatible with Shimano cassettes, and this is due mainly to SRAM’s adoption of a 10-tooth cog and development of their own “XDR” freehub system to match their 12-speed cassettes. If you’re running 11-speed SRAM and your cassette bottoms out with an 11-tooth cog, you do have the option to use the Shimano C32. 

In addition to limited compatibility, Shimano hubs use a cup-and-cone style bearing system that needs to be serviced at more frequent intervals than the much more common cartridge bearing hubs found in other wheels. Lastly, these are road wheels, not gravel-sometimes, do whatever wheels. While their moderate width and shallow depth could work well on well-packed gravel, with tires up to about 40c, we wouldn’t want to constantly expose the hubs to dust and grime that come with gravel riding. 

Those concerns aside, ride quality, precise handling, and easy acceleration are all reasons why this wheelset that costs just over $1000 is a great investment in your Shimano-equipped road bike. With the money saved by avoiding far more expensive wheels, you’ll be able to easily upgrade to a great set of tires to help the Shimano C32 Tubeless Disc wheels ride their best.

Reynolds AR 58

• MSRP $1,450
• Weight 1700g
• Brake Type Rim (Disc option available)
• Width 19mm internal / 28mm external
• Aero gains you can feel
• Fair price for a carbon wheelset
• Heavier than some of the competition
• Narrower internal width

The Reynolds AR 58 feature the same highly aerodynamic rim that is used in the more expensive AR 58X but saves $250 and adds a few grams by using mid-range Sapim Sprint spokes, brass nipples, and economically-designed hubs. While that extra mass might be noticeable on the first few turns of the pedals, once the AR 58 are up to speed, they perform just like their more expensive counterpart, the AR 58X. 

The AR 58 rim measures 58mm deep, positioning the AR 58 in the class of aero wheels that don’t just look fast, but offer a tangible feeling of free speed. The rim is optimized for 23-28c tires, although with a relatively narrow 19mm internal width, we found they handled and rolled best when shod with 25c tires. 

Out of the box, our test set of AR 58 was perfectly true and round, and the spoke tension was even. Setting the AR 58 up tubeless was a breeze, as the rims come pre-taped, and required only a floor pump to seat the tires. 

Braking is excellent on the rim brake version we tested, which is no surprise as Reynolds has long been a leader in carbon brake track performance. Reynolds’ proprietary Ctg2 brake track offers tremendous heat resistance, to prevent the dreaded loss of power and resin-melting that can occur quickly with carbon rims of lesser quality. Reynolds also includes a pair of Cryo blue brake pads, so you can be sure to have the best possible braking performance.

That said, these wheels aren’t for scenarios where braking is a priority. They wouldn’t be our first pick in mountainous terrain or urban settings. It’s not a knock on these wheels specifically, but if you’re considering a carbon rim brake wheelset upgrade, and like to climb and descend, or need to repeatedly accelerate and then stop, something with a shallower depth will fit the bill better. The AR 58 are about holding onto more speed with less effort. Group rides, flat-to-rolling road races, time trials, and high-speed KoM hunting are the realm of this seriously fast aero wheelset. 

At 1700g, with a narrower-than-average width, the AR 58 is ideal for a powerful rider who wants to turn a big gear quickly. If keeping the weight of your bike down is a priority, Reynolds also offers the AR 41, which offers significantly less aerodynamic advantage but sheds over 250g. 

The Reynolds AR 58 is a narrowly focused wheelset for a specific type of riding on roads that allow the speed to remain high at all times. That said, when used in its element, it’s one of the fastest and most fun-to-ride wheels we’ve ever tested, at a moderate price, comparatively speaking.

HED Vanquish RC4 Performance Series

• MSRP $1,750
• Weight 1542g
• Brake Type Disc
• Width 21mm internal / 30mm external
• A bit heavier than other 40mm deep options

The HED Vanquish RC4 Performance wheelset is a responsive and predictable wheel that feels ready to race anything from a gran fondo in the high mountains to an urban criterium. At 40mm deep, the rims offer a moderate aero advantage, but compared to most wheels with deep carbon rims, the Vanquish RC4 feels more eager to accelerate. This is most noticeable on steep pitches of climbs, or when pounding the pedals to gain speed out of corners. 

The Vanquish RC Performance lineup of wheels features the same rim profile as the more expensive and lighter Vanquish RC Pro lineup but uses a less expensive carbon fiber and slightly different hub internals to keep the price more approachable at $1,750 US. After spending time on a variety of HED wheels over the years from both the Performance and Pro levels, we feel that HED does an excellent job of preserving all the critical aspects of the Pro Series when tweaking the finer points to create the Performance line. Ride quality, handling, and reliability are all top-notch, just in a slightly heavier overall package. And, although the 1542g weight might make the bike feel a tad heavier to hold than some other mid-depth carbon wheels, the Vanquish “ride light”, meaning they feel quick to accelerate and hold speed well when working against gravity. 

Ride quality is direct but refined. With a 21mm internal width, the hooked, tubeless-ready Vanquish rim is optimized for tires from 25 to 30c and is compatible with both tubeless and clincher road tires. We found that the RC4 rode best with 28c tubeless tires at around 75 PSI (160lb rider), balancing low rolling resistance with razor-sharp handling. To be clear, these are road wheels, and while certainly compatible with larger gravel tires, are not as compliant as HED’s “Emporia” line of gravel wheels. We appreciate this, as we found that some wheels we’ve tried that are designed to ride well on both road and gravel lack the on-road responsiveness of the HED Vanquish. 

HED’s in-house designed GP Performance hubs feature stiff axles and a 5-pawl freehub for quick acceleration. Sealed cartridge bearings are easily replaced when the time comes. Sapim CX-Ray spokes complete the build and offer excellent ride quality and responsiveness. The HED Vanquish RC4 Performance wheelset is built by hand at HED’s facility in Roseville, Minnesota. In our experience, every HED wheel that comes out of this facility is perfectly built and runs for thousands of miles with zero issues. 

At $1,750, the HED Vanquish RC4 Performance has some stiff competition at that price point, and we feel it performs right alongside them. Sure, some options at this depth are lighter, but with the right tires at the right pressure, the extra 100g or so won’t factor into speed all that much.

Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 TLR Disc

• MSRP $2,700
• Weight 1410g
• Rim material OCLV Carbon fiber
• Width 23mm internal / 30.5mm external
• Lightweight and aero
• Razor sharp handling
• Lifetime warranty
• 12 speed freehubs sold separately

Using advancements in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling, Bontrager has created its fastest lineup of carbon road wheels ever, with the Aeolus RSL 51 TLR Disc anchoring the range as a versatile all-around aero option weighing just 1410 grams and delivering a super smooth ride. Previously, CFD modeling was limited to two-dimensional simulations of air turbulence, but now, according to Bontrager, engineers “run the whole design process in three dimensions. Now we can account for every gram of drag in every direction through every plane across all aspects of the wheel.” 

The benefit is a rim that is not only better in calm conditions but also more stable in the wind and offers lower tire rolling resistance. Reduced rolling resistance is now the primary driver of increased speed, and while a lot of the gains are from tire compounds, rims like the Aeolus RSL 51 TLR Disc have grown wider – 23mm internally in this case –  to spread and support the tire so it can work as efficiently as possible. How efficiently you might ask? Well, according to Bontrager, when tested with a 25c Bontrager tubeless clincher the Aeolus RSL 51 TLR Disc saved 6.3 watts at 28mph, over the outgoing Aelous XXX 47mm with a sew-up tubular. 

Moving away from the exceptionally fast rims, Bontrager continued to choose the best for the Aeolus RSL 51 TLR Disc, building them with DT Swiss 240 hubs. The DT 240 is a step up from the venerable DT 350, providing a reduction in weight and offering good engagement in the rear by way of a 36-tooth star ratchet EXP freehub system. 

The Aeolus RSL 51 TLR Disc wheels feel incredibly fast on the road. The gains in aerodynamic and rolling efficiency are especially evident on downhills where even a moderately fit rider can easily hit or exceed the types of speeds for which these wheels are optimized. Even steep climbs were a welcome sight, as the responsiveness of the entire wheel system, and especially the rapidly engaging rear hub, seemed to flatten and shorten every steep pitch. 

At $2700, you’d expect nothing less, but it’s fair to say that it’s easy to spend as much or more and not get as much speed as the Aeolus RSL 51 TLR Disc delivers. Knowing that these wheels are easy to service, with external nipples, DT Swiss sealed bearing hubs, and come with a full crash replacement guarantee for 2 years, as well as a lifetime warranty, you can rest easy, knowing your money was spent on new PR’s, not gimmicks, and your investment is protected in the event of a crash.

HiFi The 45 Disc Carbon Clinchers

• MSRP $2,090
• Weight 1520g
• Balanced aerodynamics and
• Heavier than other 45mm options

HiFi’s The 45 Disc Carbon is an all-around race wheelset that delivers free speed, comfortable ride quality, and predictable handling across a wide spectrum of riding, from criteriums to fast-paced gravel races. At 45mm deep, the Anti-flutter (toroidal) carbon rim provides a noticeable and measurable aero advantage without the impact on low-speed acceleration, comfort, or maneuverability that accompany much deeper rims. 

At 21mm internal and 25mm external width, The 45 rim also supports the larger 28c and beyond road tires that have become the norm since the advent of disc brakes. Since the rim is micro-hooked, The 45 is compatible with any clincher or tubeless-ready tire on the market. The micro-hook offers the tire security of a traditional hooked rim but also smooths out the rim-tire interface for better aerodynamics and impact protection. Tubeless tape and valves are included with each set of The 45 Clincher Wheels.

Setting up The 45 tubeless was easy, with a single layer of HiFi’s own tubeless tape, and a standard floor pump. The 45 were shod in Vittoria Corsa Pro Control 28c tires, which measured 29.3mm when inflated to 75 PSI. 

On the road, The 45 Carbon Clinchers inspire the confidence to get up to speed and stay there, whether on windy flat sections, climbs, or descents. The Sapim bladed spokes and Japanese-manufactured stainless bearings inside the HiFi R36 hubs ensure that the entire wheel system runs comfortably and smoothly. Freehub engagement is rapid, thanks to a 4-pawl system engaging a 36-tooth ring in the rear, making those steep pitches and sudden surges of speed things to relish. 

