These days, if you've got the cash you can purchase a high-end race bike every bit as good as those used in the pro peloton.
All priced over $10,000, here are 10 of the best non-custom road bikes currently on the market.
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10 of the Best Bikes Money Can Buy
Written by
Marc Lindsay
Trek Madone Race Shop Limited
$12,999
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Simply put, this superbike from Trek combines the best components and features to create the ultimate racing machine. While the fully integrated front end and unique tube shapes put the Madone on par with high-end time trial rigs in terms of aerodynamics and speed, it's also a bike known for its superb ride quality and high power transfer efficiency. Add in the latest Dura-Ace Di2 components and top-of-the-line Bontrager Aeolus 5 D3 tubeless wheels, and you've got one of the best race machines ever built.
Specialized S-Works Venge Vias Di2
$12,900
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With thousands of hours of research and development in the wind tunnel, the guys and gals at Specialized claim that the new Venge Vias is the fastest bike in the world. Like the Madone, the Aerofly ViAS cockpit, integrated braking system and unique tube shapes set this bike apart from its predecessors. Of course, the highest-quality carbon fiber doesn't hurt things either--nor does the ridiculously fast Roval CLX 64 tubeless-ready wheelset, which Specialized asserts is the fastest they've ever made.
Overall, Specialized claims the Venge Vias Di2 can save you five minutes over 40km. If you're racing longer distances, that could be the difference between first and second place. However, convincing your spouse that these advantages are worth the price tag could prove to be a bit more difficult.
Overall, Specialized claims the Venge Vias Di2 can save you five minutes over 40km. If you're racing longer distances, that could be the difference between first and second place. However, convincing your spouse that these advantages are worth the price tag could prove to be a bit more difficult.
Pinarello Dogma F8 Disk Di2
$10,580
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If it's good enough for multiple Tour de France champion Chris Froome, chances are it'll be good enough for you too. The new Dogma includes hydraulic disc brakes--putting it one-step ahead of other superbikes in its category. To step up its game even further, Pinarello collaborated with the engineering team at Jaguar to improve the previous edition in every category.
Here are a few ways Pinarello has improved Dogma models of the past: A 12 percent increase in rigidity, a decrease in weight of 120 grams, a 47 percent improvement in aerodynamics and a balance improvement of 16 percent.
Here are a few ways Pinarello has improved Dogma models of the past: A 12 percent increase in rigidity, a decrease in weight of 120 grams, a 47 percent improvement in aerodynamics and a balance improvement of 16 percent.
Look 795 Aerolight RS
$14,800
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Integrated stems, handlebars and seat posts can lead to a ridiculously fast bike, but general adjustability is sacrificed for speed. While the Look 795 Aerolight is every bit as integrated as those from Trek and Specialized, it can declare itself the most adjustable of the three.
Look claims the eye-popping, upward-sloping top tube makes this bike faster than the rest, particularly on the flats. What's really impressive, though, is while it's built with aerodynamics in mind, the complete build (Dura-Ace Di2 and Mavic Cosmic Carbone Ultimate wheels) is just 13.6 pounds. This means that while you'll be able to enjoy how light this bike feels blasting up hills (if you can afford it), the pros won't be able to. The UCI weight minimum for bikes is 14.9 pounds.
Look claims the eye-popping, upward-sloping top tube makes this bike faster than the rest, particularly on the flats. What's really impressive, though, is while it's built with aerodynamics in mind, the complete build (Dura-Ace Di2 and Mavic Cosmic Carbone Ultimate wheels) is just 13.6 pounds. This means that while you'll be able to enjoy how light this bike feels blasting up hills (if you can afford it), the pros won't be able to. The UCI weight minimum for bikes is 14.9 pounds.
Bianchi Specialissima Super Record
$13,999
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Other than the classic Bianchi paint scheme, the Specialissima is probably the least flashy of all the superbikes. While not quite as aero as some of the others on this list, this bike was built for the climbers and is supposedly one of the fastest money can buy when the road becomes steeper. To compliment the frame's superior stiffness-to-weight ratio, the Specialissima is paired with Campagnolo Super Record components and Bora Ultra 35s--a superiorly Italian combination.
Wilier Zero6
$10,500
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To celebrate the company's 110th birthday, Wilier only released 200 units of the Zero6. While no longer available, the Zero6 is still a ride to fawn over. The beautiful black and copper paint job is a nod to the paint scheme on their original line of road bikes. But the Zero6 is quite a bit lighter than those original builds—with the frame alone coming in at just 680 grams. Buyers will have their choice of component builds that include Campagnolo Super Record, Dura-Ace Di2 or SRAM Red eTap. If you're looking for a similar style to the Zero6, Wilier recently came out with the Zero6 Unlimited—an iteration with a touch more availability than the original.
Cannondale SuperSix Evo Black Inc.
$12,500
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In cycling terms, a comfortable ride usually means the frame isn't all that stiff. But Cannondale has used their technology to design a bike that is one of the most comfortable and stiffest available. And at just 12.7 pounds for the Dura-Ace Di2 Black Inc. build, it's known for its climbing prowess just as much as it is for being a bolt of lighting on long, solo breakaways.
Cervelo RCA
$10,000 (Frame only)
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That is not a typo. As one of the only $10,000 non-custom framesets in the world, the Cervelo RCA is one pricey bike. It's also one of the lightest at an amazing 667 grams, but being lightweight isn't the only advantage of forking up that $10K. It's also one of the strongest and stiffest frames currently available--particularly on the front end. This means the RCA is a really expensive, fast frame--just keep in mind you'll still need to add shifters, wheels and a bunch of other stuff, too.
Storck Aerfast Platinum G2
$10,999
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Probably the budget buy of this selection, the Aerfast Platinum G2 starts at a slightly more affordable $6,200. What makes this bike jump up above the $10K mark, though, is the optional DT Swiss wheelset and Shimano Dura Ace Di2 groupset—which can run you up to $6,000. So if you're of the belief that the add ons make the bike, this is about as good as it's going to get.
De Rosa Protos Di2
$10,299
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Ugo De Rosa is one of the world's finest Italian frame builders. Like the rest of the De Rosa lineup, the new Protos belongs on a wall in an art museum just as much as it does at the starting line of the world's biggest races.
While the Protos is plenty light and fast, De Rosa has longe believed that comfort should be one of the top priorities. After all, what good is a fast bike if the ride is so harsh you've zapped all your energy before the end of the race?
The lower bottom bracket and extremely short front end allow for sharp and fast steering while delivering confidence-inspiring stability--a rarity for a frame this fast.
While the Protos is plenty light and fast, De Rosa has longe believed that comfort should be one of the top priorities. After all, what good is a fast bike if the ride is so harsh you've zapped all your energy before the end of the race?
The lower bottom bracket and extremely short front end allow for sharp and fast steering while delivering confidence-inspiring stability--a rarity for a frame this fast.
About the Author
Marc Lindsay
Marc writes gear reviews, training, and injury prevention articles for Active.com. He is also a contributor to LAVA Magazine, Competitor Magazine, and Gear Patrol.com. He is a certified Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) and earned his M.A. in Writing from Portland State University. Marc resides in Scottsdale, Arizona.