ALLOY ASSAULT

CARBON BIKES MAY HAVE A CERTAIN ASPIRATIONAL QUALITY ABOUT THEM, BUT THE TOP ALUMINIUM OPTIONS ARE STILL WORTHY OF YOUR CONSIDERATION, SAYS MATTHEW LOVERIDGE. HERE, HE PUTS TWO UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

- MATTHEW LOVERIDGE

There’s a temptation when reviewing premium alloy bikes to suggest they’re particularly good ‘for a metal bike’, the subtext being that we all know carbon is inherently better. Carbon makes sense for high-performance bikes because it’s infinitely tuneable. It lets designers target stiffness, strength and flexibility exactly where they want it by using different types and arrangements of fibres and clever lay-up methods.

Metal, by contrast, can be manipulated to a high degree, with elaborate butting, forming and heat-treatment techniques, but you can’t fundamentally alter the mechanical properties of the material with such ease because it’s not a composite. The truth is, none of this matters when the bikes are this good.

The two on test here challenge conventionally-held assumptions about aluminium, offering performance and specs that go head-to-head with similarly priced carbon.

Our contenders from Bowman and Cannondale sit in the two-to-three grand bracket and have disc brakes. While the Bowman offers relatively traditional styling, the Cannondale is akin to a modern aero superbike.

Politics and the pandemic have taken their toll on bike prices, so a certain recalibration of one’s sense of value is needed for this assortment of treasures, but we’ve been mindful of the market as a whole with our scoring.

While nothing feels as good value as it did a couple of years ago, the variety and sophistication of aluminium road bikes has never been better.

CANNONDA LE CAAD13 Disc 105