ANCHOR’s carbon endurance road bike, the RE8 105 Di2, is back in stock for the first time in a while.

Built around the concept of “Faster, Farther,” the RE8 delivers not only the comfort needed for long-distance rides, but also the lively handling and sense of speed you expect from a true road bike.

Even some time after its debut, the RE8 remains an impressively well-rounded bike.

In fact, with the announcement of the 2027 models approaching, manufacturer stock of the current model has become quite limited, making this a good time to take a closer look if you have been considering the current RE8.

With the RE8 105 Di2 finally back in stock, we take another look at what kind of road bike it is and why we still highly recommend it today.

2026 BRIDGESTONE ANCHOR RE8 105 Di2

【MSRP】¥489,000 (tax included)
【Colors】FOREST KHAKI, OCEAN NAVY, STONE GRAY
【Sizes / Recommended Rider Height】390 (145-158cm), 420 (154-167cm), 450 (163-176cm), 480 (173-185cm)

ANCHOR RE8 105 Di2 | An Endurance Road Bike That Balances Speed and Comfort

When people think of endurance road bikes, many picture something that is comfortable over long distances but a little more relaxed when it comes to outright speed.

The RE8 is a little different.

While long-distance comfort sits at the heart of the design, its frame shape has the appearance of an aero road bike, bringing the concept of “Faster, Farther” to life.

It combines the smooth electronic shifting of SHIMANO 105 Di2 with 700×32C BRIDGESTONE EXTENZA R2X tires and DT SWISS P1800 23 DISC wheels. Complete bike weight is 8.5kg (measured weight: 8.6kg | size 480, without pedals or bar tape).

Even in its stock configuration, the overall package is exceptionally well balanced, making it suitable for everything from serious long-distance rides to everyday cycling.

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Aero Looks with Genuine Ride Comfort

One of the first things that stands out when you see the RE8 is its aero-road-inspired silhouette.

Generally, increasing aerodynamic efficiency and responsiveness can also make a frame feel stiffer, which can work against the comfort expected from an endurance road bike.

The RE8, however, incorporates several design features specifically intended to keep long-distance riding comfortable.

More Exposed Seatpost for Added Compliance

The heavily sloping top tube allows a generous amount of seatpost to extend above the frame.

This gives the seatpost room to flex slightly, helping soften vibrations from the road and reduce strain on the rider during long hours in the saddle.

The 105 Di2 model comes with an aluminium seatpost, using the widely available 27.2mm diameter.

That also makes it easy to upgrade to a carbon seatpost or another option later if you want to fine-tune the ride feel to your preference.

Dropped Seatstays

The RE8 also uses dropped seatstays, with the seatstays joining the frame lower down the seat tube. This is an important part of balancing vibration absorption with responsiveness around the rear triangle.

D-Shaped Seat Tube

The seat tube uses a D-shaped profile, combining a truncated aero shape with a design intended to provide vibration absorption.

Up front, the fork also helps absorb vibration. By reducing impacts transmitted from both the front and rear of the bike, the RE8 delivers a calmer, more comfortable ride than its aerodynamic appearance might suggest.

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The RE8 Frame Is About More Than Just Comfort

The appeal of the RE8 is not simply that it is soft and comfortable. The frame combines T800 and T700 carbon, while the fork uses T700 carbon.

The frame tubes incorporate truncated aero profiles designed with aerodynamic performance in mind, while the dropped seatstays also contribute to reducing aerodynamic drag.

Asymmetric chainstays are also used to help balance frame stiffness from side to side.

The frame is designed to accommodate tires up to 38C, giving it the versatility you would expect from an endurance road bike.

The RE8’s Distinctive Balance, Felt on the Road

When I previously had the opportunity to test ride the RE8, what impressed me most was its overall balance. The bike remains stable when transitioning from seated pedaling to riding out of the saddle, and it feels livelier than the numbers on the scale might suggest. It does not have quite the same sharpness as a lightweight race bike, but the bike responds naturally from the first pedal stroke through acceleration, so there were very few moments when I was particularly conscious of its 8.5kg weight.

On descents, that stable balance and vibration absorption become even more noticeable. The bike does not transmit more road feedback than necessary, making it easier to hold your intended line with confidence.

On the other hand, when it comes to the explosive acceleration of an extremely stiff racing road bike, or maintaining speeds well above 30km/h for extended periods, a more race-focused road bike will have the advantage.

What the RE8 does best is not that kind of short-lived outright speed, but rather being a road bike that lets you ride as fast as possible without giving up comfort. That balance is what makes the RE8 so interesting.

It is particularly well suited to long rides that include mountain passes, or simply heading farther than usual to explore somewhere new.

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The 105 Di2 Build Is Exceptionally Well Balanced

The model that has just returned to stock is the RE8 105 Di2.

・Groupset: SHIMANO 105 Di2 R7150
・Wheels: DT SWISS P1800 23 DISC
・Tires: BRIDGESTONE EXTENZA R2X 700×32C
・Handlebar: ALUMINIUM HANDLE BAR
・Stem: ANCHOR AERO STEM
・Seatpost: ANCHOR ALUMINIUM SEATPOST φ27.2
・Saddle: SELLE ITALIA X3

One of the biggest advantages of 105 Di2 is, of course, the feel of electronic shifting. A light press of the lever delivers a smooth gear change, reducing the effort required to shift even as fatigue builds during a long ride. That makes it an especially good match for an endurance road bike.

Another advantage is that there is still plenty of room to improve both performance and comfort through future upgrades to parts such as the wheels and seatpost.

There is no need to upgrade everything from the beginning. You can enjoy the bike in its stock configuration first, then gradually fine-tune it to suit your own riding style and preferences.

※The bike is shown in the photos without bar tape, but the included bar tape will be installed before delivery upon purchase. Pedals are sold separately.

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Summary | Why the RE8 105 Di2 Is Worth Considering Before the 2027 Models Arrive

The ANCHOR RE8 105 Di2 is finally back in stock after a long absence.

One of its greatest strengths is the way it combines the lively feel and speed of a road bike with the comfort needed to ride long distances.

It is not as aggressively focused as a racing road bike, nor is it a model built around comfort alone. Instead, it strikes an excellent balance between speed, stability, and ride quality—the kind of bike that naturally makes you think, “Maybe I’ll ride a little farther today.”

At the same time, we are approaching the period when the 2027 models are expected to be announced, and manufacturer stock of the current RE8 has already become quite limited.

There is no official information on the 2027 model yet. However, because the RE8 is still a relatively new platform, my personal expectation is that it may continue without a major model change, perhaps with updates mainly focused on colors.

Of course, that is only my current prediction, and we will need to wait for the official announcement for confirmed specifications, colors, and pricing.

Still, waiting for a new model year does not necessarily mean the colors or conditions will suit you better. If you already like the colors and specifications of the current RE8 105 Di2, now that manufacturer stock is becoming limited may be a good time to seriously consider it.

With the RE8 105 Di2 finally back in our store, it is a bike we would once again recommend to anyone who wants greater comfort on long rides without giving up the speed and lively feel of a road bike.

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