Santa Cruz Heckler 9 CC AXS RSV
Santa Cruz are well known for putting the best products on their bikes, and it obviously costs some extra dimes. The Heckler 9 CC AXS RSV is a prime example, as the bike costs around 12,900 EUR.
The Heckler 9 is an e-bike, which justifies the price to some extent. It has top-notch components like the Shimano EP8 motor, a 160-mm FOX 36 Float Factory fork, Reserve DH 29″ Carbon rims, RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate rear shock and much more. In addition, the new Santa Cruz model has a new, more aggressive geometry, and its high-end components, durability, and lightness allow for much more aggressive riding. The Heckler 9 is one outstanding choice for those who seek a genuinely comfortable e-bike and have a kidney or two for selling on the black market to afford it.
Trek Madone SLR 9 eTap 2021
Having sold a bike for half a million back in the day, it truly comes as no surprise to see Trek on this list. It’s a bit surprising to see them so far behind the top spot, though. As usual, Trek’s Madone series comes at a high price, as their latest SLR 9 eTap model arrives at around 14,600 euros.
Madone SLR 9 is truly a masterpiece made out of OCLV 800 carbon fibre, making the bike lighter by 80 grams. To a sane person that sounds like nothing but we all know that every gram counts when you are riding and getting 80 less of them means higher speed, longer distances and easier climbs. The bike is also equipped with the awesome new adjustable VR-CF handlebars and the premium Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 wheels. To top it all off, the bike has the outstanding 12-speed SRAM RED eTap AXS wireless electronic drivetrain. It’s nothing short of a pleasure clicking through your gears with such an exquisite and supreme drivetrain.
Wilier Filante SLR 2022
That’s another bike we will most likely see on the Tour de France this year. And if you want to see one in your apartment, you must be prepared to separate from around 15,900 euros. That’s not too steep of a price, considering this bike was Astana Qazaqstan’s choice for Giro d’Italia this year. You can get the floor model for a bit under 9,000, yes, but to get the real deal, you need to be prepared to reach deep into your pocket and hope you’re hiding an entire bank there.
The bike itself is a gorgeous display of how you can buy speed, class and comfort. It weighs only 6.8 kg while the frame alone weighs around 870 g. The Filante SLR is definitely a bike designed for racing. It emanates power and is one of the few bikes that you can swear moves at 100 kph while standing still.
If you are not a pro cyclist, you most probably don’t need this bike since you want to be able to extract every single benefit it brings. Nonetheless, if you are wondering what to ask for Christmas, you can always put this on your secret Santa list, only to see the sheer horror once whoever drew the short stick sees it. Well, it’s summer, so you’ll have to wait but let’s be honest, you’re not giving 15K for a bike, so you might as well have a bit of fun.
Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo
If you wonder how one can throw away their annual salary on an MTB, all you need to do is live in Eastern Europe and purchase Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo – the most expensive mountain bike in the world for 2022. So what would you get along with starvation for your wise investment? Well, the best specifications you can ever imagine. Magura MT7 front and back breaks with 4-piston calliper, hydraulic disc and a 203-mm rotor, Sram XG-1299, 12-Speed, 10-52t cassette with SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS derailleur, chainrings, shifters and chain of the same type.
The 29″ wheels seem as if they can stick to a wall. And they should. When you’re using the Specialized Turbo Full Power System 2.2 Motor, the grip is imperative.
The 700Wh Specialized M3-700 integrated battery will give you all the support you need to get to the top as many times as you want, while the FACT 11m full carbon frame, the FOX FLOAT 38 Factory 29 fork with Grip 2 damper and a 44-mm offset, along with the FOX FLOAT X2 Factory suspension will give you all the security and lightness to speed down any trail.
So, now you know there are bikes out there you can never afford. Don’t worry, me either. But on the other hand, you can find solace in the fact that it’s not the bike that makes the ride – it’s the rider. So, get your “cheap” bike to the track, trails or road and enjoy the summer.
