In a world of high-tech cars and motorcycles, bicycling is still a great mode of transportation and also an amazing sport. Cycling is also great for your health and overall fitness. Although there are professional and competitive cyclists, a bike can be ridden for personal and recreational purposes as well. Perhaps you have been contemplating over starting cycling, but you get overwhelmed by the thought of expensive bikes and gears, steep hills, and other factors. But with a little research, you could find the best road bike for yourself.
There are different kinds of bikes; Mountain bike, road bike, hybrid bike, triathlon, BMX, commuting bike, track bike, etc. But today we’re only going to focus on road bikes. Which ones are the road bikes, you may ask? Road bikes are the bikes that are riding on smooth paved streets and roads. Unlike mountain bikes, these are not suitable for rocky mountain trails and other uneven surfaces. Usually, these bikes have larger thin tires that help you glide over the smooth pavements with ease, and the handle-bars may be down-turned which may be gripped in various ways.
In this article today, we have listed our top picks on road bikes for different budgets and also mentioned which are the best ones for under various price tags such as 300 dollars, 500 dollars, 1000 dollars, and 1500 dollars. We have also explained the factors you need to look out for while purchasing road bikes, how to ride a road bike, and common questions regarding it. We hope you enjoy reading this article and we are able to help you find what you’re looking for. So without further ado, let’s get right into it!
Best Road Bikes Under $300
1. EUROBIKE Road Bike
The EUROBIKE road bike comes in a steel frame with disc brakes and its perfect for the height of 5’3″-5’9″. The bike front fork suspension, which works pretty well and offers good mobility. The frame is aerodynamic and the iron racing handlebars are easy to grip on to. It comes with SHIMANO TZ30 on the front derailleur and SHIMANO TZ50on rear. SHIMANO A050 21 Speed gearshifts that make changing gears very smooth and convenient. The aluminum disk brakes are great and offer a stronger and safer braking effect. The bike is equipped with 700c tires that glide smoothly on paved surfaces.
This best road bike is great for beginner riders, who want to try cycling but don’t want to spend a fortune on it. The bike has more or less every feature you need for a good cycling experience and it comes at a very affordable price. The product is 85% assembled manually by a professional and a 500-meter test ride is done before packaging to ensure the guaranteed quality. So hopefully you won’t be disappointed with your purchase.
Pros
- Best offer in this price segments
- Heavy-duty steel frame and aluminum fork
- Smooth and efficient Shimano derailleur and gearshift
- The disk brakes are very powerful
- Easy assembling
Cons
- The bike is heavy
- The tire needs some improvements
2. Sentuca Aluminum Road Bike
Sentuca ensures you are getting the most from your ride whether it is 10 miles or 100 miles. The brand makes sure to produce high-quality road bikes at an affordable price so beginners and intermediate riders can enjoy a high-quality cycling experience without having to spend their whole life’s earnings on it.
This road bike is an intermediate level bike, but it can be ridden by newbie’s as well. The bike is not initially assembled and requires a professional to assemble it, so make sure to take it to a professional for assembly before your first bike ride. This bike is a great option if you want to go on short tours and cruises and as a daily commute. It is not the best for competitive cycling but can be used for practicing and getting good at riding it.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Swift gear shifts
- Comfortable riding experience
- Good for beginner and intermediate level riders
- Affordable in terms of price
Cons
- Professional assistance is required to assemble the bike.
3. HTNBO Road Bike
Pros
- Lightweight
- Option to choose between aluminum or magnesium alloy wheels
- Shimano derailleur, shifter, and disk brakes
- Affordable price Great for beginners
- Suitable for both men and women
- Two-color variants, Black & Red
Cons
- Targeted the products only for newbies
4. Begasso Road Bike
The bike comes with an aluminum alloy frame that provides endurance geometry for durability and continuous riding comfort. It uses Shimano TZ-30 and TZ-50 derailleurs at the front and rear of the bike. The Shimano 21 speed drive-train can withstand harsh conditions, and offer high-quality shifting and smoothness while riding. The gear shifting is really smooth and swift, so you can switch the gears easily and quickly with your fingertips for every terrain. The bike uses 700c tires and mechanical disc brakes for a smooth and responsive braking force.
The Begasso road bike is a good quality beginner level bike that is suitable for both men and women. You can easily learn how to ride a bike on this and also cruise on it for fun. It is not suitable for professional cycling or long-distance tours. It comes at a super affordable price under 300 dollars. So if you are looking for a high-quality beginner road bike and are on a tight budget, give this one a look.
