If I had $5000 This is the Road Race Bike I Would Buy in 2024 

Imagine spending 5k on a bike and still getting 105. Lol.

We live in a strange world where spending $5k for a bike means you also have to spend money on decent wheels. Insanity.

bike with similar output (8.0kg, carbon frame, decent wheels, Ultegra/Force groupset) has doubled in price since 2020. Biggest component to this the discontinuation of mid/high mechanical groupsets from shimano and sram. Mid-range used to be 2000-2500 USD/€. Now its 3500-5000.

I just bought a Merida scultura 400 full 105 weight 8.68kg rim brake bike £800 brand new great bike little bit cheaper than £5000.

I can confirm this TCR is superb 👍

It’s not just the cost of road bikes, it’s the cost of maintaining them too!

funny how prices went up 2K during COVID-19 and never came down lmao what a sham

Thank you for your guide. I actually prefer external cable routing for easier maintenance and better mechanical shift, got the tcr 2024 with 105 7100 for 2300 euros (on sales) very happy with it.

I could never imagine spending 5000usd to get a 8kg road bike, that is insane. You could literally get a second hand hard tail 29er for 1000-2000usd which is just 1kg heavier. Or get a 500-600 euro second hand rim road bike which will get you down to 6.8-7.5kg. This industry went crazy.

Rival/105 and cheap wheels for 5k. That amount should be the top end. Even carbon frames are peanuts to make.

Merida Reacto 8000, great bike with Ultegra Di2 and Reynolds AR60 wheels. £4850

5K is cheaper than 10K but it is still very expensive for me 🙈💯

Great video dave... As a TCR owner..it's definitely a good bike to push you past your limits and reach new P.R on your rides

Got my hands on a second hand Specialized S-Works Venge 2019 , waited patiently for 2 years to find it in my size (49) in local buy-sell adds, since I am a small rider it was hard, paid 3000USD for the bike in great condition , its got Full Dura Ace 11 speeds (1 gen behind the top today, I am totally happy with 11), Roval CLX 64 Carbon wheels, set up tubeless of course, they are far better than a lot of new gen carbon wheels you can find today regarding wind handling and stability and wheels weight, Bike's total weight is 7.44Kg "wet" and performance is absolutely fantastic (I rode an SL7 pro 2 years ago, for 2 rides, each about 90K when visiting Taiwan, still think the Venge is a better bike!), the only concern is the right side power meter sensor which I am having issue with probably since it's plastic cover is cracked, just ordered a new one, even if it doesn't work I might just put a set of my TT's Garmin Rally 200 pedals on it, adding 30 grams and that's about it! So many reasons here not to run to my LBS and spend 3 month worth of an income (why should my Family "pay" the price) for a bike with half the performance. My best advice, be patient, look for 2nd hand opportunities from dentists and layers who don't care about the money (nothing against them I totally support it if money is no issue) and get upgraded every 2 years or so...

Very nice video as always :-) Coming from an old LOOK 566 (2009), i bought the GIANT TCR Advanced Pro 1 (2023) with SLR 1 carbon wheels and the 105 Di2 group set for 3200€. The 2024 model is currently at 4700€. Ride, control, speed, comfort of this bike is just amazing. I am so glad i did this choice. Also got the same configuration for my wife with the LIV Langma with RESERVE carbon wheels (34/37mm depth).

What's your opinion on the Pinarello F 105 DI2?

If you have time and will ther's always an option of building bike of similar performance (and actually significantly lighter) on Ali parts. for less then 2k

The Giant TCR is the swiss army knife of the race bike world.....fantastic all rounder road machine.

This just makes me feel better about buying used. I just bought a Colnago V2R with SRAM Red Etap 11s and put a set of my wheels and a saddle on it for 2400 US. I’ll do that half the budget on a far superior bike albeit older any day of the week

Here’s what you get for 5000 oh but you might need to buy wheels as well. So actually 6000

I assume the older models are running 11-speed, or?

