Twelve Bikes of 2022
Sigma Sports' Picks
It's not just Santa's grotto that has been a hive of activity in the run up to Christmas. The Sigma Sports workshop has been conjuring up a fair few treats this year in the form of some of the most desirable bikes you can imagine.
As the year draws to a close we have pulled out twelve of our favourite Sigma Sports builds from the last 12 months. From state of the art race ready road bikes to trail tuned gravel and mountain bikes, read on to discover just some of our most memorable bikes from 2022.
The bikes
One - Cervelo R5 Disc Jumbo-Visma Replica Road Bike
Two - Trek Emonda SLR 7 Disc Road Bike
Three - BMC Unrestricted 01 THREE Gravel Bike
Four - Cannondale SuperSix EVO Leichtbau Limited Edition Road Bike
Five - Santa Cruz Hightower 2 C Mountain Bike
Six - Colnago C64 Disc Road Bike
Seven - Festka Scout Spirit 3 Sigma Sports Special Gravel Bike
Eight - ENVE Melee Disc Road Bike
Nine - Trek Speed Concept Time Trial Bike
Ten - Orbea Orca M20iTEAM Disc Road Bike
Eleven - Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 L Gravel Bike
Twelve - Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 Road Bike
Inspired to explore our complete range of bikes? Take a look at everything from electric hybrids to cutting edge road bikes.
One - Cervelo R5 Disc Jumbo-Visma Replica Road Bike
It wasn't just the Jumbo-Visma team making the most of the stunning Cervelo R5 in 2022. Our first bike in our run down has come courtesy of Sigma Sports Hampton Wick store staff member, Leon.
A man that knows a thing or two about speccing dream road bike builds, this 51cm R5 Jumbo-Visma Replica Frameset has been equipped with team issue Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9250 12-speed components.
Complementing the wheels, Veloflex Corsa Evo Clincher tyres are a fast rolling and reliable choice, which are specced here in a 28mm wide tan wall guise. Cervelo's range of components gives the bike a no fuss, cable free sleek look. Comprimising of a Cervelo SP24 seatpost, an HB13 carbon handlebar and an ST31 carbon stem, this is a winning combination. Performance without compromising on comfort, the Bontrager Aeolus Pro saddle features a perineum relieving cut out to ensure every mile is as enjoyable as the first.
Two - Trek Emonda SLR 7 Disc Road Bike
Adding a little custom twist to day two, say hello to the Project One designed Trek Emonda SLR 7 Disc Road Bike. This 50cm size frameset comes in a head-turning rose gold colourway. The Emonda has long been a popular choice for those who love to climb, with a sub 700 gram frame boasting new aero tube shaping. 800 Series OCLV is the carbon of choice for the Emonda SLR and has been chosen for its ride characteristics, being both comfortable and responsive. Strength should not be overlooked either, with the 800 Series OCLV carbon coming in 30% stronger than it's top-of-the-line predecessor, the 700 Series OCLV carbon.
As part of our bike buying consultation process, our team discussed options with the customer when speccing this bike. The result is a truly personalised setup, with a 38cm wide bar, 90cm stem, 165mm cranks and a 145mm wide saddle. No compromises, just a millimetre perfect build.
Three - BMC Unrestricted 01 THREE Gravel Bike
If the orange and blue colourway doesn't stop you in your tracks the spec list on this, the first of two gravel bikes in our list, will surely do the trick. It is no surprise, what with BMC being a Swiss company, the attention to detail on the Unrestricted 01 THREE Disc Gravel Bike is second to none. With the carefully chosen components, you could be mistaken for thinking this is a bespoke, custom build, but in fact, it is a stock bike.
A premium frame needs an equally capable level of components to complement it. SRAM has delivered on this requirement, with their Rival/GX Eagle mix of AXS eTap electronic and wireless drivetrain. A brand that works closely with BMC, DT Swiss' G1800 Spline wheelset is tubeless-ready and has been paired with ultra-durable and fast-rolling 40mm WTB Raddler tyres. Finishing touches come in the form of a WTB SL8 saddle, an Easton EA70 AX handlebar and a BMC ICS stem. Ergonomic, reliable and in keeping with the playful design of the URS, we are big fans of this setup.
Four - Cannondale SuperSix EVO Leichtbau Limited Edition Road Bike
Without a doubt the most exclusive bike on our rundown, the Cannondale SuperSix EVO Leichtbau Limited Edition Road Bike takes the award-winning SuperSix to the next level. The frameset is one of only 200 in existence, with the Leichtbau treatment providing a 90-gram weight saving but most noticeably a truly unique new black colourway. We handed over the reins to Sigma Sports Hampton Wick bike sales team expert, Dan when it came to speccing this finished build and he didn't disappoint.
