Take a look at the peloton today, and something is missing, or nearly missing, slowly becoming, dare we say, extinct? That something is the purebred climbing bike.
We investigated why climbing bikes are nearly extinct at the Tour, and whether we might see them again soon.
18 Comments
The death of pure climbing bike and slammed stem
Double dave!!
Climbing bikes look so much better.
Just wait for the TdF Femme, I think you’ll see them back again
These conversations always make me laugh. It reminds me how roadies used to laugh at triathletes for caring about aero, and even mocking us on climbs because we were on the hoods instead of the bars (not to mention socks over an inch from the ankle). Contador made a comment on that and now its hard to find a fast climber out of the hoods. Anyways, times change and science is here to tell what works.
These in-between “aero” bikes are ugly AF. 😒
Image if they didn't have a weight limit on bikes?
Otherwise known as bikes from the 2010s
I personally like to look of a climbing bike with aero wheels like an Aethos with Enves 4.5s ❤
The SuperSix was always a climbing bike. Youre seeing climbing bikes take on some aero properties to create an all-around bike. The really interesting thing is the death of the endurance bike for cobbled races.
Do any of these riders change their saddle position a few mm for a more hilly stage or a stage where they are going to be doing the lead out?
GIANT TCR still going strong here in Italy
Is the weight versus aero discussion dead? At the pro level it is. It would be interesting if the UCI moved into the 21st century and lowered the weight limit to 6kg. Would pros choose a 6kg climbing bike or a 6.5kg aero for mountain stages?
Nice review Dave.
But legs do the talking.
What advantage does a climbing bike like the Aethos give if an aero bike is nearly as light and less aero? I'm in favor of the "one bike to rule them all"… aero, light, and comfortable.
You never fail to brighten up my day Dave 👍🏻😀
Specialized rep "sure you can have climbing bike just give me $13K"
Tadej could win the Tour with an old Colnago from 20 years ago.Mentality, motivation, will power, nutrition, and recovering well everynight is more important than the bike.