Back to REVIEWS

review

2025 Pearson Shift Dura Ace - riding 1.jpg (credit: road.cc)

Pearson Shift Dura Ace

by Stu Kerton

Sun, Mar 23, 2025 15:45

£7,450.00

VERDICT:

A firm ride, but it's fast, responsive and a lot of fun

Well specced for the money

Geometry is well suited to fast riding

More stiffness than most of us will need

Very firm ride quality

60mm wheels catch the wind

Weight:

7,913g

Contact:

www.pearsoncycles.com

How we test

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.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

Exceptional
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Quite good
Average
Not so good
Poor
Bad
Appalling

The Pearson Shift is an aero bike that's fun and rewarding to ride, with responsive handling and a solid performance. It's a firmer ride than some, but if you can live with that then you'll enjoy the feedback and rider involvement – and the fact that it's competitively priced.

> Buy now: Pearson Shift Dura Ace for £7,450 from Pearson Cycles

Check out our guide to the best aero road bikes for more options.

Pearson Shift: Ride

In terms of speed and performance, the Shift feels like the majority of aero bikes on the market, which is no surprise really. Pretty much all of them these days are developed using Finite Element Analysis (FEA), which is basically a computer simulation of how structures are going to react and behave in the real world, under various loads or impact scenarios, or aerodynamics.

Road bike frame design is limited by UCI regulations, so it's no surprise that the computer software comes up with a shape that is very similar, regardless of which brand is designing it.

The Shift feels as though it cuts through the air well, and certainly has a sense of efficiency about it, especially at speed. The frameset is very smooth and uncluttered, and when it's paired with the integrated cockpit, aero seatpost and deep-section wheels there is little to catch the wind as the speed increases – well, except for the rider.

Coming off the back of riding the mudguard-equipped, titanium-tubed J.Laverack R J.ACK Disc that I'd been reviewing through the winter months, the difference to average speed is massively noticeable when using a full aero package like the Shift. An unscientifically proven 2mph at least.

So, in terms of performance there is little to criticise. If I was racing, or just focused on fast rides on my own or with friends, I certainly wouldn't feel short-changed when it comes to those post-ride numbers.

The things that can be controlled from brand to brand are stiffness and comfort. I'll kick of with the stiffness first.

The Shift certainly doesn't struggle when it comes to resisting hard efforts through the pedals or the front end under hard steering or heavy braking. This is one very rigid frame, which responds excellently when asked for hard acceleration or an out-of-the-saddle sprint. The bottom bracket junction has a huge cross-sectional area, allowing for chunky chainstays and for the seat and down tubes to maintain a large profile where everything meets.

The front end mimics that, with a large junction area for the head, top and down tubes. I'm a late and hard braker and the Shift responds well to that, not only through the frame, but also the fork. There's no feeling of vagueness to the steering through leg flex or understeer.

Not only is the Shift ideal for those long, flat roads where you want to cheat the wind, it's a proper point and shoot machine. On the days when I didn't have time to get out for my usual couple of hours, I'd give the Pearson a 45-minute blast around one of my local twisty country lane loops and it felt rewarding, and also a lot of fun.

At nearly 8kg it's not a lightweight superbike, but it still pulls with eagerness out of the bends, and thanks to its quick handling I didn't need to scrub off much speed as I entered the corners, meaning that efficiency is maintained. I'm not going to say it 'tracks on rails', but it does hold a very tight line through the corners and feels very well balanced too.

Such a stiff ride does affect the ride quality a bit, though, especially on the roads around the south-west of the UK in winter. I'm not calling it uncomfortable, but it's not the plushest aero bike I've ridden recently. Canyon's latest Aeroad CFR, for instance, would take the comfort prize over the Shift if I was riding them side by side.

That being said, the Shift is still a bike I could ride for plenty of hours without worrying about fatigue of my contact points. One ride was over four hours, and I did a couple of three-hour jaunts without issue. It's just that I was constantly aware of the vibrations and little jolts from the road compared with other bikes I've ridden.

Thankfully, it doesn't have a huge effect on feedback and ride feel, so riding the Shift with gusto through technical sections of road didn't mar my confidence at all.

Summing all that up, the Shift is fast and efficient, but not the smoothest.

Pearson Shift: Frame & fork

The Shift is available in two colour schemes: either in white with orange detailing or this black and gold, which I think looks rather fetching. Overall, the whole frameset looks to be very well made and finished to a high standard.

