By Simon von Bromley

Published: Thursday, 13 October 2022 at 12:00 am


The best climbing bikes, of course, boast light weight. But a modern lightweight bike has to prove itself not solely through a lack of grams on the scales, but also by having the aerodynamics to up your ride speed. In fact, for most riding conditions, aerodynamics is more important than weight, although there’s a definite buzz in riding a fast, flyweight machine.

Even if a lack of grams helps you get to the top of a hill quicker, you’ve still usually got to get down the other side, where those watts saved will come into their own. Aerodynamics will help you on the flat too.

Best climbing bikes: what to look for

Weight

It perhaps goes without saying, but when you’re riding uphill, gravity is always trying to pull you back down.

Reducing the total rider plus bike system weight means less energy (or power, in cycling parlance) is required to maintain a given speed while climbing.

Therefore, if you want to ride uphill faster, or simply make the hills a little easier, a lightweight bike is an obvious move.

It’s for this reason we see hill-climb obsessives chopping and changing practically every component to bring their overall bike weight down to its lowest possible limit.

The only issues are that high-end, lightweight bikes and parts can be eye-wateringly expensive, and the weight-weenie bug can be hard to shake once you get started. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Aerodynamics

Until fairly recently, climbing bikes made no concessions to aerodynamics. But with the rise of computer modelling, on-bike aero sensors and other advanced testing techniques, this has all changed.

Even dedicated climbing bikes are now launching, with brands touting their aerodynamic efficiency.

Take the Trek Emonda, for example. Trek says it has been designed specifically for the rigours of iconic Tour de France climbs such as Alpe d’Huez (a 13.85km monster in the French Alps), yet still features extensive aero treatment.

We won’t deny there’s usually a minor weight penalty associated with such aero features, but clearly brands have deduced that, on balance, it’s worth it.

We’ll discuss this particular issue in more detail in our buyer’s guide at the end of the article, so keep reading once you’ve considered all the reviews.

Now, onto the best climbing bikes today.

Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Disc Dura-Ace Di2

5.0 out of 5 star rating
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A virtuoso of a bike uphill and down, and always at speed.
David Caudery / Immediate Media
  • Fast, comfortable road bike with excellent spec and wonderful handling
  • Comes at a high price, and the extra payment needed to activate the power meter is irritating
  • Price: £9,000 / $11,500 / €10,499 / AU$12,999 (as tested)

The successor to one of the most renowned carbon climbing bikes, Cannondale’s latest evolution of the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod broke with tradition and added features such as aerodynamic tube shapes and components, and disc brakes.

Yes, these features have added a little weight, but being built around a frame and fork that weigh 866g (56cm) and 389g respectively, this top-end build is still competitive in the weight department.

Our size 58cm test bike weighed 7.51kg, and that’s with aero wheels, 25mm tyres, an aero cockpit and a spider-based power meter.

The obvious downside is the price, but those less willing to part with such lofty figures might also consider the Cannondale SuperSix EVO Carbon Disc Ultegra, which comes in at a third of the price but only weighs around 800g more.

There are also three women’s-specific builds available, built around the cheaper, non Hi-Mod frameset.

  • Weight: 7.51kg (58cm)
  • Gearing: 52/36, 11-30