So you’ve got around a £1,000 to spend on a road bike, but not sure what to look for? We’ve rounded up 15 interesting road bikes for you at a range of prices from £700 up to £1,000 to give you an idea of what you can expect for your money.
Just because you've got a thousand pounds to spend that doesn't mean you have to spend it all on the bike go a bit lower and you can get still get a bike and one that will help you stretch your budget to some choice upgrades or some extra kit. It's all about finding the right bike for your riding needs and your riding budget.
If your budget won't stretch this high, then have a look at our best bikes at £500 roundup or our guide to bikes costing under £750. Want to spend a bit more? We've got that covered too, with our guide to road bikes under £1500.
Women's bikes
Some manufacturers are starting to shy away from the idea of separate men's and women's road bikes and simply offer a standard model. All of the bikes in our round-up will work for women riders, perhaps with a change of saddle, but where a manufacturer does offer a female specific alternative we've included that too.
What can you expect for your money?
In this price range you get a very capable, lightweight and potentially very fast road bike. Whether it’s for getting into road racing, diving in to the world of sportives, riding to work or college, or simply for getting fit at the weekends, these road bikes all offer a high level of performance and should deliver years of cycling enjoyment.
Traditionally bike makers choose one of two tactics when building a bike for a particular price point. Some use a cheaper frame with better components, which should deliver a good bike at an eye-catching price, but limits upgrade potential. Others go for a better quality frame, but down-spec some of the components to bring the complete package in under the desired price point on the basis that the buyer can replace parts as they wear out with better quality ones more in keeping with the frame.
Both approaches have their merits; it's up to you to decide which one works best for you. Just to complicate things further this isn't a rigid rule, some manufacturers are able to deliver the best of both worlds. Purely on-line operations and retailer own brands have the advantage of of saving on distribution costs and they often pass that saving on to the customer. Some other big manufacturers also have the benefit of economies of scale when buying components and again will sometimes pass that saving on to make their products more price competitive.
It's all in the frame
As this round-up shows, most — but not all — bikes at this price feature aluminium frames. The latest generation of aluminium bikes offer a fantastic combination of performance and value. It's a cliché because it's true that when it comes to bangs per buck performance you can't beat an aluminium bike. It's a very good material for bike frames, both light and stiff, two very desirable features in a bike frame. Modern aluminium frames are also comfortable too — gone are the days when you would expect a harsh ride from an aluminium bike.
Look for a frame with double, or triple, butted tubes, as these are lighter and offer slightly better ride performance than non-butted plain gauge tubes. Most bikes here feature weight saving and vibration-reducing carbon fibre forks.
It is possible to get carbon fibre at this money. Carbon costs more than aluminium so you will typically sacrifice the quality of the components, with a lower tier groupset, wheels and finishing kit common. A carbon frame is likely to be lighter and stiffer than aluminium though, and does offer good upgrade potential so you could replace parts as they wear out.
Another point to consider is will you want to to fit mudguards to your bike? Some bikes here will feature concealed mudguard eyelets so you can easily add mudguards, which can be invaluable for winter riding and daily commuting.
Groupset and parts
All the bikes here use groupsets — the collective term for a bike's gears, brakes and controls — mainly or entirely based on components from Japanese company Shimano. Most feature either the cheaper Tiagra or more expensive 105 or a combination of the two.
Shimano 105 is a bit lighter and offers slightly better performance, but Tiagra has been upgraded recently and is very good for the money. You should also expect to see a smattering of parts from Italian/Taiwanese component maker FSA. Instead of speccing their bikes entirely from Shimano parts many bike manufacturers will look to save a bit of money by going fitting a different crankset, usually an FSA one. That isn't necessarily a negative — FSA components have a very good reputation for quality and performance.
One difference between Tiagra and 105 is that Tiagra is 10-speed, 105 11-speed. That means you get one more rear sprocket with 105, giving you wither a bigger range or closer gaps between gears for more consistent pedalling.
Most bikes here use a compact (50/34) double ring chainset providing 20 gears with Tiagra, 22 with 105. A triple chainset is an option on some bikes and provides more low and high gears, useful for climbing.
