Why Hosking Bikes Leads the Market: Understanding Quality Beyond Weight
Finding the right bike is a nuanced process that extends far beyond brand recognition. It’s about discovering the best product for your needs — whether you're a dedicated commuter, weekend adventurer, or aspiring competitive cyclist. Here we explain why Hosking Bikes has become the best bike on the market and how we made decisions to make this possible.
While weight is often emphasised in cycling circles, it's crucial to recognise that a bike's overall quality includes far more than its mass. Comfort, handling, cornering ability, durability, and aerodynamics all shape the riding experience. Prioritising these elements leads to a far more fulfilling and high-performance ride.
Understanding Bike Quality: Beyond Weight
Pete Muir, journalist at Cyclist Magazine, put it best:
"Weight matters a lot if, say, you are deciding who should go at the top of a human pyramid. But when it comes to bicycles, weight doesn’t matter nearly as much as we think it does."
Pete’s full article, Bike Weight Doesn’t Matter, is worth reading.
In Cyclist.co.uk’s 2023 Aero and All-Rounder evaluations, the top performers proved that true bike quality is holistic. The 3T Strada led the rankings with agile performance on 30mm tyres and a price of $13,500. Close contenders like the Canyon SystemSIX (8.5kg) and BMC Timemachine (7.99kg) reinforced that balanced performance matters far more than shaving grams.
Despite weighing just 7.5kg, the Trek Madone placed 15th — showcasing its reliance on marketing over performance. As a veteran pro cyclist with 13 years of experience, I know firsthand that excellence in bikes is defined by comfort, handling, cornering, and control. This philosophy guided the creation of the Hosking Crit Dream Pro.
Components and Features: What Matters Most
Component quality is the backbone of any world-class bike. At HOSKING, we use top-tier parts from SRAM and Vision. In 2023, the three biggest men’s races were all won by teams using SRAM and Vision components — the gold standard of modern performance.
- Groupset: All HOSKING bikes come with electronic SRAM shifting — APEX, RIVAL, FORCE, or RED.
- Gear Ratios: We use the optimal ratios for generalist Road and All-Road riding. If you're a junior, we can ensure your bike meets junior compliance rules.
- Handlebars & Wheels: We exclusively use Vision for their superior performance and value.
- Tyres: The best modern road tyres are 30mm or 32mm wide, offering dramatically better control and comfort.
Inclusive Design and Bike Fit
The cycling industry has long designed bikes for 6-foot male professionals, leaving many riders underserved. At HOSKING, we design around riders between 5'4" and 5'11" — the majority of cyclists. This guarantees better comfort, control, and enjoyment for real-world riders.
Value: Making Informed Choices
Tour de France visibility is often a product of marketing budgets, not bike quality. The Trek Madone’s staggering $26,379 price tag reflects advertising spend, not performance superiority.
Independent testing backs this up: a $13,500 bike topped the 2023 rankings, while the heavily marketed Madone dropped to last place. I raced my final two pro years on a Madone — I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
Since 2019, major bike brands have inflated their prices by ~26%, making cycling increasingly inaccessible. If you insist on a $20,000+ bike, look at the FELT AR before a Madone.
But if you want unmatched value and performance, Hosking Bikes is your best option. We pair a world-class frameset — proven in professional racing — with the best componentry available, at the best price possible.
By prioritising meaningful performance factors, riders can invest in bikes that deliver long-term satisfaction, reliability, and world-class capability.
Explore our range today and discover cycling excellence designed to elevate every ride.
Read more stories from Hosking Bikes