Best road bikes 2025: top reviewed road bikes from our testing

The road category is expansive, making it somewhat tricky to narrow down your choices and find the best road bike for you. Even if you’re working to a budget, there will still be a vast number of bikes within a price bracket. But help is at hand.

The Cycling Weekly team have ridden and reviewed hundreds of the best road bikes, including WorldTour machines, those designed for road cycling newcomers, and many in between. This has allowed us to gain valuable insights into which bikes deliver the best ride quality and value for money, as well as those that excel in certain areas, from climbing to endurance. From our testing, we’ve selected a few of our favourites in several categories to help you find the best road bike for you. Fear not, they aren't all top-of-the-range super bikes; in fact, some of the team's favourite bikes are some of the best budget road bikes.

In addition to selecting our highly rated models, we offer a comprehensive guide on the types of road bikes to consider, including finding the right size, frame materials, geometry, and tyre widths. Which leads me to our best overall pick, the Specialised Tarmac SL8, while it was named our Race Bike of the Year, the Tarmac is much more than a race bike, offering the best handling on the market.

For those who like the idea of covering some miles but would like something a little more capable and that allows for some excursions off the blacktop, check out our guide to the best gravel bikes.

Quick list

Best road bikes we’ve tested at Cycling Weekly

Best road race bike

We awarded the Tarmac SL8 with our Race Bike of the Year award, essentially because of its ability to do most things exceptionally well. It makes it such a well-rounded offering, and it’s little surprise that it’s excelled at the WorldTour level over such different parcours.

Frame-wise, the SL8 makes a few changes from the SL7. There are more rounded tube designs and the ‘speed sniffer’ head tube. The former are inspired by Spesh’s featherlight wonder bike, the Aethos, and it helps make the SL8 lighter - a claimed frame weight of just 685g - and yet proportionally stiffer than the older model. However, fans of the SL7 will be pleased that, in terms of geometry, the SL8 is happy to follow suit.

So, how does it all impact the ride quality? We’ve ridden the bike for over a year, and it remains as good as it did on our first test ride. The slim seat post adds compliance and, in turn, comfort, as does the rear end of the bike. Given that you can fit 35mm wide tyres here, the SL8 can make genuine claims to being a racing thoroughbred that you could also ride year-round if you so wished.

Indeed, much of the bike’s appeal is that it can handle such a variety of terrain, while still having that top-end speed and acceleration that’s a must for a true racing machine. We’ve ridden at a high level in Europe, and we can safely say that few, if any, bikes perform as well across all the categories.

• Read our full Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 review

Best budget road bike

The Giant Contend SL 1 truly shines as a beautifully crafted alloy road bike. Priced comfortably under £2k/$2.4k and weighing just 9.5 kg, it offers excellent value, solid performance, and incredible versatility.

Built on a sturdy Giant ALUXX SL-grade alloy frame with a full carbon fork, this bike features a balanced geometry that’s perfect for both sporty rides and endurance adventures. It’s quick and stable, thanks to the well-designed 412 mm chainstay, and the Overdrive steerer provides precise steering, although you might notice the feedback more on rougher roads. Shimano’s 105 12-speed groupset shifts smoothly, and the non-series chainset does the job well. The hydraulic brakes, paired with Giant rotors, deliver sharp and confident stopping power.

The tubeless-ready P-R2 wheels, combined with Gavia Fondo 2 28mm tyres, are tough yet not too plush, giving you nice room for upgrades if you desire. The composite D-Fuse seatpost helps smooth out road buzz, although the saddle—Giant’s Approach—might not suit everyone perfectly because of its traditional long shape.

What truly makes the Giant stand out is its lively, playful handling, especially when you lower the front. I found it remains stable during descents and tight turns, without kicking back if you make a mistake. All in all, the Contend SL 1 shows that you don’t need carbon to enjoy a fantastic ride.

• The Contend SL 1 was part of a four-value road bike group test under £1800/$2400 where it was named best on test

Best endurance bike

The Defy has been a stalwart of the endurance category for years, and the latest version suggests that it will remain there.

As with all Giant road bikes there is an extensive range on offer, from the entry-level Advanced models to the range-topping Advanced SL 0, which we’ll cover here.

