Lightweight Vs Aero Road Bike: My ultimate marketing free analysis!

Road bike design has remained very conservative for many years, until the latest development inspired by new materials and aero shaped tubes. From thin frames to deep aero sections, now it seems that road bikes are getting slimmer again!

Every manufacturer still wants to portrait their product as the fastest available bike. Where is the hype and where is the reality? I have been riding an aero bike and a lightweight bike back to back for more than a year and I will discuss my findings.

As usual, I am wearing a kit kindly provided by Siroko Cycling. If you would like to shop for Siroko kit you can use my direct link to access a further 10% discount on top of the available promotions. No need for other codes, thank you! I am 185cm tall, around 87Kg and I am wearing an M2 jersey in size M and bibs in size L.

Thank you for watching,
Federico

[marcocasamassima]

After more than 20 years into cycling I understood that the most important thing, for me, is comfort. As soon as a bike is comfortable I'm eventually able to produce more watts, for longer and repeat the effort easier the next day. Comfort actually means less pain and more efficiency in general. Even getting in an aero position, in a comfortable way, completely outperforms the "aero-gains" of a 20K super trooper aero bike. This is my humble opinion on this debate.

[OM-sbbd]

“I haven’t got a bike sponsor, which is a shame, but for now I can say what I want.” 😆 Appreciate the honesty! (for now). Ride on. 🚴🏻‍♂️☮️

[malcontent_]

As someone who does not go for weekend rides in a wind tunnel, I enjoy my steel bike.

[paulsweeney]

Ride a bike. The bike you own. Enjoy the ride. Breathe the air. Feel the wow. Simple.

[bonbonflippers]

Light bike is better overall. But for normal cyclists like me it doesn’t matter. I’m heavy so light weight doesn’t matter, so aero for me.

[albertosantangelo]

My list of priorities when choosing a frame in descending order of importance: 1) manufacturing quality 2) geometry 3) quality-price ratio 4) weight 5) aero

[grahambowes]

As an older 60kg rider. I want an overall system weight that is low and responsive. So always lightweight. I’m probably strongest on hills, so for me, lightweight everyday. Great video. 🙌

[christianhusegaard]

Totally agree with your analysis. I have a climb / endurance type of bike that can be used as an allrounder incl. mountains if I go abroad once or twice per year to the Alpes.

Yet, I have just purchased the Canyon Aeroad as well, simply because Denmark is a fairly country (although hills and winds are plenty), but when I do my interval trainings on the flats with the team, nothing beats the feeling when you push. Plus, it looks fantastic.

I know, I am an easy target for the marketing campaigns. They made me buy two (!) bikes at the age of 54 as if I was ever going to win any race. But I love and we only live once. In any case, I list 11 kg in 18 months so something must be working 😂

[davidparker]

Always enjoy your perspective Federico.

[tom_tom_k]

this video was so cool to look at. The topic, the people the bikes, the food.. just awesome. i would die for a ride out like this tbh

[LarryGraham]

Hello Federico! I prefer a lightweight bike overall, to make it more aero I just add a longer stem, then adjust the saddle position. Another big factor for aero is the jersey, what a difference that makes.

[JSC]

It's got to be what you like to ride I prefer lightweight every time I own a Look 695 RS rim brake only weighs 7.1kg great content again fredrico.

[TheChindoboi]

Thank you for making this video. I have a lightish weight bike and I've always wondered if aero bikes were in fact faster...

[stuartfreedman]

It's comforting to know that no matter which bike I buy, it's the fastest.

[carerra]

Thank you dear friend, beautiful video and I made it in my all green outfit, as great to ride with you :)

[gaborozorai]

For me the sweetspot would be a light all-rounder and a bike fit to get me into a position that's aero AND comfortable.

[ullrichkoenig]

Just most important to a roadbike: the looks! Aero is more sculpturesque, so I would take the weight penalty for sure.

[nicholasclarke]

Interesting video, Fede. I had a lightweight bike (Giant TCR) and an aero bike (Canyon Aeroad) at the same time, and must say that I preferred the lighter bike. The Aeroad was probably faster on the flat, but it felt less responsive and 'alive'. Although not exactly heavy (at 7.3 kg without pedals), the Aeroad was also slower up the hills. Now I've sold them both and bought an all-rounder (Specialized Tarmac SL8). Not quite sure whether it's the best of both worlds or if it falls between two stools -- it's not quite as good a climber as the TCR (but better than the Aeroad) and not quite as fast on the flat as the Aeroad (but probably faster than the TCR).

[jrnlundsgaard]

Hi Frederico, I think that your observations are very much right. My own observations are though a little bit different. I have got three bikes. All with modifications. A Bianchi Oltre XR4 rim brake (7, 1 kg). A Scott Addict RC Pro disc (7, 1 kg) and a Scott foil RC disc (7, 7 kg). The bike I like to ride best is the XR4. But the Foil is the fastes bike in a rolling course in all wind conditions also when it is mostly cross winds. I have timed again and again. The foil does on average 2 km/t faster average. On climbs it is only marginal slower than the lighter bikes. I have to mention that the foil gives the me the possibility to have the best aero position on the bike and at the same time feel comfortable, so that could account for the speed difference, but my opinion is that the bike also contribute to the faster speed. Keep up you very good videos.

[tommyfreckmann]

Fede, not trying to come off as a jerk... but, actually, the aero tube profiling with the elongated profiles actually create more of a sailing effect in windier conditions and can create thrust. It's head on, where narrower/smaller front end is faster at low yaw.