Bike of the Year: Gravel, Race and Endurance Winners Tested

Introduction

After thousands of miles of testing across gravel, race, and endurance categories, the results are in. This year’s test drew on a year of hands-on reviews, with winners crowned in each category and an overall Bike of the Year selected. The finalists were chosen from bikes that had already proven themselves on real roads and trails.

The winners reflect a clear shift toward bikes that are fast, comfortable, and genuinely usable every day. Rather than chasing novelty for its own sake, the best bikes in each category earned their place through refinement, practicality, and the quality of the ride.

How We Chose the Winners

The categories were selected based on what readers actually ride and read about: gravel, race, and endurance. Bikes were tested throughout the year, and the finalists were drawn from that back catalogue of reviews. The final head-to-heads came down to a handful of standout machines: the Parlee Taos against the Mondraker Arid RR Carbon in gravel, the Cervélo S5 against the Colnago Y1Rs in race, and the Boardman SLR 9.4 Limited against the Cannondale Synapse in endurance.

Each winner had to demonstrate more than just speed. Handling, comfort, spec completeness, and value all played a role in the final decision.

Gravel Winner: Parlee Taos

The Parlee Taos took the gravel category after a close head-to-head with the Mondraker Arid RR Carbon. Both bikes share similar geometry and a suspension-corrected design, but the Parlee edged ahead with slightly better on-road manners and a more refined frame feel. Where the Mondraker’s stiffness can become teeth-jarring on rough surfaces, the Parlee stays composed and works with the rider at the limit.

The Taos is pitched as an all-rounder: fast enough to race, capable enough for trails, and happy on tight, twisty singletrack. It comes with SRAM Force AXS Explore and all-carbon componentry, and the tested build benefits from a better wheelset than the Mondraker. The frame is made in Portugal, with Parlee sharing manufacturing techniques from its Z series bikes. The raw carbon finish, protected by wax, means minor scratches can be buffed out.

The Parlee costs more than the Mondraker, but the extra refinement is noticeable in the way the frame handles and the quality of the overall package.

Race Winner: Cervélo S5

In the race category, the Cervélo S5 came out ahead of the Colnago Y1Rs. Both bikes represent the latest thinking in aero race design, with bayonet-style forks and free-floating front ends, but the S5 felt slightly more refined and more stable in crosswinds. Its oversized bottom bracket area is exceptionally stiff, resisting flex even under maximum power.

The S5 also wins on spec completeness. At £12,000 for the tested build, it comes with better wheels and tires than the Y1Rs, plus a dual-sided power meter as standard. The Y1Rs can be specified with similar components through Colnago’s custom program, but doing so pushes the price closer to £15,000. A lower-priced S5 build with Ultegra Di2 offers a more accessible entry point for racers who still want the same frameset.

Endurance Winner: Cannondale Synapse

The Cannondale Synapse won the endurance category and was then chosen as the overall Bike of the Year. It pairs a smooth, comfortable ride with the Smart Sense system, which uses a central battery to power a front light, rear light, and rear radar. The system is controlled through an app that also handles security, warranty, and system diagnostics. A peloton mode dims the front light and stops the rear light from flashing when riding in a group.

Smart Sense is only available on SRAM-equipped Synapse models, and the tested Carbon 2 Smart Sense build uses new Force AXS. The battery lives in the down tube storage and can be charged on or off the bike. The front end borrows from the SuperSix Evo, while the rear comes from the SuperX gravel bike, creating a bike that feels stable and confident. With 32mm tires that measure over 35mm on wide rims, it handles rough surfaces and descents with ease.

Earlier in the year, the Lab 71 version of the Synapse was tested with a 1x drivetrain and a build similar to the one used for a 14,000 km lap of Australia. The Synapse is the best version of the bike since the 2014 model, which also won Bike of the Year.

Why the Synapse Won Overall

Choosing an overall winner meant weighing three very different bikes. The Cervélo S5 set a new standard for usable aero race bikes, and the Parlee Taos impressed with its refinement on and off road. But the Synapse stood out because it does everything an endurance bike should do while adding a layer of integrated technology that points to where bikes are heading. The Smart Sense system makes riding safer and more practical, and the ride quality is smooth, stable, and engaging.

Buying Advice

Each of these winners serves a different rider. The Parlee Taos is the pick for gravel riders who want one bike that can race and explore without feeling out of its depth. The Cervélo S5 suits racers who want a fast, composed aero bike with a complete race-ready spec. The Cannondale Synapse is the best choice for riders who want endurance comfort, confident handling, and integrated safety technology.

Budget still matters, and each category has strong alternatives at lower prices. The Boardman SLR 9.4 Limited, for example, offers impressive value in endurance, while the Van Rysel RCR Pro was noted as one of the best-value race bikes tested. For gravel, the Mondraker Arid RR Carbon and more affordable alloy options like the Focus Atlas and Boardman ADV provide capable alternatives.

Conclusion

This year’s winners show that the best bikes are becoming more refined, more practical, and more enjoyable to ride every day. The Parlee Taos, Cervélo S5, and Cannondale Synapse each earned their category wins through a combination of performance, comfort, and thoughtful design. The Synapse takes the overall title for pushing endurance bikes forward with integrated technology that makes a real difference on the road.