At $2090, HiFi’s The 45 Clincher sits at a competitive price point alongside Shimano’s Dura-Ace C50 ($2099) and a few hundred dollars more than other high-achieving wheels in this test, like the HED Vanquish RC4 ($1750). Since you can’t really go wrong, the decision between these three wheels should be made based on the marginal differences. For instance, while the Dura-Ace C50 might have a bit more bling and carry a smidge more speed on the fastest routes, the cup-and-cone bearings in the hubs require more proactive maintenance and are only compatible with Shimano freehubs. While the HED Vanquish RC4 is less expensive and feels a bit more pugnacious on grippy climbs, the HiFi are more compliant and potentially a bit more aero thanks to 5mm of additional depth. 

In other words, HiFi’s The 45 Disc Carbon are a balanced, versatile, all-around great set of wheels that competes with some of the best around. They also happen to look great, in our opinion, and pair particularly well with HiFi’s black/gold handlebar tape .

Ritchey Classic Zeta Disc Wheels

• Weight 1750g
• Brake Type Disc, 6-bolt
• Depth 23.4mm
• Width 19.5mm internal / 24.4mm external
• Classic aesthetics
• Smooth handling
• Affordable quality
• Not ideal for tires >28c
• 6-bolt disc rotor interface only
• Heavier weight

The Ritchey Classic Zeta Disc wheelset stands out from the stealthy masses of disc brake wheels, built with high-polish components that are also high-performance and high-value. For 2024, Ritchey engineers have upgraded the Classic Zeta disc with a 4-pawl freehub for faster drivetrain engagement, and DT Swiss Competition spokes for reliable performance mile after mile. 

The Classic Zeta Disc features a shallow aluminum rim that is compliant, easy to maneuver, and quick to spin up. The rim width is a conservative but reasonable 19.5mm internally, and 24.4mm externally, which means that the Classic Zeta Disc will work best with tires ranging from 25-28c. The Classic Zeta disc will safely accept tires larger than that but will create a bit of the lightbulb profile that wider rims prevent. If running wider tires in the 30-35c range is important, the Ritchey WCS Zeta Disc wheels are worth a look. 

For recreational road riding, the Classic Zeta Disc is a blissful mixture of smooth and compliant ride quality, easy acceleration, and stable handling. Compared to an OE (Original Equipment) wheelset, The Classic Zeta Disc is an impactful upgrade and well worth the cost of $449 US. 

The disc brake interface is 6-bolt, which is a less common spec of disc rotor, and something to be aware of when setting up the Classic Zeta Disc. It’s fairly unlikely that the rotors that are coming off of OE wheels are compatible, so factor in the expense of a pair of 6-bolt rotors into the setup cost of the Classic Zeta Disc. 

Aside from that small compatibility issue, the Classic Zeta Disc is an easy wheelset to own and ride. If you plan to use them on paved roads only, we recommend setting the Classic Zeta with innertubes, to avoid the additional expense of tubeless tape and valves, neither of which are included. In our opinion, the benefits of tubeless road tires are marginal at best with tires under 30c, which is simply a bigger tire than what is optimal for the Classic Zeta Disc rim. 

The hubs use sealed cartridge bearings which run smooth and are easily replaced when the time comes. Brass spoke nipples won’t corrode and lend a stout reliability to the build of the Classic Zeta Disc.

At 1750g, one could label the Classic Zeta Disc as a heavy road wheelset, but we take a more nuanced view, which is that it’s important to avoid compounding the weight of these wheels by pairing them with heavy tires. This is another reason to go with a lightweight 25-28c clincher and lightweight innertube, versus a likely heavier road tubeless tire setup. 

The Classic Zeta also makes a great workhorse training or winter wheelset for a classy metal bike, so you can preserve your carbon deeps for summertime when fitness and riding conditions are at their peak. At $449.00, the Ritchey Classic Zeta disc is a robust and classic wheel that will carry you through countless rides in efficient comfort with money left in your bank account.

Comparison Chart

Why you should trust us.

At Bikerumor, we love riding our bikes and we’re always seeking out the latest and greatest products to help improve our performance and enhance our experience out on the road. And, we know that a quality set of road bike wheels is one of the best performance upgrades you can make. Fortunately, we’re always testing out fresh new wheels, and we get to try just about everything on the market. This gives us the opportunity to pass along our experience and help you navigate the myriad options that are out there.

For this buyer’s guide, author Bennett Shane did a large group test including the majority of the models included, supplemented by a few models that our editorial team has tested and loved. Bennett is an avid road cyclist who has been riding seriously for over two decades. Though his racing days are largely behind him, he still rides obsessively for fun, fitness, and to test out a huge range of cycling products for reviews. Bennett spent many years working at various prominent brands in the cycling industry and is about as knowledgeable as one can be about cycling products and technologies from apparel to components. His road cycling and industry experience combine to give him a keen ability to analyze the gear he tests, and we’ve called on that skill a lot lately for a huge range of road cycling-specific buyer’s guides. In addition to road bike wheels, Bennett has tested apparel like cycling bib shorts and jackets, components like road bike pedals , and accessories including road bike shoes and helmets.

To test wheels, we received each model and set up each wheelset tubeless. For the vast majority of the wheels included here, we used the Vittoria Pro Control TLR in 28mm as a control tire, although a few models were tested with other road bike tires for various reasons. We used Silca’s Tire Pressure Calculator to ensure that tire pressure was optimal and in most cases rode the wheels over the same test route to compare them in the same scenarios and surface conditions. The primary test route features flat, rolling, and hilly terrain with climbs topping out at around the 25-minute mark for a well-trained rider. We also intentionally rode deeper wheels whenever windy conditions arrived, to test their stability. We did not use a wind tunnel to verify any aerodynamic claims made by manufacturers, instead, we chose to focus on the tangible things that most riders care about, such as ride quality, handling, acceleration, durability, and serviceability, including warranty and crash replacement provisions.

Buying Advice: How to Choose Road Bike Wheels

With so many road bike wheels to choose from, finding the right set of new hoops can seem like a daunting proposition. Some considerations are pretty straightforward, like choosing wheels for disc or rim brakes, but there are many other factors to weigh when making a purchase decision. Below, we provide a little explanation about choices in rim material, rim width, rim depth, tire compatibility, freehub bodies, and more.

Rim Material

The material used in the construction of the rims is one of the biggest factors separating aftermarket road bike wheels. Most road bike rims are made from either aluminum or carbon fiber and there are great wheels being produced in either material.

Carbon Fiber

Since carbon wheelset pricing starts above where aluminum wheels typically max out, it’s fair to assume that simply by choosing a carbon fiber wheel, your bike will instantly be much lighter. In reality, carbon fiber rims are often no lighter than aluminum rims, and depending on the depth of the rim, can often result in a hefty wheel that won’t be particularly fun for climbing. Of course, aerodynamics are a bigger concern than weight for many riders, and here carbon fiber has an undeniable advantage over aluminum, in that it can molded into an array of shapes to cheat the wind.

While rim material has only a fraction of the effect on ride quality as tires do, carbon rims do typically give any bike a more damped, efficient ride quality, most noticeable on rougher surfaces. Carbon fiber, and more specifically the interfaces in the composite structure, have a greater ability to absorb high-frequency vibration than aluminum. This feeling has been enhanced by the advent of disc brakes, as engineers are now free to design the rim/tire interface with no braking in mind. With the brake track out of the picture, the trend has been to use less carbon at the outermost edge of the rim, and to size and shape the carbon such that it promotes better shock absorption and lower rolling resistance through the tires.

The primary downside to carbon fiber is that it is expensive, with carbon wheels often costing double that of their aluminum counterparts. And, until very recently, carbon fiber rims haven’t been the most environmentally friendly given the difficulty of recycling the material. A small handful of brands are now making carbon fiber rims with thermoplastic resin that makes them more easily recyclable including the Chris King ARD44 wheels which are made with thermoplastic Fusion Fiber .

Aluminum has been used for many years in the production of road bike wheels and is generally much more affordable than carbon fiber. Not only is the raw material less expensive, but the production costs are also typically much lower. As a result, most aluminum road bike wheels are less expensive, though there are still plenty of premium aluminum options. Due to the lower cost, many low to mid-range complete bike builds will usually come with aluminum wheels/rims. This is not to say that wheels made with aluminum rims won’t be a performance upgrade over a set of cheaper stock wheels, far from it. In fact, there are aluminum wheels that rival their carbon counterparts in terms of both weight and ride quality, while beating them handily when it comes to price. A prime example is the Roval Alpinist SLX , which at $800 are much more affordable than premium carbon options without giving up much in terms of performance.

Road rims have grown in width recently to improve their compatibility with the corresponding growth in the width of road bike tires. Some brands and models are now at 25mm in internal width, a 20% increase in some cases from just a few years ago. The width refers to the internal distance between the bead hooks on the inside of the rim, not the external width including the bead walls. Increasing internal width improves the relationship between the rim and tire, particularly when using wider tires. Wider modern road tires in the 28-32c range will take on a more domed shape with slightly larger air volume when mounted to a wider rim, thus improving the aerodynamics of the rim/tire system as a whole, while reducing rolling resistance, improving handling, and boosting comfort through a larger volume of air.

In our opinion, rims narrower than 21mm (internal) are almost outdated at this point. Rims in the 21-23mm wide range are adequately wide for any true road tire. Rims with 25mm internal width are designed and intended to be able to accommodate road and gravel tires that are upwards of 40mm in width, so while not any disadvantage, per se, this rim width means those rims will typically only work for tires 28c and wider. That said, those who like to explore smooth gravel or poorly maintained paved mountain roads may enjoy the benefits of a wider rim paired with a plumper all-road tire. It is worth mentioning that since older frames, whether made for rim or disc brakes, may be designed to only clear a maximum of 25mm, you’ll want to check out the areas of your frame and fork where clearance is tight, to ensure that newer, wider rims will be compatible and safe to ride.

With many aftermarket road bike wheels being made for purposes like aerodynamics or climbing/lightweight, the rims themselves are being designed differently for their specific use cases. One of the most obvious and visible differentiators is the depth of the rims which range from deep to shallow, and everything in between. In general, the deeper a rim gets, the more aerodynamic it becomes, so aero wheels typically have a taller rim profile, usually 40-50mm and above. While deep section rims can provide aerodynamic benefits, the extra material needed to construct them can add weight and the additional structure can present as stiffer and less forgiving than lower-profile options. Aero rims are also more susceptible to the effects of cross winds which can impact your bike’s stability and handling in gusty conditions.

Shallow section rims typically don’t provide the same aerodynamic benefits as deeper aero rims, but they are generally lighter-weight and the lower profile of the rim allows them to be a bit more compliant. While that is a very broad generalization, most super light climbing wheels also happen to be relatively low-profile. Many modern all-around wheels have a mid-section depth, 30-40mm or so, which aims to balance the attributes of low weight, ride quality, and aerodynamic benefits. These are often the best choice for riders who want a wheelset that performs day in and day out on any type of ride.

