best looking bike in the tour?

[bicycletricycle]

I don't ride normal road racing style bikes anymore but I am tempted to buy one sometimes, just to see what they are like. It has been 15 years since I had a state of the art race bike.

The change to aggressive aero profiles and strange integrated parts has mostly turned me off. Not because I am anti this kind of approach to bicycles, I guess I just haven't liked the look of most of them or they have used goofy looking aero brakes or strange headset spacers that the cables pass through, etc....

This year I have been looking at the Cervelo S5 under Marc Hirschi a lot and I have really taken a liking to it. The way the frame elements wrap around the wheels and the smooth integration of the frame/fork/stem/bars. I am sure it is a bear to cable this bike up and I have no idea how well it is built/rides but I admire the design work put into it. Hopefully luescher teknik and Hambini will get their hands on one soon.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50352087353_2c1f267da8_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jHrBk8)cervelo S5 (https://flic.kr/p/2jHrBk8) by bicycletricycle666 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/24583601@N08/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50352945352_d39cf67cb6_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jHw1od)Marc (https://flic.kr/p/2jHw1od) by bicycletricycle666 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/24583601@N08/), on Flickr

What do you think is the best looking tour bike?

[Clean39T]

Hopefully luescher teknik and Hambini will get their hands on one soon.


https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=160636&sid=d6123b26ff65967c1a365a8b275ccb78

They already have.


Of all of the Tour bikes, I think the Factor Ostro and C'Dale SuperSix are the best looking - with the C'Dale getting the nod from me since I like their team and ethos, plus integration with Rapha kit, much much more..

https://d1mo5ln9tjltxq.cloudfront.net/-/media/images/blog-images/martinez/daniel-martinez_race_win_cannondale_4.jpg?mh=1920&mw=2560&hash=C0A2DC991EC87571D23CECB545E3370FEFE4A01F

[ColonelJLloyd]

Agree with the Cannondale/EF for sure. And that the Cervelo is really good looking.

I did think to myself how pleasing the kit + bike looked with the Bahrain team and the whole red/orange ombre thing they have going. I know nothing of the Merida bikes.

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9SWGvUWsvhzXe5s5VGY4FN.jpg

[bicycletricycle]

those cannondales do look nice. sort of vintage looking for a carbon bike these days.

I forgot about the luescher video. Would like to see the whole frame cut up. I don't see the fork issue he highlighted as a particularly big deal. All integrated forks like this will have some version of the same problem and no one will do what needs to be done to prevent it because it will add too much weight.

[Spdntrxi]

I quite like the look of the Lapierre aero bike that I spotted on top of the service cars.

[Matthew]

Sorry, but that Cervelo is hideous. The stem looks like an, um, erect male appendage. Not big on the down tube shape either. Cannondale is ok but I'll take the Jumbo Bianchi's with rim brakes all day long. The higher the seat stays reach on the seat tube the better.

[bicycletricycle]

Sorry, but that Cervelo is hideous. The stem looks like an, um, erect male appendage. Not big on the down tube shape either. Cannondale is ok but I'll take the Jumbo Bianchi's with rim brakes all day long. The higher the seat stays reach on the seat tube the better.

It is very different and not good looking in the way a more classic stem would be. I think it is an interesting idea for lots of reasons including better internal routing. I also think it might be nice ergonomically (i like to ride narrow on the tops). I think it looks super cool from above.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50353157542_304081fa0e_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jHx6sE)Screen Shot 2020-09-17 at 12.40.42 PM (https://flic.kr/p/2jHx6sE) by bicycletricycle666 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/24583601@N08/), on Flickr

[KJMUNC]

Sorry, but that Cervelo is hideous.

Agree on the Cervelo....funny how people flock back to what is essentially a riser stem cloaked in a new aero package.

Personally I like the AG2R Merckx frames. Rim brakes and I dig the color scheme.....same reason I just bought a AG2R Factor version from 2yrs ago.

[foregroundmusic]

+1 for the Ostro, also really like Astana’s Willier this year

[bicycletricycle]

Agree on the Cervelo....funny how people flock back to what is essentially a riser stem cloaked in a new aero package.