For the 2016 model year far more road bikes in this price range come with disc brakes, which provide better stopping in the wet, and make it much easier for a frame to accommodate tyres fatter than 25mm. They also mean the braking is unaffected by the rim being a bit out of true, and you never need worry about your rims wearing out.
You can also expect to see some own brand components in this price range. Again that isn't necessarily a negative. Bike manufacturers fit own brand components to their bikes right the way through their price ranges and they're often just as good as name-brand parts from third-party manufacturers.
Own brand wheels and components give way to branded parts the more you spend. As wheels and tyres have a big impact on a bikes performance, look for a bike that doesn’t skimp on these parts.
If you value comfort, then look for a bike with 25mm tyres, or even bigger, rather than 23mm, as they offer a bit more cushioning and are no slower than narrower tyres anyway.
£1,000 and under
Pinnacle Dolomite 5 — £1000
The Pinnacle Dolomite 5 feels like something of a watershed. Hydraulic disc brakes on a road bike at the key £1,000 price point? That's a first among the bikes we've had in for review. It's a pretty likeable machine which could certainly serve as a commuter or winter bike, and rides well enough to be an enjoyable companion for all-day outings.
It ticks the practicality boxes, too, with mudguard and rear rack compatibility, and also has some unexpected modern touches such as internal cable routing.
Read our review of the Pinnacle Dolomite 5
VO2 Vesp Tiagra — £1000
Don't be fooled by the monochrome colour and rather subdued graphics, the Vesp from Kent based VO2 is an exciting bike to ride. This is a proper race bike with an excellent carbon fibre frame that responds well to being pushed hard.
The Vesp has a very tight feel to it. Accelerate hard away from the lights or stomp on the pedals to reach the summit of the climb and the VO2 responds without any feeling of flex from the frame or fork. All well and good but that isn't the Vesp's defining characteristic, what stands out above all else is how it manages to deliver that tightness and power transfer without being overly stiff and uncomfortable.
Read our review of the VO2 Vesp Tiagra
Whyte Dorset — £999
One of the new breed of disc braked road bikes, this is truly a performance road bike with disc brakes rather than a re-engineered hybrid or cyclocross bike. If you want a bike for getting from A to B quickly all year round, and that can cope with whatever the British roads and weather can throw at it this could be for you. We were very impressed when we reviewed the 2014 version.
At its heart is a well designed, well put together aluminium frame with lots of nicely detailed touches. You can easily fit mudguards (always a plus) and the ride and handling is right up there with the best of the new breed of aluminium road bikes. There's a carbon fibre fork to smooth out the road, 28mm Maxxis Rouleur tyres and the new Shimano Tiagra groupset with TRP HyRd disc brakes.
Cannondale Synapse Alloy 105 Disc — £999
Disc brakes are becoming more prevalent in the road cycling market at a range of prices, and coming in just under £1,000 is the Synapse Alloy 105 Disc from Cannondale. The Synapse is the US company's endurance bike, designed primarily to be comfortable, so making it ideal for sportives, riding to work and club runs.
This model features a 6061 aluminium frame sharing many of the styling cues of the more expensive carbon fibre Synapses, and is built up with a Shimano 105 transmission, FSA Gossamer chainset and Promax Render R mechanical disc brakes. You can fit bigger tyres in the Synapse than most regular race bikes, up to 28mm, this model comes fitted with Schwalbe Lugano 25mm tyres.
Cube Axial WLS Race — £999
The Axial WLS is Cube's female equivalent of the Attain SL, (one notch above the Attain Race, below). It is top of the three-model range of Axial models with a list price of £999. And the big difference between it and the Attain? Well, it's got a different paint job and saddle, and shorter cranks — 170mm as opposed to 175mm. In every other respect, it is identical, and it gets the same 20mm taller head tube and the same Shimano 105 groupset and Mavic Aksium Elite wheels with 28mm tyres.
Giant Defy Disc 1 2016 — £999
Giant's Defy range gets a disc option on several models this year and the Defy 1 looks to be the sweet pick from the collection, with Giant's ALUXX SL aluminium frame in an endurance geometry, Shimano 105 transmission, TRP Spyre brakes and Giant P-R2 disc wheels with deep-section rims.