Tire Compatibility

Virtually all road bike wheels being produced these days are compatible with some tubeless road tires. However, you need to be sure that you use tires that are compatible with your specific rims. Each type of rim has advantages and drawbacks. This is particularly true of hookless tubeless rims which are not compatible with all tubeless tires and are wholly incompatible with clincher tires. Hookless tubeless rims have comparatively limited tire options and should only be used with ETRTO-approved hookless tubeless tires, but provide the best impact protection for the rim, and complement larger, 28-32c tires best. While many of the best road bike wheel manufacturers in the business are making hookless road rims and wheels, there is plenty of lively debate about hookless rims and tires for road riding.

Hooked tubeless-ready rims feature a small bead “hook” that is intended to provide added security with the bead of the tires. Hooked tubeless rims offer compatibility with any tire, but are slightly more vulnerable to impact and may incur a very slight aero penalty at the rim-tire interface in some cases. Clincher rims may still be available but have dwindled with the industry-wide transition to tubeless. Clincher tires are compatible with tubeless-ready hooked and micro-hooked rims but require a tube. Clincher rims and tires are easy to set up and maintain if you’re okay with foregoing tubeless technology. 

-Hookless tubeless rim compatibility: APPROVED hookless tubeless tires (with or without inner tube)

-Hooked tubeless-ready clincher rim compatibility: ALL tubeless and clincher tires (with or without tube)

-Clincher rim compatibility: ALL tubeless and clincher tires (WITH innertube)

Brakes and Axles

Almost every new bike released in 2023 and 2024 is being made for use with 12mm thru-axles and disc brakes with a few exceptions. And after years of mixing road and MTB technology together to form a maelstrom of “standards”, things have settled down and are more straightforward in terms of wheel-to-frame and hub-to-brake compatibility. The standards are below.

-Axles: 100mm x 12mm front; 142mm x 12mm rear. 

-Brake rotor interface: Center lock is the most common by far, although there are some 6-bolt hubs available as well.

There are still plenty of folks who prefer rim brakes and there are quite a few rim brake frames in use (and some still being produced), so they are still relevant but less common. Fortunately, there are still quite a few wheels being produced for rim brakes, and we tested a few of the best options available. The HED Ardennes RA Black and the HiFi EP30 SL Rim Brake Carbon wheels are a couple of our favorites.

Many of you reading this may have bikes made from 2013-2018 that use disc brakes but also have dropouts made for traditional quick-release skewers (9mm) to hold the hub axles in the frame and fork. Therefore, you’ll need to confirm that any wheel you purchase to upgrade this bike can be converted to quick-release axles with different end caps. This is done by changing the end caps and is an easy job, assuming that quick-release end caps are included or available for the wheels you are choosing. 

When selecting wheels online, the vendor will typically present a menu of freehub options that correspond to the type of cassette that will be mounted on the hub rear wheel. Options will include Shimano HG, SRAM XDR, Campagnolo, and possibly Shimano Mircospline. If the option you need isn’t available at the time of purchase, it likely can be ordered directly from the manufacturer separately, at an additional cost. Most wheel and hub manufacturers make a full assortment of freehub bodies, with some notable exceptions, the most glaring of which is Shimano, which only offers freehubs that are optimized for its own Hyperglide and Microspline cassette interfaces. While other 11-speed cassettes, and 12-speed cassettes from alternative brands, like Rotor and KMC, are compatible with Shimano wheels, SRAM and Campagnolo 12-speed cassettes are not. 

Freehub Engagement

Freehub engagement is an often overlooked aspect of road wheel performance and is a big deal for riders who like to ride in hilly terrain or race. Without getting too technical, higher engagement hubs decrease the number of degrees between engagement points and therefore the delay from when your power hits the pedal to when the cassette engages, and that power is translated into forward progress. While freehub engagement speed is arguably less important in road cycling where riders typically spin the pedals at a smoother, more even cadence than mountain bikers or gravel riders, quick engagement is appreciated by many on the road as well. Hubs using at least 5 “pawls” or a “ratchet” system will provide this rapid engagement, and you’ll feel it working when hopping out of the saddle on a steep climb or accelerating hard out of a corner. 

Hub Bearings

The majority of road bike wheels spin on steel bearings because they are more affordable, work well, and typically last a pretty long time. Ceramic bearings are a popular upgrade option in ultra-premium wheels. Harder than steel, with a smoother surface and more uniform dimensions, ceramic bearings distribute the load equally across every ball while also reducing friction. The result is less power required from the rider to spin the bearing. Without exposure to extreme contamination from road spray or pressure washing, ceramic bearings may outlast steel bearings in most situations. Good thing, too, as they cost as much as some nice wheelsets to replace if they ever do wear out. The bottom line is that cycling never gets easier, you just go faster, so if you’re looking for wheels to change the way your bike rides, ceramic bearings are not necessary. If you’re looking for every possible efficiency gain for your next race, or to own every piece of bling kit under the sun, then go ceramic. If you’re ceramic-curious but it’s not an option at the time of purchase, you can typically upgrade down the line. 

Spoke count refers to the number of spokes connecting the hub to the rim. Generally speaking, the more spokes used to build a wheel, the stiffer, more durable, and heavier that wheel is. Spoke quality, nipple material, build quality, rim design, rider weight, and especially use case all factor into determining the correct spoke count for your next wheelset. But spoke count alone should not be used as a threshold for a wheel to be considered durable, stiff, or safe. High-quality spokes, laced to well-designed rims by hand will often facilitate a lower spoke count with no compromises on stiffness and durability. 

Internal nipples on tubeless rims can be problematic from a maintenance standpoint. While this design may offer a small aerodynamic advantage and offer svelte aesthetics, it also requires removal and reinstallation of the tubeless tire system to make adjustments to spoke tension. It’s an added cost or time requirement that is something to be aware of. 

Carbon spokes are becoming more prevalent, and while they tangibly improve responsiveness, the potential downtime to source replacements makes this a choice worthy of shrewd judgment. If you’re on the lighter side, tend to ride smooth roads that are close to home, and have the budget to preemptively order some compatible spares, carbon spokes are a nice upgrade. All mid-range and high-end spokes are bladed or butted to varying degrees. These features help increase strength, improve ride quality, save weight, and enhance aerodynamics. Straight pull spokes also bolster responsiveness and overall wheel strength. Top spokes include Sapim CX-Ray and Sprint, DT Swiss Aerolite, and Aerocomp, but numerous options compete with these. If a wheelset doesn’t disclose the type of spoke used in the build, or only the brand, it’s worth digging to find out, as this part of the wheel is sadly often used as a cost-control measure, and yet is critical to how a wheel feels, performs, and holds together long-term. 

While a nice set of aftermarket wheels can absolutely be a major performance upgrade, many premium options cost more than some complete bikes. Fancier materials, high-end hubs, ceramic bearings, carbon fiber production costs, and lots of engineering may factor into the price of many wheels to make the price higher. Of course, if cost isn’t a concern, then some of the super-premium wheels like the Chris King ARD44 or the Cadex 36 Disc may be just the ticket to transform the way your bike rides. Still, many of the performance gains may only truly matter to high-performance cyclists and racers.

If, like most people, you aren’t swimming in cash, then there are some better values to be found in more moderately priced wheels with performance differences that will likely be negligible. Of course, when we say “moderately priced” we are talking about wheels in the $1,500 to $1,800 range, like the Reserve 40|44 DT 350 , or the OTHR Anywhr 40 , which still probably sounds expensive to lots of people. But, when compared to wheels that cost $2,500 or more, they are certainly more affordable, comparatively speaking.

Since even mid-range road bike wheels will still be out of many people’s budget, it’s good to know that there are quite a few aftermarket options that will blow the performance of most stock wheels out of the water. A couple of good examples are the $800 Roval Alpinist SLX or the $550 Vision Trimax 35 DB CL wheels. These wheels may be made with aluminum rims, but they perform well while costing a fraction of the price of many of the high-end competitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

The wheels on your road bike are one of the components that can have a noticeable impact on the performance of your bike and your comfort and enjoyment on the road. The stock wheels that come on many complete bikes, particularly low-mid priced builds, are often chosen not for their performance, but as a way for brands to save money. By investing in a quality set of aftermarket wheels, you can choose a model that offers specific performance benefits to suit your needs and preferences.

Deep-section aero wheels can provide improved aerodynamics to help powerful riders or racers move faster. Feathery climbing wheels can help riders get up hills faster. Mid-depth all-around wheels can do everything pretty darn well and many wheels can enhance the ride quality of your bike through vibration-damping, resulting in a smoother, faster ride with greater control, comfort, and less fatigue.

When considering a road bike wheel upgrade, that usually means spending money with the goal of improving your bike’s performance and enhancing its ride quality. More often than not, this means shelling out big bucks for a wheelset with carbon fiber rims. While there are plenty of excellent aluminum wheelsets on the market, carbon fiber does have some advantages.

Carbon rims are generally lighter than comparable aluminum rims. Carbon fiber absorbs vibration more readily than aluminum for a smoother, more comfortable ride. Carbon can also be manipulated in ways to produce specific shapes and performance characteristics. Carbon is also very strong, and many rims come with exceptional warranties (lifetime in some cases) that can help justify the higher price. And, while carbon wheels have traditionally been very pricey, some brands and models are now only just a little more expensive (or less) than nice aluminum models. Hunt is a good example, as their Aerodynamicist wheelset costs $1,279 .

There’s a reason that time trialists wear silly helmets and ride deep-section wheels when they’re racing. Aerodynamics matter. The benefits of aero road wheels may not be worth the cost for purely recreational riders, but racers who are seeking to squeeze out every marginal gain possible can often find some extra speed and time on the clock by riding them. While the deeper rims add some weight, that is typically offset by the rim’s ability to cut more smoothly through the air. These benefits are most tangible in race situations, flat and rolling terrain, and over time. There are numerous studies and testing results that can be found online that back this up.

That said, deep-section aero rims are often less ideal for climbing due to the added weight, and they can sometimes be less stable in cross-winds compared to shallower rim profiles. For this reason, many manufacturers are producing mid-depth rims in the 40mm range that provide a slight aero advantage while keeping weight lower and reducing cross-wind instability.

The best road bike wheels are the ones that are geared towards the type of riding you do most of the time . Do you spend significant amounts of time climbing big hills? Then a light, feathery, responsive wheelset can help reduce the overall weight of your bike and rotational mass, and make climbing more enjoyable. Do you ride mostly on flat or gently rolling terrain? Then perhaps a deep-section wheel is a good choice to help maximize your aerodynamic gains.

