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review

Storck Aernario.2 Platinum Edition G1

8
£9,520.00

VERDICT:

8
10
One of the best all-round race bikes out there, and also one of the most expensive
Weight: 
6,510g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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With its price tag of nearly ten grand, you'd expect the Storck Aernario.2 Platinum G1 to be something very special indeed, and if you were to ride one you'd probably find it's as close to perfection as you're going to get. Light, stiff, fast and comfortable, it delivers everything by the bucket load. Is it worth the huge outlay, though? That's the question.

  • Pros: Beautiful handling, excellent balance of comfort and stiffness
  • Cons: Hugely expensive, the integrated bar shape won't appeal to all

> Find your nearest dealer here
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Ride

The Aernario.2 doesn't feel like a race bike to ride. It's fast, yes, but there don't seem to be any of the compromises you usually find with an out and out race machine.

It's part of Storck's Allround range where it sits alongside the Fascenario.3 which I was testing at the same time. They are both bikes designed to be ridden hard and fast but in a multitude of settings like fast club runs, day-long rides or sportives. The Aernario.2 is the more race orientated of the two, though.

Storck Aernario 2 Platinum Edition G1 - riding 2.jpg

Ironically, the Fascenario.3 is designed to be the one that focuses more on comfort but I found it surprisingly buzzy and a little harsh on UK roads. The Aernario.2, on the other hand, has a much more refined ride and it was a joy to spin along even when the surface wasn't the best.

The Fascenario.3 I rode was the entry-level Comp model, while the Aernario.2 on test is the top end Platinum frame which uses a much higher grade of carbon fibre in its construction, and this is likely to produce the biggest benefits in comfort.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - frame decal.jpg

The Aernario.2 seems to cancel out the high frequency buzz you get from slightly rippled and broken road surfaces, and that makes a difference on rides of over four hours, especially to your contact points.

Storck Aernario 2 Platinum Edition G1 - riding 3.jpg

As well as it being so comfortable, I was impressed by the huge feeling of stiffness from the frame, as one usually compromises the other. Stamp on the pedals and this bike surges forward. If you need to bridge a gap or beat the lights, as soon as you push the pedals hard it responds, there is no feeling of lag anywhere in the system. And you don't even need to get out of the saddle either.

And if the urge to sprint does take you, no matter how hard you are laying down the power and flinging the bike from side to side, every single watt feels as though it is going straight to the tarmac.

If you are out for the long haul and want to take things a little bit easier, though, this is still one quick bike. Average speeds on familiar routes were quicker by a mile per hour or so.

All this stiffness and the light weight – it sits below the UCI weight limit – mean it's one hell of a climber. Attacking the local hills actually became a joy and I even started riding climbs that I generally avoid just to set some personal bests.

And when it comes to technical sections and descending, the Aernario.2 is an absolute hoot.

Storck Aernario 2 Platinum Edition G1 - riding 4.jpg

As you'd expect for such a performance bike, the handling is on the quick side, so you need to be relaxed and smooth to really exploit the brilliance. The short head tube allows you to get into a perfect tuck to lower your centre of gravity and once in the drops, slight shifts of position and bodyweight mean you can pick your line through the bends with absolute precision.

I've mentioned my favourite test hill in my reviews before, and the Storck took a fair few seconds off my fastest time down it.

It has a steep chicane at the start with a tricky camber change then you swoop down through bends in various directions and degrees of tightness before dropping into the village through the last final couple of bends at over 50mph. If a bike has a flaw in its handling, one of the sections will always pick it up, but I've never known a bike change direction as fast and as smoothly as the Aernario.2. You have this real feeling of the bike being an extension of you, and it leaves you with a massive grin on your face.

Frame and fork

Detailed engineering is right at the heart of everything that comes out of Storck's design and development.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1.jpg

As I mentioned, the Platinum uses a higher grade of carbon fibres in its construction compared with the cheaper Pro and Comp models, and achieves an impressive claimed weight of 790g for the frame in the smallest size and a fork weight of just 270g. That is pretty light.