The frameset has been overhauled and now uses a carbon layup that’s designed to reduce weight while increasing strength. Giant says the SL has seen an almost 30% increase in the stiffness-to-weight ratio, with the frame weight reduced by 200 grams. But being a bike designed for long days in the saddle, there’s a focus on comfort, too. Tyre clearance is up, now with room for tyres as wide as 38mm. There’s also the D-shaped stem and bars, designed to flex and in doing so add comfort. The SLR D-Fuse also benefits from redesigned tops and a gravel bike-style 8º flare on the drops.

On the road it all blends together to create a bike that eats up poor road surfaces, making light work of surfaces that we’d usually find a struggle. The relaxed geometry and longer wheelbase help too, making the Defy a steady ship even when the going gets rough. Giant suggests it’s ideally suited to sportives and gran fondos, and we’d concur. It’s also a great match for any cyclist who racks up the miles of varied terrain, and values luxury and comfort over all-out speed. Think Bentley rather than Ferrari.

• Read our full Giant Defy Advanced Pro SL review

Best value road bike

It is hard to ignore the Boardman SLR 9.0's looks, even when its value in the specification is somewhat mind-blowing. The full carbon frame, fork, and steerer, along with that stunning off-white to metallic black fade, really caught my eye; however, digging down and swinging a leg over, you find it is much more than that.

The Prologo Scratch M5 saddle felt spot on, and those GoodYear Sport 30mm tan-wall tyres are standouts in any conditions. The Alex wheelset remained true and spun smoothly throughout testing. Additionally, they're tubeless-ready, which is good to see for possible affordable upgrades.

I found the D-shaped seat post to be very compliant, and the two lay-back options were a thoughtful feature, which is uncommon in more budget-oriented models. The cable routing uses a two-piece cockpit with a fairing, offering a good balance between flexibility and unobstructed shifting of the Shimano 105 mechanical groupset. This highlighted how excellent modern mechanical shifting has become.

Despite its aggressive appearance, I appreciated its practicality, with cleverly hidden mudguard mounts and additional bottle bosses. The ride quality was excellent, with no harshness, and out-of-the-saddle efforts felt stable. While the handling offered neutral feedback, it was never dull – ideal for riding with friends or setting a new sportive PB. The SLR 9.0 aims to perform many roles and does so effortlessly.

• The Boardman SLR 9.0 was part of a four-value road bike group test under £1800/$2400 where it was named best value on test

Best women's road bike

The latest Liv Langma is a pure race bike. It's monocoque carbon frame is both light and stiff, with new airfoil sections and fully integrated cables to reduce drag and ultimately the bike faster.

And it works. During testing we couldn't fault the Langma on the flat, delivering plenty of stiffness that translated to quick accelerations and plenty of urgency. But what makes this bike great is its ability to shine across the board. We took it up and down steep climbs as well on long, all-day rides and it excelled at both. It's surprisingly stable for a bike that's so light and agile, and there's little compromise when it comes to comfort too, given it's racing pedigree.

As for the components, the Pro 0 comes equipped with both the redesigned Liv Contact SLR bars and a Cadex Max 40 wheelset alongside the reliable Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset, which delivered an impeccable shifting and braking experience throughout the review period.

• Read our full Liv Langma Advanced Pro 0 review

Best aero bike

There’s a lot to like about Look’s aero bike, the 795 Blade RS.

It’s WorldTour approved, ridden by the Cofidis team, and stunning to look at. The frameset isn’t the lightest, but the weight has been used wisely, adding stiffness where you want it but without sacrificing compliance; it features 25% Ultra High Modulus carbon in specific areas of the frame to achieve this balance. We certainly noticed the stiffer bottom bracket during our testing, providing us with a snappy ride feel that we’d expect from a bike of this ilk.

The tube shapes are somewhat slender compared to others in this category, and we feel this adds to the bike’s versatility. Yes it’s fast on flat and rolling roads, accelerating quickly and with ease without a hint of movement in the BB area. But it also climbs surprisingly well (our review model weighed 7.48kg for a full Dura-Ace Di2 build) and delivers a relatively comfortable ride for what is an out-and-out race bike. Combined it left us impressed enough to designate the 795 Blade RS the title of ‘best aero bike in our most recent Race Bike of the Year awards.

• Read our full Look 795 Blade RS review

Best climbing bike

As a Tour de France winning bike, you expect the R5 to be good. And it is.