Do you ride all types of terrain? The happy middle ground between the lightweight climbing wheels and the aero wheels is probably the best bet for finding a well-rounded wheelset that does everything pretty darn well. Do you ride rough pavement, sometimes find yourself on well-maintained gravel roads, or switch it up between gravel and road riding? Some of the new, wider (25mm internal) wheels on the market might be the best fit. These wheels work well with bigger all-road and gravel tires which can enhance comfort and control on mixed surfaces.

Hookless rims gained popularity in the mountain and gravel worlds but have recently caught on in road cycling as well. Traditionally, road rims had small hooks on the bead wall (and many still do) that are intended to interface with the bead of the tire for a secure connection between the two. More recently, many road rim and wheel manufacturers have done away with the bead hooks, hence the term hookless, as it makes the rims slightly easier to produce, is claimed to make them more resistant to damage from impact, and the lack of the bead hook provides a smoother transition between the tire and rim and can improve aerodynamics slightly. Without the bead hook, however, hookless rims are only intended for use with ETRTO-approved hookless compatible tires that have been produced to meet higher tolerances on hookless rims. Hookless tubeless rims generally have lower maximum pressures and there is guidance on tire compatibility from ETRTO and from the brands themselves.

Does anyone need to ride hookless tubeless road wheels? Not necessarily, but many of the best road bike wheels on the market use hookless rims. That said, this technology is hotly debated and many riders believe it is unnecessary and unsafe. Regardless of public opinion, hookless tubeless wheel and tire combinations are ridden safely by many thousands of cyclists, and it is here to stay.

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Here are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in June 2024

I’ve spent countless hours here at Electrek doing detailed hands-on testing of hundreds of electric bikes. Through thousands of miles of riding, I’ve learned these e-bikes inside and out, top to bottom and front to back. That dedication to real-world e-bike testing has helped me find the best electric bicycles on the market for just about any budget.

Below are some of the top e-bikes I’ve hand-tested for every price range, current as of June 2024. Summer is upon us and it’s time to start thinking about how we can make the most of the warm weather! Just like the ultra-competitive e-bike selling year last year, 2024 has become the year of the e-bike sales. So check out the awesome e-bikes below, any one of which could become your next electric bike.

Best electric bikes under $1,000

The sub-$1,000 electric bike category is critical for a few reasons.

First, it’s pretty hard to produce a quality e-bike and sell it for under $1k. Most of the options in this price category make too many sacrifices in quality or longevity to earn a spot on this list as one of “the best”.

Second, many newcomers to the e-bike industry just aren’t prepared to drop several thousand dollars on a brand-new concept, making this price range critical for many first-time e-bike shoppers.

Fortunately, we’ve found some excellent options for cheap electric bikes that can still save you some serious dough.

Lectric XP LITE 2.0

The Lectric XP LITE 2.0 was recently updated and is now quite likely the king of bang-for-your-buck electric bikes.

For years, the $999 Lectric XP 3.0 has reigned supreme in the budget electric bike category. That’s still a great bike, and we’ll discuss it next, but the more affordable $799 Lectric XP LITE 2.0 is an even more wallet-friendly electric bike.

That new e-bike offers some great riding at under 800 bucks.

It’s a throttle-enabled Class 2 folding electric bike with 20″ wheels, a max speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) and a motor rated for 300W continuous and 819W peak. It’s not going to be the strongest hill climber, but it does get going quickly on flat and modestly hilly terrain.

And the biggest upgrades include hydraulic disc brakes as well as an optional Gates carbon belt drive system for an extra $100. Riders can also opt for a nearly double-sized battery for an extra $200.

This is the only e-bike in this price range that I know of with a 48V electrical system. All the other budget e-bikes under $800 use a 36V system and thus suffer from weaker power.

There are some things that you give up with this model, such as that the fenders aren’t included free. But for just $799 , you’re still getting built-in lights, a hidden battery, large color LCD display and a lightweight folder. Plus it comes in five color options.

There’s a lot of value there!

Lectric XP LITE quick specs

• Motor:  300W (819W peak) geared rear hub motor
• Top speed:  32 km/h (20 mph)
• Range:  Claimed up to 72 km (45 mi) or 130 km (80 mi) with long range battery)
• Battery:  48V 7.8 Ah (375 Wh)
• Weight : 22 kg (49 lb)
• Price :  $799  

Lectric XP 3.0

If you like the idea of a low-cost US-based company like Lectric eBikes but want something with more power than their XP LITE, consider the $999 Lectric XP 3.0 . The XP 3.0 is the newest version of America’s best-selling electric bike, and now it’s even better with hydraulic disc brakes! In my opinion, this is the current king of bang-for-your-buck electric bikes right now. It’s clear why this is the best-selling electric bike in the US.

Between the fast 28 mph speed, comfortable ride with front suspension, nimble yet thick three-inch tires, and the powerful 1,000W peak-rated motor, the bike combines high performance with an awesome price. The new version comes with a higher power motor featuring more torque, a new rear rack that can support 150 pounds (and has a passenger package option for carrying a friend), has longer travel suspension, and several other key upgrades.

There are both step-over and step-through frames available. To be honest, the frame member is low on both of them and so they’re both easy to mount, but I actually prefer the step-through. Even though low-step bikes are often considered to be “women’s bikes,” the Lectric XP 3.0 looks badass enough that no one would ever think of calling the step-through option a ladies’ bike. It’s just a more comfortable way to hop on and off.

Plus, the folding frame of the Lectric XP 3.0 means you can bring this high-value e-bike with you in a car or truck. I know several people who keep one in their RV, and I’ve even heard of folks traveling with it on their boat or light airplane.

The company also has longer-range batteries for the XP 3.0 that add 45% more range. If you’re the kind of person who likes to ride fast, that battery will help you use that power for longer rides at higher speeds.

It’s hard to find a better combination of low cost and high performance anywhere in the e-bike market right now. That’s why this is the bike I used when I worked undercover as an e-bike delivery rider .

Check out my first ride experience on the Lectric XP 3.0 here .

Lectric XP 3.0 quick specs

• Motor:  500W (850W peak) geared rear hub motor
• Top speed:  45 km/h (28 mph)
• Range:  Claimed up to 72 km (45 mi), but less if you’re heavy on the throttle
• Battery:  48V 9.6 Ah (460 Wh), or larger 14Ah battery available
• Weight : 29 kg (64 lb)
• Price :  $999  

Ride1Up Portola

When Ride1Up launched the Portola , it was pretty obvious what the game plan was: fire a shot across Lectric Ebike’s bow with a direct competitor to the Lectric XP 3.0. By all accounts, Ride1Up nailed it with an impressive competitor, the best-selling e-bike out there.

The Ride1Up Portola has a lot more going for it than just the awesome price of $995 . The bike has great performance with a maximum speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) and great components including hydraulic disc brakes, front suspension, a built-in rear rack, and a 750W motor.

There are two battery options available, either a 48V 10.4Ah or a 48V 13.4Ah, and the larger battery only costs an extra $100.

I love the sleek-looking frame and apparently, I’m not alone. Those who are on the hunt for a good-looking folding fat tire e-bike that doesn’t break the bank will likely find this to be one of the more fashionable options.

Ride1Up Portola quick specs

• Motor:  750W geared rear hub motor
• Battery:  48V 10.4 Ah (504 Wh), or larger 48V 13.4 Ah battery available
• Weight : 27.2 kg (60 lb)
• Price :  $995  

Ride1Up Roadster V2

The Ride1Up Roadster V2 seems to hop back and forth in price from $995 to $1,095 , depending on the time of year and current sale. Even when it falls just north of the $1k mark, the Roadster V2 is an awesome deal.

But you should know going in that this is very much a pedal-oriented e-bike. There’s no throttle, and the motor is only moderately powerful, peaking at 500W. That means the Roadster V2 is best for someone who enjoys cycling and simply wants an assist motor to help them go faster and farther.

The belt-drive setup, low-weight design, and fast speed of up to 24 mph make this an incredible deal.

You can check out my full, in-depth review of the Ride1Up Roadster V2 here .

Ride1up Roadster V2 quick specs:

• Motor:  500W peak (350W continuous) rear hub motor
• Top speed:  24 mph (38 km/h)
• Range:  20-35 miles (32-56 km)
• Battery:  36V 7Ah (252Wh)
• Weight : 32 lb (14.5 kg)
• Price :  $995-$1,095

Propella Mini

The $849 Propella Mini almost looks a bit odd at first glance, but the quirky proportions result in a super nimble and lightweight e-bike.

It’s not particularly fast at just 18 mph. And it’s also a pedal-assist e-bike, meaning you don’t have a throttle for the days when you feel lazy. But for anyone that doesn’t mind pedaling as long as you get a decent electric boost, the Propella Mini is a great option for you.

I love the bright blue rims, white chain, and slim black frame. The look is killer. And the bike rides both smoothly and efficiently. There’s no suspension to speak of, but the upside is there’s no suspension fork to break. The bike should last a long time with modest upkeep, and it’s a definite winner for anyone that’s low on space.

See my full review of the Propella Mini here .

Propella Mini quick specs

• Motor:  250 W (400 W peak) Bafang rear geared hub motor
• Top speed:  30 km/h (18.5 mph)
• Range:  32-56 km (20-35 mi) depending on pedal assist level
• Battery:  36V 7Ah (250 Wh)
• Price:  $849
• Weight : 14.9 kg (33 lb)

JackRabbit micro e-bike

The $999 JackRabbit OG is in one of these fuzzy areas between e-bikes and other e-rideables. In this case, it straddles the line between an electric bike and an electric scooter.

It more or less feels like an electric bike based on its ride geometry. However, the lack of pedals means that it could also be classified as an electric scooter, albeit a large-wheeled e-scooter.

But with those 20-inch wheels and bicycle seat, the JackRabbit rides much more like a small folding e-bike than an e-scooter. And its electronics match that of a light e-bike too.

The 300W motor gets the little runabout up to 20 mph (32 km/h). The small 158 Wh battery only offers around 10-12 miles (approximately 16-20 km) of range, but is also conveniently small enough to easily keep a spare battery in a cargo pocket or even a small purse.

The biggest benefit of the JackRabbit is that it is so simple that the lack of frills keeps the weight down to just 23 lb (10.5 kg)! For an e-bike, that’s almost so light that it floats.

The company also released a higher power and larger battery capacity version too , which might be good for riders that want to push harder and go farther.

See my full review of the JackRabbit here .

