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The best cheap road bikes can offer you miles of smiles without costing the earth, even though some of the best road bikes can cost thousands. If you're starting out on your cycling journey, or looking for the best commuter bike, then you probably don't want to spend a fortune.
If there's one thing the bike trade loves, it's a bit of 'trickle down technology'. This simply means that features found on top end bikes will be available on mid-range models the next year, and eventually on cheap bikes.
Cycling Weekly's test team has had the opportunity to put hundreds of bikes through their paces at the whole range of prices from the inexpensive to bikes that cost as much as a small car - so we know a good, inexpensive bike when we ride one.
We've rounded up our favourite best cheap road bikes - but read further on the page for an explanation of what to expect at each price point.
Best cheap road bikes: our picks
While many bikes at this price offer 8-speed Shimano Claris, Decathlon's Triban 520 has an 11-speed Shimano 105 groupset along with semi-hydraulic disc brakes, offering impressive value.
The Brand X Road Bike offers stunning value with a double chainset, decent 7-speed gear range and integrated shifters/brake levers for less than the cost of a bike computer.
The Boardman SLR 8.9 Carbon offers a carbon fibre frameset along with Shimano 105 shifting, although it has rim brakes rather than disc brakes. It's still impressive value for a carbon bike.
The best cheap road bikes
You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.
The Specialized Allez has now switched to disc brakes and offers much greater tire clearance
The Allez bike range from Specialized is one of the best selling bikes in the industry, and at last review we awarded this model a near perfect 4.5 stars. The Allez Sport is in the middle of the three bike range.
Designed with 'balanced' geometry, its ride position is comfortable enough but you can slam the stem for a more aggressive ride. In fact this is a bike that's versatile enough to handle a fast club run, a commute to work and plenty of winter miles too, although we found the ride a little harsh.
The aluminium frame features the brand's 'SmoothWeld' tech keeping the joins neat. The dropped stays and internal cable routing give it a contemporary 'race' look while the stack height and chainstay length point more towards comfort and stability - which makes a great deal of sense for any entry-level road bike. On review we found the Allez Sport inspired confidence thanks to its assured handling.
The carbon FACT fork helps to smooth out the ride while also helping to reduce weight - the Allez tips the scales at just over 9kg. The fork also features mudguard eyelets, helping further add to the bike's commuter and four-season credentials.
Elsewhere you have Shimano's tried-and-tested 9-speed Sora groupset sitting in a threaded bottom bracket shell. The compact chainset is paired with an 11-32t cassette, which provides a nice wide range. Tackling steep climbs and rolling quickly along the flats are both achievable here.
At this price point there are always compromises and on the Allez Sport these come in the form of the own-brand Axis 1.0 rim brakes. On review we found their performance to be lacklustre and took downhills carefully. That said, the brake pads or even the entire callipers can be easily upgraded and it's a change that the superb Allez frameset warrants.
Read more: Specialized Allez Sport full review
The Triban 520 offers a great value package including Shimano 105 shifting and disc brakes
Rebranded and redesigned, the aluminium frame now comes with a carbon bladed fork. The Triban 520 has also switched to disc brakes in the form of TRP's well regarded HY/RD mechanical offerings. And amazingly, for a bike of this price, you also get Shimano 105.
The frame's geometry places the 520 clearly in the endurance/commuter/light tourer camp. Think generous stack height and shorter top tube. If you're looking to get 'long and low' then this probably isn't the bike for you. However, if you favour comfort and stability over speed and need a bike that can handle the trifecta mentioned above then the 520 is well worth further consideration.
Its credentials as a solid all-rounder are deepened by both the tire clearance and the rack and mudguard mounts. The bike comes equipped with 28mm tires. However there's room for up to 36mm of rubber should you want to hit the bridleways or dirt roads or fancy attempting an audax ride or two when comfort is paramount. Add guards (fenders) and a pannier rack and the 520 is ready for daily commute duties or some multi-day touring. Versatile indeed.