The latest version successfully ironed out some of the creases from the previous models. It’s now less stiff, particularly at the front end, which in turn makes it more comfortable over longer distances. We also found that this plushness was perceptible across the entire bike, aided by the flexible D-shaped seat post.

As a climbing bike it’s suitably lightweight - a claimed 703g for a size medium frame - and flies up the hills when required. But importantly it descends well too. During our testing we felt a real connectedness to the road in general, but going downhill this was especially apparent, striking just the right balance at speed so it never felt too soft and thus unsafe or too hard and thus skittery. We felt the fork geometry helped here, ensuring that we could descend with confidence.

Being a race bike, Cervélo has injected the R5 with some aero enhancements. But rather than do this through deep tube shapes that would likely compromise the bike’s comfort it has instead added an integrated cockpit and added a fairing behind the fork crown that smooths airflow onto the down tube.

All told, it adds up to an exceptional bike both for the mountains and otherwise. While it’s not as stiff as a designated aero bike, it delivers greater comfort and in turn versatility, while still being flat-out fast when called upon.

• Read our full Cervélo S5 review

Best women's road race bike

The Filante SLR is here in the women's section because rather than be a women-specific model it is instead a road bike that's offered in both a full range of sizes, down to XS, as well as benefitting from Wilier's Accufit system that enables smaller riders to dial in their fit; the carbon cockpit comes with five stem length options and there are also spacers that allow the bike's stack to be increased by as much as 35mm. Add in a couple of seat post variants and you have a bike that can be easily customised.

To achieve a light but stiff bike, the carbon frame's construction uses liquid-crystal polymer that translates to plenty of strength without the weight. There's also a super-wide fork that's designed to aid airflow and thus reduce drag.

During our testing we came to love the blend of speed and stiffness but also the comfort too. It's the latter attribute that had us believing that the Italian brand had successfully redefined just what an aero bike can be.

• Read our full Wilier Filante SLR review

Best all-road bike

The latest Roubaix sees a number of changes from previous models. For an endurance bikes, the most significant of these are the wider tyre clearance, up from 33mm to 40mm, the subsequent longer wheelbase and the updated Future Shock suspension - the Expert model is fitted with the Future Shock 3.2, which has no on-the-fly adjustment but is hydraulically damped and can be readily made firmer using different springs and preload washers.

All three were notable during our testing. On rough roads and indeed off-road, the Roubaix had the ability to take the sting out of the toughest sections or tarmac, path or trail, with the front end suspension seemingly doing the lion’s share of the work. The wide tyres certainly help too, and adding a wider contact patch. We particularly enjoyed descending on the Roubaix where the three elements combined to provide us with additional confidence. The Future Shock does have its drawbacks, however. On steeper climbs, out of the saddle we found that the notable bounce impacted our efficiency.

• Read our full Specialized Roubax SL8 review

Best value climbing bike

The TCR is Giant’s lightweight all-rounder. It’s offered across a range of builds and price points (we've ridden and highly rated the top-tier SL 0 model too) but we feel its the Advanced Pro that really does offer great value for money.

The current model differs a little from our review bike and now features fully integrated cabling and a new cockpit; the former is aided by the OverDrive Aero steerer tube technology, with the Contact SL AeroLight stem and Contact SL handlebar finishing the job off. Vitally you still get the Giant Power Pro power meter that impressed us so much, and helps the bike to secure its ‘value for money’ standing.

The ride quality is superbly nuanced. There’s just the right amount of stiffness but given this is a lightweight climber it’s balanced to deliver a lively, springy feel. We found it inspired confidence whether we were going up hill or coming down; again Giant have struck the right balance here between comfort and connectedness.

Components vary depending on the model, but the current TCR Advanced Pro 0 gives you a full Ultegra Di2 12-speed groupset, with the aforementioned power meter, as well carbon Giant SLR 40mm wheels. At this price point it makes it as competitive as they come.

• Read our full Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 review

Best value race bike

Good value race bikes aren’t commonplace and the Scultura is far from a budget offering. But for bikes that’s ridden on the WorldTour it does offer plenty for its price tag.

