Avona has launched the Velum SUB6, a new flagship-spec road bike that slips under the 6kg weight barrier. Built around a Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 groupset and a carefully selected components package, the Velum SUB6 tipped our scales at 5.92kg in a size medium without pedals. Read more: Avona unveils the lightest full-suspension frame on the market alongside new road and gravel bikes Real-world performance The Avona Velum is pitched as the ultimate performance road bike. Road Bike Connection Spring - Rupert Fowler Rather than chasing headline aero gains, Avona says it developed the Velum focusing on reducing rolling resistance, drivetrain losses and overall system weight. It says these factors are more impactful on speed and riding efficiency, assuming the same rider aerodynamics are at play on the entire system. Jonas Mller, Avonas co-founder, says the brand analysed hundreds of real-world ride files to understand where riders spend time and produce power, concluding that climbing and variable terrain play a bigger role in overall performance than often assumed. Aerodynamics play a part in the performance mix, but Avona's co-founder says other factors make a larger difference to ride performance for most riders. Road Bike Connection Spring - Rupert Fowler Speaking to BikeRadar about the development of the Velum SUB6, Mller says: We measure performance using normalised power, time above critical power, and anaerobic work done. We then introduce hypothetical scenarios where we save weight from the assumed system, and then an aero drag reduction, a rolling resistance reduction, and drivetrain efficiency. The frame is made of high-modulus carbon, helping it to achieve a 798g claimed weight in a size 54cm, painted. Road Bike Connection Spring - Rupert Fowler Mller claims that improvements in the bikes aerodynamic drag arent as impactful on performance as those other factors. That said, aerodynamically, Mller says the Velum matches benchmark race bikes in wind-tunnel testing, despite accommodating wider tyres, reflecting a design brief that avoids sacrificing ride quality or rolling efficiency for marginal drag reductions. The Velum SUB6 in detail A QO Race SL carbon crankset supplements the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 groupset. Road Bike Connection Spring - Rupert Fowler The Velums frame weight is a claimed 798g (painted, in a size 54cm), but key to achieving the SUB6s 5.92kg weight are the new Faserwerk Bergreif SL wheels, which come in at a claimed 987g for the pair. These feature straight-pull Vonoa carbon spokes laced to lightweight NonPlus Primaro hubs, with a 35mm rim depth. These ultra-light wheels are central to the builds philosophy, with Avona arguing weight savings can deliver greater benefits than deeper aero profiles in many real-world scenarios particularly on climbs where riders spend more time at higher-power outputs. Vonoa spokes are a current favourite among brands building lightweight road wheels. Road Bike Connection Spring - Rupert Fowler Tyres also play a major role, with the SUB6 specced with Tufo Comtura Prima TT tyres, which Mller says were chosen specifically for their low weight and rolling resistance, offering efficiency gains across all terrain and rider speeds. The Shimano Dura-Ace drivetrain is supplemented by a QO Race SL carbon crankset, while the Repente Quasar CR2.0 saddle is intended to deliver long-ride comfort. Mller says this choice is reflective of the Velums broader emphasis on holistic performance, rather than saving a few grams at the expense of comfort. Beyond outright weight, the Velum platform also incorporates details aimed at improving real-world usability and speed. Despite being lightweight by most standards, the Velum SUB6 still sports an aerodynamic one-piece cockpit. Road Bike Connection Spring - Rupert Fowler This includes an aerodynamically optimised one-piece integrated cockpit, clearance for up to 35mm-wide tyres (measured), and offering tubeless setups as standard, which Mller says is most efficient in terms of rolling resistance. The Velum SUB6 is also supplied with a waxed chain to reduce friction losses. Mller says Avonas testing shows waxing to be the most efficient chain treatment, and reasons that its much easier to switch to oil-based lubes than to take an oiled chain and switch it to wax". The Avona Velum SUB6 costs 9,999 direct from Avona, with prices in the UK and US subject to customs duties and local taxes.