Personally I like the AG2R Merckx frames. Rim brakes and I dig the color scheme.....same reason I just bought a AG2R Factor version from 2yrs ago.

riser stems are a great option for aero bike designers and have been used in some of the most aerodynamic track and time trial bikes. Stems usually have less frontal area than a head tube and they allow the frame to be more compact overall. This version also has some other advantages (supports the torsional load going into the bars better and cable routing). I would admit they are not as aesthetically pleasing as a level stem or some bikes that have a stem that is inline with the top tube.

[bicycletricycle]

I think the Merckx is really nice looking, I think it is the most "pacelineish" bike in the tour and is the bike I would most likely buy :)

Agree on the Cervelo....funny how people flock back to what is essentially a riser stem cloaked in a new aero package.

Personally I like the AG2R Merckx frames. Rim brakes and I dig the color scheme.....same reason I just bought a AG2R Factor version from 2yrs ago.

[KJMUNC]

I think the Merckx is really nice looking, I think it is the most "pacelineish" bike in the tour and is the bike I would most likely buy :)

Yep, agree....I looked for one but they are still eye watering-ly expensive, so I'll wait to pick one up after the depreciation bounce (or will just live with my Factor)

As for the Cervelo stem, I wasn't passing judgement on the aero-ness....I'm sure it's faster, it's just funny how circular the trends tend to play out. Be Aero. Slam That Stem. Yuge Saddle to Bar Drop.....wait....no, actually, Riser Aero Bar FTW.

I swear someone is going to make an aero steel bike and claim "innovation! Smooth Aero Ride!".... while the bike industry will further choke on its own tail.

[bicycletricycle]

The marketing mumbo jumbo is strong in road racing bikes right now. Everything is subject to these wild swings, come back in another 10 years and who knows what will be "fast". We will probably be back to round rings by then (perhaps extremely round rings with certification of their roundeness), Skinny tires will be more aero again, small derrailleur pulleys will come back but with really big chainrings and cassettes and just for fun I predict riders will be showing just one fist of seat post with deep drop bars as God intended.


Yep, agree....I looked for one but they are still eye watering-ly expensive, so I'll wait to pick one up after the depreciation bounce (or will just live with my Factor)

As for the Cervelo stem, I wasn't passing judgement on the aero-ness....I'm sure it's faster, it's just funny how circular the trends tend to play out. Be Aero. Slam That Stem. Yuge Saddle to Bar Drop.....wait....no, actually, Riser Aero Bar FTW.

I swear someone is going to make an aero steel bike and claim "innovation! Smooth Aero Ride!".... while the bike industry will further choke on its own tail.

[GregL]

Cannondale is ok but I'll take the Jumbo Bianchi's with rim brakes all day long. The higher the seat stays reach on the seat tube the better.
Agreed!
https://cdn-cyclingtips.pressidium.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-Tour-de-France-Jumbo-Visma-Bianchi-Oltre-XR4-2.jpg

[robt57]

The Bahrain McLaren Meridas and the kits caught my eye. Nice touch being the blue inner front fork legs and socks. ;O

Reminiscent [not the blue] or the Tequila Sunrise AG2R Kits before they went with the current ugliness and previous ugly versions since...

[EDS]

I am a big fan of the lines of the new Specialized SL7. The team specific colorways (both of them) don't do anything for me though.

[ridethecliche]

Not a huge fan of the cervelo but it's a tool not a jewel and a helluva tool it is!

Big fan of the merckx and cdales as well. Agree with the above as the sl7 is pretty cool.

[cgolvin]

I think the Cannondales are very nice, quite like the chromolovato nod on the Wiliers, but I'd likely give my vote to the Bianchi…and it's the one I would take if someone said I could have my pick of the litter to keep as my own.

Irrespective of tool vs jewel, the OP's criterion was "best looking" and for me that Cervelo is fugly. Hard pass.

[Jaybee]

Preferences are personal, but I *hate* the lumpy head tube and arched top tube on the Oltre.

I'm with Clean39t on the Cannondale SuperSix, and furthermore with EF's entire aesthetic package.

The Astana and Direct Energie Wiliers, Bahrain Merida and the BMC get honorable mentions.

