Trade Shows

Cycle Show 2016 preview: 11 must-see new bikes

RoadCyclingUK readers can get discounted entry with the code RCUK when booking online

The biggest ever Cycle Show takes place this weekend, with Birmingham’s NEC Arena playing host to some of the biggest, best and most beautiful road bikes on the market.

More brands will be showcasing at this year’s show, which is open to the public from September 23 to September 25.

The Canyon Aeroad CF SLX Disc will be teased at The Cycle Show, but which other model year 2017 bikes should you check out this weekend?

Bianchi, Storck, Canyon, Cannondale will be among the brands showcasing their model year 2017 ranges – with some bikes making their UK debut, having only been unveiled at Eurobike.

RoadCyclingUK readers can get discounted entry when booking in advance at www.cycleshow.co.uk, using the code RCUK.

But what should you be looking out for once you get to the NEC Arena? We’ve picked out a dozen of the best bikes well worth seeing in the flesh.

Storck Fascenario .3

Storck’s lightweight Fascenario has turned heads since it was first launched in 2007, and the latest iteration, the Fascenario .3, will certainly do the same. With updated aero tube profiling, the Fascenario .3 is designed to marry aerodynamics with low weight (claimed frame weight is 770g) and a comfy ride quality.

Unless you’ve got very deep pockets, the Cycle Show may be the closest you come to seeing one in the flesh – the frameset alone is £5,559 while owning one of the 77 limited edition Aston Martin bikes pictured above set you back €17,777.

– Eurobike 2016: seven of the best new bikes for model year 2017 –

The latter – which weighs in at just 5.9kg – comes with a stunning pearlescent paintjob and wears the Aston Martin logo on the downtube, and is specced with SRAM’s Red eTap shifters and derailleurs, a THM chainset and brakes and Zipp’s 303 NSW hoops.

Cycle Show stand: G121

Bianchi Oltre XR4

The latest iteration of Bianchi’s Oltre aero road bike, the Oltre XR4, is – according to the Italian brand – the most complete race bike in their stable. We swung a leg over the Oltre XR4 at its launch in Italy and certainly enjoyed the ride.

Bianchi’s Oltre XR4 aero road bike boasts Countervail comfort technology

That’s thanks to the introduction of Bianchi’s comfort-enhancing Countervail technology on a sub-kilo frame sculpted to cheat the wind. Low weight, comfort and aerodynamics – Bianchi say the Oltre XR4 has all three bases covered.

– Bianchi launch Oltre XR4 aero bike with comfort-enhancing Countervail technology –

While the Oltre XR4 looks similar to its predecessor, the Oltre XR2 on the outside, the tube profiles have been revamped to improve the frame’s aero prowess, while there’s also now an integrated seatpost and the introduction of the Vision Metron 5D one-piece handlebar and stem.

– Pro bike: Dyan Groenewegen’s custom Dutch champion Bianchi Oltre XR4 –

With Bianchi’s Countervail tech, the clever stuff happens on the inside, but that’s not to say Bianchi’s latest celeste stunner isn’t one of the most beautiful bikes to arrive for 2017.

Cycle Show stand: H101

Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Disc and Aeroad CF SLX Disc

Canyon are continuing to tease us with the eagerly-awaited Ultimate CF SLX Disc and Aeroad CF SLX Disc.

Canyon are continuing to tease the Ultimate CF SLX Disc and Aeroad CF SLX Disc

A prototype of the Ultimate was revealed at Eurobike 2015, and at this year’s trade show in Germany near-production versions of both the disc-equipped Ultimate and Aeroad were on display.

And while Canyon are remaining tight-lipped on the official launch of the two bikes, both will be on display again at The Cycle Show for you to take a look at for yourself

Cycle Show stand: K63

Ridley Fenix SL Disc

Ridley have two new disc-equipped road bikes in their range for 2017, with the arrival of the Noah SL Disc aero bike and the Fenix SL Disc endurance bike.

Ridley have launched disc brake versions of both the Fenix SL, pictured, and the Noah SL

The Noah SL Disc will be the bike ridden by Lotto-Soudal if – or, rather, when – the UCI approve the use of disc brakes in the pro peloton again, and will be on display at the Cycle Show alongside the Fenix SL Disc.

While the Noah focuses on aerodynamics, the Fenix SL Disc aims to boost comfort and is said to offer an enhanced ride quality over its rim-brake counterpart thanks to the absence of a rear brake bridge, allowing Ridley to build more flex into the seatstays, and additional clearance for wider tyres.

Cycle Show stand: A31

Cube Litening C:68 SLT Disc

Cube’s stand at this year’s Cycle Show is – like the show itself – bigger than ever before, with the 2017 Cube Litening C:68 SLT Disc the main highlight.

