Baldiso Zenith reviewed: The fastest road bike in the world? | ROADBIKE

Baldiso Zenith

The fastest road bike in the world: This is the claim Baldiso, based in the Allgäu region, is using to promote its brand-new Zenith – and it backs it up with impressive figures: 193.6 watts at 45 km/h, according to industry-standard wind tunnel measurements, setting a new benchmark. The team behind founder Sebastian Baldauf already proved they could make a bold statement with their striking "The One" (see RB 05/25).

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With the Zenith, they are now raising the bar, emphasizing that it is not "just" the fastest road bike, but also designed to set standards in other areas like weight, stiffness, and comfort. Furthermore, it is manufactured entirely in Germany. High expectations, then. Can the bike live up to these promises in the ROADBIKE test?

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Visually, the Baldiso Zenith is less flashy than one might expect from a racer with such aero performance: the fork blades, head tube, cockpit, and rear triangle are not overly dramatic. There are certainly more unconventional models out there, such as the polarizing Factor One on page 32. Baldiso also avoids features like air vents on the cockpit, seat tube, or specially adapted bottle cages. Only the impressively wide down tube stands out.

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The Zenith is undeniably fast, as it proves impressively during our test rides. Thanks to the 2474-gram lightweight Ennoble wheels with Conti aero tires, it picks up speed effortlessly and maintains top speed without issue; the drops also allow for a low position, ensuring the rider offers minimal wind resistance. During decisive sprints out of the saddle, the 790-gram frame impresses with its stiffness, transferring power directly to the road. At least as impressive: the complete Zenith weighs only 6.66 kilograms – making it the lightest aero racer we have tested to date! Naturally, this means it’s not just for hammering out speed; the Zenith also climbs as nimbly as a mountain goat. It is a shame, however, that despite the hefty price tag of 12,750 euros, no power meter is included. At least the Zenith can be customized via a configurator to meet individual customer needs. The manufacturer offers complete bikes starting at 9,990 euros.

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So, the Baldiso is fast and light. In terms of comfort, it is less impressive. While the seat post offers decent flex, the very hard carbon saddle provides little damping, and the front end also proves to be relatively stiff. For those who can handle that, the Zenith is an exclusive and extremely fast road bike for the highest performance demands.

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"We have never tested a lighter aero racer. The exclusive Zenith really impressed me."

Text: Christian Brunker

Published in ROADBIKE individual test (10/26)