Advanced Sectional Aerodynamic Shaping is used on quite a few of Storck's bikes, including the Aernario.2. The frame is designed in such a way that the tubes and their junctions offer as little resistance to the wind as possible while still functioning in other roles like stiffness. It also takes into account the entire aerodynamic package including the rider and other components.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - stays.jpg

The shaping of the head tube, down tube and seat tube are all included, as is the huge press-fit bottom bracket shell as it leads into the chainstays.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - bottom bracket.jpg

Short 399mm chainstays mean that the rear wheel is tucked into a recess in the seat tube for improved airflow too.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - seat tube shape.jpg

Each of the tubes has its carbon fibre layup designed to get that balance of stiffness and comfort, plus Storck uses proportional tubing in relation to the size of the frame. A taller rider tends to be heavier and possibly more powerful than one riding a smaller bike, so as the frame size increases so do the properties of the tubing to cope.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - frame decal 2.jpg

The entire frame has internal cable routing and is compatible with both mechanical systems and electronic gearing. It gives the bike a very clean look and I'm happy to report that even with all of the stiffness going on there is no rattling on the inside from the cables over rough roads.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - cable routing.jpg

The seatclamp is also integrated into the frame, with a hex bolt under the junction between the seat tube and top tube tightening a wedge against the seatpost. It allows for more post length to be exposed, giving more flex for comfort even though Storck has gone with a larger diameter 31.6mm post.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - seat tube junction.jpg

Up front the fork has similar properties to the frame. It's stiff enough to deal with heavy braking and steering loads thanks to the use of a 1 1/8in to 1 1/4in tapered steerer tube, but still offers plenty of comfort.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - head tube.jpg

The Aernario.2 is available in six sizes running through from XS to XXL. We've got the medium here which has an effective top tube of 566mm, a head tube at a very short 139mm, with a stack and reach of 552mm and 403mm respectively.

Build

The Platinum models come in a range of builds, Shimano Ultegra in either mechanical or Di2, and the same setup in Dura-Ace. We've got the most expensive Dura-Ace Di2, with its cool £9,520 (€10,697) price tag.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - bars.jpg

As you'd expect for this price, it comes with a full R9150 groupset made up of a selection of mechanical and electrical components. I won't into massive details about it, as you can read the full review here.

In keeping with its performance character, Storck has specced a semi-compact chainset which has a 52/36-tooth chainring setup. This is paired with an 11-28 cassette, giving a spread of gears that suits fast riding.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - drivetrain.jpg

This latest version of Di2 is the most refined yet. The gear shifting has a positive click and the shift buttons feel to be in a more natural place than they were on previous iterations. The shifting layout is customisable and it's great to see the Storck using the new control box which pushes into the end of the handlebar, replacing one of your bar ends; it looks so much neater than the box sitting under the stem.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - bar and shifter.jpg

Shimano's latest dual pivot brakes are absolute corkers, with loads of power and modulation even with the carbon rims being quite grabby once the pads get some heat into them.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - rear brake 2.jpg

A lot of the newest carbon fibre wheels have very good braking surfaces, especially in the dry – and they are getting there in the wet – but the DT Swiss PRC1400 rims are a bit on/off, if you know what I mean.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - rim and tyre.jpg

The 35mm-deep rim doesn't offer much in terms of aerodynamics, but it's a good all-rounder wheelset and they certainly stayed true throughout the test period.

They have a claimed weight of 1,444g so offer a good balance of performance and strength, although they do have a rider and bike weight limit of just 100kg.

Their internal rim width of 18mm isn't as wide as some, but they do stretch your tyres out a little over their nominal size. The hubs are DT Swiss 240s which run very smoothly and have a very quick engagement from the freehub.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - rear hub.jpg

Tyre-wise, Storck has gone for Schwalbe Ones in a 25mm width and they are well suited to the Aernario.2. They roll very fast and offer a huge amount of grip, wet or dry, which really allows you to push the Aernario.2 to its limits and not be held back by the tyres.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - fork.jpg

Like on a lot of its bikes, Storck has used Selle Italia's Monolink system for the seatpost and saddle. It's based around a central rail, which offers more adjustment fore and aft than a traditional saddle with two rails and corresponding seatpost clamp.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - saddle and post.jpg

To be honest, I'm not a big fan of the SLS Monolink saddle – I don't really get on with the shape – but at least with the Aernario.2 using a fully round seatpost you can swap it out to fit a standard favourite. The Fascenario.3's seatpost has a flat rear section meaning you're stuck with the Monolink design.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - saddle.jpg

Our test model came with Storck's integrated bar and stem which I found pretty good in the stiffness stakes. There is very little flex to be found, but thankfully the frame and fork's comfort levels take care of that anyway.

Storck Aer 2 Platinum Edition G1 - bars 2.jpg

I wasn't totally enamoured with its shape, especially at the hoods as it slopes away quite heavily and I always felt like I was having to keep pushing back on the hoods to stop my hands feeling like they were slipping. If I'd set the bike up myself I would probably push the gear shifters a little further up the bar. Obviously there isn't much adjustment with integrated bars.