If a grand breaks the budget, the Defy Disc 2 has the same frame and brakes with a Shimano Tiagra groupset. The Defy Disc 1's gleaming blue paint job swings it for us, though. Yes, we're shallow.
Raleigh Mustang Elite — £950
One of the bikes we're most excited to test this year, the Mustang Elite is part of Raleigh's expanded range of gravel/adventure bikes for 2016 and looks like a great example of the booming category. Its 6061 double butted aluminium frame is designed for both on and off road riding so if you're getting tempted by your local dirt roads and trails, or a canal towpath commute, it'll take it in its stride.
Along with an all-carbon fork with through-axle and TRP HY-RD Semi Hydraulic disc brakes, it has SRAM's intriguing new Rival 1X transmission with a single 44-tooth chainring and wide-range 10-42 11-speed cassette. It's the ultimate Keep It Simple, Stupid derailleur gear system and should be just the thing for a do-it-all bike.
Boardman Road Team Carbon — £949.99
When it comes to bang per buck, it definitely pays to see what former Olympic champions have in their bike ranges at this price. Boardman offer exceptional value for money in the shape of the Road Team Carbon, featuring a full carbon fibre frame and fork. The main benefit of the carbon frame over aluminium alternatives here is the lower weight, and that’s something you’ll notice on the hills.
Boardman still manage to fit a mix of Shimano 105 and Tiagra onto the frame which is impressive. 25mm Continental Ultra Sport II tyres are fitted to Mavic CXP22 wheels, brake calipers are Tektro R540 with Boardman’s own brand E4P bars, stem, post and saddle. While there are some obvious downgrades to account for the more expensive carbon frame, it still stacks up well on paper, and offers good upgrade potential.
Merlin Fuse 105 — £949
Merlin Cycles, known best these days as an online retailer of cycling kit, impresses with this build aimed squarely at the sub-£1000, commuter-sportive rider. Complete with a full Shimano 105 groupset and a carbon frameset, at £949 this bike is a real steal.
Imported over from Belgian manufactuer Ridley – which helps keep R&D costs, and therefore the end price, down – the frameset utilises 24-ton high modulus carbon, and teams this with a carbon fork. Alongside this, the frame is designed with sportive-orientated geometry, and the result is a ride that absorbs many of the creases and crevices you come across on UK roads. In short, it ticks the box for a forgiving ride.
Read our review of the Merlin Fuse 105
Under £900
Trek Émonda ALR 4 — £899.99
We were very impressed with the Émonda ALR 6 when we reviewed it, so we're excited about the expansion of Trek's aluminium race bike line into a more wallet-friendly version. The Tiagra-equipped ALR 4 has the same lightweight, hydroformed aluminium frame as the ALR 6 and so looks like a great deal for under a grand. Features include an all-carbon fork, Bontrager tubeless-ready wheels and slot for Trek's DuoTrap S ANT+ sensor.
GT Grade Alloy Tiagra — £849.99
GT’s Grade is one of a new trend of road bikes (some call it gravel and adventure, GT calls it EnduRoad) built with the intention of providing the capability to tackle more than just smooth roads, because with its relaxed geometry and bigger tyres, the Grade is as happy hurtling through the woods on a thin slither of singletrack as it is chasing wheels on the Sunday club run. Fit some mudguards and it can be pressed into service as a daily commuter.
If you don't race and want a bike that's a more versatile all-rounder than most regular race-inspired road bikes, the Grade might just be for you. This £850 (cheaper if you shop around) Tiagra and TRP Spyre disc brake-equipped model provides a lot of fun for not a lot of outlay, and really impressed us.
We really liked the 2015 version of this bike; for 2016 it gets the new Tiagra groupset with gear cables tidily under the bar tape, but there are no other major differences.
Read our review of the GT Grade Alloy Tiagra
Canyon Endurace AL 6.0 — £846.98
If you want bang for buck few brands manage it quite as emphatically as German-based Canyon. This brand new Endurace, which follows the design of the carbon Endurace first introduced this year, features an aluminium frame with a geometry that is longer in the wheelbase and taller in the head tube, to create a more comfortable position. It’s the bike that many people have been waiting for Canyon to make.