As mentioned earlier the bike's greatest asset might just be that 105 groupset. However it's worth noting that this isn't a full 105 set-up. To help keep costs down Decathlon has opted for a Shimano RS510 chainset and a Microshift cassette. While they'll add a little weight they shouldn't adversely affect performance. As for the gearing you get a compact 50/34t chainset paired with an 11-32t cassette. The result is a decently low gear that helps negate some of the bike's weight when climbing the steep stuff.
The Brand X road bike is one of the cheapest options you can buy but still impressed us
An in-house offering from Wiggle/Chain Reaction, the Brand X road bike offers impressive value.
Gearing comes from a 2x7-speed Shimano Tourney groupset with a 50/34t Prowheel chainset and 14-28t freewheel (rather than a more modern cassette). Although this gives limited high and low end gearing and quite large jumps between gears, it's still great to see a Shimano groupset and combined brake/shifter levers on a bike at this price.
As you might expect, the Brand X road bike is fitted out with rim brakes rather than the more expensive disc brake calipers. Cables are also external rather than running through the frame or boasting full outers, so they may be more prone to contamination. This isn't an unusual feature in a lower priced bike though. The nominally 25mm Kenda tires measure closer to 23mm. At 11.4kg, the Brand X isn't too heavy either.
There are even fenders / mudguard and rack mounts if you want to use the Brand X road bike for commuting or all-weather duties.
Read more: Brand X road bike full review
38mm wide tires allow you to take the Hanjo off-road
A recommendation from one of our trusted US testers, the Diamondback Haanjo offers something a little different when compared with the pure road bikes in this list.
Being a gravel/adventure bike, the Haanjo will roll smoothly on the road but also comes with 38c tires which will cushion out the bumps for off-road gravel rides.
In fact versatility is a constant theme with the Haanjo. The frameset, made from fully butted 6061 aluminium, features front and rear rack mounts as well as mudguard, (or fender) eyelets. This makes it well suited for light touring, commuting and winter training rides. This versatility is reflected in the generous stack height, the slack-ish headtube angle and the long chainstays, all of which point to a stable and comfortable ride.
The wide tires and more rugged frame - with a steel fork - do naturally boost the weight but the Haanjo comes with a sub-compact 46/34t chainset and an 8-speed 11-32t cassette to help you get up the steeper climbs. Shifting comes courtesy of Shimano Claris while stopping is left to Tektro and its flat-mount mechanical disc brakes. By using the newer flat mount standard Diamondback has made it straightforward to upgrade the brakes if required.
The Ribble R872 has a carbon fibre frame
The R872 from Ribble received a 9/10 score and a place in our Editor's Choice awards in 2020 - so it comes highly recommended.
Many of the best cheap road bikes will be created around an aluminium frameset. It's a fine material and one that delivers a well-rounded ride quality. However, if you're looking for your first foray into carbon fibre then the R872 might be the place to start.
To make it affordable Ribble has opted for Toray 700 carbon. It's also better suited to the R872 desired ride quality, that of a comfortable endurance bike. This means it's not as stiff but rather more forgiving over long distances. If you're planning on tackling a gruelling Gran Fondo or Sportive then comfort is of greater importance. Importantly though it still makes for a lightweight frameset - when we last reviewed it our size small tipped the scales at just over 8.6kgs.
This points to a frameset worthy of upgrades. However the beauty of buying a bike with Ribble is that you can use its 'bike builder' to select the right components for you - choosing handlebars and saddle that suit you, potentially saving you from forking out on future swaps. But if your budget prohibits this at the time of purchase you know that you'll have a frame that's ready for a few tweaks when the money's there.
Read more: Ribble R872 Tiagra full review
The alloy Domane frame shares the geometry of Trek's pricier carbon fibre Domane models
The Domane has long been Trek's endurance model - and it performed well last time we reviewed the SL6 model, gaining a 4.5/5 score.
The AL3 carries a lower RRP, being made of aluminium rather than carbon fibre; Trek's 100 Series Alpha Aluminium to be precise. It's paired with carbon fork and features modern standards such as thru-axles and flat mount disc brakes.
While the frame material helps keep the price down in comparison to the carbon models, such as the SL6, the geometry stays the same. The numbers make for a comfortable and stable ride, making the AL3 well-suited for long days in the saddle as well as for less than perfect road surfaces.