Value

This is quite literally one of the best bikes you can buy, but it is an absolutely massive outlay which makes you wonder just how much better it is than the entry-level Comp.

It's up against some really tough opposition too, such as Canyon's Ultimate CF SLX. The top of the range rim-braked model, the CF SLX 9.0 Di2 with Dura-Ace electronic shifting, Mavic carbon wheels and an integrated carbon bar and stem combo, is just £5,699!

> Ultimate superbikes: 12 of the most expensive production road bikes in the world

I rode the mechanical shifting option a couple of years ago and it was an amazing bike. Fast, comfortable and stiff, just like the Aernario.2 Platinum, and while it may not have the same levels of exclusivity of the Storck and it might not quite hit the numbers on the test jigs, out in the real world it's barely perceptible, especially not nearly four grands' worth.

The Platinum is available as a frameset for £5,046 (€5,699) which also puts it at a grand more expensive than Colnago's flagship, the C64. The Storck is quite a bit lighter, though.

Conclusion

The Aernario.2 Platinum G1 is an absolutely awesome bike and if you've got the type of money that you can afford one, then value – the one real stroke against it – probably isn't an issue for you.

Take money out of the equation and there is little to fault it.

Verdict

One of the best all-round race bikes out there, and also one of the most expensive

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Storck Aernario 2 Platinum Edition G1

Size tested: 55cm

About the bike

List the components used to build up the bike.

Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 2x11 (R9150)

Frame Storck Aernario2 Platinum

Fork Storck Aernario2Platinum

Color Matt Black

Material Carbon Fiber Reinforced (CFR)/Unidirectional (UD)

Cable Routing Internal Cable Routing Braking/Shifting

Bottom Bracket Pressfit™ Diameter 41x86,5 mm

Headset Acros 1 1/8" - 1 1/4"

Handlebar 31,8 mm Storck RBC170 Carbon

Handlebar Tape Storck

Seatpost 31,6 mm Storck MLP150 Monolink Carbon

Saddle Selle Italia Monolink SLS

System-Wheels DT Swiss PRC1400 / 35mm

Tires Schwalbe One 25 mm

Rear Derailleur Shimano Dura Ace Di2

Front Derailleur Shimano Dura Ace Di2

Shift Levers Shimano Dura Ace Di2 2x11

Brakes Shimano Dura Ace

Crankset Shimano Dura Ace 52/36, 172,5 mm

Chain Shimano Dura Ace 11-speed

Cassette Shimano Dura Ace 11-speed, 11-28

Tell us what the bike is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?

Storck says, "Our top performer! The evolution of the Storck models is entering the next round. The peak technical values of the Aernario success model and innovative technologies of the F.3 are united in the Aernario.2. All characteristics typical for Storck such as loss-free propulsion due to high stiffness values, aerodynamics and noticeable comfort reach a new quality in the Aernario.2 models. 'Advanced Sectional Aerodynamic Shaping' and 'Directional Depending Stiffness' have practically reinvented themselves resulting in tube shapes that are both attractive and technically superior. Aernario.2 is the optimum racing machine and makes the difference in the peloton. Aernario.2 – the lightweight bike paired with maximum stiffness and perfect comfort."

The Aernario.2 Platinum G1 offers huge performance and comfort, and can be ridden hard by everyone, from racer to fast individual.

Where does this model sit in the range? Tell us briefly about the cheaper options and the more expensive options

The Platinum sits at the top of the Aernario models, above the Pro and Comp.

Frame and fork

Overall rating for frame and fork
 
10/10

Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?

The overall build quality and finish can't really be faulted.

Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?

Storck doesn't give much away about the specific build but it says for the Platinum range it uses the highest grade carbon fibres compared to those models lower down the range.

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

The Aernario.2 is very racy, with a very short head tube for an aggressive front end, and with a decent length top tube the overall position is long and low.

How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?

This medium has a stack of 552mm and a reach of 403mm which is very race bike. It gives a ratio of just 1.36.

Riding the bike

Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.

For the type of bike it is, the ride feel is very refined and comfortable.

Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?

The stiffness is one of the best aspects of the frame.

How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?

Very impressively indeed.

Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so was it a problem?

No.

How would you describe the steering? Was it lively neutral or unresponsive? Fast, but the right side of lively overall.

Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?