JackRabbit quick specs

• Motor:  300W geared rear hub motor
• Range:  20 km (12 mi)
• Bike weight:  10.5 kg (23 lb.)
• Brakes:  Rear mechanical disc brake

Best electric bikes under $2,000

Once you bump up above the $1,000 limit, you start to see many more great options for e-bikes in a wide range of categories.

From electric cargo bikes to cruisers and even electric mopeds, there’s something for everyone in this price range.

Lectric One

The Lectric ONE is listed in the “Best under $2,000” category, but in many ways, it’s the best in under a significantly higher dollar value. To put it into perspective, it’d be hard to buy the gearbox alone on this bike for under $2,000, and yet that’s the price tag of the entire bike! For just $1,999 , you’re getting an e-bike with components normally found on $10,000+ bikes.

The Lectric One was unveiled as a lightweight commuter e-bike designed with an ultra high-end drivetrain based around the Pinion C1.6i auto-shifting gearbox. Paired with a Gates carbon belt drive and a true 750W-rated Stealth M24 motor (with 1,300 peak watts!), the Lectric ONE hits class 3 speeds in style with some extra premium components.

Lectric ONE quick specs:

• Motor:  750W rear hub motor (1.3 kW peak)
• Battery:  48V 10.4 or 14Ah (500Wh or 672 Wh)
• Top speed:  28 mph (45 km/h)
• Range:  up to 75 miles (120 km)
• Weight:  55 lb (25 kg)
• Price:   $1,999

Lectric XPedition

We were the first to review this new model and we called it a runaway hit right from the start. With heavy-hauling weight capacity, the option for one or two batteries for extra long range, hydraulic disc brakes and a watt-based more comfortable feeling pedal assist sensor, this e-bike is dragging electric cargo bikes into the future.

The $1,399 Lectric XPedition has turned the electric cargo bike market upside down, finally bringing a heavy-hitting cargo e-bike to market for an ultra-affordable price.

While it’s not the nicest cargo e-bike on the market, it’s definitely the best bang for your buck thanks to a combination of high value parts and reasonable pricing.

Lectric XPedition quick specs:

• Motor:  750W rear hub motor
• Battery:  48V 14Ah (672 Wh) with the option for a second battery
• Weight:  68 lb (31 kg)
• Price:   $1,399

Aventon Soltera.2

The $1,399 Aventon Soltera.2 is the latest version of Aventon’s beautiful city bike that offers some of the best quality fabrication that I’ve seen in this price range – or even in higher price ranges. It is offered in either a single-speed or seven-speed format.

The bike rolls on narrow tires for that efficient city ride, while still packing in a 500W motor.

The battery is a bit smaller at 36V and 10Ah, but the bike makes up for a smaller battery by being able to integrate it into the frame in a sleek and attractive package.

The beautiful color display also adds to the bike’s charm, as do the powerful headlight and frame-integrated tail light. There’s even an awesome companion app that lets your phone track your bike’s important stats. Basically, you’re getting a lot for $1,199 here!

Check out my in-depth Aventon Soltera.2 review here .

Aventon Soltera.2 quick specs:

• Motor:  500W peak-rated rear hub motor
• Battery:  36V 10Ah (360 Wh)
• Top speed:  20 mph (32 km/h)
• Range:  20-63 miles (32-101 km)
• Weight:  46 lb (21 kg)
• Price:   $1,199

Ride1Up Turris

Ride1Up has proven itself as a high-value electric bike brand, focusing largely on efficient and speedy commuter e-bikes. While the company has many models in the $1,000 to $2,000 range, the $1,095 Ride1Up Turris (at it’s current sale price ) is one of the best bang-for-your-buck options.

A powerful 750W continuous-rated motor gets the bike up to Class 3 speeds that will have you keeping up with traffic or even passing cars when they get bogged down in the city. That extra speed over most class 2 e-bikes can be quite useful when riding on the side of the road trying to reduce the number of times a car whizzes by you. Even when riding alone or in a protected path away from cars, the extra speed sure makes for a fun ride.

The sporty tires and two choices of frame style (step over or step through) give riders plenty of options to use this bike on the trails or the streets. I love that it includes full metal fenders as well so you don’t have to spend extra on those. I’d definitely recommend spending an extra $50 for the rear rack though if you plan to use the bike as a commuter, since you never know when you’ll need to toss something on the back.

If you want to upgrade to more power and a nicer set of components, the $1,695 700 Series is worth a look. But I think the Ride1Up Turris is sufficient for most riders.

Ride1Up Turris quick specs:

• Range:  32-64 km (20-40 mi) throttle vs. pedal assist
• Battery:  48V 12.8Ah (614 Wh) with genuine LG cells
• Weight : 25 kg (55 lb)
• Price :  $1,095

Lectric XPeak

Lectric Ebikes recently expanded into larger territory with the launch of the new Lectric XPeak. It’s the company’s first e-bike with a larger than 20″ wheel size, bringing some chunky 26×4.0″ tires into the company’s inventory.

The XPeak takes the form of a typical adventure-style fat tire electric bike. It features a hardtail design with a suspension fork, high volume tires, hydraulic disc brakes and a relatively large battery that is certified by the Swiss testing agency SGS to meet UL 2849 standards.

The bike is also tested to higher standards for ruggedness of the frame and fork than most e-bikes in this price range, meaning it’s likely going to last longer too. As far as fat tire adventure-style e-bikes go, there’s no better bang for your buck than the Lectric XPeak.

Lectric XPeak quick specs:

• Motor:  750W (1,300W peak)
• Range:  Up to 75 km (45 mi) on low power
• Battery:  48V 14 Ah (672 Wh)
• Weight : 39.4 kg (67 lb)
• Price : $1,299 (may increase to $1,399 after promotional sale ends)

Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser

The Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser is Ride1Up’s first non-purely commuter electric bike, and boy did they knock it out of the park on this one.

The Cafe Cruiser, as its name suggests, is part cruiser bike, part fast motorbike.

The cruiser bars, suspension fork, comfortable seat and pedal-forward geometry make it a pleasure to ride. The high performance 750W hub motor and 28 mph (45 km/h) top speed make it a blast for quick errand running and fun commutes.

High quality parts like hydraulic disc brakes complete the package, and the included fenders and rear rack increase the bike’s value.

One of the coolest features though is the passenger package that adds a rear bench seat, wheel skirt and foot pegs so you can carry a second rider on back. The second seat has a quick release so you can easily pop it on and off the bike whenever you need to swap back and forth between carrying your friends or a basket full of groceries home.

At just $1,595 , the Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser is priced way below fair market value, which makes this an absolute steal of a deal.

Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser quick specs:

• Motor:  750W rear geared hub motor
• Range:  50-80 km (30-50 mi)
• Battery:  48V 15Ah (720 Wh)
• Weight : 29 kg (65 lb)
• Price : $1,595

Rad Power Bikes RadRunner

The RadRunner from Rad Power Bikes has been an industry favorite ever since it was first announced back in 2019. The company is actually on the RadRunner 2 now, but the update only made minor changes since the original was already so well designed.

The bike uses a step-through moped style frame to create a short utility bike or mini cargo e-bike. It’s quick up to the 20 mph top speed and offers a ton of uses. When outfitted with the Passenger Package , it has a seat and footpegs that let you carry kids or adults on the back, turning this into a multi-passenger e-bike.

The high-capacity battery and powerful motor also make for sprightly acceleration and longer than average rides, so you’ll have enough power to ride all day.

The RadRunner is truly one of those do-anything e-bikes because it has so many uses. The same bike can be used for fun recreational riding, city commuting, trail riding, or grocery shopping. There’s something for everyone.

There’s even an upgraded version known as the RadRunner Plus, which adds suspension, a seven-speed transmission, a more detailed display, and the passenger package, though the RadRunner Plus costs a bit more at $1,899 .

Check out my complete review of the RadRunner 2 here .

RadRunner 2 quick specs:

• Range:  45-72 km (25-45 mi) depending on user input
• Battery:  48V 14Ah (672 Wh)
• Weight : 29.5 kg (65 lb)
• Price : $1,499

Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4

Cargo electric bikes are the workhorses of the e-bike world. They have higher weight capacities and more surface area for carrying all of your gear.

The $1,999 Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4 is one of my favorite options thanks to the awesome build and wide range of compatible Rad accessories.

The bike’s 750W motor and large capacity battery make it easy to hit the top speed of 20 mph and ride farther than your errands will require.

Plus that long rear bench has tons of room for boxes, bags, or kiddos. I’ve had three riders on the bike plenty of times, and it can definitely do more. Plus, I love that double center kickstand for creating an ultra-stable parking platform.

Check out my full in-depth review of the RadWagon 4 e-cargo bike here .

Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4 quick specs:

• Motor:  750 W geared rear hub motor
• Battery:  48V 14Ah (672Wh)
• Weight : 34.8 kg (76.7 lb)
• Price: $1,999

Electric Bike Company Model Y

Electric Bike Company is one of the only e-bike manufacturers that actually builds its electric bikes in the US from the ground up.

They start with bare frames and perform the entire build locally with highly trained e-bike technicians. That also allows them to offer more customization options than any other e-bike company out there.

The $1,949 Model Y is a step-through cruiser e-bike with a hidden battery in the front basket. It offers fast speeds up to 28 mph and high-quality parts like hydraulic disc brakes and top-end hardware. The color screen and leather accents on the seat and bar ends add to the classy look too!

The real treat though is getting to select the custom paint on every surface of the bike, plus your own rim colors, trim colors, and tire options. It’s incredibly customizable to the point where you’re virtually guaranteed to be able to create a truly one-of-a-kind electric bike if you wish.

Check out my full review of the Electric Bike Company Model Y here .

Electric Bike Company Model Y quick specs:

• Motor:  1,000W peak rear geared hub motor
• Range:  Up to 80 km (50 mi) with moderate pedaling
• Battery:  48V with either 9Ah (432 Wh) or 18Ah (864 Wh) options
• Weight : 26 kg (58 lb)
• Price:   $1,949

Velotric Discover 2

Velotric has a number of interesting e-bikes in its lineup, and I’m enjoying testing several of the company’s new models. But one of my favorites so far—thanks to its excellent on-road abilities—has got to be the Velotric Discover 2.

The e-bike isn’t just powerful or surprisingly smooth pedaling, it’s also quite safe. The punchy hydraulic disc brakes offer quick and controlled stops while the UL-certified battery and e-bike systems offer safe operations, removing the worry of dangerous thermal events.

For just $1,899 at its current sale price, riders are getting 15 pedal assist settings, a torque sensor, IPX7 waterproof rating on the battery (meaning the battery can be submerged in water), and robust strength testing that goes above and beyond typical ISO testing for e-bikes. This is an excellent bike for both commuting and pleasure rides, making it a great all-around option!

