As September opens its doors, the end of summer beckons. The thought of digging out the warm leggings and merino base layer is not one we’re particularly looking forward to, but one thing we can get excited about is the release of a new season of bikes. Our favourite brands have just released their 2017 ranges, throwing in new tech, updated specifications and even new models. We’ve pulled together just a handful of the most exciting new releases for 2017.
Giant TCR Advanced Disc
£1999.00
Breaking from the matte black frame design that is a common feature of Giant’s top end frames is the new TCR Advanced disc with a lurid and lively lime green and blue livery. Essentially what Giant have done is to add disc brakes to their mountain goat, making this a speed-oriented machine for all conditions and terrains. It cannot yet be raced in UCI events due to an apparent reluctance to accept progress (i.e. disc brakes are too dangerous!), but the TCR Advanced will slap a wide smile across the face of anyone lucky enough to throw a leg over its slender top tube.
Trek Emonda SL6
From one mountain goat to another, the Trek Emonda is apparently the world’s lightest commercially produced road bike, thanks to Trek’s 500 Series OCLV Carbon. Despite its diminutive form the Emonda provides a balanced and ultra-responsive ride feel. It says something about the efficiency and quality of the bike that very little is different between the 2016 and 2017 models. This particular model comes with a full carbon fork and steerer, a compact Ultegra groupset and tubeless-ready Bontrager wheels, making it the perfect race- or mountain-ready steed for any rider.
Trek Madone 9.2 H2
£4799.99
Staying with the American company, we can’t not give the batmobile, sorry, Madone a mention. The Madone has, since 2016’s iteration, looked like a product of Bruce Wayne enterprises with its angular frame and ultra-aero features. This new model sets a new benchmark for race performance with the very best in vertical compliance (it is damn rigid and responsive) and aerodynamics. Our bright red frame is dripping in carbon, with tubeless-ready Bontrager Aura wheels, carbon integrated bar and stem, integrated aero brakes and a Shimano Ultegra groupset. You couldn’t ask for much more, really.
Bianchi Oltre XR4
Available for Order
The newest road bike to join our collection is from the revered Italian grandad of the cycling industry. The Bianchi Oltre XR4 is the company’s brand new aero bike, evolved from the earlier XR2. Its aero frame falls into step with the rest of the top brands with its oversized tubing enabling it to stand up against even the greatest number of watts, leaping forward when closing down a breakaway or sprinting for a town sign. The carbon features Bianchi’s countervail vibration-dampening technology, which improves the comfort, helping the rider to maintain a more aero position for longer and to take advantage of its rigidity and responsiveness. Although it is labelled with the aero stamp, the XR4 has the look and feel of an all-rounder, thanks to its low weight, stiffness and race-ready handling, making this the perfect bike for racers and weekend warriors alike.
Specialized Sequoia
Available for Order
Specialized first entered the market in 1974 with a touring bike called the Sequoia. The bike all but disappeared, but with the exponential rise in popularity of touring, the Sequoia is back with a vengeance. Whether you are new to ‘bikepacking’ or and old hand, the nostalgic steel frame and simple yet stylish graphics, disc brakes and unprecedented versatility, the all-new Sequoia promises to light the flame of adventure in anyone with a pulse. There are plenty of options for the most hardy adventurer with mounts for front and rear racks, generous clearance for wide knobbly tires and five options for the attachment of bottle cages – that’s a heck of a lot of bottle cages! The Sequoia represents the perfect relationship between steel-framed heritage and state-of-the-art technology – and we all desperately want one!
