After countless hours in the wind tunnel, a host of new features and innovations launched, top-class road bikes will once again be rolling onto showroom floors in 2023. To whet your appetite, we've checked out the leading brands and compiled our picks of the best new Road bikes for 2023!
Browse all 2023 Road Bikes on our comprehensive marketplace
Scott Foil RC 2023
Type: Aero Road Bike Purpose: Racing, Breakaways, Sprints.
Two years after overhauling its wind-cheating Foil, Scott has gone back to the drawing board for 2023, upping the ante on aerodynamics, weight, stiffness and compliance. The 2023 Scott Foil RC boasts some impressive improvements over its predecessor. Scott claims the new Foil RC is over a minute faster or 16watts over a 40km time trial; that's a 21% saving over the old model! This is largely thanks to an aero-optimised frame that features an oversized headtube, deeper cross-section frame tubes, redesigned seatstays and a wind-cheating integrated cockpit. On the weight front, thanks to a revised carbon lay-up and the new frame design, Scott claims a 9% weight saving over the old model. Finally, comfort hasn't been forsaken for all-out speed, with a new seatpost making its way to the new model. The Syncros Duncan SL Aero CFT seatpost features a large cutout and is said to offer 10% more compliance than the outgoing version.
Pictured is the range-topping Scott Foil RC Ultimate, and per its namesake, features an ultimate level build kit to suit. The bike is propelled by a SRAM Red eTap AXS groupset, while Zipp provides its stellar 454 carbon hoops wrapped in Schwalbe Pro One tubeless-ready rubber as rolling stock. Also set to be offered downunder is the Scott Foil RC Pro which features a Shimano Dura-Ace 12-speed Di2 groupset and wheels, with Vittoria’s latest Cotton tubeless tyres.
Discover all Scott Road Bikes here
Cervélo Soloist
Type: All-Around / Aero Road Bike
Purpose: Racing, Training, Rolling Terrain.
With a namesake that revolutionised the cycling industry, after a 14-year hiatus, the Cervélo soloist is back for 2023. Designed to sit smack bang in the middle of its lightweight R-Series and ultra-aero S-Series road bikes, the Soloist is Cervélo’s answer for those in the market for a race bike that’s easy to live with day-to-day. A hair lighter than the S5, more aero than the R5, threaded bottom brackets as standard, space for 34mm wide rubber and the choice of either mechanical or electronic shifting, the Soloist really is the everyday breakaway bike.
Several specifications and colourways are set to be offered locally, with prices ranging from $4,700 for an 11-speed 105 mechanical disc brake entry-level offering to $10,000 for the range-topping variant complete with SRAM Force eTap AXS, a power meter and Reserve carbon wheels as standard.
Discover all Cérvelo Road Bikes here
GIANT Propel 2023
Type: Aero Road Bike Purpose: Racing, Breakaways, Sprints, Rolling Terrain
Released a few short weeks after being ridden to a handful of victories at the 2022 Tour de France under the riders of Team BikeExchange-Jayco, the latest iteration of Giant’s aptly named Propel got off to a winning start. While previous iterations pushed then envelope of aerodynamic efficiency, the latest Propel, while still aero in its nature, balances competitive weight, and all-round race bike prowess. The key stats of the new platform include increased aerodynamic efficiency, a 9.2% increase in pedalling stiffness, 15% decrease in overall weight and a claimed tyre clearance of 30mm.
The Propel range if available in both Advanced and Advanced SL frame levels, with the latter featuring an integrated seatpost and higher quality carbon lay-up which saves a few grames. Topping the local range is the Propel Advanced SL 0 which will set consumers back $13,999*, and comes complete with a 12-speed Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset complete with a powermeter, Cadex Ultra 50 wheels and a range topping aero optimised carbon handlebar and stem.
Discover all Giant Road Bikes at BikeExchange
Cannondale Synapse RLE
Type: Endurance Road Bike
Purpose: Training/long rides, light gravel and all-road terrain.
Originally designed for its professional team to dominate the cobbled classics, the latest iteration of the Cannondale Synapse has mellowed somewhat and is positioned as the ideal road bike for the majority of us that ride for the love of it rather than to chase the podium. While racing is still engrained in its DNA, the latest Synapse is a fast, smooth, comfortable and efficient road bike that thrives on all roads and is even capable of light gravel duties. The main update with the Synapse RLE is the integrated lighting and radar system that comes courtesy of GPS specialists Garmin. The Radar system keeps riders safe by alerting them of oncoming traffic, while the integrated lighting system from Lezyne should do a commendable job of ensuring riders can both be seen and see by the lighting package.
The Synapse RLE 2 pictured here is the range-topping variant for the local market. Featuring a carbon frame and fork complete with a SmartSense integrated radar and lighting system. Other highlights include a Shimano Ultegra Di2 12-speed electronic groupset and Fulcrum wheels wrapped in 30mm wide rubber, ideal for comfort, handling and going long.
Discover all Cannondale Road Bikes at BikeExchange
Trek Madone SLR 2023
Type: Aero Road Bike Purpose: Racing, Breakaways, Sprints, Rolling Terrain
2023 truly looks to be the year of the aero bike, with a number of the big industry players updating their wind-cheating platforms for the coming year. After transitioning from a lightweight all-around racer to an aero steed that screams speed some eight or so years ago, the latest Trek Madone is arguably the most aesthetically different, yet effective aero road bikes on the market. No strangers to pushing the envelope on design and thinking outside the box, the latest iteration features the radical new IsoFlow aero technology. Said to improve aerodynamics, save weight and smooth out the ride quality over rougher tarmac, the tech has been well received by consumers and racers alike, with their pro team racing the bike to success since its announcement in July 2022.
The range-topping variant pictured above is more or less a duplicate of the race-ready bikes ridden by Trek-Segafredo. The Madone SLR 9 makes use of the American outfit's latest and greatest OCLV 800 carbon for its frame and fork, while a SRAM Red eTap AXS groupset complete with a power meter handles the going and slowing. Trek’s new Madone specific integrated bar/stem also features, as does Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 wheels wrapped in Bontrager tubeless rubber. Expect this flagship model to set you back $17,999; however, it is also available in a range of build kits starting at $11,399.
