The only way is up

Blending light weight with comfort, disc brakes and wide tyres, the latest breed of climbers' bikes challenge the notion that they are only good when the road points skyward. Cyclist takes three of the best to Cheddar Gorge to find out more

- Words Sam Challis

As a cyclist appraising an unfamiliar bike, what are the first two things you do? You give the brakes a cursory squeeze, then pick it up. Weight really is the only proper performance metric that anyone can easily and objectively measure. As such, while modern data tells us there are more decisive variables affecting speed, how much a bike weighs remains an important factor in governing how 'good' it is.

Besides, although attributes such as aerodynamic efficiency and comfort will be more influential on the ride, weight still makes an undeniable contribution to the experience. In most situations out on the road you can feel weight, or the lack of it, more acutely than you would the effect of some aerofoil tube profiles. But aero bikes are what the pros use and all-road bikes offer versatility, so do climbers' bikes still have a place these days?

Group Think round three sees Cyclist editor Pete, deputy editor James and tech editor Sam turn their collective consciousness to that question.

Mendips and dives

You won’t find much flat round yer

To download this route go to cyclist.co.uk/170cheddargorge or scan the QR code below. This canny route ties four mini circuits together, each dominated by a sharp ascent. The climbing begins immediately out of Wells as you take Old Bristol Road north to East Harptree. Hook’s Hill then takes you to Chewton Mendip where you top out by Eaker Hill. A run west leads to Draycott and then into Cheddar. The ascent through the Gorge leads to Compton Martin before a rare stretch on an A-road to Blagdon. A southward turn takes you up to Charterhouse, then it’s a descent past Wookey Hole back to Wells.

Distance 70km

Total ascent 1,150m

Shifting opinion