As you can no doubt guess, the Shift is a full-carbon-composite construction using material from Toray, although Pearson doesn't go into exact details of what grade on its website. The bike is backed up by a five-year transferable warranty.

It has a claimed weight of 1,300g for the frame and another 450g for the fork.

Other highlights include a T47e bottom bracket from CeramicSpeed, which marries the oversizing benefits of a press-fit system with the reliability and serviceability of a threaded BSA design.

Tyre clearance is a decent 32mm, too.

It comes in five sizes, from 49cm to 58cm (or size 1 to 5), with top tube lengths covering 510mm to 577mm.

The bike I was riding is a 56cm/size 4 and comes with a 562mm top tube. The head tube is 155mm and sits at 73.5 degrees, which is mirrored by the seat tube. The wheelbase is just 990mm, which gives the Shift its nimbleness, with the chainstays measuring 410mm in length. The stack and reach figures are 568mm and 392mm respectively.

If you are not too sure on sizing then Pearson also offers the option of a full bike fit.

Pearson Shift: Groupset

Pearson offers the Shift as a frameset or in three main builds, with this Dura-Ace model the most expensive.

Dura-Ace is Shimano's flagship groupset and is now available in electronic Di2 guise only. When this latest R9200 version was released we carried out a full review, if you want the full details of each and every component.

The latest version has gone semi-wireless, as in the STI units are completely wireless and powered by small coin-style batteries (CR2032 if I remember correctly) while the front and rear derailleurs are wired to a battery that sits within the frame.

It's a 12-speed system, and we have a 52/36-tooth chainset paired with an 11-30T cassette.

As you'd expect from a groupset used by a large chunk of the professional peloton, the gear shifting performance is pretty much perfect, with a very light action. Personally, I almost find it a little too light, preferring the slightly heavier action of Ultegra, but that's just me being picky and having the luxury of riding all different groupsets all of the time.

As for the braking, it's brilliant, frankly, with loads of power and plenty of bite.

You get loads of feel through the lever, too, allowing you to adjust the amount of pressure you are applying in contrast to the conditions.

The Shift uses 160mm rotors front and rear.

Pearson Shift: Finishing kit

For the cockpit the Shift is using a Pearson Carbon 1 piece handlebar and stem, which is available in various sizes. I found it a comfortable setup. True, one-piece designs can be a compromise for some people, but this one worked perfectly for me.

It's designed to run the brake hoses into the top of the head tube without them being seen at all, so gives a very aero front end, with fixing points underneath to attach a computer mount in the sleekest way possible, like the K-Edge offering we have here.

Like the frame, it's a stiff carbon setup so adds to that ride feel.

The headset is also Pearson branded and uses Ceramic Speed SLT bearings which are guaranteed for life.

The seatpost is available with either 20mm or 0mm of offset, and fits snugly into the frame. A section of sandpaper style finish is applied to the front of the post which kept it secure without having to overtighten the hidden clamp system.

On top is a Fizik Vento Argo R1 saddle, which has been in Fizik's line-up for many years now. Saddle comfort is subjective, but as you can see from our review, Mat found it comfortable and it's ideal if you like a short-nosed saddle.

Pearson Shift: Wheels & tyres

Moving on to the rolling bits, you'll see a set of Ere Research Genus II AE65-R wheels, which have a retail price of £1,499.

As the name suggests, they are 65mm deep, with an internal/external rim width of 21mm/30mm respectively. The rims are hooked, which allows you to run both tubeless-specific tyres and clincher options depending on your preference, while being optimised for 26mm to 32mm tyres, making them a perfect match for the Shift.

Unlike the 45mm-deep Genus II CL45 Matt reviewed for us, I did find that these catch the wind a fair bit, so riding on blustery days required a bit of concentration. A milk tanker passing from the other direction on a B road did affect the front wheel a lot as I rode through the turbulent air, for instance.

At a claimed 1,538g they are a decent weight for a set of wheels this deep, and their durability seems very good, with no issues throughout the test period. They have a maximum rider weight of 130kg, but more importantly they make an excellent 'swooshy' sound when the speed picks up, which we all know is worth an extra couple of watts!

The build on the website shows a set of Vittoria Corsa Pro tyres in a 28mm width, but our review bike came with the Control versions in a 30mm size to better suit the conditions of the January/February review period.