Check out my full review of the Velotric Nomad 1 here .

Velotric Discover 2 quick specs:

• Motor:  1,200W peak rear geared hub motor
• Range:  Up to 88km (55 mi) on pedal assist
• Battery:  48V 14.4Ah (691 Wh) frame-integrated, removable
• Weight : 33 kg (73 lb)
• Price:  $1,499

Ride1Up Rift

Ride1Up’s first adventure-style electric bike was a smashing success, helping the San Diego-based electric bike maker enter an entirely new category with a bang.

This fat tire electric bike has a powerful motor, a massive 960Wh battery and an ultra rugged frame with built-in rear rack that can carry heavy cargo or even an adult passenger on back.

With fenders, built-in LED lights and cargo capabilities, the Ride1Up Rift would also make a surprisingly good commuter bike that will traverse pot holes and other rough street imperfections just as well as it handles off-road conditions.

Check out my full review of the Ride1Up Rift XR here .

Ride1Up Rift XR quick specs:

• Motor:  750W continuous-rated rear geared hub motor
• Top speed:  32 km/h (20 mph) on throttle, or 45 km/h (28 mph) on pedal assist
• Range:  Up to 96 km (60 mi) on pedal assist
• Battery:  48V 20Ah (960 Wh) frame-integrated, removable
• Weight : 38 kg (84.5 lb)
• Price:  $1,895

Velotric Packer electric cargo bike

There are a lot of electric cargo bikes on the market, but the Velotric Packer has recently become one of my go-to recommendations for several reasons. It’s fairly priced, has loads of cargo accessories, includes a UL-certified battery, comes in some eye-catching colors, and works well for transporting my three nieces and nephews around with me.

At its sale price of $1,899, this is definitely an electric cargo bike to have on your short list for it’s slick-looking design and great functionality.

Check out my full review of the Velotric Packer here .

• Motor : 750W (1,200W peak) rear-geared hub motor
• Top speed : 20 mph (32 km/h) or 25 mph (40 km/h) when unlocked
• Range : Up to 52 miles (84 km)
• Battery : 48V 15Ah (692 Wh)
• Weight : 75 lb (34 kg)
• Price : $1,899

Best electric bikes from $2,000 to $3,500

By the time you surpass the $2,000 dollar mark, you’re starting to get into serious e-bikes with serious performance or build quality.

If you’re spending this much, you’ll want to ensure you’re buying from a reputable company with top-notch products and service.

Ride1Up Prodigy V2 mid-drive e-bike

The $2,295 Ride1Up Prodigy V2 has brought new meaning to the phrase “low-cost mid-drive electric bike”, updating an already impressive e-bike with a new next-gen setup.

This e-bike sports a high-end German-manufactured Brose mid-drive motor and can hit speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h), yet is price similarly to much cheaper hub motor-based electric bikes.

It’s a perfect commuter e-bike for someone that wants high quality parts like that German mid-drive motor with 90Nm of torque, hydraulic disc brakes, bright LED lights, included fenders, rear rack, and a very comfortable saddle. Plus there’s a choice between a nice 9-speed chain drive transmission or a fancier Gates Carbon Drive belt setup with an Enviolo continuously variable transmission.

This e-bike is easily worth another $500 more than the price tag, if not more. In fact, you’ll find many of these same components on e-bikes with $3,000-$4,000 price tags all over the place. So if you’re looking for a higher quality e-bike that doesn’t cost as much as a fancy bike shop e-bike, this is the one to consider.

Ride1Up Prodigy quick specs:

• Motor:  Brose TF Sprinter mid-drive
• Range:  30-50 miles (50-80 km)
• Battery:  36V 14Ah (504Wh)
• Weight : 58 lb (26 kg)
• Price :  $2,395

Juiced Scorpion X

The $2,199 Juiced Scorpion X has all the old-school charm of a vintage moped, but it adds back in a powerful electric drivetrain. It also has awesome-looking cast wheels that remove the issue of spoke maintenance, plus add to the cool stance.

The bench seat allows riders to scoot forward or backward to find the best seating position, and the tall bars give a fun cruiser/motorcycle feel to the bike. With full suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, and a built-in rear rack/fenders, there are a lot of nice parts on the Scorpion X

A powerful throttle lets you blast up to 20 mph, or engaging the pedal assist can take you even faster to 28 mph. And Juiced offers a larger battery than most competitors, letting you ride this moto-styled e-bike even further.

Check out my in-depth review of the Juiced Scorpion X here .

Juiced Scorpion X quick specs:

• Motor:  750W “nominal” (claimed 1.8 kW peak) RetroBlade rear hub motor
• Range:  Up to 55 miles (88 km) on pedal-assist or closer to half that on throttle
• Battery:  52V 15Ah 780Wh (removable and lockable)
• Weight : 100 lb (45 kg)
• Price : $2,199

Priority Current

I love the $3,299 Priority Current electric bike so much that it has become one of my daily riders. It’s the one I grab when I’m doing city riding and I know I want to be pedaling.

Becuase it doesn’t have a throttle, you’ll need to enjoy pedaling in order to enjoy this e-bike. But it makes it so much fun to pedal thanks to a torque sensor-based pedal assist that provides natural feeling assistance up to a fast 28 mph top speed.

The internally geared rear hub combined with a Gates belt drive system and powerful hydraulic disc brakes make this a very nice e-bike for the price. Plus that mid-drive motor offers tons of torque for climbing hills or accelerating quickly.

I’m also a fan of the built-in lights and included fenders, not to mention the integrated high-capacity battery that disappears in the frame.

Mid-drive electric bikes aren’t cheap, but the price is definitely a fair one for this e-bike.

Check out my full review of the Priority Current here . I also recently reviewed the Shimano 5-speed version of this e-bike, which you can find here .

Priority Current quick specs :

• Motor:  500W mid-drive motor with torque sensor
• Top speed:  28 mph (45 km/h) or 20 mph (32 km/h) user-selectable
• Range:  30-60 miles (48-96 km)
• Battery:  500 Wh frame-integrated battery
• Weight : 24 kg (53 lb)
• Price: $3,299

Ride1Up CF Racer1

I’m not normally a carbon fiber, drop bar, race bike kind of guy. But then again, that’s usually because those types of bikes are way out of my price range… until now.

The Ride1Up CF Racer1 brings carbon fiber road e-bikes to the common man, offering both a traditional road bike and a gravel bike edition.

At under 29 lb (13 kg), these e-bikes are some of the lightest around. I picked one up with my index finger and was shocked at how easily it left the ground.

To get there, that meant a relatively low-power motor and a smaller battery were required. But for the folks that ride these types of bikes, a big motor and heavy battery probably aren’t on their wishlist anyway. Instead, a simple extra boost, as if you’ve always got a tailwind, helps augment your own pedaling.

For just $2,295 , there’s no better deal out there for a budget-friendly carbon fiber road e-bike.

Ride1Up CF Racer1 quick specs

• Motor:  250W 42 Nm torque
• Top speed:  28 mph (45 km/h) on pedal assist
• Range:  16-40 miles (26-64 km)
• Battery:  252 Wh frame-integrated battery
• Weight : 12.9 kg (28.6 lb)
• Price: $2,295

Biktrix Moto

There’s a lot to like about the Biktrix Moto electric moped. Near the top of the list though has got to be the dual batteries. There’s a single battery option that starts at $2,299 , but the dual battery option doubles the range up to a maximum of 100 miles.

Even with just one battery, the high capacity of 1,008 Wh makes these some of the biggest batteries in the e-bike industry. Combine that with a high power motor, tall handlebars, and a long bench seat, and you’ve got a seriously fun electric moped.

It doesn’t slouch on components either. The lighting is ultra bright and it features other nice parts like powerful hydraulic disc brakes and an included rack/fender setup.

See my full review of the Biktrix Moto e-bike here .

Biktrix Moto quick specs:

• Motor:  Bafang 750W continuous hub motor (peak power not published)
• Top speed:  25 mph (40 km/h) but can be limited to Class 2 speeds
• Range:  Up to 100 miles (160 km) with two batteries
• Battery:  48V 21Ah (1,008 Wh) in each battery (two possible)
• Weight:  90 lb (41 kg)
• Price: $2,299

Ride1Up REVV1 FS

This full-suspension electric moped-style e-bike is a masterclass in high performance electric bike design. Sure, it’s an obvious SUPER73 imitation, but it’s a really well done imitation.

It handles well, it’s got great rubber between you and the road, the suspension gives a comfortable ride, and it’s got plenty of extra power.

Despite the 750W label, the e-bike can be unlocked to make use of nearly 1,500W of peak power. I was able to reach a top speed of 37 mph (59.5 km/h) during my testing (not on public streets!).

But the bike ships in Class 2 mode with a 750W limit and 20 mph (32 km/h) maximum speed, meaning you’ll have to contact the company to request an unlock for the bike to be used above Class 2 speeds and power levels.

All in all, the $2,395 Ride1Up REVV1 FS is an amazing e-bike for anyone who wants a moped-style ride with full-suspension, high quality 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes and a design that rides almost like a motorcycle, yet in a bike form factor.

Check out my complete Ride1Up REVV1 FS review here .

Ride1Up REVV1 quick specs:

• Motor:  Bafang 750W continuous hub motor
• Top speed:  20 mph (32 km/h) out of the box, 37 mph (59.5 km/h) when unlocked
• Battery:  52V 20Ah (1,040 Wh)
• Weight:  93 lb (42 kg)
• Price: $2,395

Tern Quick Haul

The Tern Quick Haul is an electric cargo bike from the famed cargo e-bike company Tern. It holds the distinction of being the most affordable model in Tern’s lineup.

That says a lot, because Tern is known for its high quality e-bikes that are built to be ridden every day for real world errands, carpool duty and more. These e-bikes are meant to replace cars, and they do just that for many riders. With a huge list of accessories, you can outfit a Quick Haul for just about any job.

The Tern Quick Haul features a mid-drive Bosch motor, hydraulic disc brakes, Tern’s vertical parking rack, and a relatively lightweight but high utility design that is meant to carry just about anything in your life.

We had the chance to test a pair of Quick Hauls at Eurobike in Frankfurt last year, which you can learn more about here.

Motor:  Bosch Active Line Plus mid-drive motor Top speed:  20 mph (32 km/h) with pedal assist (no throttle) Range:  Up to 60 miles (96 km), less when riding in highest power Battery:  400Wh, removable/lockable Weight:  50 lb (22.8 kg) Price : $2,999

Ariel Rider X-Class

When it comes to fast, powerful electric mopeds on a budget, it’s hard to compete with the $2,399 Ariel Rider X-Class . This is the e-bike I usually recommend when someone simply wants the most power and speed for the least amount of money.

