If there’s one conclusion a long day at Interbike can pound into you, it’s this: the bike industry consists of a few innovators, and a lot of followers. One prime example is the TT bike, more specifically the Cervelo P2k. Introduced in ’96, the P2 boasted a few new features. There was a cutout in the aero seat tube for the rear wheel, and the gap between the cutout and the wheel could be optimised by sliding the wheel in the horizontal dropouts. The tubes were extruded, allowing for a precise airfoil section. Cable routing was internal. The seat tube was aero all the way to the saddle. The bike’s geometry was spot on as well, with short chainstays and a low top tube, perfect for riding in the aero position.

Now, eight years later, the familiar P2k profile can be seen everywhere, copied in aluminum, ti, carbon, and combinations of the above. All have the seat tube cutout, though not all have horizontal dropouts. Virtually none have true aero tubing, though all look vaguely aero. The worst offenders have aero top tubes. Many have aero seat tubes all the way to the saddle, though some still insert a round seatpost in an aero seat tube. Cable routing is sometimes elegant, sometimes an afterthought. Some are amazing bikes that outdo the P2k, others represent the triumph of marketing over science.

Here’s a mishmash of all the P2k clones, presented in alphabetical order (no more editorializing!).

More Interbike: TT Parts, Mountain bikes, Cyclocross, Carbon Road Bikes part 1, Carbon Bikes Part 2, Best in show.