In fact, this is where the Domane excels. With room for 35mm tires it's suitably equipped to smooth out the cracks and reduce the chatter. Perhaps no surprise then that Lizzie Deignan chose a Domane for her victory at the inaugural Paris-Roubaix Femmes in 2021.
Shifting and braking come courtesy of Shimano and Tektro. The 9-speed Sora groupset features trickle-down tech from Shimano's more expensive offerings. This equates to reliable shifting and a comfy brake hood design. Gearing wise Trek has opted for the sensible combination of a compact chainset and an 11-32t cassette, which should provide ample range for most conditions. That said the Sora rear mech can handle a 34t cassette should you fancy lower gearing.
Interestingly, the AL 3 Disc also has both mudguard (fender) and rear rack mounts. This means that's it ready to serve as your commute bike as well as handle light touring duties too. If you're looking to buy a road bike for the first time, or don't have the space to have more than bike in your home, then these humble mounts can make a real difference to a bike's versatility. Certainly your winter riding companions will thank you for the installation of mudguards, as will your bike's drivechain.
Check out the Trek Domane SL6 review for some more insight.
The Boardman SLR 8.9 offers a carbon frame and Shimano 105 parts at a budget price
The Boardman SLR 8.9 is a bike that offers impeccable value, with Shimano 105 shifting - albeit paired with lower level FSA chainset and Tektro brakes.
Over various iterations the frame has put a smile on our face, at every opportunity we've had to review it. It shares many of the attributes of the more expensive SLR 9.6 such as aero tube profiles, dropped seat stays and an integrated seat clamp.
Importantly it also matches the 9.6s numbers, which point towards a versatile bike that's both responsive and comfortable to ride. The latter is helped by Boardman's chosen carbon layup, which is designed to offer compliance during long days in the saddle. There are also hidden mudguard (fender) mounts should you need the 8.9 to serve as a winter bike or commuter.
The 11-speed Shimano 105 components are a significant selling point on a bike at this price. Arguably all you'll ever need when it comes to shifting, 105 is efficient and durable. It's also worth noting that upgrading to a matching 105 chainset and brakes is a fairly easy swap to make.
If you're sold on the Boardman 8.9 but want disc brakes not rim you're in luck. The model is now also offered with Shimano 105 hydraulic disc brakes. However the jump in price is considerable.
Read more: Boardman SLR 8.9 Carbon full review
The Laterite 2 would be easy to set up for commuting
Evans Cycles' in-house Pinnacle brand offers some great value bikes to UK riders. The Laterite 2 has an alloy frame and comes fitted with 25mm tires. We didn't rate these, but they're an easy upgrade once you've worn them through. There's room for 32mm wide tires for extra comfort.
Otherwise, the Laterite 2 is well specced for its price, with a carbon-bladed fork and alloy frame with mounts for mudguards and a rack, so it's ripe for commuting duties. Pinnacle uses hex levers rather than quick releases for the wheels, so that it's a little harder for a thief to steal them.
The 2x8-speed Shimano Claris groupset works well, although the jumps between ratios are quite large. You get rim brakes rather than discs. At 10.1kg for a size L, it's not an excessively heavy bike for its price. Five sizes mean that there should be a bike to fit most riders.
Read more: Pinnacle Laterite 2 full review
Boardman swaps to alloy for the SLR 8.6
The Boardman SLR 8.6 is the brand's base model, but despite this its alloy frame has smoothed welds on the main tubes, almost giving it the look of carbon. The fork really is carbon.
Like the Pinnacle, there's a Shimano Claris groupset with the same gear ratios and Tektro rim brakes. Both have their deficiencies relative to more expensive options: the large jumps in gear ratios and the indifferent braking respectively.
But we were impressed by the frame's efficiency and the quite racy geometry, although there's a bit of road buzz on less smooth surfaces. The Boardman own-brand components work well and are comfortable. Boardman's wheels are tubeless ready if you want to upgrade the tires.
Read more: Boardman SLR 8.6 full review
The Endurance 725 is a Reynolds steel option from Ribble