Scores
Each bike is scored out of 100 in every category that applies to it, relative to the other bikes of the same discipline: triathlon, time-trial and aero road bikes are never scored against each other. The overall score is the average of the categories that count. Price and, for aero road bikes, weight are calculated from the data; the other categories are drafted by AI from the bike's own data against the rubrics below and reviewed before publishing.
Scores are relative to the market in the month they were given, so a bike's scores go down when newer bikes and parts raise the bar, even if its own data didn't change; old scores are flagged as dated. A category at 80 or more is listed as a strength, one at 50 or less as a trade-off.
Aero
Aero claims and front-end integration. Scored for triathlon, time trial, aero road bikes.
95+ current flagship with published wind-tunnel claims and a fully integrated front end; 80 modern aero frame with integrated cockpit; 65 older generation or a conventional base bar and extensions; 50 or less round-ish tubes or an entry platform.
Aero road bikes: 95+ current flagship aero bike with published wind-tunnel claims and a one-piece cockpit; 80 modern aero frame or aero all-rounder with an integrated cockpit; 65 older generation or a standard stem and round bar; 50 or less round-ish tubes or an entry platform.
Frame
Carbon grade, weight and warranty. Scored for triathlon, time trial, aero road bikes.
Carbon grade, frame weight and warranty. 90+ top-grade carbon, light for an aero frame, long warranty; 70 mid-grade carbon or heavier; 50 entry carbon or aluminium.
Components
Groupset, wheels and power meter. Scored for triathlon, time trial, aero road bikes.
The builds on offer, judged by the typical (middle) build: 90+ Dura-Ace / Red / Super Record electronic with deep carbon wheels and a power meter; 75 Ultegra Di2 / Force AXS with carbon wheels; 60 105 Di2 / Rival AXS or alloy wheels; 45 mechanical shifting. Leave out for frameset-only bikes.
Hydration & storage
Hydration and storage in the frame. Scored for triathlon, time trial bikes.
90+ integrated hydration, food and tool storage designed into the frame; 70 some integrated storage or a mount system; 45 bottle cages only (normal for UCI time-trial bikes).
Fit
Sizes and adjustment range. Scored for triathlon, time trial, aero road bikes.
Range of sizes, pad stack and reach adjustment, seat angle range. 90+ wide stepless adjustment over many sizes; 70 adjustable with spacers and a few sizes; 50 narrow range or few sizes.
Aero road bikes: Range of sizes, stack and reach spread, cockpit sizes (stem lengths, bar widths) and whether a standard stem and bar fit. 90+ many sizes with a wide choice of cockpit sizes; 70 a few sizes or limited cockpit sizes; 50 few sizes and a one-size cockpit.
Practicality
Travel, standard parts, servicing. Scored for triathlon, time trial, aero road bikes.
Travel packing, standard versus proprietary parts, ease of servicing. 90+ standard parts and designed to pack easily; 70 some proprietary parts; 50 many proprietary parts or awkward to pack.
Price
From the cheapest complete-bike MSRP. Scored for triathlon, time trial, aero road bikes.
Calculated from the cheapest complete-bike MSRP: 100 at €3,000 or less, 20 points lower for every €3,000 more, never below 5. Prices in other currencies are converted at fixed rates (1 USD = €0.90, 1 GBP = €1.15). Bikes sold only as framesets or without a published price get no price score and no overall score.
Weight
From the lightest claimed weight. Scored for aero road bikes.
Calculated from the lightest claimed complete-bike weight: 100 at 6.8 kg (the UCI minimum) or less, 20 points lower for every kg more, never below 5. Brands weigh different sizes, so the size is shown with the score. Bikes without a claimed complete weight get no weight score.
Hydration and storage is shown for time-trial bikes but not counted in their overall score: UCI rules limit integrated hydration and storage.
Ownership checklist
Practical checks for living with the bike: servicing, spares, upgrades and travel. They are read from the frame specs the manufacturer publishes; a check the brand doesn't publish stays unknown rather than guessed.
- Threaded bottom bracket: Threaded bottom brackets are easier to service and less prone to creaking than press-fit ones.
- UDH derailleur hanger: A UDH hanger is stocked by most bike shops, so a bent hanger doesn't end your race week.
- Standard 12×142 mm rear axle: The common road standard keeps wheels, trainers and spare axles interchangeable.
- Works with mechanical shifting: Mechanical groupsets are cheaper to buy and repair, and don't need charging.
- Fits third-party aerobars (triathlon and time-trial bikes): Lets you use the extensions and pads your bike fitter recommends.
- Rear disc wheel compatible (triathlon and time-trial bikes): A disc wheel is the usual rear wheel for triathlon and TT racing.
- Fit kept when packed (triathlon and time-trial bikes): If the cockpit comes off in one piece, you don't have to redo your position after every flight.
Geometry drawings
Side views are drawn to scale from the published geometry, with the bottom bracket at the origin and a 100 mm grid. Tube shapes are schematic. On triathlon and time-trial bikes, shaded boxes show the arm-pad adjustment range of the stock cockpit, and pad stack and pad reach are the ranges reachable with the stock aerobar setup.
How the geometry rides
The handling notes compare the bike's middle size with the middle size of every other bike of the same discipline in the catalog, and place it between the shortest and the longest. They describe tendencies from geometry, not a ride review: fit, wheels and tyres matter as much.
Real-world weights
Weights measured on a scale by reviewers and testers, shown next to the manufacturer's claim for the same item. Claims and measurements may differ in size and what was on the scale (paint, hardware, pedals), so read the setup before comparing.
Known issues and recalls
Official recalls and service bulletins from the brands and safety authorities, and problems reported by reviewers or long-term testers, each with its source.
Before you buy
Specs can change between model years and markets, so confirm with the manufacturer before buying. Spotted a wrong or missing value? Use “Report a mistake” on the bike page, with a source.