[trener1]

Hats off to this one

[Spdntrxi]

https://www.bikerumor.com/ezoimgfmt/bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lapierre-Aircode-Disc-DRS-prototype-aero-road-bike_next-gen-disc-brake-aerodynamic-road-race-bike-of-Groupama-FDJ_photos-by-Nicolas-Gotz_top.jpg?ezimgfmt=ngcb4/notWebP

[merckxman]

I'm liking the Wilier being used by the Astana team, a metallic like paint and some shaping.
Video : https://youtu.be/lTll7oeH7zU

[enr1co]

Sorry, but that Cervelo is hideous. The stem looks like an, um, erect male appendage. Not big on the down tube shape either. Cannondale is ok but I'll take the Jumbo Bianchi's with rim brakes all day long. The higher the seat stays reach on the seat tube the better.

Funny, had this discussion w/ some buds last week w/ concensus to the Cervelo taking the Maillot Jaune for ugly bike.

[rustychisel]

They're all heinous looking IMHO; it's the riders who make them look good.

But you know that already. The triumph in marketing lies in convincing you to overlook the ugly in favour of the latest selling point (more aero! 0.5 watt gain! stiffer yet more compliant! disc brakes will stop you getting killed!).

[barnabyjones]

They're all heinous looking IMHO; it's the riders who make them look good.

But you know that already. The triumph in marketing lies in convincing you to overlook the ugly in favour of the latest selling point (more aero! 0.5 watt gain! stiffer yet more compliant! disc brakes will stop you getting killed!).

This. The kid on the Cervelo is such an elegant rider that I hadn't noticed the plastic monstrosity between his legs. Vive Le Tour!

[enr1co]

Ugly helmet prize goes to Michelton Scott :D

[ntb1001]

I kind of like the Cervelo S5 as well..and I’ve never been a fan of design of that model. They are fast though, my son had an older model S5 a few years ago before he had another growth spurt. It was a very fast bike, especially with deeper section carbon rims.


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[XXtwindad]

As others have noted: 'none of the above.' Carbon race bikes look weird.

[trener1]

All this talk about the pro bikes has just made me realize that Orbea is no longer represented in the world tour

[FlashUNC]

Bianchi Oltres of Jumbo Visma.

DeRosas of Cofidis.

That Cervelo is an aesthetic crime.

[Jaybee]

As others have noted: 'none of the above.' Carbon race bikes look weird.

This is going to be a unpopular opinion, but skinny round tube bikes all look the same. There is something interesting and purpose-driven in the shapes, angles, function and industrial nature of a modern carbon bike

[XXtwindad]

This is going to be a unpopular opinion, but skinny round tube bikes all look the same. There is something interesting and purpose-driven in the shapes, angles, function and industrial nature of a modern carbon bike

This is inarguably true. The rest is open to debate :)

[mhespenheide]

I'm liking the Wilier being used by the Astana team, a metallic like paint and some shaping.
Video : https://youtu.be/lTll7oeH7zU

I'm not generally a fan of Astana as a team, but I think I have to agree with this nomination. I dig the metallic-style paint as a nod to the traditional "cromovelato" of Wilier.

They get bonus points for Luis Leon Sanchez's special-edition paint after his win in the Spanish National championships, too:

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BgqUL9o4xgBFZhLjJT4aXR-1280-80.jpg

To my eye, that's the best looking bike in the Tour as long as you ignore the goofy jockey wheels.

[mikehkaiser]

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BgqUL9o4xgBFZhLjJT4aXR-1280-80.jpg



I don't think I've ever seen so little cable on a bike.

[kiwisimon]

None of the bikes really grab my eye the way some bikes of the past have.

But if I was given my pick I'd probably go the UAE Team Emirates Colnago Campy route. Looks closer to my preferred aesthetic.

[merckxman]

Wilier says, "Wilier Zero SLR is the first ultra-lightweight racing bike with disc brakes and fully integrated cables."

I don't think I've ever seen so little cable on a bike.

[mikehkaiser]

Wilier says, "Wilier Zero SLR is the first ultra-lightweight racing bike with disc brakes and fully integrated cables."

Well the build looks to back that up. You'd be mistaken for thinking there weren't any cables on the bike at all if you saw it from the right angle.

[Llewellyn]

None of the bikes really grab my eye the way some bikes of the past have.

But if I was given my pick I'd probably go the UAE Team Emirates Colnago Campy route. Looks closer to my preferred aesthetic.