As a rider, if you are smooth and let the Storck do its job you will be repaid by a bike that delivers pin point accuracy in the bends.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? would you recommend any changes?

The seatpost offers quite a bit of flex for increased comfort.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's stiffness? would you recommend any changes?

The Dura-Ace chainset is one of the stiffest out there and works well with the bike.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's efficiency? would you recommend any changes?

It all works well together to create an awesome race bike package.

Rate the bike for efficiency of power transfer:
 
10/10
Rate the bike for acceleration:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for sprinting:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for high speed stability:
 
10/10
Rate the bike for cruising speed stability:
 
10/10
Rate the bike for low speed stability:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for flat cornering:
 
10/10
Rate the bike for cornering on descents:
 
10/10
Rate the bike for climbing:
 
9/10

The drivetrain

Rate the drivetrain for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the drivetrain for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the drivetrain for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the drivetrain for value:
 
6/10

Tell us some more about the drivetrain. Anything you particularly did or didn't like? Any components which didn't work well together?

Dura-Ace is hard to fault and the latest Di2 shifters are so much more refined than earlier versions.

Wheels and tyres

Rate the wheels for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the wheels for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the wheels for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the wheels for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the wheels for value:
 
7/10

Tell us some more about the wheels.Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the wheels? If so what for?

I wasn't a massive fan of the braking surface of the DT Swiss wheels compared with other carbon wheels I've tried lately, but other than that they are good all-rounders.

Rate the tyres for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the tyres for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the tyres for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the tyres for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the tyres for value:
 
7/10

Tell us some more about the tyres. Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the tyres? If so what for?

I love the Schwable Ones for use as a fast performance tyre, and they really suit the limits and handling of the Storck.

Controls

Rate the controls for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for comfort:
 
7/10
Rate the controls for value:
 
7/10

Tell us some more about the controls. Any particularly good or bad components? How would the controls work for larger or smaller riders?

I'm not really a massive fan of the shape of the handlebar.

Anything else you want to say about the componentry? Comment on any other components (good or bad)

The shape of the saddle doesn't really suit me, but that's personal opinion.

Your summary

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes

Would you consider buying the bike? I wish... No, I don't think I could justify the cost for the marginal gains over cheaper models or other brands.

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Yes, if they were after one of the best bikes they could buy, money no object.

How does the price compare to that of similar bikes in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It's more expensive than most, and some of the mass produced brands are catching up on performance levels very quickly.

Rate the bike overall for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the bike overall for value:
 
5/10

Use this box to explain your overall score

Take the price out of the equation and the Storck is very difficult to criticise, it's exceptional, and if you're looking at buying this bike then chances are money is no object... but when you compare it with what else is out there, it has to lose a point on value.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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4 comments

Avatar
don simon fbpe | 5 years ago
0 likes

At this price point I'd expect the MD to come round and give me breakfast in bed, for a year.

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds | 5 years ago
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At this price level you'd expect that cabling to run through the bars and the stem into the frame instead of sitting all ugly like on the drive side of the headtube, also including climbing or sprint blips given this is supposed to be a full on pro level bike and again the price tag.

Though different saddles can be fitted, why wouldn't they include an adapter for the mono rail? And whilst we're at it, cheap end saddle, again for a £10k bike that's poor.

Mid level DT Swiss rims (ridiculously overpriced at full RRP and maybe worth half the £1600 asking price) are a bit suss braking wise going by the reviewer and bog standard G ones, you would expect better wheels and rubber, a pair of Corima carbon wheels would have made this stand out from the crowd and have a pair of wheels that are superb at stopping in the wet as well as looking the danglies, in fact given it's aimed at the very top end/pro level would tubs have being more appropriate?

That said the frameset sounds superb and there's nothing better than one that gives you comfort and a feeling of smoothness, it does make you think at least the miles are a bit easier.

One or two changes/attention to detail (exposed gear cable/climbing blips) plus better wheels and it would change the VFM number and be an even better bike to ride. The reviewer rightly knocks off a full star for that lack of value when comparing it to others because that extra mark up is massive.

Avatar
wicksy5508 | 5 years ago
0 likes

Road.cc 

 

Avatar
wicksy5508 | 5 years ago
0 likes

Road.cc 

you need to look a bit more carefully at the bike you’re riding. The Aernario 2 has a flat backed seatpost not a round one as you stated.

Also you can quite easily fit a normal twin railed saddle to the mono link seatpost by using the twin rail adaptor that is readily available.

pretty sloppy journalism to be honest

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