Adris Le Performance Review: A Fast, Light Road Bike at a Very Competitive Price

Adris is the young (Breton) brand on the rise. And it proves it with two high-end road models used by the professionals of the Continental team CIC U Nantes Atlantique and by the riders of Morbihan Fybolia Goa (which became Morbihan Adris in 2024), one of the best N1 teams in France. The Performance (that is its name) is a fast, light, versatile bike at an ultra-competitive price. Here is a test of a machine that unquestionably plays in the big leagues.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©Vincent Lyky

Founded in 2009 in Morbihan by two young brothers, the company Adrisport began modestly by selling cycling accessories and equipment online, before launching its own range of bikes called Adris a few years later and enjoying real success with competitive riders, especially in cyclo-cross, with frames offering excellent value for money. Ten years after its creation, the company gradually phased out distribution and invested in 1,200 m² of premises to focus exclusively on bike production while getting closer to a traditional network of dealers. At the same time, the brand has become increasingly present at the highest amateur level, and even among the pros, since Adris now equips CIC U Nantes Atlantique, one of the ten French teams at the highest level.

While Adris probably does not have the same resources as the biggest brands in research and development, the Duault brothers are moving forward step by step, offering design solutions that have proven themselves, in collaboration with a trusted Asian subcontractor that manufactures the frames to the brand’s specifications using its own molds. For the most high-end bikes in the range, such as the Performance, but also the Vitesse (the aerodynamic road frame) and the Fusée (the time trial/triathlon bike), Adris has obtained the UCI label, meaning these machines can be entered in all official competitions. It should also be noted that they come with a lifetime warranty. The three models in the competition range are built from UMH-SL carbon fiber, the highest-grade material the brand uses, with 800 carbon patches precisely placed in the mold. The design, drawing, and assembly of the bikes are carried out at the Colpo factory, which allowed Adris to be certified Made in Brittany.

The choice of versatility

While the Vitesse, with its both massive and sharp lines, shows that it is above all a bike built to go fast on the flat, the Performance adopts more consensual lines, though not far from the Specialized Tarmac and Cannondale SuperSix, two benchmarks in the category. The shape of the tubes is worked to cut through the wind, yet the frame keeps a competitive weight, with 890 g claimed for size M with paint. As for the structure of the tubes themselves, there is a stiff frame, but not to excess, which mainly contributes to the bike’s overall dynamism. The choice of wheels also reflects versatility, with Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 wheels on this top-of-the-range version of the Performance (the same as the Nantes pros) and Chinese Lun Road wheels on the Ultegra Di2 version, so you benefit from good aerodynamics without too much weight on climbs, and without difficulty controlling the bike in crosswinds.

Very good value for money

Beautifully made, the Performance benefits from full integration of the brake hoses inside the one-piece cockpit signed Adris, then through the headset and the rest of the frame. It is clean and nothing sticks out. The aerodynamic seatpost also comes from a dedicated production run for this bike. Clamping is done from the front on top of the horizontal tube, and the bolt is hidden by a rubber cover, which unfortunately is not very effective because it tends to move while riding. But that is a detail.

In this version, identical to the one the pros use, you get a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset, so with Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 wheels, an Italia SLR Boost Superflow saddle, and above all the excellent Vittoria Corsa Pro tires. These tubeless tires retail at €95 each and stand out for a rolling efficiency, grip, and road feel that are generally exceptional. Adris has therefore made no unwelcome compromises on this machine, offered at €8,999 in this magnificent solid chrome red paint. Note that the brand is also currently offering a limited series of the Performance in chrome blue, like the pro team’s bike.

The Performance is also available with Ultegra Di2, with Lun Road wheels and Vittoria Corsa Graphene tires at €5,599; in 105 Di2 with the same wheels at €4,599; in 105 Di2 with Mavic Aksium wheels and a traditional handlebar setup at €3,599; and in 105 mechanical (11-speed) at €2,899. As an exception, the frameset can be sold on its own, at €2,299.

A bike that does not have to blush in the face of the competition

On the road, the Adris Performance behaves like a modern high-end bike, proving efficient and versatile on all terrain. Its weight first: at under 6.9 kg (without pedals) in size S, it is on the same level as a Tarmac S-Works SL7 with the same equipment. Without being exceptional, it is already very good.

Next, rolling. While it is hard to judge the aerodynamic efficiency of one frame against a rival (since it often comes down to a few details), you can easily notice that with this setup the Performance offers excellent rolling efficiency, whether on the flat or uphill. And on descents, I ran a very simple comparison with a riding companion who weighs a good ten kilos more than me and is also on a high-end bike with an unblemished reputation. Every time, the Adris took the lead after a few dozen meters, without pedaling, and finished at the bottom of the descent a few lengths ahead. Astonishing! Whether it comes from the frame, the wheels, or even the tires, it is hard to say. Probably from the whole package. But the Performance undoubtedly plays in the big leagues when it comes to pure efficiency.

On climbs, the bike strikes the right balance between a bottom bracket that does not seem to flinch, transmitting the rider’s power without the slightest loss, and a front end slightly less stiff, though not soft, to make out-of-the-saddle accelerations easier and avoid suffering the bike’s rigidity. The Performance is at home both when riding at speed in a big gear and when you need to shift up a few gears to launch sharp accelerations. It allows you to be incisive and confirms its racing DNA.

On the flat, the machine lets you push some serious power. Only a slightly twitchy steering gives it a little less stability than expected. In crosswinds, you have to hold on tight. And in the autumn conditions of recent weeks, it seemed unthinkable to let go of the bars while crossing open plains. The front end is very sensitive, despite wheels only 45 mm deep. And if I look at the geometry chart, I find a head tube angle of 71.5° for size S, which is fairly typical for this frame size. This playful side may be due to a headset that is not fully locked, but it is also what gives the bike that dynamism so enjoyable on the steepest slopes.

Still, the bike is very precise when changing direction and when lining up for successive corners. I got the measure of this bike very quickly and felt at ease on it after just a few kilometers, despite first outings on wet, greasy roads, as is often the case early in the winter season. In terms of comfort, if you are not dealing with a touring bike, the behavior of the tires is welcome for reducing small vibrations on rough surfaces. Overall, the bike does not tend to bounce or to ride over large irregularities in the asphalt. It would be even better in this respect with 28 mm tires, or even 30 mm for those who like it bigger.

This Adris Performance is therefore quite a surprise, as light as many top-end references on the market and probably nearly as fast. I have in any case greatly enjoyed its handlebars, since its performance-oriented versatility matches what I expect from a road bike. Its beautiful finish, with a solid paint that looks very deep, and equipment that is top of the current range add to the experience. And this bike is also offered at a particularly attractive price.

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