The Corsa Pro Control is designed as a high-performance tyre for all seasons, with a slightly thicker tread to help battle intrusions and therefore punctures.

The ride quality is still excellent, feeling very much like a summer tyre thanks to its supple 320TPI casing construction and the tacky rubber compound used for the tread.

Their grip is confidence inspiring even in the wet or cold (or both), which meant even though it's the off-season here I could still push the Pearson hard like I would in the warmer months.

Pearson Shift: Value

For £1,900, you can buy the Shift as a frameset, which includes the frame, fork, headset, thru-axles and aero seatpost (containing the Di2 battery holder).

In terms of the three builds, the cheapest Shimano 105 Di2 option with Omnia CLR 45mm-deep carbon wheels costs £3,850, while the Ultegra Di2 model with Ere AE 65mm wheels is £4,850. All of these builds have seen a price drop recently, as has this Dura-Ace build, from £8,550 to £7,450 around the time that it was delivered to me.

You'll need to factor in a £100 delivery fee, although that includes your bike being hand-delivered by one of Pearson's technicians who will make sure everything is set up and ready to ride.

Where does that put it in terms of the competition? Well, the Dura-Ace-equipped version of the Canyon Aeroad CFR I mentioned earlier has an RRP of £9,299, although it is currently reduced to £8,369. You then have to add on £18.99 for the delivery box and £49.99 for shipping.

A couple of years ago I reviewed the A1R0evo aero road bike from Handsling, a small company based in Hampshire that creates its frames using its own moulds. I was a massive fan of the way the A1R0evo rode and behaved, as you can see from my review. Specced up on its website with Dura-Ace, a carbon integrated cockpit and Scribe's Elan SL 60mm wheels, an A1R0evo would set you back £7,969.99, with free delivery.

For roughly the equivalent spec from Giant, you'd be looking at £11,499 for the aero Propel Advanced SL 0 model with Dura-Ace, or you could drop the SL and go with the Advanced Pro 0 with Ultegra Di2 for £6,299.

Either way, that's still a lot more cash than the Shift in both those two builds.

Pearson Shift: Conclusion

Throughout this entire review period the only slight niggle I've had with the Shift is that firm ride quality. There are better out there, like the Canyon and the Handsling, but we are talking marginal differences.

The Pearson swings itself into favour, though, with its aggressive pricing. It really is a lot of bike for the money, even at, let's be honest, the inflated prices currently seen in the cycling world.

If you aren't worried about a bit of vibration, or you've got some mitts with plenty of padding, the Shift is a great choice for a fast aero road bike.

> Buy now: Pearson Shift Dura Ace for £7,450 from Pearson Cycles

Verdict

A firm ride, but it's fast, responsive and a lot of fun

road.cc test report

Make and model: Pearson Shift Dura Ace

Size tested: 56

About the bike

List the components used to build up the bike.

Wheels: ERE Genus II AE65-R

Tyres: Vittoria Corsa Pro 28c Tanwall

Crankset: Shimano Dura Ace FC-R9200, 52/36 tooth

Cassette: Shimano Dura Ace CS-R9200 12-speed 11-30 tooth

Front Derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace FD-R9250

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace RD-R9250

Chain: Shimano Dura Ace CN-M9200

Brakes: Shimano Dura Ace BR-9270

Rotors: Shimano RT-CL900 160mm

Stem and Handlebar: Pearson Carbon 1 piece

Bar tape: Fizik Vento Solocush Tacky Bar Tape

Saddle: Fizik Vento Argo R1, Carbon rail

Seatpost: Offset 0mm or 20mm

BB: T47e Ceramic Speed Uncoated

Headset: Pearson with Ceramic Speed SLT bearings

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?

Pearson says, "The new Pearson Shift is a thoroughbred race machine, a carbon aero bike designed for winning but just as suited to ticking along in the middle of a group ride; elite speed, everyday rideability."

It's an aero bike that can easily be ridden every day, for all kinds of riding.

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

This is the range-topping model of three builds. The cheaper options use Shimano Ultegra Di2 and 105 Di2.

Frame and fork

Overall rating for frame and fork

8/10

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

The quality of the Shift's frame and fork looks to be very good indeed, and finished to a high standard.

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

Both the frame and fork uses Toray carbon fibre composite.

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

The geometry is designed to create a race bike with quick handling, with a nimble feel to it due to quite a short wheelbase.

