Can you recall the times when arguments were effortlessly resolved through a friendly competition? Back on the playground, any disagreement could resolve in a race to the opposite end of the schoolyard or by declaring "Shotgun" to indisputably claim the coveted front seat in the car.

All of that healthy competition doesn't need to stop because we're getting older. Go ahead - Sprint for the county line sign, race up that hill and brag to your friends about your QOM or KOM.

In Where to Wander Road, we've pulled together 3 of our favorite performance road bikes perfect for giving you an advantage against your unknowing competition, and we took all of them out on the road to see how they break down across 5 different categories.

• Acceleration: How effortlessly does the bike hold speed and accelerate while riding?

• Climbing: How does the bike handle inclines (when seated and out of the saddle)?

• Flatland Speed: Does the bike feel like it effortlessly glides or holds you back when facing headwinds?

• Handling: Does it feel agile and responsive or sluggish when navigating turns?

• Comfort: After a long day in the saddle, does it leave you revitalized or yearning for a spa day?

GIANT PROPEL

THE RACER

CERVELO SOLOIST

THE ALL-ROUNDER

CANNONDALE SUPERSIX EVO

THE CLIMBER

Henry Coe State Park is a vast wilderness area in the Diablo Range of California, covering over 87,000 acres and located near Morgan Hill. The park is known for its rugged and challenging terrain, with steep hills, rocky ridges, and deep canyons that provide a challenging but rewarding hiking experience. Oak woodlands, chaparral, grassy meadows, and occasional streams and ponds characterize the landscape.

Recreational activities in the park include hiking, backpacking, biking, horseback riding, and camping. The park features over 250 miles of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous, offering hikers a chance to explore the diverse terrain and wildlife of the park. The park also offers campsites that are accessible by vehicle, as well as backcountry campsites for backpackers who want to explore the park's remote areas.

Mountain bikers can enjoy the park's challenging terrain, with several trails designated for biking. Horseback riders can explore the park's backcountry trails, with horse camps available for overnight stays. The park is also popular for birdwatching, with over 200 bird species.

A longtime pro cyclist and 2-year Team Mike's Bikes member, Nate started cycling in his home country of Eritrea before moving to Switzerland and racing in Europe.

Joining Team Mike's Bikes in 2022, Gavin made his mark with a win of the California State Road Race Title and a remarkable 2nd Place on the queen stage (Stage 5 - Sunset) of the Redlands Bicycle Classic.

Quinn is a Pro Cyclist representing the Aevolo Cycling team. In 2023, he achieved the 12th position at the USA Pro Cycling Championship in Knoxville, Tennessee. Along with racing, Quinn is a student at UC Santa Cruz studying Computer Science.

When the new Giant propel started showing up on the world tour scene in 2022, there were heads turning left and right. The claims were being made that in its "Advanced 0" trim, it would come in below the pro cycling bike weight limit of 15lbs (6.8kg) while matching the aerodynamics of other full aero race bikes like the Cervelo S5 and Cannondale SystemSix.

Those rumors were confirmed when it was finally released to the public in 2023. The Propel was not only lightweight but also incredibly aerodynamic. The Propel also has updated its integration at the front end, making it easier to adjust the height without the need to re-cable. Taking cues from the Giant's TCR race bike, the new Propel also bucks the trend of aero bikes feeling flexible under power.

The primary race bike for Team Mike's Bikes race team, the Cervelo Soloist aims to be one of the most well-rounded performance road bikes on the market. It originally came to market in the early 2000s as a full-on race bike meant for the pro peloton, but with the latest rebirth of the model, it has made an enormous effort to be more than just a bare-knuckle race rig.

Cervelo created a bike lighter than the company's full-aero S5 and more aerodynamic than the featherweight R5. Its goal is to bridge the gap for riders looking for a single bike that will do everything well. The Soloist also offers lots of usability with a "semi-integrated" front end that routes the bike cables cleverly below the stem and into the frame, keeping them hidden from the wind without making it difficult for riders to make adjustments to their fit. Adding to the package, the Soloist can fit up to a 34c tire and offers an exceptional range of specs levels, all while ensuring a resonblabe price point.

The 4th generation Cannondale SuperSix EVO is truly a sight to behold when you see it up close. The EVO has always been known for its ride quality and handling prowess, but the new generation looked at ways to increase its aerodynamic efficiency and lower its weight. Its clever design features a seatpost too narrow to conceal a Shimano Di2 battery inside and tube shapes with flattened rear ends to improve efficiency while keeping weight in check.

While it's tough to call the SuperSix "cheap," riders can get the same aerodynamics as the $15,000 Lab71 model all the way down to $3,500, making it regardless of budget. To do this, Cannondale has developed 3 frame levels using different carbon fiber lay-ups that offer the same geometry and aero with only marginal weight penalties.

RAPHA PRO TEAM TRAINING JERSEY

RAPHA PRO TEAM TRAINING VEST

RAPHA PRO TEAM TRAINING BIB SHORTS

RAPHA CORE LIGHTWEIGHT JERSERY

FIZIK INFINITO CARBON 2 ROAD SHOES

FIZIK TEMPO POWERSTRAP R5 ROAD SHOES

GIRO HELIOS SPHERICAL ROAD HELMET

POC VENTRAL AIR MIPS HELMET