There is a lot to unpack on this bike as every element has been meticulously chosen to enhance performance. A key area of note is the Princeton CarbonWorks PEAK 4550 White Industries Carbon Disc wheels. Weighing in at 1488 grams, the wheels have a 45mm front and a 50mm deep rear rim depth. Sapim CX-Ray spokes are industry-leading, as are the White Industries hubs. Also pretty special is the Tune Komm-Vor Carbon Saddle, which features an Alcantara cover and weighs a mere 88 grams.
The list of components really is a dream bike shopping list and as such, we felt trying to summarise it into a few sentences wouldn't really do the bike justice. With that being said you can find out more about what went into speccing and building this one-of-a-kind Cannondale by reading our in-depth article.
Five - Santa Cruz Hightower 2 C Mountain Bike
As iconic mountain bike brands go, they don't get much bigger than California based Santa Cruz. With three decades of experience producing mountain, gravel and road bikes, the stateside brand has built quite a reputation with its Hightower range. A 'do it all' machine, this full suspension, medium travel bike is a very capable off road companion. This example, the 2 C, offers a carbon fibre frame with a VPP - Virtual Pivot Point suspension system on the rear and Shimano's fantastic XT groupset.
Six - Colnago C64 Disc Road Bike
For the purists amongst you the wait for the first Italian bike in our rundown may have been an agonising one but we can assure you, it's been worth it. A flagship offering from framebuilding royalty, Colnago, this C64 has been given a spectacular paint scheme that may be frozen in name but is definitely pretty hot in our eyes. This frozen red machine screams Italy through and through, with every element from the groupset to the wheels and finishing kit provided by brands synonymous with the il Tricolore.
Adorned with the finest groupset Campagnolo produce, the Record EPS electronic drivetrain is as stunning to look at as it is to use. Campagnolo Bora wheels complement the groupset and are both aero and lightweight. Ensuring no watt is lost and every corner can be taken like it is on rails, Challenge Strada TLRs are the tyre of choice.
Are you sitting comfortably? You will be with the addition of a Fizik Arione 00 saddle. Comprising of a full carbon double shell, Wing Flex technology and braided carbon rails, this sleek saddle weighs a mere 140 grams. The Deda handlebar and stem and Colnago carbon bottle cages are all fine finishing touches to what is a road bike build we won't be forgetting in a hurry.
Seven - Festka Scout Spirit 3 Sigma Sport Special Gravel Bike
Designed specifically for 1x drivetrains and offering market-leading gravel bike performance, the Festka Scout Spirit 3 is one of the more unique bikes to leave our workshop this year. Boasting a Columbus Futura Cross fork and tyre clearance to enable you to fit even the widest of rubber, 42 mm (700c) / 50 mm (650b), this example comes in a copper, raw carbon, snow white and carbon black glossy colourscheme.
Adventure ready, the Scout Spirit 3 features the top of the range SRAM RED eTap AXS 12-speed groupset. This 1x system uses a dinner plate size 10-44t cassette to ensure even the toughest of gradients are conquerable. Zipp's 101 XPLR Carbon Tubeless Disc wheels are a fitting addition, with 42mm Teravail Rampart Light & Supple TLR tyres offering sublime traction whatever the terrain.
American component and wheel experts Zipp haven't just provided the wheels on this build. Their Service Course SL 70 XPLR handlebar and Service Course SL 6 Degree stem are both in keeping with the prestigious and carefully considered approach to speccing this gravel grinding machine. Keeping comfort in mind, the Zipp SL Speed 20mm Offset Carbon seatpost and Specialized S-Works Power Mirror saddle are a formidable pairing.
Eight - ENVE Melee Disc Road Bike
To many, the name ENVE conjures up images of state of the art bike components and wheels and for close to two decades that is where the story ended. That was until the Melee arrived on the scene. Launched in July 2022, this Custom Road machine features a carbon monocoque construction, which results in a frame weight of 850 grams in its 56cm guise.
As part of the Melee package, those lucky enough to get their hands on one will benefit from an ENVE SES AR road handlebar, ENVE Integrated road stem and an ENVE Melee seatpost. This 56cm frame has been built into a full bike with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9250 12-speed components and ENVE SES 2.3, tubeless-ready wheels. The latter are complemented by 31mm wide ENVE SES road tyres.
A common trend with a number of bikes in our 2022 rundown is the inclusion of Specialized Mirror saddles. This trend continues on the Melee, as a 143mm wide S-Works Romin is the saddle of choice for this stunning special grey build. No top-end build is quite complete without the inclusion of a CeramicSpeed oversized pulley wheel system or a set of ENVE carbon cages, both of which are present on this rather exclusive road bike.
