If you’re a speed demon, you’ll be looking for a light, stiff frame, with nimble handling, and if you’re spending big bucks, a high end groupset.
You couldn’t go far wrong with the 2015 Envie Advanced Pro 1. With a full carbon frame, Giant P-SLR0 Race wheel set, and Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 gearing, plus integrated handlebar and stem combo, this is a thoroughbred racer.
At £3,699 it’s not in everyone’s grasp, but a few steps down is the Envie Advanced 1, which is available now for £1,649. This model still enjoys a carbon frame, and Ultegra groupset, plus a Giant P-A2 wheelset. The seat post, brakes and stem still have Liv’s magic aero wand waved over them, creating a wind-cheating machine at a genuinely stunning price.
Also creating race ready bikes with female specific geometry at front of mind are Trek, who last year brought out the Silique as an ‘endurance race’ bike.
The Trek Silique has been created to give women a smooth, well-balanced, fast ride. Trek have been researching women’s specific frame builds for years, and they’ve established that a woman’s centre of gravity is lower than a mans, so they’ve built the Silique with this and other differential factors in mind.
Like the ever popular unisex Trek Domane, the Silique uses their ‘IsoSpeed’ tech on the rear end to reduce harsh road vibration, whilst delivering a stiff ride.
The range begins with the Silique C, for £1,400, with Tiagra groupset, carbon fork and frame. At the top end of the scale, is the £3,000 Silique SLX C 2015 with Ultegra groupset. There are two models in between, too – and all come with Bontrager women’s specific handlebars and saddle