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

As you can see from the geometry numbers in the main review, there is nothing out of the ordinary in terms of the measurements and angles for this type and size of bike.

Riding the bike

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

It's not the most comfortable aero bike I've ridden because of the very firm frame, but it is well within the tolerances for a bike with such large tube profiles and the amount of stiffness on offer.

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

Stiffness is excellent throughout.

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

Power transfer is good, with a decent weight paired to plenty of stiffness.

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? Responsive.

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

The steering is quick, as befits a bike of this style, which makes it a lot of fun in the corners.

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

I get on well with the shape of Fizik's Argo saddles, and the tyres bring some suppleness to the ride overall.

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

The cockpit is very stiff, which is great for hard efforts out of the saddle.

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

The wheels help the aerodynamics, although they can be a bit twitchy in the wind.

Rate the bike for efficiency of power transfer:

9/10

Rate the bike for acceleration:

8/10

Rate the bike for sprinting:

8/10

Rate the bike for high speed stability:

9/10

Rate the bike for cruising speed stability:

8/10

Rate the bike for low speed stability:

8/10

Rate the bike for flat cornering:

8/10

Rate the bike for cornering on descents:

8/10

Rate the bike for climbing:

8/10

The drivetrain

Rate the drivetrain for performance:

9/10

Rate the drivetrain for durability:

8/10

Rate the drivetrain for weight:

8/10

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

Shimano Dura-Ace provides light, quick gear shifts and powerful braking.

Wheels and tyres

Rate the wheels for performance:

8/10

Rate the wheels for durability:

8/10

Rate the wheels for weight:

8/10

Rate the wheels for comfort:

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?

Good wheels with an aero advantage, but a bit twitchy in crosswinds or turbulent air.

Rate the tyres for performance:

8/10

Rate the tyres for durability:

7/10

Rate the tyres for weight:

8/10

Rate the tyres for comfort:

8/10

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?

Great rolling and loads of grip, plus you get a supple ride feel thanks to their construction.

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:

8/10

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

Some very nice kit here for the money, which complements the quality finish of the Shift's frameset.

Your summary

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes

Would you consider buying the bike? Yes

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Yes

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

The Shift is well priced against many similar bikes from other brands, whether big or small.

Rate the bike overall for performance:

8/10

Rate the bike overall for value:

6/10

Use this box to explain your overall score

The Pearson Shift is well priced against the competition and performs well. The firmness of the ride is more noticeable than on some aero bikes, which is a slight trade-off, but if performance is more important to you than comfort, you won't be disappointed. It's very good.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 46 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,

Pearson Shift Dura Ace 2025

Pearson Shift Dura Ace

Pearson 2025

Pearson

Add new comment

15 comments

Secret_squirrel | 5 hours ago

Im not sure why a manufacturer using all bog standard China OEM components that I can get off Ali Express is charging so much.

I can spec a Dolan close for about £5k and that has a damn sight more brand recognition than "Pearson"

Rendel Harris | 18 hours ago

Quote:

Where does that put it in terms of the competition? Well, the Dura-Ace-equipped version of the Canyon Aeroad CFR(link is external) I mentioned earlier has an RRP of £9,299, although it is currently reduced to £8,369. You then have to add on £18.99 for the delivery box and £49.99 for shipping.

I'm not a mean man I hope, in fact I'm frequently informed by the other half that I'm too profligate, especially where bikes are concerned, but honestly, if I were spending £8,369 on a bicycle and they wanted £18.99 on top for the box it came in, I'd go elsewhere.

mark1a replied to Rendel Harris | 17 hours ago

Have a like for using the word "profligate" 👍😁.

quiff replied to Rendel Harris | 3 hours ago

In a way I approve of the transparency. You're going to pay for the box one way or another, it's just a question of whether it's itemised. Canyon also charge for the box.

OnYerBike replied to quiff | 2 hours ago

To be clear, the quote refers to Canyon - they are the ones who explicitly charge £18.99 for the box. Pearson don't specifically charge for the box - as noted above, they charge £100 for delivery, but this (apparently) means hand delivery by staff who set the bike up ready-to-ride (no box required!)

quiff replied to OnYerBike | 2 hours ago

Sorry, total reading failure! Other thoughts stand though - every brand is charging you for the box one way or another.

Rendel Harris replied to quiff | 4 sec ago

quiff wrote:

In a way I approve of the transparency. You're going to pay for the box one way or another, it's just a question of whether it's itemised. Canyon also charge for the box.