The aluminium frame is partnered with a carbon fibre fork with a 27.2mm seatpost and a complete Shimano 105 groupset, with a compact 50/34 chainset. The bottom bracket is actually upgraded to an Ultegra item. Mavic Aksium One wheels and Continental Grand Prix 4000s II tyres, and claimed 8.2kg according to Canyon.
Cube Attain Race — £849
The Cube Attain Race succeeds Cube's popular Peloton race in the Dutch manufacturer's range, but retains the 2015 bike's revised geometry (a 20mm taller head tube) intended to provide a more comfortable position on the bike. It has a double butted 6061Superlite aluminium frame with modern details like a tapered head tube, internal cable routing and 3D forged dropouts, and a Cube CSL carbon fibre fork. It's built up with a complete Shimano Tiagra groupset, with a very wide 11-34 cassette and compact 50/34 chainset, and Fulcrum Racing 77 wheels and 25mm Continental Ultra Sport 2 tyres.
Rose Pro SL-2000 — around £800*
By not selling bikes in shops in the traditional way, this German online retailer can pass on some pretty good savings to the customer if you’re prepared to shop online. This attractive £800 Pro SL-2000 features a triple butted 7005 aluminium frame and carbon fibre fork with a Shimano 105 11-speed groupset, making it better appointed than many similarly priced bikes in this roundup. A Shimano 105 compact chainset provides a usable low range spread of gears, and the Mavic Aksium Elite wheels and tyres are fast and responsive.
*Rose prices are set in Euros so vary with the exchange rate.
Rose Pro SL 200 Lady — around £800*
For the same price, the Rose Pro SL 200 Lady is the women's version of the Pro SL. Again, although it's a women's specific bike it may well suit a lot of men. It comes in four sizes compared to the Pro SL 2000's eight, and there are some differences in the finishing kit — it has narrower handlebars, and a women's specific saddle.
Under £800
Vitus Bikes Energie GR — £774.99
The gravel/adventure bike category is booming because these machines with road race bikes, touring bikes and cyclo-cross bikes in their ancestry are both versatile and tough enough for the craterscapes the last few winters have made of our rural and inner-city roads.
The Vitus Energie GR has a 6061 frame with rack and mudguard mounts, full-carbon fork and 15mm through-axle. There's a full Shimano Tiagra 10-speed transmission and TRP Spyre disc brakes. For under £800 it looks like a great way to get started playing on dirt roads and bridleways.
Specialized Dolce Sport C2 EQ — £800 (currently on offer for £600)
The Dolce Sport C2 EQ is Specialized's female equivalent of the Allez Sport, although it doesn't map directly across. The Dolce is designed as a more of an all rounder, similar to the Trek Domane or Specialized's own Roubaix, whereas the Allez definitely has racing in its DNA.
The Dolce has an aluminium frame and FACT carbon fork with Zertz inserts in the fork and rear stays, intended to provide more comfort. You get a Body Geometry Women's Riva Sport saddle and Specialized Roubaix gel bar tape to add further comfort. The parts list includes a 9-speed Shimano Sora drivetrain with a wide range 11-32 cassette, and Specialized Espoir Sport 25mm tyres.
Raleigh Criterium Sport — £713
The brand new £750 Raleigh Criterium Sport is proof that you don't need to spend a huge amount of money on a road bike. It offers a well designed aluminium frame, a carbon fibre fork and a full Shimano Tiagra groupset, which all comes together to provide a brilliant ride. This is a cracking bike for the money, and one that isn't easily embarrassed by more expensive rivals.
The first thing that strikes you is how smooth the ride is. There's an old notion that aluminium bikes are harsh and rattly, but that's not the case at all with the Raleigh. It's very compliant over any sort of road surface, and doesn't deteriorate into harshness on really gravelly roads. In fact, it has a more composed ride over my local roads than many more expensive carbon fibre bikes we've tested over the years.
Read our review of the Raleigh Criterium Sport
Buying your first road bike?
Our in-depth guide is packed with useful advice to steer you towards choosing the right bike for you, with information on frame materials, components, wheels, groupsets, sizing and fit. Read it here.