Nine - Trek Speed Concept Time Trial Bike
It is not often we get to capture the new bike and its owner's first encounter but back in April that was just what happened when we presented James Golding with his Trek Speed Concept Time Trial Bike. Not just any cyclist, James is a vastly experienced endurance rider, a public speaker, and a cancer survivor, who has raised over £3 million for charity. Competing in 21 multi-day events and becoming the first British person to hold the Guinness Seven Day World record, we were honoured to build Mr Golding's race ready rig.
A bike specced for James to compete in the 2022 Race Across America on, James explained to us that this would be ridden in tandem with a Trek Madone. The Madone for the more rolling roads, the Speed Concept for the flatter sections, such as those through Kansas. Unfortunately, James was struck down with COVID in the early stages of the race this year, but we are sure he will be back pounding the pedals at an event in the not-too-distant future.
Taking a deeper dive look at the bike, James has specced it to balance reliability with comfort and speed. The result is an ultra-slippery Speed Concept carbon frame paired to Bontrager Aeolus RSL 75 wheels, Bontrager R3 tyres and a mixture of Shimano Dura-Ace and Ultegra components. The aero bar setup has been dialled in specifically and millimetre perfect to James' exacting fit measurements. This allows him to maintain an aerodynamic tuck for long periods of time without the discomfort often experienced by those riding on the aero skis.
Ten - Orbea Orca M20iTEAM Disc Road Bike
As we edge ever closer to the end of our favourite bikes of 2022 rundown, we think it is only right to add a spicy Spanish road bike to the list. Say hello to the Orbea Orca M20iTEAM Disc Road Bike. Part of Orbea's performance range, the Orca M20iTeam has a carbon OMR Disc, monocoque frame at its core. Experts when it comes to producing road bikes for a wide range of budgets, the in-house team has added their Orbea OC RP10 Road Performance stem, Orbea OC RP20 Road Performance handlebar and an Orbea XP10 Performance seatpost to the bike.
An off the shelf build, the Orca M20iTeam benefits from a Shimano Ultegra R8100 12-speed groupset, Shimano R8170 hydraulic disc brakes and Fulcrum Racing 600 DB wheels. A grippy, fast rolling favourite, the Vittoria Rubino IV G2.0 TLR 700x28c tyres are ideal for year-round use.
Eleven - Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 L Gravel Bike
It may be the second Cannondale in our list and third gravel bike to feature but this Topstone is quite a different prospect when compared to the Cannondale SuperSix Leichtbau, BMC Unrestricted and Festka Scout. A member of the American brand's gravel-ready family of bikes, the Topstone is favoured for its versatility and ability to deliver you to your destination, in comfort, regardless of the terrain. This, the Carbon 2 L, version is tricked out with the latest technology, including Kingpin suspension and the SmartSense rear-facing radar and intelligent running lights.
WTB KOM Light 700c wheels are solid performers, as are the Vittoria Terreno Dry tyres. The Cannondale 2 ShortDrop handlebar has a 12 degree flare, providing a comfortable and assured perch to rest the hands and control the bike. Kingpin suspension is discreet and adds very little in the way of additional weight to the bike. Added to improve ride quality, this neat system works with the carbon frame to dampen even the roughest of routes.
Twelve - Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 Road Bike
It may be last on our list but the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 is far from bringing up the rear in the world of road bikes. The pinnacle in Specialized's Tarmac range, the SL7 frame uses the lightest and most responsive FACT 12r carbon in its construction. Weighing a mere 800 grams in the 56cm size, the SL7's tubes have been honed in the company's 'Win Tunnel' to reduce aerodynamic drag.
Integration is the name of the game with this bike. From the semi-integrated Roval Rapide handlebar to the electronic and wireless SRAM RED eTap AXS 12-speed groupset, every element has been carefully considered in a bid to create both a fast and aesthetically pleasing profile. For those focused on training or race data the SRAM RED AXS power meter will be a welcome addition. The inclusion of Roval Rapide CLX wheels, with a 51mm deep front and 60mm deep rear rim profile, add to the bike's fast credentials.
If you are looking for head-turning features you will be hard-pressed to find an out-of-the-box bike with a more impressive paint scheme. The satin carbon, sprectraflair tint and gloss brushed chrome combination really is something to behold, as are the tan wall Specialized S-Works Turbo Cotton tyres. The Specialized component theme continues with a Body Geometry S-Works Power saddle and an S-Works Tarmac Carbon seatpost both adding comfort and support where you need it the most.