The impressive performance comes from a powerful 1,000W motor that actually puts out closer to 2,000W of peak power. It can be limited to 20 mph if you’d like, but I got it up to 36 mph in unlimited mode.

The bike rolls on 20″ moto-style wheels and comes with nice parts including hydraulic disc brakes, a bench seat, dual suspension, and a big moto-style headlight.

You can see my full review of the Ariel Rider 52V X-Class here .

• Motor:  1,000W (2,000W peak) rear hub motor
• Top speed:  36 mph (58 km/h), but can be limited to Class 2 speeds
• Range:  Up to 75 miles (120 km), less when riding at top speed
• Battery:  52V 18Ah (936 Wh), removable/lockable
• Weight:  80 lb (36 kg)
• Price : $2,399

Rad Power Bikes Rad Rover 6 Plus with accessories

Technically the Rad Rover 6 Plus is priced at $1,999 . And with its free shipping, it comes in under the $2k mark. But I’m including it in the $2k-$3k category because you’re going to want to add a couple of important accessories to this one.

Rad Power Bikes has one of the widest arrays of e-bike accessories on the planet . In fact, it might have THE widest selection. And I’d highly recommend adding the rear rack ($79) to the RadRover 6 Plus, at the very least. It simply adds even more utility and turns an adventure bike into an adventure/hauling bike.

Accessories aside, the RadRover 6 Plus is an awesome ride and packs in some real value. It is the highest-spec e-bike in Rad’s lineup and includes hydraulic disc brakes, redesigned suspension fork, an upgraded frame with a new semi-integrated battery, new displays that are easier to read and use, and so much more.

This is absolutely an e-bike that is worth checking out for anyone that does adventure-style riding and needs big tires combined with high power, and who wants the support and comfort provided by going with North America’s largest e-bike company.

Check out my full RadRover 6 Plus review here .

RadRover 6 Plus quick specs:

• Range:  45-72 km (25-45 mi) depending on throttle or pedal assist
• Weight:  33.3 kg (73.4 lb)

Best electric bikes from $3,500 to $5,000

Above $3.5k, you’re entering some seriously dedicated e-bike territory.

These e-bikes either feature top-shelf components like drivetrain and brake parts, or pack in so much power that they couldn’t possibly be priced any lower.

Either way, you’re not in Kansas anymore. You’re heading down the e-bike rabbit hole.

Tern is renowned for building high-quality electric bikes that double down on utility features. The newly updated Tern HSD is the company’s more affordable utility e-bike, offering many features you’ll find on its higher end GSD but at a price that more riders can stomach.

The HSD uses small 20″ wheels and includes a folding stem, making it nice and compact. But taking it one step further, Tern outfitted it with its innovative rack that lets you park the bike on its tail, meaning it takes up barely more space than a coat rack in the corner of a room.

The bike’s Bosch mid-drive and high capacity batteries provide a high-end e-bike drive, and they are matched with a variety of performance drivetrain options that you can select from, depending on how high you want to spec the bike.

Whether you’re ferrying around kids or buying a week’s worth of groceries, the HSD is a solid option.

Check out my detailed first ride experience on the Tern HSD here .

Tern HSD quick specs:

• Motor:  Bosch Active Line Plus mid-drive
• Top speed:  32 km/h (20 mph) with electric assist
• Range:  42-110 km (26-69 mi) depending on pedal input
• Battery:  Bosch PowerPack 400 Wh
• Weight : 25.4 kg (55.9 lb)
• Price:  $4,299

CSC FT1000MD

The CSC FT1000MD sounds like a motorcycle name because it comes from a company with motorcycle heritage. CSC Ebikes was born out of CSC Motorcycles, a company with several decades of two-wheeler experience.

The FT1000MD is the company’s highest power option. The fat tire e-bike comes with a 1,000+ watt motor known as the Bafang M620 Ultra. It’s the most powerful and highest torque e-bike mid-drive motor on the retail market. CSC paired it with a big battery, quality suspension, hydraulic brakes, built-in lighting, and more to create a high performance and high-quality adventure e-bike.

I was able to hit speeds of around 34 mph with the motor in unlocked format, though you can limit it to 20 or 28 mph to fit into class 2 and class 3 designations.

Check out my full review of this incredibly powerful e-bike here .

CSC FT1000MD quick specs:

• Motor:  1,000W continuous Bafang M620 mid-drive
• Top speed: 54 km/h (34 mph) when unlocked
• Battery:  48V 16Ah (768Wh) with Samsung 35E cells
• Frame:  6061 aluminum
• Suspension:  Front suspension fork with preload and damping adjustment, plus lockout
• Brakes:  Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors
• Weight : 34 kg (75 lb)
• Price:  $3,299 or save $200 with discount code ELECTREK

Ariel Rider Grizzly

When it comes to all-wheel-drive electric bikes, the $3,299 Ariel Rider Grizzly is one of my favorites.

This incredible e-bike is really more of a small electric motorcycle. It uses two high-power motors – one in each wheel – to offer speeds in the mid-30s and acceleration that will get you there in the blink of an eye.

Full suspension and hydraulic disc brakes make this an e-bike that handles well at any speed, and the bright red paint job looks as aggressive as the e-bike feels. It even comes with footpegs pre-installed so you can carry a passenger with you.

Plus it’s got double batteries to feed those two power-hungry motors, so you’ll be able to ride this e-bike pretty darn far too, as long as you aren’t too demanding from the throttle.

Check out my full in-depth review of the epic Ariel Rider Grizzly e-bike here .

Ariel Rider Grizzly quick specs:

• Motors:  Dual 1,000W continuous hub motors (1,850W peak or 3.7 kW combined)
• Top speed:  36 mph (58 km/h) when unlocked, but can be limited to Class 2 speeds
• Battery:  52V 35Ah (1,820 Wh) between two removable/lockable batteries
• Weight:  105 lb (47.6 kg)

Specialized Turbo Como SL

For more of a cruiser/city e-bike experience, the $4,800 Specialized Turbo Como SL is a great option. This e-bike offers a much more upright ride for a fun, relaxed vibe.

The e-bike features a high-quality mid-drive motor, hydraulic disc brakes, Gates carbon belt drive, and an eight-speed internally geared hub. Those are a lot of nice parts!

And don’t forget the slim fenders, front basket, and cruiser bars that all look super elegant, complimenting the nice lines of the Turbo Como SL.

This may not be a low-cost e-bike, but it definitely offers a ride that makes it worth it.

See my full review of the Specialized Turbo Como SL here .

Specialized Turbo Como SL quick specs:

• Motor:  Custom Specialized SL1.1 mid-drive motor
• Range:  Up to 100 km (62 mi), or 50% more with range extender
• Battery:  Downtube-integrated 320 Wh battery
• Weight : 20.5 kg (45 lb.)
• Price:   $4,800

If you’ve been looking for a high-end trekking electric bike that was built with a combination of high-quality parts and the latest technology, look no further than the $4,550 Greyp T5.

There’s a reason why Porsche bought this e-bike company – it’s simply one of the best.

It uses Greyp’s own in-house developed 700 Wh battery combined with a mid-drive motor to offer a hardtail trekking e-bike. In addition to the awesome bike design, the built-in tech is what really opens people’s eyes. Integrated cameras at the front and rear of the bike can serve as dash cams or livestream your rides. Plus you can capture all of your ride footage on the bike instead of bringing along a Go-Pro camera.

There’s also an app that allows you to take full advantage of the built-in eSIM card, giving you connectivity to the bike and letting you check all your vital stats, find its location, and more – right from your phone.

The bike is truly a high-end offering by itself, but the embedded tech makes it a rarity in any category.

See my first ride review of the Greyp T5 e-bike here .

Best electric bikes above $5,000

You just couldn’t stop, could you? I showed you plenty of awesome e-bikes that didn’t cost most of a paycheck. But you just haaaaaaad to keep going.

Fine, here they are. These are some of the most expensive e-bikes out there that we’ve tested and that I’d actually recommend someone buying, if you can pony up the cash.

Fuell Flluid-2 and Flluid-3

The $5,495 Fuell Flluid-2 and Flluid-3 are great examples of what happens when a motorcycle designer applies his tradecraft to a smaller platform, creating an e-bike built to a higher standard.

The Fuell Flluid’s smooth mid-drive motor with built-in gearbox and Gates carbon belt drive setup combine to make an ultra-responsive and polished electric powertrain. The two removable batteries built into special cutouts in the frame offer long-range riding without looking like a packhorse carrying massive batteries.

The e-bike is nearly maintenance-free thanks to the belt drive and hydraulic disc brakes. The duo removes the two most common maintenance issues with bikes: chain wear and brake adjustment.

Flying fast at 28 mph (45 km/h) is a blast, and doing it on a smooth-riding e-bike with Pirelli tires is even better. Then add in the ultra-bright lights, built-in fenders and rear rack, the suspension seat post, color LCD screen and other niceties, and now you’re left with a high-end e-bike that could serve you for years as a daily commuter e-bike designed for nearly maintenance-free high mileage riding. The only downside is that the bike is quite heavy at 36 kg (79 lb). But you can’t expect all these great parts and dual batteries on a featherweight bike!

Check out my full review of the Fuell Flluid here .

Fuell Flluid quick specs:

• Motor:  750-1,000W rated Valeo mid-drive motor with built-in gearbox
• Range:  Up to 200 km (125 mi) with dual batteries (though Fuell-3 has just a single battery)
• Brakes:  Tektro hydraulic disc brakes on 180 mm rotors
• Weight:  36 kg (79 lb)
• Price: $5,495

GoCycle G4i+

When it comes to ultra-premium folding electric bikes, there’s only one name that comes to my mind: GoCycle. These are the most impressive folding e-bikes I’ve ever seen. And they better be – they were designed by a former McLaren engineer.

Between the carbon fiber work, single-sided wheels, high-tech tires, trippy LED dot display, innovative rear suspension, and completely enclosed drivetrain, there’s a lot of high-end stuff going on here.

The speed will vary from 15-20 mph depending on which country you buy the bike in, but the performance is only part of the equation. The quick folding and light, compact design of the e-bike is the real winner here.

Check out my full review of the GoCycle G4i+ here .

