37 bikes, 10 testers, 35 days of intensive riding, and one bike of the year
Cycling Plus, the UK’s leading road cycling magazine has named their 2009 Bike of the Year, whittling 37 bikes down to one winning road bike.
The brief was to find the best race or sportive bike that costs between £1200-1700, representing the core market and the average amount that a cyclist is likely to spend on their next road bike. With spring now in full-swing, more cyclists than ever will soon be heading out on the road and Cycling Plus can guide them on their next purchase.
The team of 10 testers at Cycling Plus tested 37 bikes over a period of weeks, with rigorous tests conducted in the surrounds of Wiltshire and the New Forest, taking in A-roads, B-roads, country lanes with rutted and broken surfaces, hills and cobbles. You name it, they rode it!
After some fierce debate, the list of 37 bikes was cut down to a final selection of 7 bikes – with the Argon 18, Cinelli Willin’, Giant TCR Advanced 3, Ribble Racing Sportive, Time Speeder, Trek Madone and Wilier Mortirolo all making it through to the last round. The riders took turns on the various bikes, descending, climbing and sprinting through the wooded roads of the New Forest singly and in groups.
The remaining group of 7 bikes was refined furthermore, down to the last 3 bikes – and with more heated discussion, they decided that the Giant TCR Advanced 3 was their Bike of the Year. As a perfectly balanced all-rounder, the team were bowled away by its flexibility both for racing and long rides, and by the fact that it’s just so enjoyable to ride.
Rob Spedding, Editor of Cycling Plus said:
“Our Bike of the Year issue is essential reading for anyone planning on buying a road bike this year. It was a massive undertaking – each bike we tested was excellent – but it was well worth the effort. In the Giant TCR Advanced 3 we have a worthy winner. It’s a quite brilliant all-rounder – fast and sharp enough to race on, comfortable enough for riding all day long and reliable enough to use for your daily commute.”
Issue 222 of Cycling Plus goes on sale on the 3rd April, priced at £3.99. Other features this month include a preview of the Tour of Italy, 10 cycling myths busted and an exclusive preview of the brilliant new Cycling Plus Sportive at BikeRadar Live!
For more information please contact:
Jen Campbell, Communications Executive on 01225 732269 or jen.campbell@futurenet.com
About Future
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