Take a look at a calendar and you’ll see that it’s still 2022. But by this time of year, 2023 model year bikes have already been out on showroom floors for months. Yeah, it’s a goofy system, but if you’re hunting for deals, then it actually works in your favor. Most 2022 bikes are just as good as any shiny new 2023 bike, and they’re a little bit gentler on your wallet. If you’ve been waiting to pull the trigger on a new dream bike, now is the time.
To help you find your next money pit — ahem — I mean bike, I’ve put together a Dream Quiver made up of some of the most unique and drool-worthy 2022 bikes at TPC. Maybe it will inspire you to give your quiver at home a late-season update. I know I’m already making plans!
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Road bike: Cervélo Caledonia - $3,999.99
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This Cervélo Caledonia comes with a carbon frame comes, a SRAM Rival AXS wireless electronic drivetrain, and a power meter. To me that's a smoking deal. Slap on some budget-friendly carbon wheels and suddenly you have a super fast bike that can hold its own with the best carbon super bikes on the market. Pretty cool. The Caledonia is also what I consider the ideal road bike. The frame has subtle aero touches to help it cheat the wind, but the key focus is comfort. Endurance road bikes like this are what I think most riders should actually choose, because the extra comfort actually lets you ride harder, for longer and farther. Plus, with clearance for 35mm tires, you can beef it up and sneak a bit of gravel onto your daily rides too.
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Gravel bike: 3T Exploro Ultra - $4,899.99
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#Aeroiseverything isn’t just limited to the road. With the explosion of gravel racing in recent years, riders are getting faster and events more competitive. If you’re trying to play at the sharp end, an aero gravel bike like the 3t Exploro can give you that extra advantage you need to win. The latest Exploro Ultra takes things to the next level with massive tire clearance (up to 61mm/2.4"!) and the ability to run a dropper post. The tube profiles are super wide so they can catch and smooth out the air coming off of tires wider than 46mm, something no other brand has even attempted. The Exploro Ultra is truly an off-road rocket ship that can go warp speed on rough gravel roads and techy singletrack.
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XC/Trail MTB: Pivot Trail 429 - $6,999.99
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My idea of XC is a bit different from the lycra-clad battles you see in World Cup races. My interests lean more downhill, but I still want to pedal around a light and efficient bike and go on epic long-distance adventures. For riders like me, there’s this newfangled category called “downcountry” and the Pivot Trail 429 might be my ideal downcountry bike. It has 120mm of travel paired with a 130mm Fox 34. It has long reach and a slack 66.5-degree head angle so it’s ready to smash rocks and slice up turns. When it comes time to pedal back to the top, the low weight and efficient DW-Link rear suspension mean you can fly uphill nearly as fast.
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Enduro MTB: Cannondale Jekyll 1 - $7,499.99
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Just look at this paint. This is the color I’ll wrap my Lamborghini in if I ever win the lottery. Beyond the ostentatious color, this Cannondale Jekyll is about the suspension. Notice the extra pulley above the chainring? When it was redesigned for 2022, the Jekyll was transformed into a high-pivot bike. It’s the hottest new (or old) trend in downhill mountain biking. The high pivot provides a more rearward axle path, which means the rear end stays extra cushy and planted in the roughest terrain. Whether you’re racing against the clock or just trying to send the gnarliest features at the bike park, the Jekyll can take the hits.
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E-Bike: Orbea Rise M20 - $7,399.00
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What’s this? An E-mountain bike!? Yes, I used to be a tough guy poo-pooing on E-bikes, that is, until I got the chance to actually ride one. It turns out, they are massively fun and an incredibly useful tool if you’re short on time or want to build some riding skills on your recovery days. Of the many E-MTB options available, I’m most interested in the new Orbea Rise. Thanks to the pared-down Shimano EP8-RS motor, it’s one of the lightest and sleekest E-bikes I’ve ever seen. The motor was designed specifically for the Rise and it provides just the right amount of pedal assistance so it feels like you’re riding a regular mountain bike, only faster.
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Total cost: $30,798.96
Over 30 grand — ouch! Of course, I’m not buying all five bikes in this Dream Quiver. I’m way more sensible than that (I think). Here in the real world with rising interest rates, I’ll probably only be able to get away with purchasing one of these magnificent bikes. So which do I choose? My current mountain bike is the only bike in my current fleet newer than 2020, so even though I want them badly, I’m removing the Pivot Trail 429, Cannondale Jekyll, and Orbea Rise from contention.
I’m going to take the value-oriented route and pick either the Cervélo Caledonia or the 3T Exploro Ultra. After weighing my priorities (I race gravel), I think is has to be the 3T. It comes with an AXS Mullet drivetrain and that tire clearance is just INSANE. I have to try it. I’ll just toss on some carbon wheels later and have a badass gravel race bike for the 2023 season.
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