Pros
- Adjustable Seat
- Mechanical disk brakes
- Comfortable for height from 5.6″ to 6.3″
- Suitable for beginners to an intermediate level cyclist
- Affordable price
Cons
- Purchasing from Amazon may delay the delivery
5. Max4out Road Bike 700c Commuter Bicycle
The Max4out Road Bike is a great road bike for 300 dollars and is suitable for beginners and new learners. It weighs 37.5 pounds which is a bit heavy for a road bike. But the bike is stable during riding and provides ultimate comfort to its rider. It comes with a premium quality aluminum frame, fork, and fork steer. The adjustable sitting position and duel disc brakes added maximum riding pleasures to the user.
It comes in two different colors Orange & White. You also get padel, which is included in the package. The bike is perfect for the rider’s height 5‘5’’- 6’1‘’ & weight up to 220lbs. It’s easy to assemble the bike which is 85% assembled; you just have to attach the seat and you’re good to go!
The Max4out Road Bike is the perfect bike for daily commuting. It is suitable for city streets and suburbs for fast commuting. So if you want a bike that would be your constant mode of transportation within a small area, the Max4out Road Bike would be your go-to. And with its affordable price, it is easy to purchase one for you or your loved ones. So if you choose comfort and convenience over other factors in a road bike, the Max4out Road Bike is definitely your best bet.
Pros
- Aluminum frame with endurance geometry
- Two aesthetic color Perfect for the commuting
- Comes with disc brakes
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- A little bit of heavy Only best for commuters
Best Road Bikes Under $500
6. Giordano Acciao Road Bike
The wheels of the Acciao consist of 32-holes double wall 30mm alloy rims and 700c x 25mm tires. The alloy dual-pivot brakes offer a strong braking system for this bike. The bike is suitable for people of heights 5’4” to 6’0”. It is a great bike for beginner cyclists and people who are just learning how to ride a bike. It can be ridden by both men and women and the geometry is anatomically measured for maximum comfort while riding the bike.
It is a high-quality entry-level road bike and comes at a very affordable price. This bike is great for casual riding and commuting on paved roads and streets and it is a great option for learning how to ride a bike on. Giordano ensures customer satisfaction and offers good customer service. So if you want a great quality road bike for an affordable price, you should definitely check this one out!
Pros
- Lightweight and durable
- Integrated with Shimano Tourney STI shifters
- Suitable for men and women
- Good for beginners and new learners
- Easy to assemble
- Affordable price
Cons
- Brakes have issues that occur problem
- Seat position have also problem complaint from some customers
7. Vilano R2 Commuter Road Bike
The bike comes with a lightweight 6061 double-butted aluminum frame and A050 thumb shifters. The wheels consist of a 700c x 25mm double walled CNC machined wheel-set that comes with quick-release skewers. The bike is integrated with Shimano 21 speed drive-train in order to handle tough situations. The front and back derailleurs are Shimano and Shimano Tourney respectively. The bike is delivered partially assembled. You have to install the wheels, handlebars, saddle, pedals, and tune the wheels, brakes, and derailleurs. After that, all you need to do is pump air into the tires and you’re good to go! Assembling is very easy and the package comes with instructions.
The Vilano R2 is the perfect commuter bike for people living in urban and suburban areas. It is not the best for professional or competitive cycling, but more suitable for personal riding and commuting. This bike comes at a very affordable price at under 300 dollars and is great for learning how to ride a bike as well, so this is perfect for a beginner rider.
Pros
- Lightweight aluminum frame
- Easy to assemble
- Perfect for the urban and sub-urban commute
- Perfect for newbies
- Affordable price
Cons
- Low-quality tires
- The seat has major complaints
8. Giordano Libero 1.6 Women’s Road Bike
The Giordano Libero 1.6 is an amazing road bike specifically designed for women by the brand Giordano. It comes at a very affordable price under 500 dollars. The color, design, and components quality is perfect for the price. It is a great bike for beginners who started learning cycling and if you are a regular commuter the bike will not disappoint you.
This amazing road bike by Giordano comes in 2 colorways for the ladies to choose from. It has a handcrafted 6061 aluminum frame which is very lightweight and aerodynamic, and a 1/8” threadless alloy 100m stem. The bike is integrated with Shimano Claris STI shifters and rear derailleurs. The Shimano Claris shifters provide hassle-free and high-performance gear shifting. The Libero 1.6 is designed anatomically for women ensuring the right size and overall geometry, for them to ride comfortably without any uneasiness and discomfort.