The frameset uses Merida’s top-of-the-line CF5 carbon layup; it uses a percentage of high modulus fibers to deliver an impressive stiffness-to-weight ratio. As a genuine do-it-all race bike it eschews deep aero tubes for something far rounder, designed to reduce weight while adding compliance. There’s also fully integrated cabling and a one-piece carbon cockpit with a claimed weight of just 280g. As for the geometry, it’s as aggressive as Merida’s Reacto aero bike, which will be a bonus if you’re looking for a long and low position on the bike.

Out on the road, its stiffness is apparent at all times, delivering a rock solid bottom bracket and a planted head tube, which makes for quick acceleration and confidence-inspiring descents. The rigid rear end makes it agile and responsive, allowing us to corner with speed and precision. Naturally, this doesn’t translate to all-day comfort, but that’s not what this bike is designed for.

The CF5 frameset is offered in different build options, with the 9000 equipped with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, and our test bike, the 8000 using Sram Rival AXS. Either way you get a sub 7.5kg race bike for a truly competitive price. And if that’s still outside your budget, we can also highly recommend the 6000, which uses the CF carbon layup and shifts gear via the ever-reliable 105 Di2 groupset.

• Read our full Merida Scultura 9000 review

Best value aero road bike

The Propel has been around for some time, and has long been one of the best aero bikes on the market striking both a competitive level of performance and price.

The current offering is available as always in an array of models and builds, but it’s the Advanced Pro that we’re focusing on here. The current frame design is less aggressive than previous iterations as Giant sought to add weight and comfort to the aerodynamic considerations. That said, even with the noticeably slimmer tube shapes Giant says this Propel is over 6 watts faster at 40kph than the previous model.

At this level you get a frameset made from Giant’s Advanced Grade Composite, which is the second-tier offering. The brand’s OverDrive system means fully integrated cables via a D-shaped steerer and a new bar and stem design. The result is improved aerodynamics and a far cleaner look in general. As for its geometry, it’s classic 73° parallel angles meaning the Propel isn’t solely an aero bike for special occasions but rather one that can also be an everyday bike for every situation.

During our testing we appreciated how it balanced speed and stability. The slimmer tube shapes made it less susceptible to crosswinds, while the wider tyres and rims combined with improved vibration damping from the front end to create a smooth ride.

At 8.46kg, equipped with Sram’s Rival AXS groupset, it’s by no means a light bike, but the aero enhancements mean that on all terrain other than the steepest slopes, the Propel excels. In fact, we’d be happy to use it as our ‘one and only’ road bike.

• Read our full Giant Propel Advanced Pro review

How we test the best road bikes

We have a dedicated team of testers here at Cycling Weekly, whose job is to review a wide range of cycling products and write objective reviews based on their daily experiences with them in various conditions.

With extensive experience, they're well-placed to compare products, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and provide you with an honest and unbiased assessment of how they perform.

When it comes to testing road bikes, we log hundreds of miles, examining several factors as we assess their overall performance. Of course, we consider what the bike is primarily designed for, whether it's an aero race bike, a lightweight climber or an endurance model, but also look at more general considerations such as build and spec quality, durability and value for money.

During this testing, our reviewers utilise their regular testing routes to isolate skills such as descending, climbing, and sprinting, allowing for direct comparison against other models they have tested, which should be reflected in any review write-up. By completing these base miles and having a repeatable route, it can also provide comparable data, such as average speed, and, of course, a sense of familiarity over a variety of surfaces.

These routes should feature as wide a variety of terrain as possible, including one long climb, one short and sharp, a long drag, a flat and exposed section, as well as a decent and, if possible, some urban traffic-heavy areas.

Each reviewer is expected to complete at least one long ride on every bike; we consider this to be anything from 60km to 100km or more. If possible, we would usually participate in at least one group ride or race.

Learn more about our testing of the best road bikes and all the products we review over on our How We Test page.

Meet the testers

Hannah Bussey

Hannah is our lead female reviewer and longest-serving tech writer, having been testing kit and bikes for 14 years. In a previous life, Hannah was an elite racer, competing on the global stage. Hannah loves nothing more than covering big miles with a fair few hills in them, which are somewhat unavoidable where she now finds herself in the heart of the Peak District National Park.

Andy Carr

Andy knows his way around a road bike. After spending much of his adult life riding them but also fabricating and designing them to for his brand Spoon where he build some of the worlds most desirable custom bikes. Andy is a champion of the highest standards in fit, fabrication and finishing. Find hills isn't the easiest of task where Andy has recently chosen to settle in Norfolk, he regularly travels to the Alps where he once lived as a ride guide.