Now.......whack some silver components on that and I could live with it :)

[kiwisimon]

Now.......whack some silver components on that and I could live with it :)

I'd strip the branding off the wheels,stays, forks and all the other parts (cranks stem seatpost and seat) and be quite happy. Silver bits would work well too.

[fignon's barber]

They're not moving as quickly as previous versions, but I like the navy and red Ineos Pinarellos.

[barnabyjones]

None of the bikes really grab my eye the way some bikes of the past have.

But if I was given my pick I'd probably go the UAE Team Emirates Colnago Campy route. Looks closer to my preferred aesthetic.

Who was on that machine? I gave up looking for the C64 in this year's Le Tour. Thought all of UAE were on the SL7, I mean, V3RS.

[r_mutt]

I'm liking the Wilier being used by the Astana team, a metallic like paint and some shaping.
Video : https://youtu.be/lTll7oeH7zU

agreed. I think it's the best looking bike- mostly because of the paint (doesn't hurt to be Italian as well)

In years past, I always liked the Lotto Ridley Retro Helium:

[ddtn]

If I were to buy a pro tour bike today it'd be the Wilier Zero SLR. Has nothing to do with the teams though. Is the Wilier the only bike on the tour not made in Taiwan?

[Big Dan]

Canyon Movistar....

[r_mutt]

If I were to buy a pro tour bike today it'd be the Wilier Zero SLR. Has nothing to do with the teams though. Is the Wilier the only bike on the tour not made in Taiwan?

If UAE is riding C64's ( I know Pogacar is on a V3) that is made in Italy.

As far as I know, the Zero SLR is made in the Far East.

[untarded]

Agree on the Cervelo....funny how people flock back to what is essentially a riser stem cloaked in a new aero package.

Personally I like the AG2R Merckx frames. Rim brakes and I dig the color scheme.....same reason I just bought a AG2R Factor version from 2yrs ago.

+1 for the Merckx

[Red Tornado]

Ugly helmet prize goes to Michelton Scott :D

+1,000 Been thinking the same thing since they went to that design. Way too much sticking out the back if you ask me.

2nd place, IMHO, goes to the Giant Pursuit helmet some CCC riders wear (van Avermaet, Vos). Not all riders wear that design, and neither would I if I was in that team. Looks like a spaceship or something.

[ddtn]

If UAE is riding C64's ( I know Pogacar is on a V3) that is made in Italy.

As far as I know, the Zero SLR is made in the Far East.

The Cento is made in Italy? I thought every Wilier was made there...

[r_mutt]

I'm pretty sure all Wiliers are made in Taiwan

[Tim Porter]

I gotta admit they all are starting to look alike to me, but last fall I bought a Colnago V3RS and it is an amazing bike. I'm too old for that slammed stem nonsense :eek: but even with a few spacers I think it looks pretty great and the ride is both fast and sure-footed.

In Spain last year:

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/a583/porterphoto1/.highres/vswC3tLkSF2oRYhYo0oIcA_zpsrv6td48d.jpg

[reuben]

+1,000 Been thinking the same thing since they went to that design. Way too much sticking out the back if you ask me.

2nd place, IMHO, goes to the Giant Pursuit helmet some CCC riders wear (van Avermaet, Vos). Not all riders wear that design, and neither would I if I was in that team. Looks like a spaceship or something.

From the back they look like the butt ends of two jet engines.

[stephenyi]

My vote goes to the De Rosa Merak that Team Cofidis is riding. I believe these are still made in Italy. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200919/75e7dc0ca894fc7622ab1b052f7b89bc.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200919/6199b30e312e4d8d0a5fecdf487c7fff.jpg

[oldpotatoe]

Lessee, this year..Merckx, DeRosa(Cofidis), Colnago, Bianchi, Wilier...miss any? Particularly those w/o the butt ugly(this is a beauty contest, right?) disc brakes.

:):)
I'm pretty sure all Wiliers are made in Taiwan


And a lot of the 'other' Euro brands..

[reuben]

Lessee, this year..Merckx, DeRosa(Cofidis), Colnago, Bianchi, Wilier...miss any? Particularly those w/o the butt ugly(this is a beauty contest, right?) disc brakes.

:):)


What he said.

[Fixed]

Whoever is leading their bike
Imho
Cheers