The Best Aero Road Bikes Money Can Buy

Need for speed? Cash to burn? Check out our favourite aero road bikes with disc brakes.

Over the last couple of years, aero road bikes have taken huge steps in becoming faster, stiffer and more aerodynamic than ever before. Huge amounts of research and marketing has been undertaken by all of the big bike manufacturers, trying to outdo each other and create the fastest, most integrated bikes on the market.

2018 has seen a big step up in terms of aero road bike technology and design. With extensive wind tunnel and compliance testing to create fast, stiff and comfortable bikes you can ride all day. They have been tweaked to optimise the airflow around the frame to reduce drag so you can ride faster and more efficiently.

Today, we are seeing highly integrated bikes with almost completely hidden gear and brake cables as well as wind-cheating aerofoil tube shapes that take influence from time trial bikes. All of these tweaks and advances in technology have helped create some of the fastest road bikes ever.

We’re not going to pretend that we’ve road tested these bikes, let’s face it, not many of us will. However, let’s take a look at some of the latest and greatest aero road bikes.

Cannondale SystemSix HM Carbon Dura Ace Di2 Aero Road Bike

If you like to go fast, the all-new SystemSix will make you faster. It’s as simple as that. The result of years of intensive R&D, its fully System Integrated design delivers more speed, in more situations than any other bike on the market. Speed yourself up with the fastest UCI-legal road bike in the world. The frame, fork, seatpost, bar, stem and wheels were designed together as a holistic system to minimize drag, enhance comfort and optimize stiffness.

• BallisTec Hi-MOD Carbon Frame
• BallisTec Hi-MOD Carbon Fork
• Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 22 Speed Drivetrain
• Shimano Dura-Ace Hydraulic Disc Brakes
• Hollowgram KNØT64 Wheelset
• Vittoria Rubino Pro Speed 700 x 23c Tyres

The latest aero offering from Cannondale, the SystemSix, claims to be the current fastest and most efficient UCI-legal road bike in the world. It certainly looks fast and I’m sure it is. Specced with the latest Shimano Dura-Ace groupset and Cannondale’s own Hollowgram KNØT64 Wheelset, the bike has clearly been designed with speed in mind. The fully integrated cables are hidden away inside the frame, bars and stem to increase efficiency even more so. One thing to note is that whilst the bike comes with a Power2Max power meter need to be activated at an additional cost.

Specialized S-Works Venge Aero Road Bike

Specialized has managed to make the 2019 S-Works Venge Road Bike even faster than its predecessor, while somehow making it a whopping 460 grams lighter. This improves handling, acceleration and climbing speed, while the redesigned aerodynamic tube shapes of the new Venge deliver even more speed in real-world environments. An accurate dual-sided power meter is integrated into the S-Works crankset, while the Roval CLX 64 Disc wheelset keeps the highly aerodynamic theme constant.

• Rider-First Engineered™ FACT 11r Venge carbon fibre frame is the most aerodynamic ever created by Specialized
• Considerably lighter than previous model and competitor aero bikes
• Dual-sided S-Works power cranks with +/- 1.5% accuracy
• Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic groupset
• Roval CLX 64 Disc wheelset with
• CeramicSpeed bearings
• Over 30mm tyre clearance

Athletically speaking, the Venge is right on the money. It has a simplicity that’s very nice to behold. It’s also one of the lightest aero road bikes on the market at the moment at around 7kg out of the box. In terms of specification, you get the top-end Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Groupset, a dual-sided power meter and an exceptional wheelset in the Roval CLX. £9500 is a lot by any standard, but as most of the new generation of aero bikes seem to be priced around this bracket, you’re getting a lot of bike.

Scott Foil Premium Disc Aero Road Bike

Stage wins at all the grand tours, classic victories at Milan San Remo, Liege Bastogne Liege and Paris-Roubaix – we can safely say that the FOIL is the most versatile aero bike on the market. Its HMX Carbon fibre frame was designed to help you gain those extra precious seconds, and comes in as one of the lightest in the aero market. With the Scott Foil Premium Disc’s Syncros integrated handlebar system, Dura-Ace Di2 and Syncros Carbon components, this bike will help you win every ride.

• FOIL Disc HMX AERO Carbon tech Frame
• FOIL Disc HMX Carbon steerer Integrated Carbon Dropout Fork
• Syncros Integrated Headset
• Shimano Dura-Ace ST-R9170 Di2 Electronic Groupset
• Zipp 303 NSW Disc Firecrest Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset
• Approx 7.36kg/16.23lbs

The latest incarnation of the Scott Foil is a stunning looking bike. It’s very light for an out and out aero road bike coming in at around 7.3kg and equipped with a set of tubeless Zipp 303 NSW wheels for all-round fast riding. Not quite as integrated as some of the other bikes listed here, but makes for easier maintenance when needed.

