Diamondback

Airén 2 Ultegra Complete Road Bike - 2016

If you're looking for a road bike with more versatility than a traditional racing frame, the burgeoning endurance road category is evidence that you're not alone. As you've probably noticed, you have a plethora of shiny options within this rapidly expanding class. We'd assert that Diamondback's Airen 2 Ultegra Complete Road Bike stands out loudly amongst this crowd of sleek, capable machines with an enviable build kit boasting HED wheels and a Shimano Ultegra and 105 drivetrain alongside a lightweight frame. For the price, we'd argue that it's a nearly impossible combination to beat.

Diamondback starts with treated 7005 aluminum to shape the Airen 2's women-specific frame, which displays the same lightness and durability of the more standard 6061 aluminum alloy used in many bike frames but with more strength. Shaped in accordance with Diamondback's Enhanced Performance Geometry (EPG), the frame aims to place less strain on the neck and shoulders than a traditional race frame, focusing on a fit that will keep you comfortable while riding a century or increasing your weekly mileage with longer rides. For the times you do decide to sign up for a local road race, the Airen is plenty capable: "endurance," in this case, does not mean "slower."

The build kit we referred to earlier is a key reason that the Airen 2 doesn't sacrifice speed for its more comfortable geometry. Diamondback uses Shimano 11-speed Ultegra derailleurs on the Airen 2, providing you with part of a groupset that has received enough trickle-down technology in recent years to allow it to occupy a level that Shimano's pro groupset, Dura-Ace, was not functioning at a few years ago. The derailleurs are then backed by shifters from Shimano's workhorse 105 tier, offering consistency as you breathlessly shift up an endless climb or manage gear ratios to maintain momentum on rolling terrain.

Diamondback rounds out the Airen 2 with HED Flanders aluminum wheels wrapped in capable Michelin Dynamic Sport 28mm tires that will inspire confidence on chip-sealed roads and weather-beaten shoulders. The build stops courtesy of Shimano's 105-level hydraulic disc brakes, which afford smooth, dependable stopping power when you need it.