I got 2023 TCR advanced pro 1 AR with carbon wheels, rival groupset and power meter for 2700 EUR. Great deals around

You can buy expensive bikes and not spend much if you put in the effort. I bought two Colnago frames years ago (one on closeout and one used), and I could probably sell them for 1.5 - 2 times what I paid for them. I just bought a used Cube bike that had a few issues for my son. I spent a few days fixing it and $50, and I have what looks like a new bike for about half the price. When he outgrows it, I'll sell it for what I paid for it, more if I can. I bought a new Bianchi for the price of used on closeout for my wife. I bought an Orbea frame on closeout for myself and parts when there was a massive sale. It can take months of searching, but if you get a great deal, you can turn around and sell the bike later and lose very little money.

What's your view on Orro Venturi STC?

Should check out the Cube Agree C:62 Race too - picked mine up last week, MSRP of €3599 (somewhere around $3900) for a nice carbon frame with Ultegra Di2 :D

Canyon Aeroad ?

For that kind of money, I would want something more than just a list of mainstream bikes.

Canyon aeroad cf slx 7 has 105 di2, 62mm dt Swiss wheels and a power meter for $4499 us. Better deal than the endurace imo

Ultegra Di2 deserves way more credit than it gets. It’s basically Durace with no weight penalty to speak of (really ).

I would fully agree with the TCR PRO 0, but I'm biased. I picked one up late last year for $3150 new. 1500 miles later I'm very happy with my impulse buy.

What about the lauf uthald?

Rose XLite 06. Currently I think it’s on sale and the Ultegra Di2 version is 5000€. Carbon 60mm wheels, 7,1 kg and its has loads of aero features. And imo it looks absolutely fantastic in both colours available

Have you reviewed Lauf Uthald ?

David why not mention the SuperSix Evo 2 which far better value for $5,500? Still in the $5k ballpark

Plenty of change left over for a nice holiday from your 2 Caad 12s - best value bikes you have on the channel by a country mile 🙂

Theres some good deals on the Supersix if you shop around. Probably others too. Maybe it's easier for viewers to base reviews like this on street price.

Elves Vanyar. Definitely a good value bike in that price point.

I think that the amberglow colour way is the nicest paint Giant have done in years…

Also it’s Crazy how you can see the Santa Cruz design philosophy all over the Cervelos. Starting with the paint jobs. But then moving to the bikes. Santa Cruz doesn’t build bikes with compromise in mind. I’ve always found their bikes not to be efficient peddlers,even even their XC Tall Boy would be in last place when. It comes to pedaling efficiency compared to ibis and pivot. Switching back to Road , the S5 is aero but they want you to love that bike the moment you set eyes on it. And even if you know your Giant TCR or SL8 climbs better , you’re way too in love with the bike to care. Like owning a pitbull

I can build a really nice ultegra equipped bike for less than 4k with top of the range furniture (bars, saddle etc). Even then the price of a lot of the equipment is still outrageously expensive

I'm stuck between a M and M/L. Do you think the M is closer to a 55 or 54? Thank you

Just curious why no mention of any Cube model some serious value there with Agree and lightning?

Yeah there's no way I'm buying a new bike right now.

Giant’s new Defy?

I am the 3rd year of roadcyling and now starting to climb up some passes. Which Bike would you recommend with a disc brake. Now riding a canyon endurace cf8

A video with best commuter bike under £1000 but not with drop bars please,maybe hub gears,belt instead of chains,mudguards(loads of bicycle advertised for commute are bare frames with wheels😅).

Rose Xlite 04 with Force AXS or Ultegra Di-2 for €4600. Alloy wheels but still a claimed 7.3 kg.

W.r.t the Giant TCR, when you say not internal cable routing, I presume you are referring to the cockpit cable? Can’t imagine Giant have cables running beneath down tube.

Hi David Great video as always. I’ve just picked up my new bike ie Orro Venturi Taylor made ultrgra di2 with sprint shifters , deda alanera bars , absolute black over size jockey wheels, dura ace black rotors, vittoria corsa pro tan 28mm tyres. An awesome bit of kit 🚴‍♂️👍🙂

Always better to downgrade groupset for better carbon wheels...

where's the repaired TCR? :)

Cervelo Solost in the '105 Race' trim is $4300 for Reserve wheels with lifetime warranty and 105 groupset of the people. There is no better deal.

