The prevailing trend in road bikes? Choice. There is literally something for everyone in the latest crop of new roadsters hitting bike shop floors (and internet showrooms) right now. Frame geometry options range from slammed and racey to upright and comfy. Braking comes courtesy of disc brakes, traditional brakes, and direct mount traditional brakes. Shifting is mechanical, electronic, or even electronic and wireless. Paint jobs are stock, custom or somewhere in between. Brand heritage is old and storied or new and still being defined. Most frames are carbon fiber, but alloy, steel and Ti are still holding strong. And of course price runs the full gamut from budget friendly to budget breaking. Here in no particular order are 10 of the most intriguing bikes for 2016.
Orbea Orca Custom
The Orbea Orca race machine carries over from 2015, but the Spanish bike maker is giving riders the chance to make it their own by adding it to the MyO custom program. Start by choosing from one of eight Orca frame models, add in your favorite components, pick from one of 12 paint colors, and then put your name on the top tube. Once you’re done sorting all that out (Orbea claims 1.5 million possible combinations) your new bike will arrive in about a month. Additional charge: Nada. Just pick the shop you want it shipped to. | More info: www.orbea.com/ | Why we are intrigued: Custom is cool. Custom for free is even better.
Masi Evoluzione
Just the sight of this bike is enough to stop you in a track stand. But it’s speed that the Masi Evoluzione is built for. The 2016 version boasts beefed up chainstays and a BB86 bottom bracket for better power transfer, but smaller top and seatstay tubes for added compliance. The bike is built using TeXtreme carbon fiber, which is composite code for light, strong and expensive. Claimed frame weight for a size 56cm is 830 grams. A Shimano Dura Ace build with Ritchie carbon cockpit and Mercury carbon clinchers runs $5980. Other highlights include direct mount brakes that help the bike accommodate up to 28c tires.
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