Diamondback

Airén 2 Shimano 105 Complete Road Bike - Women's - 2015

It's a sad but accurate assessment that women have long been an underserved population in cycling, and, even with the rise of women-specific designs, many brands are still giving lady cyclists the short end of the competitive stick. Not so with Diamondback, whose Airén 2 Shimano 105 Complete Road Bike delivers on every promise that it makes.

The Airén 2 features the same kit load out as the men's Century 2 model, designed to balance a responsive ride with the kind of endurance comfort geometry enjoying a recent ascension in even Europe's most competitive pelotons. The butted tubing varies wall thickness so that the 7005 alloy frame keeps things light, stiff, and comfortable where appropriate — even when you're not just riding smooth tarmac.

Though it's not specifically targeted for gravel riding, the Airén 2 can still take on dirt roads and pebble-strewn paths with confidence. This attitude toward variable surfaces is bolstered by the inclusion of HED's peerless, indefatigable Belgium rims, whose 25-millimeter girth makes for higher tire volume and more vertical sidewall. The result is a ride that's suppler, more confident in corners, and enjoys less rolling resistance for more efficiency. The bike is finished with Shimano's workhorse 105 groupset, which may not carry the pomp and flash of Dura-Ace, but it does promise to carry you through several seasons of riding with virtually no maintenance — something the more finicky "race" drivetrains can't guarantee.

Finally, it's worth noting that Diamondback didn't skimp on looks. Even though the Airén is built with an eye toward function, the frame's simple white finish and bright contrasting details on the carbon fork make for a look that maintains distinction from the overwrought paint jobs on similar men's frame.