Cube’s flagship Litening C:68 SLT Disc boasts Shimano’s new Dura-Ace Di2 groupset

Cube’s super-light race bike has been given the disc brake treatment and will also be one of the few bikes – if not the only one – on display at the Cycle Show with Shimano’s new-for-2017 Dura-Ace Di2 groupset.

Cube say they have also revised the Litening’s tube profiles to improve the frame’s aerodynamics, while this flagship machine still comes in at just 6.6kg – comfortably under the UCI’s weight limit.

Cycle Show stand: J51

Merckx San Remo 76 Disc

As with all the current road bikes to have emerged from Eddy Merckx’s eponymous brand, the name of the model is the clue to its intended purpose.

The Merckx San Remo 76 has gained disc brakes for model year 2017

And the Merckx San Remo – named after a race The Cannibal won seven times in ten attempts – is designed for endurance, power transfer and speed.

The original bike first hit the market last year, and next year will be joined by a disc brake alternative for the first time – making its UK debut at the Cycle Show.

Cycle Show stand: B21

Cannondale SuperSix Evo Carbon Disc

The original Cannondale SuperSix Evo was one of the best all-rounders out there and the American firm’s race bike was updated last year – now it’s available with disc brakes.

The SuperSix Evo Carbon Disc Ultegra will be one of a number of bikes on display at the Cycle Show

Cannondale say the SuperSix Evo Disc has been designed provide the same superb handling and low weight of its rim-brake sibling, while the frame also retains the Truncated Aero Profile (TAP) tube shapes introduced on the latest edition of the SuperSix.

The SuperSix Evo Disc is available in two versions – Evo and Carbon – with the former made from Cannondale’s flagship carbon fibre and the latter made from a more affordable blend. While Cannondale will have a range of bikes on display in Birmingham, the £2,499.99 SuperSix Evo Carbon Disc Ultegra pictured above caught our eye and we hope to have one in for review soon.

Cycle Show stand: C41

Wilier Cento10 Air

Wilier’s Cento10 Air is the Italian firm’s new flagship aero road bike, and while it slots in as the successor to the Cento1 Air, this is a complete overhaul of that bike.

The sleek frame uses NACA-approved truncated Kammtail profiles and the seatstays have been lowered to create a bike that is more aero, more comfortable and lighter than its predecessor.

An integrated handlebar and stem, dubed the Alabarda, has also been designed for the new bike, while the frame weighs in at a claimed 990g – 200g lighter than the old Cento1 Air.

Cycle Show stand: J71

Genesis Zero Disc

The Genesis Zero is another race bike featured here to get disc brakes for model year 2017, with the British brand adding a complete line-up of disc-equipped machines to the line-up in time for the Cycle Show.

Genesis’ race bike, the Zero, now comes with the option of disc brakes

Genesis have tweaked the Zero’s carbon layup to account for the extra braking force generated by discs, while the geometry has also been updated to ensure the bike retains the lively handling of its non-disc counterpart.

– Six highlights from the Genesis model year 2017 road bike range –

The Zero Disc comes in four specs, from £2,199.99 to £3,299.99, and you can see it at the NEC alongside the rest of Genesis’ 2017 range, which includes the new Vapour CCX carbon cyclo-cross bike, as well as old favourites like the Datum and Equilibrium. You can also find our overview of the 2017 Genesis road highlights here.

Stand: A31

Vitus Vitesse Evo Disc

Can you see a theme developing? Vitus are also among the brands to have added a disc brake option to their flagship road racing machine.

Vitus have added disc brakes to their flagship Vitesse Evo race bike

“The Vitesse Evo Disc takes our flagship full carbon, UCI accredited bike and replaces the standard
rim brakes with hydraulic disc brakes for improved all weather braking reliability,” say Vitus. “Delivering top-end performance the Vitesse Evo is equally comfortable at the sharp end of the peloton as it is covering 200km sportives and long days in the saddle.”

Coming with a full Shimano Ultegra 6800 groupset, FSA Vision Team 30 disc brake wheelset and a combination of FSA and Vitus’ own-brand finishing kit, the Vitesse Evo Disc will cost £1,999.99.

Stand: H131

Kinesis T3

Kinesis are well-known for designing practical, well thought out bikes for UK riders and for a number of years that’s included the aluminium T2.

The Kinesis Racelight T3 now has a tapered headtube

Now Kinesis’ venerable training bike has had an update with a lighter tubeset, shedding some 200g in weight, and a tapered headtube. There’s also a new full carbon fork for 2017. According to Kinesis, that gives the T3 more of a performance edge than its predecessor, while retaining the easy handling and dependability of the T2. Of course, there are still the rack and mudguard mounts which make this a smart commuter or training bike.

Alongside the T2, Kinesis will also have the new CX Race Evo cyclo-cross bike on display for the first time at the Cycle Show, alongside a selection of other highlights from the range.

Cycle Show stand: G15