Six Ways to Get In On the Biking Boom - Barron's

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Canyon Aeroad CF SL 8 Disc.

Canyon

Interested in exploring via two wheels this year?

You’re not alone. The National Bicycle Dealers Association, a nonprofit trade group representing specialty-bicycle retailers and industry partners, reports that the American bike market grew 56% in 2020 thanks to record demand fueled by the pandemic, with little sign of slowing down. Many entry-level models have faced shortages and long waits (eight to 10 weeks in some cases), leaving new cyclists to look at more-expensive bikes that typically have more availability. 

Buyers are finding limited supply in stock through direct-to-consumer (DTC) companies, custom builders, and the local bike shop. 

“It’s been crazy, to say the least,” says Mark Ontiveros, owner of West End Bikes in Portland, Ore. “You might not get exactly what you were looking for, but we are working tirelessly to keep parts and complete bikes rolling through the door.”

Three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, who launched his namesake bike brand last year, says cycling has broadened its reach more than ever. 

“It’s people at home on trainers, riding bikes, and exploring their cities casually,” he says. “It’s not just 10% more people on bikes, it’s 10% more people outside, a 10% healthier society, and 10% more people that are more cognizant of their surroundings and communities.”

It isn’t specific to one kind of bike, either. Road, mountain, and hybrid bikes are coveted alongside the quickly emerging e-bike category. Each represents a safe and sociable way to recreate, with options for rookies and serious enthusiasts alike. Manufacturers are responding to demand at a frenetic pace, and these six bikes represent a taste of what’s available at the higher end of the market, no matter your level of skill or interest. 

ROAD 

Canyon Aeroad CF SL 8 Disc

Canyon says it’s able to get bikes out faster and at a lower price point using their DTC model as opposed to traditional channels (as soon as two to three weeks, depending on size). The brand’s Aeroad CF SL 8 Disc includes components normally reserved for their performance models, such as an outside-the-bike seatpost, which not only absorbs bumps along the way, but increases aerodynamics and decreases the weight of the post itself. Although the bike is technically just a step up from the brand’s entry-level range, it’s a sporty ride popular with professional riders and one that punches well above its weight. 

$4,399, canyon.com 

Mosaic RT-1 Disc

Mosaic RT-1 Disc.

Mosaic

For the first time, it’s possible to get a custom-built bicycle in the same amount of time (or shorter) than something off the shelf. With delivery times of four to eight weeks, Boulder, Colo.–based Mosaic integrates the latest cycling technology and disc brakes into a streamlined titanium framework. From there, the builder uses a rider’s specific measurements and requests to finish the bike in a process not unlike the creation of a bespoke suit. Mosaic makes 200 to 300 bikes annually, and no two are the same. 

From $10,000, mosaiccycles.com

MOUNTAIN

Cannondale Scalpel Carbon SE 1

Cannondale Scalpel Carbon SE 1.

Cannondale

Part of the thrill of trail riding is conquering new terrain at high speeds while feeling fully in control. Built in the spirit of cross-country racing, with the sensibility of broader comfort, the Scalpel Carbon SE 1 balances both styles with an overall progressive frame to keep the rider in check and the bike firmly planted on the dirt. Cannondale is also among the big manufacturers embracing connected technology, with an integrated wheel sensor that sends speed, distance, route, service reminders, and more to your smartphone through the company’s own app. 

$6,100, cannondale.com

Specialized S-Works Epic

Specialized S-Works Epic.

Specialized

Specialized’s Epic team set out 20 years ago intending to make “the fastest cross-country mountain bike ever,” and the latest iteration of the company’s marquee model harnesses all that experience into a top-line build. To be clear, this is a serious mountain bike for the most serious of mountain-bike pursuits. Each component—telemetry, wheel design, spring curves, and more—is fine-tuned to support the needs of unpredictable terrain and sudden plans to tackle an extra five to10 miles. 

$12,000, specialized.com

E-BIKE

LeMond Dutch

LeMond Dutch.

LeMond

“The pandemic is redefining not only the bike industry, but cycling as a whole,” LeMond says. This new, more inclusive direction is front and center with his brand’s first two releases, including the European-inspired Dutch, with a step-through frame option popular with shorter and female riders as a more comfortable fit. The Dutch has a 45-mile range (with varied use) and with a base weight of 27.2 lbs., is one of the lightest e-bikes on the market. LeMond’s focus is on local manufacturing, automation, and “future-proofing” against the potential supply-chain issues many manufacturers endured in the pandemic's early months. 

From $4,500, lemond.com 

Pivot Cycles E-Vault 

Pivot Cycles E-Vault.

Pivot

Pivot Cycles launched its first foray into carbon e-bikes exclusively as a top build, integrating a range of technology and component features that deliver a highly-balanced, almost nonelectric (“acoustic,” as they say in the bike world) riding experience. Built as a road hybrid, this is a four-season bike engineered to perform on uneven asphalt, gravel side streets, or stable singletrack should you be so inclined. The E-Vault’s 252-watt-hour battery-powered motor has three different power-assist levels, offering varied support when and where you need it. Additional wireless elements allow the rider to customize shifting, power output, and more. 

$9,999, pivotcycles.com

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