Here are five 2020 road bikes that we are really looking forward to getting hold of. Yes, it’s that time of year, when we start casting our eyes forward to see what we think are the most interesting road bikes of 2020.
With 2019 being a year packed full of hot releases on the road, this list is stacked with some top competition. So in no particular order, here are five highly anticipated road models for 2020.
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Cannondale CAAD13
Cannondale has released some impressive bikes of late, including the SystemSix aero bike, the revamped SuperSix Evo race bike and the Topstone Carbon gravel bike.
However, we think the most interesting release of all is the drastic reworking of its classic CAAD aluminium road bike platform, releasing the thoroughly modern CAAD13 back in July.
Now, purists will argue that the new CAAD13 — with its dropped seat stays and aero-optimised tubing — has lost some of the soul that the older, more traditionally shaped CAAD12 had… and we kind of agree.
That's progress, though, and while it may have lost some of its old school charm, the CAAD13 stakes a serious claim as the king of aluminium. We gave it 4.5 stars when we reviewed the SRAM Force eTap AXS model in December.
Trek Domane
From go-fast aluminium bikes, we now head to the cobbles of Flanders and Roubaix, where you will most likely see the new Trek Domane being used in 2020.
This third-generation Domane has a revised IsoSpeed layout also seen on the Madone, increased tyre clearances, neat integrated storage, some general aero-improvements, and... oh, it’s disc only.
This may make the rim brake die-hards angry, but the general trend is heading towards nearly all top-spec road bikes being disc only.
As with all top-end Trek bikes, the new Domane is available through the brand’s Project One customisation program, which offers some extremely striking colour schemes.
Scott Addict
Now we’re back to pure go-fast, no-holds-barred race bikes with Scott’s new Addict.
The old Addict had remained relatively unchanged since 2014, which is an age in the ever-evolving landscape of road bikes, so we weren’t surprised when an all-new model was unveiled in June 2019.
Just like the Domane, it’s disc only, and as you’d expect, the latest Addict comes with plenty of claims around increased stiffness and improved aero-optimisation. However, perhaps the most interesting development with the new bike is how clean the integration is.
The handlebar features fully internally routed cables, and that includes the disc brake hoses.
All bikes in the Addict range also come with fashionably wide 28mm tyres, so we think the Addict is a prime example of where road bikes are heading. More aero, better integration, bigger tyres.
Specialized Roubaix
Back to those bone-jarring cobbles and we have the new Specialized Roubaix.
When the outgoing FutureShock-equipped Roubaix was first released in 2016, it certainly turned heads, but some people felt the FutureShock looked a little out of place on a top-end road bike.
Fast forward to today and it seems Specialized has listened, as the new Roubaix has a much cleaner overall look, while still retaining a fully reworked suspension system that now also has a lockout.
In fact, Specialized claims the goal with the new Roubaix was to take it back to it’s racing routes by — yes, you guessed it — making it more aerodynamic.
It’s also pretty light for such a feature-rich frame, with an S-Works chassis weighing less than 900g, according to Specialized. That’s an impressive figure for a ‘comfort’ bike.
And we expect you’ll be seeing much more of the Roubaix under the likes of Peter Sagan during the Spring Classics of early 2020.
Colnago V3Rs
The all-new V3Rs from Colnago had to make it on this list.
Just like recent releases from the likes of Scott and Cannondale, the V3Rs feature the predictable design recipe of dropped seat stays, truncated aerofoil tube profiles and ever-increasing levels of integration.
However, unlike other brands latest releases, which are available as disc-only, you can still buy a V3RS with rim brakes. Hurrah for rim brakes!
It’s also light, with a claimed frame weight of 790g for a ready to paint size small. That’s with its permanent hardware — think front derailleur mount and dropouts etc.
Just like most of the bikes on this list, the V3Rs doesn’t come cheap, but if you want some no-expense-spared Italian passioné, then this could be the bike for you. We certainly liked it when we rode it at the launch.
What do you think of our choices? Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments.