Canyon Aeroad CF SLX Disc 9.0 LTD Aero Road Bike

The Aeroad CF SLX gives you aero-optimised performance combined with one of the best handling frames in the business. If you’re taking on technical short courses then the confidence to throw yourself into the corners is key to gaining an advantage on your rivals. Our innovative Trident 2.0 tube profiles cut through the air to give a real free speed advantage, while the Pro Geometry provides a low and aggressive riding position for unrivalled aero efficiency. Available with low profile rim brakes or discs for supreme control, the Aeroad CF SLX is the ideal tool whether your training for that big objective or lining up at your next race.

• Canyon Aeroad Cf Slx Disc Frameset
• Sram Red Etap Hydraulic Groupset
• Reynolds Aero 65 Atr Disc Carbon Wheelset
• Continental Grand Prix Attack Iii | Grand Prix Force Iii Tyres
• Fizik Arione R3
• 7,2 Kg (Size M)

When Canyon released the Aeroad back in 2014 it started the trend for the aero road bikes we see today. Taking hints from their Speedmax TT bike the Aeroad is still one of the fastest, lightest, best handling and best looking bikes around. Given Canyon’s direct sales approach, you’ll find a top spec machine can be had for a lot cheaper than their rivals.

BMC Timemachine 01 ROAD ONE Aero Road Bike

You’re not looking for an ordinary race bike. You are looking for the fastest road bike ever. One that is your instrument to tear away from the pack. Aerodynamically perfected shapes, class-leading integration of the ICS Aero cockpit and the all-new Aero Module that turns hydration and storage requirements into an aerodynamic advantage; these are our key innovations to help the rider push through and keep up with the charging machine below for that bit longer. BMC’s most aerodynamic cockpit redefines integration with superb aerodynamics, complete cable integration and broad adjustability.

• Timemachine Aerodynamic 01 Premium Carbon Frame
• Timemachine Road 01 Aerodynamic
• Premium Carbon Fork
• Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 22 Speed Drivetrain
• Shimano Dura-Ace Hydraulic Disc Brakes
• DT Swiss ARC 1100 12mm Thru Axle Wheelset
• Vittoria Corsa 700 x 25c Tyres

The Timemachine is the latest aero road bike from BMC. Highly integrated to save as many watts as possible, even to the point where the bottle cages have been sunk into the frame, neatly above a storage box, which has been designed to replace the need for a saddle pack while also reducing drag. Again, you’re getting deep section wheels, this time from DT Swiss and a top end Dura-Ace groupset from Shimano. It’s a lot of money for a road bike, but all that integration doesn’t come cheap. The BMC is a really nice looking bike!

Trek Madone SLR 9 Disc Aero Road Bike

The fastest just got faster – the new Madone SLR frame was redesigned to be more aerodynamic than ever. This is the benchmark platform for racing bikes: it’s smooth, light and aero in one complete package, and this is a recipe that no competitors can touch. Adjustable Top Tube IsoSpeed lets you adjust compliance, and it’s damped with an elastomer so even when it’s in the most compliant setting, you won’t bounce on the road. Disc brakes offer better braking performance and extra clearance for wider, more stable tyres. A separate bar and stem with an aero carbon faceplate gives you great adjustability without compromising on aerodynamics.

• 700 Series OCLV Carbon, KVF (Kammtail Virtual Foil) tube shape, Adjustable Top Tube IsoSpeed, Micro-adjust seatmast, tapered head tube
• Madone KVF full carbon disc, carbon tapered steerer, carbon dropouts, hidden cable routing, flat mount disc brake, 12 mm thru-axle
• Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Hydraulic Disc Brake Groupset
• Bontrager Aeolus XXX 6 Disc Wheels
• Bontrager R4 Hard-Case Lite 700 x 25c Tyres

If you’re looking for one of the most comfortable aero road bikes around, check out the Madone SLR. The IsoSpeed decoupler lets you adjust the top tube compliance until you get the ride feel you want. Brilliantly specced up using Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 components and the Bontrager Aeolus XXX 6 wheelset will help you along your way. Fast!

Cervelo S5 Disc Aero Road Bike

A bike designed to meet the needs of World Tour team riders; you can be sure of supreme performance in the Cervelo S5 Dura-Ace Di2 9170 Disc Road Bike. The stiffest and most aerodynamic of the S-Series to date, this bike offers outstanding aesthetics, the stiffness to ensure efficient power transfer, and stable and predictable handling.

• TrueAero combines specific tube shapes, sizes and design features to improve aerodynamic flow
• Extended seat tube cutout to shield the leading edge of the rear wheel for reduced drag
• The material, shape and layup make for stable and predictable handling and efficient power transfer.
• Shimano Electronic Dura-Ace Di2 Disc Groupset
• Internal cable routing
• ENVE SES Disc 5.6 wheelset
• Clearance for tyres up to 28mm wide
• Fully adjustable bar and stem system

The new Cervelo S5 really pushes the limits for what an aero road bike should be. The V shape stem is like nothing seen before and actually looks great. The new cockpit is very adjustable by the looks of it, so no worries when it comes to bike fit time. The previous S5 was always known to be a fast bike and building on that can only mean more speed. As you would expect, the bike is fitted out with top spec components from Shimano and ENVE’s very highly thought of 5.6 wheelset.