2025 BIKES OF THE YEAR

Abraham Soler
Co-owner, Lead Fit Technician

Gary's Sturdy Cilla Gravel 3D Printed Bike 

I’m beyond excited to share my thoughts on an incredible project for 2025: Gary's Sturdy Cilla bike! Sturdy is truly a trailblazer in frame manufacturing, working out of a charming studio in the UK. It’s inspiring to see how one artist’s vision can lead the way in such a diverse industry.

Gary's bike is a shining example of the exceptional craftsmanship we can achieve. It starts with custom geometry designed for the perfect fit, ensuring every ride is a joy. Selecting unique components involves professional installation and a deep understanding of compatibility, along with meticulous testing and open communication with manufacturers to tailor everything to Gary's dreams.

What truly sets this bike apart is its stunning paint job, inspired by Gary’s ideas and skillfully brought to life by Tom Sturdy himself. This attention to detail embodies our commitment at Signature Cycles.

I’m genuinely thrilled about this bike, and I am very proud of the level of work we can provide here at Signature Cycles.

Juan Vargas
Head of Purchasing and Merchandising

Juan's FiftyOne Sika

For me, the FiftyOne Sika is the top choice for the best bicycle of 2026. I firmly believe that a modern, fully integrated bicycle with disc brakes represents the present and future of cycling.

The combination of carbon fiber's lightness and rigidity, along with wide, high-profile wheels, creates the perfect balance between compliance and stiffness. Additionally, the custom paint job—simply reversing the colors—results in a stunning blue-purple finish that truly stands out.

Andres Vargas
Bicycle Technician

Vince's Colnago V5Rs Team UEA Edition

After reviewing all the bikes we featured as Bike of the Week this year and considering the selections from other members, I took several factors into account. I wanted to choose a bike with a different groupset and brand than those previously mentioned. This year, I’m selecting Vince's Colnago V5rs. 

I believe this is the perfect race bike for the locals in the three-state area and for WNR riders. It’s super light, extremely stiff, and aesthetically pleasing! The Tour de France special-edition Enve wheelset and the team UEA Emirates paint job definitely add something extra special. The Shimano 12-speed Di2 provides fast, precise shifting and exceptional reliability. This bike incorporates all the exciting innovations that came out in 2025, while also providing the solid, dependable features from earlier models that are still very relevant today. It’s a bike that will help you stay in the bunch until the sprint in the last kilometer.

If I have to pick my next bicycle, it would be this one!

Alex Hellner
Fit Technician

Mark's Seven Axiom XX Coupler

My top choice for Bike of the Year is undoubtedly Mark's Seven Axiom XX with couplers. This bike masterfully blends trusted standards with cutting-edge technology, showcasing how modern components can coexist seamlessly with an old-school sensibility. Its clean and timeless aesthetic sets it apart.

One of the most impressive features of this bike is its exceptional versatility. It can be packed into a small suitcase, making travel effortless and convenient. Crafted specifically for Mark, the geometry boasts semi-slack angles that provide all-day comfort, and just the right amount of trail to feel snappy out of the saddle and stable at speed. The use of triple-butted titanium tubes not only makes the frame lightweight but also delivers a very smooth ride. With the extra oversized, one-inch diameter chainstays paired to the fortified strength from the couplers on the downtube and top tube, this bike offers a truly unique and exhilarating experience.

I am genuinely thrilled for Mark. As a valued returning client, his continued trust and confidence in our services only solidifies my belief that this bike deserves the title of Bike of the Year.  Thank you Mark!

Santiago Santana
Head Technician

Zack's Parlee Z Zero GT 

In my opinion, Zack's new custom Parlee is a standout winner. I really love the Z Zero GT frame and how Parlee has successfully created an integrated frame without changing the headtube, preserving its traditional look of 1 1/8 to 1 1/4—something you don't often see in other frames.

The integrated seat post (ISP) also plays a significant role in the bike's performance, not just in terms of appearance, but also in how it feels on the road. This is another feature that sets it apart from other manufacturers.

The bike's build kit is impressive as well, offering a very smooth ride with the new Lightweight Meilenstein ART wheels paired with the Campagnolo Super Record 13-speed groupset. This combination makes the GT one of the fastest, lightest, and most attractive bikes we've built here at Signature this year.

Ruedi Laager
Co-owner

Andreas's Bastion Road Disc

As a proud owner, the Andreas Bastion Road Disc is my favorite bike of the year. Nothing speaks more loudly about the success of a business and customer satisfaction than returning for repeat business. That was the case for Andreas; not only did he come back for another custom bike, but he also ordered an identical bike to the one he purchased years ago.

Andreas was the first client to receive the Bastion with its integrated cockpit back in 2022, right around the time I took office. Since then, we have elevated the business and introduced new ideas and projects at Signature Cycles. Seeing Andreas return with a smile and ready to pick up his second Bastion made me incredibly proud. Beyond the bike's beauty, the perfect harmony of colors in the frame, components, and wheels means a lot to me and everyone here at Signature Cycles.