Have you seen the Polygon Helios A9X?

Canyon Endurace seems like the best deal if you’re looking for an endurance bike.

What about British manufacturers - Orro?

2nd hand caad12 in near mint condition with an "analog" Dura Ace cost me 1850 Euro. I'm quite sure it's better than any of the presented.

Plenty of super light weight rim brake road bikes on the used market that ride better than what the pros are riding today. The newer bikes are just so damned heavy for the price. If you know you know.

Steel is real, baby!

I’ve been eyeing a Soloist. I have a Crux now and I keep telling myself that I do not need the Soloist. But, gosh do I want one 😂

Insane amount for a bike,but the only one that would worth the money for me would trek madone sl6 gen 7

Wow you could buy a motorcycle for 5k or 2 cheaper ones. it's crazy a simple bike has become less attainable that a motor vehicle with far more complex parts and tons more raw metal

Wow

Felt VR, all day long. No clever marketing. Just good quality bike, and a lot of races won sells Felt

Everybody should buy a used Supersix EVO HM 1 or 2. Rimbrakes. Light. Stiff. For almost nothing.

So basically, within a few decades we've turned what used to be a nice attainable sport/ activity that everyone could get involved with at a similar level, into an elitist pursuit. Well done.

Nonsense prices, ive go as fast and as far just as comfortable on a 1.5k bike.

I’d rather get a Temple Road 1, Reynolds 853 bike, with Ultegra Di2 for under $5k rather than any of these carbon offerings…..

Lame. A top spec road bike should cost no more than about 3k imo, with very decent options available for 1200 to 2k. The industry is going to get quite a wake up call soon.

I have phobia of electronic group sets, I imagine myself on a long ride running out of power.

Step 1. Have $5000. Step 2. Buy a bike. Step 3. Wonder why I spent so much money on a bike. Step 4. Sell bike and but a reasonably priced second hand bike. Step 5. Use the remainder to go on holiday

If I was in the market for a new road bike, I would happily give you David the £10,000 to find something for my specifications plus a fee on top of course.

Avoid Orbea at all costs, every one that comes through the shop has issues arisen from poor frameset QC

I’m convinced nothing is affordable for the comment section of a Dave Arthur vid, if it was free there’d be complaints it’s not free enough 🙄

The 3T Strada should be on the list in my opinion. Multiple configurations of that is under 5000$. And that is a fast and comfortable bike.

Just go for a Chinese brands we been ripped off too many times

As a Brit who worked in the british media, why price in dollars? UK audience no longer big enough for just ride bikes? Seems odd to me.

I honestly don’t get the hate towards modern bikes. Yes, sure your second hand/brand new rim brake from the 2010s cost less and weigh less. But that’s not important. Most modern day cyclist want a luxury bike to ride because it’s a hobby, not our career or because we care to race. We want to throw money at a fun toy to ride to the cafe on the weekends Riding a cheaper bike because it’s good value for money, runs counter to that.

In the Wiggle closing down sale there was a Vitus Vitesse Evo with SRAM Red AXS for £2.2k. Still kick myself for not buying it.

Lauf Uthald

Just stop buying bikes for two years and you will see how companies will become reasonable again

ja the usual suspects.

David please language Türkiye (turkish) 🤙👊

Windsurfer dude, your right. Pay more for your bike, get more weight and pay more for a service cos of all this intergration, it takes ages to service. Another pedel prosy sell out

I mean for £5k i built a one of a kind roadbike with a Merida Reacto 4000 disc 2020 full carbon frame set that came with a 440mm CW carbon handlebars & 380mm aero seat post that i added a Specialized S-Works 3D printed carbon Romin II saddle, full 105 di2 12 speed hydraulic groupset & 50mm carbon Prime Black Edition rims layed in with Tpu tubes all wrapped up in 28mm Continental Gp5000s black chilli compound race tires & last but not least PD-R8000 peddles all for the £5k price mark...,better than most £5k road bikes on the mainstream market that you'll find today....!!

Build your own £5k superbike as it will be alot better than any mainstream bike on the market right now....