New 3T Strada ICR is claimed to be “the world’s most comfortable aero bike”

3T has launched the Strada ICR, described as “the world’s most comfortable aero road bike”.

Unveiled at the Rouleur Live show in London, the Strada ICR is optimised around 32mm tyres – considerably wider than most aero road bikes – with a frame design said to prioritise aerodynamics at the front end and comfort at the rear.

The Strada ICR also has completely internal cable routing. The previous-generation Strada saw the cables run over the stem, entering the frame just behind the stem.

The distinctive head tube is narrow with a bulbous leading edge. This is also said to keep things aero-optimised at the front end.

The bike is designed for a 2x crankset, though 3T will also offer 1x drivetrain builds, too. Four models will be available at launch, priced from £5,199 with SRAM Rival eTap AXS to £7,499 with SRAM Red eTap AXS. International pricing is TBC.

Here’s what we know so far.

Speed and comfort

3T says the Strada ICR aero road bike has two “clearly distinct zones”.

The “speed zone” covers the front half of the bike and features the deep yet narrow head tube, a wraparound down tube and a slender fork.

The “comfort zone”, meanwhile, covers the curved seat tube and wafer-thin seatstays, both shaped, 3T claims, to improve – you guessed it – comfort.

Despite that, 3T says “tyres provide more compliance than any other part of the bike”, and the Italian brand says the Strada ICR is specifically designed around 32mm tyres, with the seat tube and down tube shaped accordingly.

Internal cable routing

All cables now run internally; one key change over the previous Strada.

“Running cables internally can be nice and potentially reduce aero drag,” says 3T. “But what is the point if you end up with a very wide and bulky headtube with oversized bearings to house the cables?”

3T says the head tube design is key here, 3T says.

“In the front view you will see our bearings are still narrow and the head tube even thins down in between them,” says 3T.

“In the side view, you’ll see the headtube is deeper and with a full aero 'nose', taking full advantage of the new UCI rules.”

Cables hide inside 3T’s new Apto 3TICR stem. This is based on the original Apto stem shape but now features internal cable guides.

Details, details

Other details include the boxy down tube, which widens to shield the bottle cages and bottom bracket shell.

On that note, the Strada ICR uses a threaded bottom bracket – a move that will be welcomed by home mechanics.

At the front, the “Sqaero” fork has a subtle truncated shape. At the rear, 3T says the internal seatpost clamp uses a “self-aligning” design to offer a higher clamping force for lower torque.

3T Strada ICR geometry

3T Strada ICR specs and prices

• 3T Strada ICR Rival XPLR 1x12 – £5,199
• 3T Strada ICR Rival AXS 2x12 – £5,499
• 3T Strada ICR Force AXS 2x12 – £6,199
• 3T Strada ICR Red AXS 1x12 Discus 45I32 – £7,499