I suppose so, it just jars by looking exceptionally petty and pennypinching when it's added on top of an eight grand bill. Personally for a bike of that price I think both delivery and the box should be free. And it should be personally delivered by George Clooney/Angelina Jolie, delete according to taste.

Prosper0 | 18 hours ago

Presumably this is a Chinese open mold frame, which you can buy direct for half the price.

Toffee | 1 day ago

I keep ending up on the Pearson website, staring at the 105 model in white and orange.

I need an excuse to buy it. Please. I want it so much.

Surreyrider replied to Toffee | 1 day ago

It's a Workswell frame from China according to the Weight Weenies website and is available under a different name in other countries. Also known as Python for example!

https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=177337

Toffee replied to Surreyrider | 1 day ago

I'm aware. But the bike fitting and custom sizing process, coupled with a good warranty and a nice paintjob means I'm OK with that. Sounds like it's a good frame anyway.

All good then - go for it. Although maybe the reviewer should be including information like that as it's pretty basic stuff.

bobbinogs | 1 day ago

I always think that the Pearson font is such a dreadful choice, it's almost impossible to read.

RobD replied to bobbinogs | 1 day ago

I kind of like it for exactly that reason, a lot of the time it looks more like a pattern than some text. But I agree, it's hard to read, I can imagine having to explain to a few people what it is when they see it

maxdabrit replied to bobbinogs | 1 day ago

It will be even worse to read when the missing bottle cages are added.

Latest Comments

Paul J 11 min 34 sec ago

Just go to Aliexpress and buy your electric pump from there from a middleman who is much closer to the factory, and charges a noticably lower markup.

in: Five Cool Things coming soon to road.cc
mdavidford 13 min 3 sec ago

Monorail!

in: Cycling live blog 25 March 2025
mark1a 22 min 52 sec ago

Sorry to hear this, it could be due to a diesel spill. I sometime see vehicles that have been filled to the brim and then it as it turns a corner...

in: Slip and nasty fall
Sredlums 25 min 13 sec ago

eeBrakes from Cane Creek. https://www.canecreek.com/products/eebrakes

in: Litespeed unveils an even lighter titanium frame
Bungle_52 54 min 15 sec ago

What a sad conicidence. This just turned up on the local news site....

in: "A massive opportunity to make the roads safer"
andystow 1 hour 15 min ago

A suggestion.

in: Favourite funny
chrisonabike 1 hour 56 min ago

I am not as confident as you on this one. At best ... I hope it would not be counter-productive....

in: James May tells anti-cycling councils to stop being "t***s"
Jimmy Ray Will 2 hours 21 min ago

My understanding of speed in relation dangerous driving charges is that to be considered dangerous, the speed needs to be knowingly and objectively...

in: Teenage driver who smashed cyclist given community service
quiff 2 hours 40 min ago

Sorry, total reading failure! Other thoughts stand though - every brand is charging you for the box one way or another.

in: Pearson Shift Dura Ace
ribena 2 hours 47 min ago

Looks like a good approach to me....

in: A 70g power meter for £115? What’s the catch?

Pearson Shift Dura Ace

VERDICT:

Pearson Shift: Ride

Pearson Shift: Frame & fork

Pearson Shift: Groupset

Pearson Shift: Finishing kit

Pearson Shift: Wheels & tyres

Pearson Shift: Value

Pearson Shift: Conclusion

Verdict

Help us to fund our site

Help us to bring you the best cycling content

Add new comment

15 comments

Latest Comments

J.Laverack R J.ACK Disc Classic

Look 785 Huez 105 Di2

Ribble Allroad SL R e - Pro

Liv Langma Advanced Pro 1 2025

Support road.cc

Pearson Shift Dura Ace

VERDICT:

Pearson Shift: Ride

Pearson Shift: Frame & fork

Pearson Shift: Groupset

Pearson Shift: Finishing kit

Pearson Shift: Wheels & tyres

Pearson Shift: Value

Pearson Shift: Conclusion

Verdict

Help us to fund our site

Help us to bring you the best cycling content

Add new comment

15 comments

Latest Comments

Related Reviews

J.Laverack R J.ACK Disc Classic

Look 785 Huez 105 Di2

Ribble Allroad SL R e - Pro

Liv Langma Advanced Pro 1 2025