GoCycle G4i+ quick specs:

• Motor:  500W front hub motor
• Top speed:  20 mph (32 km/h) in the US
• Range:  up to 50 miles (80 km)
• Battery:  36V 10.4Ah (375 Wh)
• Weight : 37.2 lb (16.9 kg)
• Price:   $6,999

Serial 1 RUSH/CTY SPEED

Serial 1, the electric bicycle company that spun out of Harley-Davidson, has several awesome electric bike models. While most fall under the $5,000 mark, I’m going to recommend their top of the line model: The $5,599 Serial 1 RUSH/CTY SPEED . If you’re in the market to buy a Serial 1 e-bike, you might as well go for the best.

Like all of Serial 1’s e-bikes, it’s got a great design and ridability. Serial 1 scored top e-bike designers from companies like Trek, so they know how to build an awesome bike with killer geometry. They also brought in the Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle engineers to build the custom battery, so it’s top of the line too. Then they used pro parts like the Brose mid-drive and Gates carbon belt drive setup. Basically, it’s an incredible e-bike. And with a 28 mph (45 km/h) top speed plus a huge 706 Wh battery to ride all day, the performance matches the build.

Serial 1 even goes above and beyond with their own custom weight bearing fenders that also happen to be functional racks (both in the front and rear), their own custom designed lights that throw serious illumination up front and give you great rear visibility from dropout-mounted lights, and there’s even a glovebox in the bike!

Basically, there’s a lot to like here. Yes, it’s expensive. But you’re not just paying for the H-D name on the side. It’s actually a high quality, high performance electric bike regardless of the badging.

Check out my full first ride on the various Serial 1 e-bike models here .

Motor:  High torque Brose TF MAG mid-drive motor Top speed (tested):  45 km/h (28 mph) Battery:  706 Wh Serial 1 custom battery Range:  25-115 miles (40-185 km), likely more in the 30-50 miles range with normal riding Weight:  26.7 kg (59 lb) Price:   $5,599

FREY EX Pro electric mountain bike

The FREY EX Pro is a high-end electric mountain bike with crazy high power. It uses the same motor as the CSC FT1000MD we featured above (the Bafang M620 mid-drive), but cranks up the current to provide closer to 1,500W of power.

It’s enough to destroy chains if you aren’t careful. We know. Several of us here at Electrek have done it.

The FREY EX Pro not only features high-end parts like a RockShox Lyric fork and Magura MT5e hydraulic brakes, but it even comes with dual batteries so you can ride farther and stay on the trails longer.

I’ve personally taken this e-bike back UP a downhill mountain bike course – that’s how powerful it is.

It may be expensive, but it saves you several thousand dollars compared to many European electric mountain bikes with similar components but a fraction of the power in the FREY.

See my full review of the FREY EX Pro here .

• Motor:  1 kW continuous, 1.5 kW peak-rated Bafang Ultra mid-drive motor
• Top speed (tested):  59 km/h (36 mph)
• Battery:  Dual 48V 14Ah packs (1,344 Wh total)
• Range:  Varies  considerably  by ride style/terrain, but 30-100 km (20-60 miles) is the ballpark
• Weight:  34 kg (75 lb)
• Price:   $5,580

Top comment by OliveUmbrella

1–I have a Lectric XPLite. It’s great to load in the SUV or RV with my wife’s Liberty Trike, which weighs only 50 lbs AND comes apart into two 25-lb pieces. Easy on my old back! The new RAD and Lectric trikes are good, I’m sure, but would be unusable for me. Too heavy.

2–RE: the importance of the sub-$1000 list…I think this also applies to some of the Chinese EV cars, the 50-mph, low-priced category. If brought here, or built here, they’d allow far more people to get into an EV, as a primary city car, or even a suburban 2nd car.

The Tern GSD improves upon the Tern HSD with even more capability and even nicer components. There are multiple versions that can take you up to nearly $10k, but even the lower-tier versions are not “low tier,” if you know what I mean.

Parts like automatically engaging electric locks, 10-speed Shimano Deore transmissions, Magura MT5e quad-piston hydraulic disc brakes, and more set these e-bikes apart from the rest of the pack.

If you’re getting a Tern GSD, you’re getting a fully qualified car replacement. There are many people that use these instead of buying a second car. When you look at it like that, the price suddenly seems pretty reasonable.

Check out our full review of the Tern GSD here .

• Motor:  Bosch Cargo Line mid-drive
• Range:  42-85 km (26-53 mi) depending on pedal input
• Weight : 33.6 kg (74 lb)
• Price : $5,399

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Micah Toll is a personal electric vehicle enthusiast, battery nerd, and author of the Amazon #1 bestselling books DIY Lithium Batteries , DIY Solar Power,   The Ultimate DIY Ebike Guide  and The Electric Bike Manifesto .

The e-bikes that make up Micah’s current daily drivers are the $999 Lectric XP 2.0 , the $1,095 Ride1Up Roadster V2 , the $1,199 Rad Power Bikes RadMission , and the $3,299 Priority Current . But it’s a pretty evolving list these days.

You can send Micah tips at [email protected], or find him on Twitter , Instagram , or TikTok .

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Accessories in Bratsk,Irkutsk Oblast,Russia

Get accessories for your car, SUV, truck or Jeep in Bratsk, Irkutsk Oblast . We have all the best truck accessories for off-road adventures, towing, and hauling. Our selection is unbeatable for car, truck, SUV and Jeep accessories, and we ship directly to Bratsk, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia . We've got tonneau covers to keep your pickup truck's bed dry and secure. We have billet grilles to elevate your vehicle above the bland stock look. We've got rugged tough aftermarket off-road bumpers as well as a ton of other bumper styles to protect your vehicle from scrapes. If you want running boards or nerf bars for that extra step up into your lifted truck or Jeep, we've got plenty to choose from at low prices.

Need to do some towing or hauling? We have receiver hitches to boost your vehicle's towing capacity. When your Jeep's soft top is getting worn out, come to us for a replacement. We carry it all: door skins, bikini tops for open-air off-road driving, mesh tops for maximum air flow without sacrificing sun protection, and full OEM-style replacement soft tops that keep your Jeep looking as good as new. Need to protect the inside of your vehicle? Floor liners guard the interior of your truck or Jeep from the dirt and mud of your off-road journeys. And the best part is, we ship all these things right to your door in Bratsk, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia with no hassle.

Call us today at 1-800-232-0734 to get car, truck, Jeep or SUV accessories in Bratsk, Irkutsk Oblast . Our team of experts will help you find the parts you need to upgrade your vehicle. Make your vehicle stand out with some of these accessories and you'll be the envy of everyone else in the cities or on the trail in Bratsk, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia .

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Ilim Group Expanding Pulp and Board Sales in Southwestern China

March 20, 2023 - Ilim Group announced that it is continuing to increase its deliveries of pulp and board to the southwestern regions of China, which has been its prioritized area.

According to the company, by 2025, the share of Ilim Group's board supplies to the southwest region of China is expected to increase three-fold, from 5% to 16%, which is another 100,000 tons of the finished products.

Based on the 2022 results, Ilim's deliveries to China reached a record-high 1.7 million tons of finished products, including 1.359 million tons of pulp and 360 thousand tons of board.

Ilim Group said it will further its collaboration with Chengdu Peibaobo Paper Co., a large manufacturer of packaging and a service operator in China, to expand its reach.

"We will deepen our cooperation with Chengdu Peibaobo Paper Co., seeking to render customized services to the consumers in the southwest of China, improve logistical itineraries and enhance efficiency under the Belt and Road initiative," said Alexander Lykhin, Ilim Group's Vice President and Head of the representative office of JSC Ilim Group in Asia. "Apart from this, we are now working on deliveries to the Southeast Asia through the China-Laos railway route."

Ilim explained that the supply volumes will be boosted due in-part to the company's new pulp and paper mill (the KLB Mill) in Ust-Ilimsk. The production capacity will amount to 600,000 tons of KLB (kraft linerboard) per year. Start-up of the KLB machine is scheduled for Q2 2023.

Ilim Group, in collaboration with Chengdu Peibaobo Paper, held a conference for existing and potential partners in Kunming, Yunnan province. Over 40 people took part in the event, including buyers and consumers of the board to be used for packaging of agricultural produce, flowers, tobacco products, and beverages.

Yunnan Packaging Association and logistics companies were also among the participants of the event.

Wang Xiaoju, President of Chengdu Peibaobo Paper, commented, "Potential area of cooperation between Chengdu Peibaobo Paper Co. and Ilim Group is to perform centralized purchasing, gain a competitive price, and cut down logistics expenses through joined supply volumes."

Ilim noted that it plans to enter the market of Laos and supply packaging materials to the FMCG market through its cooperative relationship with Chengdu Peibaobo Paper.

Ilim Group, with headquarters in St. Petersburg, Russia, operates three large pulp and paper mills and two modern corrugated box plants. The business assets are located in Koryazhma (Arkhangelsk Oblast), Bratsk and Ust-Ilimsk (Irkutsk Oblast), Kommunar (Leningrad Oblast), and Dmitrov (Moscow Oblast).

SOURCE: Ilim Group

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Ilim Group Presents its New KLB Mill to Industry Players

Presentation of the largest kraftliner production site in Russia took place at the 27th International Exhibition of the Packaging Industry RosUpack

The presentation of the Big Ust-Ilimsk Project, involving the construction of Russia’s one-of-a-kind pulp and board (KLB) mill in the Irkutsk Oblast, was one of the key events at RosUpack 2023. When speaking at the plenary session on corrugated board packaging market development, Alexey Chenyaev, Ilim’s Senior Vice President, Sales, Supply Chain Management and Packaging, focused on the advanced manufacturing and environmental solutions implemented at the new KLB Mill and prospects for sales market expansion it will secure.

After KLB Mill ramp-up (600,000 tons of kraftliner per year), the total annual output of Ilim Group will amount to 4.3 million tons. The Company will be one of the world’s largest producers of unbleached packaging materials and will strengthen its leadership in the Chinese market of wood-free corrugated materials with a share of approximately 50 to 60%.

The Big Ust-Ilimsk project was met by exhibitors with great interest. This year the event was attended by more than 740 companies from 19 countries. Ilim’s booth with an area of 140 m2 was one of the largest one at the site and was operated by about 50 experts from Sales and Corrugated Box Business Management Departments. The booth was attended by over 60 key accounts and more than 120 representatives of various companies, including such major ones as Heinz, MARS and KDV-Group.

Reference information:

Ilim Group is the leader of the Russian pulp and paper industry and one of the industry leaders globally. Ilim Group has three pulp and paper mills in the Arkhangelsk (Koryazhma) and Irkutsk (Bratsk and Ust-Ilimsk) Oblasts, two modern corrugated box plants in the Leningrad and Moscow Oblasts (Kommunar and Dmitrov, respectively), and Sibgiprobum engineering and design institute (Irkutsk).

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