ACE OF RACE

No matter which fiscal peloton you're riding in, it's fascinating to experience the technologies behind some of the world's liveliest bikes. We find out how three super-fast road bikes compare

- Ashley Quinlan

Need to know

Key features to consider if you're tempted to splash your cash on one of our ace race machines

WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN a bike that virtually requires its own mortgage? Why is high-modulus carbon so beloved in top-end bikes? What spec should you expect? Read on to find out more....

01 Aerodynamics

Aerodynamic tube shapes, components and wheels will help you slip through the air with less effort. This typically means wind-tunnel tested, aero shapes, deep-section wheels and aggressive geometries, designed to put you in an aero riding position.

02 Carbon fibre lay-up

A key difference between carbon fibre and metal is that the composite nature of carbon fibre makes it anisotropic, which means its physical properties are different in different directions. A piece of wood is aniso opic; you can easily split it lengthways, but it's a lot harder to break across the grain. It's the same with carbon fibre, which means the 'lay-up' of different frame pieces is crucial to how it rides and how strong it is.

The other important factor is the modulus of carbon used. Higher-modulus fibres are stiffer, but they're also more brittle, so even a frame marketed as 'high modulus' will be made of a mix of different grades of carbon fibre. Higher-modulus carbon fibre is also more expensive, but the end result will be a lighter frame for the same strength.

03 Geometry