Joe Baker

If its got wheels and you can ride Joe is on it. Joe's love of bicycles is infectious and loves nothing more than taking on a challenge. After taking a step back from elite level racing in 2022, where he had achieved feets such as National Hill Climb Champion in 2018 as well as regularly racing on the continent at U23 UCI 1.2 level.

Types of road bikes and what are they good for?

The bicycle industry likes to keep people on its toes, that is for sure. While something as relatively straightforward as a road bike might seem, it rarely is. Visually, road bikes mostly all sing from the same hymn sheet; however, they more often than not all have slightly different attributes. This is most commonly associated with a bike's handling and geometry, more often of late, a bike's level of performance, specifically aerodynamically. So, what are the different types of road bikes?

Road Race Bikes

Good for: all-around performance, one bike garage for climbing, aerodynamic performance, and mixing it up in the bunch. Great for riders who can get into an aggressive position.

The term road race bikes is pretty self-explanatory. These bikes are designed to be fast and offer riders the best all-around performance. Thats not to say they are only for race use, though. For those who like to ride fast, test themselves and prefer a bike with more direct and agile handling.

A great example of this style of bike is our Road Race Bike of the year, the Specialised Tarmac SL8.

Why not check out our complete guide to the best road race bikes

Endurance/All-Road Bikes

Good for: covering big miles in comfort by offering more relaxed positions. They can also tackle more challenging terrain, such as the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix.

Don't be fooled by the words comfort or relaxed; the best endurance road bikes can still pack a turn of speed, especially when the roads or terrain are less than favourable. What distinguishes most endurance road bikes is their more upright position, which is better suited to the flexibility levels of most cyclists. In recent years, the tyre clearances of these bikes have dramatically increased, offering a reasonable amount of crossover with the best gravel bikes, leading people to brand them as All-road bikes more regularly.

As I mentioned, the shifting nature of these bikes means there are still two quite different styles of bikes under the same definition. Check out the Specialised Roubaix SL8, which features big tyre clearance and suspension for an example of an All-Road bike. For a more out-and-out endurance road bike, see our review of the Giant Defy.

Why not check out our complete guide to the best endurance road bike

Aero Bikes

Good for: when the speed starts to ramp up or the wind comes into play. For those riding fast and looking to save watts over their competition or buddies.

Aerodynamics plays a significant role in modern cycling, but one must have a foundation to see the benefits. For most, saving a few watts here and there will suffice, while for many, their sleek profiles will be enough of an attraction. It's when speeds increase and the wind begins to factor in that aerodynamic bikes can make a substantial difference.

Aero bikes can be seen throughout the modern pro-peloton, but examples like the Cervelo S5 and Canyon Aeroad are uncompromising in their pursuit of speed.

Why not check out our full guide to the best aero road bikes

Climbing and Lightweight bikes

Good for: when the roads head up. Tackling long and steep climbs where every gram can make a difference. For those who care not about aerodynamics or riding on the flat.

What categorises lightweight bikes is their sole pursuit of offering the lightest weights, with suitable geometry and stiffness for climbing hills effectively. With road race and aero bikes adopting a more all-around approach to performance and their weights falling drastically, we have seen a decline in the focus on lightweight bikes. However, there are still some cracking bikes out there, and many will be attracted to their rounder, less aero profiles.

A shining example of the simplicity and minimalism that makes this style of bike so brilliant is the Specialised Aethos.

Why not check out our full guide to the best lightweight road bikes

Women's Specific Road Bikes

Good for: female riders and those of smaller builds.

While you certainly don't have to ride a women's specific bike, there can be a number of benefits, especially if you are a smaller or shorter rider. Women's bikes tend to offer sizing down to XXS and certainly offer more feminine colour options. When it comes to fit, form and specification, there is little to no difference between 'men' or standard road bikes. In reality, a lot of women's specific models are there to help brands differentiate their marketing. Don't let that deter you from considering one, as brands like Liv and their excellent range of Langma and Avail bikes feature prominently in our guide to the best women's road bikes, providing some truly outstanding options, sometimes even better than the standard versions.

Why not check out our full guide to the best women's road bikes

How to choose the best road bike for you

Frequently asked questions about road bikes