Readers' choice 2022: Over a period of several weeks, you - our readers - voted for the most exciting bikes of the 2022 season. Over 6.000 votes came together and we have now evaluated every single one of them. The results were also extremely exciting for us - in the gravel and road bikes, a manufacturer can achieve a double victory with the asphalt specialists and the crown of the gravel bikes 2022 goes to one of the hottest newcomers of the last year.
The Velomotion readers' choice took place between December 15, 2021 and January 15, 2022. You have selected your favorites from a total of 17 bike categories. After the evaluation, we don't want to withhold the results from you and present you with the respective top 3.
Here you will find an overview of all categories and their respective winners:
Readers' Choice 2022: Our readers' favorite bikes
News from the editorial team: For four weeks, around the turn of the year 2021/22, our readers were able to vote on the most exciting new bicycles and e-bikes for the 2022 season. More than 6.000 participants chose their favorites in 17 categories and ensured an exciting result. We in the editorial department could hardly wait to get the votes of the readers […]
Gravel bikes 2022: These are your favorites
Originally conceived as an all-terrain version of the racing bike or as a crosser suitable for long distances, the gravel bike now covers a huge spectrum. One development seems clear: As a suitable vehicle for bikepacking, micro-adventures or just a relaxed weekend tour, it is clearly more at home on gravel and off-road than on asphalt. This is also shown very clearly by our readers' choice: It doesn't matter whether it's the enormously versatile Canyon Grizl CF, which has countless mounting points despite its sporty geometry. Or the current Diverge Carbon from Specialized with integrated steerer tube suspension or the new Trail Machete from Bulls. The former gravel specialists are also conquering the real terrain more and more.
Canyon is presenting its new Gravelbike Grizl in carbon and aluminum versions. With the Grizl 7 you have to look closely to recognize the material, the welded joints are so smooth. The bikepacking all-rounder comes with numerous mounting points on the frame and fork, a long wheelbase in the sense of large tire clearance and good directional stability as well as a thoroughly sporty seat geometry. The equipment with Shimano GRX mix, DT Swiss wheels and Schwalbe tires is high quality; shock-absorbing carbon post and Flare handlebars are optimal on gravel.
Price: € 1.799
The Canyon Grizl: New gravel platform for more off-road fun
Product news: A few years ago, Canyon caused a lot of excitement in the cycling world with the Grail, because the first gravel bike from the German manufacturer came with an innovative and eye-catching “double-decker” handlebar. Now with the Canyon Grizl you have a second iron in the fire when it comes to gravel bikes, although the Grail is one of the most popular and successful […]
More information about the Grizl CF SL 7 directly from Canyon
With the steerer tube suspension, whose 20 mm travel effectively dampens shocks and vibrations, the Diverge Expert has a real unique selling point. Equally unusual is the flap under the bottle holder, which leads to a dust compartment in the down tube. The equipment of the comfort Graveller, which has a rather classic geometry, is noble and of high quality. Sram contributes the new XPLR Rival, while the light carbon wheelset with high-quality DT Swiss hubs comes from their own brand Roval. There is also a flexing carbon seat post and handlebars that are cranked upwards.
Price: € 6.300
More information about the Diverge Expert Carbon directly from Specialized
The Bulls Machete combines the aero look and feel of modern racing bikes - tightly fitted rear wheel, flat top tube - with a modern trail geometry that, thanks to the short stem, combines safe straight-line stability and agile handling. The short chainstays also ensure maneuverability, while tires up to 50 mm wide fit in the frame and fork. Bulls relies on the latest Sram components and combines the Rival AXS shifter and crankset with the electronic GX Eagle rear derailleur; the retractable seat post is also controlled by the shift paddles.
Price: € 3.999
New gravel bike for full-throttle adventurers: Bull's Trail Machete 2023
Test Bulls Trail Machete: Bulls is adding another exciting facet to the growing gravel market and is adding a carbon model to the proven grinder series that focuses on off-road capability and bikepacking. The bike is packed with innovative features designed to ensure riding fun and versatility on both fast off-road laps and long-distance adventures. At Bulls, yes, […]
More information about the Trail Machete directly from Bulls
Road bikes mid-range 2022: These are your favorites
Perhaps the most interesting models can be found in the priced mid-range of the asphalt specialists. As beautiful, noble and exciting as the absolute top models may be, only a few are willing to invest so much money in their hobby. And quite honestly: the compromises that you have to make for supposedly middle-class bikes are now negligible. Just take the Storck Fascenario.3, which combines wireless shifting with a power meter and top wheels with a light frame for just under 4.000 euros. The Giant Defy Advanced 1 is even cheaper and doesn't shy away from light gravel excursions. Last but not least, the Scott Addict 10 shows that even supposedly premium manufacturers have extremely attractively priced models in their range.
With the Strock Fascenario 3, the German manufacturer offers an extremely high-quality carbon racer that comes very close to the performance of professional racing bikes with its sporty overall concept. With a wireless-operated Sram Rival groupset, power meter crank, DT Swiss wheels and integrated carbon cockpit, you don't just get a lot to look at. In addition to top aerodynamics, the geometry and frame are designed in such a way that you don't have to do without the necessary comfort and the playful handling thanks to the short rear triangle also makes going to the cafe a real fun ride.
Price: € 3.999
Testing the Storck Fascenario 3: Ambitious all-rounder
Beginner racing bikes in the test: With the Storck Fascenario 3, we didn't have a beginner in the classic sense in our test field. The appealing model made of carbon with high-quality equipment is aimed at "just" 4000 euros more towards road bike newcomers and returnees who want to benefit directly from the latest state of the art without paying three times as much [...]
More information about the Fascenario.3 Comp directly from Storck
When it was launched, the Giant Defy was one of the first road bikes of a new generation and has always remained true to its roots: Comfortable, lightweight, suitable for off-road use and compatible with wide tires for more all-round capabilities. The Advanced Carbon frame was specially developed for endurance rides on the road and offers a smooth ride and good handling. The D-Fuse seat post and handlebar absorb shock and vibration on choppy sections for extra comfort.
Price: € 2.699
More information about the Defy Advanced 1 directly from Giant
The Scott Addict comes with a new frame, which impresses with the complete integration of trains and cables and thus ensures a clean design. This was made possible by a complete overhaul of the frame, which is based on Scott's racing machine, the Addict RC. In order to offer a balanced riding performance, the new Addict received a larger reach and longer chain stays for smoother running and a lower bottom bracket for an optimized center of gravity and a safe riding experience. The all-round capability of the Scott Addict could also be increased by a shorter head tube, as this allows a tire clearance of up to 35 mm.
Price: € 3.499
Road bikes high-end 2022: These are your favorites
With the Aerfast.4 Pro from Storck, one of the more affordable models won the race among the high-end cars. Consistently trimmed for the lowest air resistance, it continues the aero trend of recent years and, according to the manufacturer, is one of the fastest bikes on the market - at an attractive price. You have to dig much deeper into your pocket for the Specialized Tarmac SL 7; the dream bike is a real lightweight that does not require any compromises in terms of rigidity and, on top of that, comes with a choice of components that is noble from AZ. The Bulls' Alpine Hawk, a newcomer with an almost unbeatable price-performance ratio, came in third. Where else can you get a Shimano Dura Ace Di2, carbon wheels from Mavic and a stylish carbon frame for well under 6.000 euros?
The new Storck Aerfast 4 Pro Disc causes a stir with its bright look and particularly eye-catching fork. Because the aerobike, which shines in metallic green, shows itself with a fork that was completely newly developed in the wind tunnel, which is very wide and bulbous, as well as with an improved aerocockpit and thus wants to save the decisive watts. The manufacturer even claims to be launching the world's fastest road bike. The geometry of the Aerfast 4 is said to have taken over from its predecessor, which was also sporty.
Price: € 7.299
More information about the Aerfast.4 Pro directly from Storck
The Specialized Tarmac SL7 gave the term RACE bike a new meaning and gets to the heart of it. First-class speed and power in every situation ensure a great driving experience. The combination of aerodynamics, power transmission, climbing skills and handling is unparalleled in the professional field. It's not for nothing that Julian Alaphilippe has secured his second world championship title in a row on this bike.
Price: € 13.800
More information about the Tarmac SL 7 directly from Specialized
The Bulls Alpine Hawk not only impresses visually at first sight. The monocoque carbon frame has an independent, modern look due to the low seat stays and is said to offer maximum comfort thanks to controlled flex. The cable routing also contributes to the tidy look: Thanks to the Di2 and FSA ACR stem system, virtually no cables are visible. Chic! The equipment of the "Team Di2" top model is also impressive: Brand new Shimano Dura Ace Di2 complete group, Mavic Cosmic SL-45 CL Aero-Carbon wheelset and Schwalbe Pro One Evo Super Race tires with a width of 28 mm. Aero meets comfort!
Price: € 5.699
More information about the Alpine Hawk Di2 Team directly from Bulls