The bike also comes with dual water bottle mounts, so you can carry two bottles of water (or one bottle of water and one bottle of juice or any other refreshing drink) with you during your road cycling tours. It is a great bike for new learners and beginners. So if you are a woman, who wants to buy an affordable bike for learning how to ride around for small tours, get yourself this amazing road bike today!
Pros
- Perfect size and geometry for women
- Lightweight aluminum frame and fork
- The seat position is good
- Affordable price
- Great for new learners and beginners.
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Brake has a flaw
9. Kent Gzr700 Road Bike
Pros
- High tensile steel frame and fork
- Uses high profile alloy Vitesse 36 spoke rims
- Affordable price
- Good for beginners.
Cons
- Back hub bearing is not durable
- Assembling is not easy
Best Road Bikes Under $1000
10. Schwinn Vantage Hybrid Road Bike
We’re back with another high-end road bike from Schwinn. The Schwinn Vantage is a hybrid road bike meant for both men and women. As a hybrid, it can function as an all-terrain bike. This amazing hybrid road bike is designed for intermediate to advanced riders who expect high performance and premium riding experience. The recommended rider height is 5’3”- 5’7” for the Vantage RX-2.
The Schwinn Ergo endurance handlebar is very convenient to grip onto and provides the rider maximum comfort. The bike is integrated with Shimano Sora 18-speed drive-train that offers a wide range of responsive gear shifting for riding on different types of terrain. It uses Continental sport contact 700 x 35C tires that come equipped with safety breaker flat protection mounted to the Alex DP21 alloy rims and TRP Spyre C-mechanical disk brakes. The Smooth Ride Technology adventure frame comes with an elastomer soft rear suspension which ensures optimal shock absorption while riding.
As this is a hybrid bike, you can ride it as a road bike on paved roads as well as uneven rocky surfaces. It is extremely versatile and high quality. And it is great for the advanced cyclists who want to ride in all-terrains.
Pros
- Premium build quality
- SRT features provide great performance
- Optimal shock absorption for rough terrains
- Multiple colors
- Premium feels in this price segments
Cons
- Some manufacturing flaws found
- Not suitable for beginners
11. Tommaso Imola Endurance Road Bike
The Imola Endurance is a great road bike by the brand Tommaso. It is high quality and affordable performance bike, and it is the perfect road bike for new and returning cyclists.The Tommaso Imola Endurance comes with a compact and aerodynamic frame that is lightweight and provides a comfortable riding position. The drop handlebars allow you to ride comfortably even in a low handlebar position.
This best road bike comes with Shimano Claris R2000 STI gear shifters, derailleurs, cranks, and brakes of the best quality; the integrated shifters and brake levers provide optimal performance. The 25mm, 700c road bike tires give you more control while turning and with the aerodynamic design of the bike, you get a very smooth riding experience. The bike is suitable for learning as a beginner as well as riding as a returning cyclist from a long interval.
Tomasso bikes are of high quality and durable, and they also provide 2 years of warranty. They sell their products directly to the consumer so you save some cash on the purchase too. The Imola Endurance is an affordable and high-performance road bike under 1000 dollars, so you might want to check it out.
Pros
- Elegant bike for the price
- Wider tires for more control
- Perfect fit for sizes from 5.5″ and above
- Great package with a warranty
Cons
- Assembling requires expert
- The seat should be replace
11. Tommaso Imola Endurance Road Bike
The gear system is great; the 3 x 8 Shimano Claris Group-set features 30/39/50T Claris crank-set and 12 x 25T Claris cassette which makes the bike perfect for both flat and hilly roads. The Claris shifters provide performance and responsive gear shifting experience with a wide range of gears. The frame and handlebars are sleek and compactly designed for maximum comfort and efficiency while riding the bike.
The Forcella road bike comes with a Lifetime Frame and Fork warranty, and it is recommended that it should be assembled by a professional before riding, in order to validate the warranties for optimal performance. Tommaso ensures maximum customer satisfaction and delivers its products directly to the consumers. So it is a great road bike under 1000 dollars.
Pros
- Lightweight frame
- Comes with black & white both color
- Initially drilled frame for attaching racks and fenders
- Comfortable and aerodynamic frame and handlebars
- Comes with Lifetime Frame and Fork warranty in the U.S
Cons
- Assembling requires expert
- The seat has adjustment issues
13. Tommaso Fascino Sport Performance Road Bike
We’re back with another amazing road bike from the brand Tommaso. The Tommaso Fascino Sports Performance road bike is very durable and compact. Coming at under 1000 dollars, the Fascino offers a comfortable and sleek lightweight aluminum frame and premium handlebars. The frame geometry is compact and anatomically designed to be comfortable and efficient while riding.
The bike uses a 3 x 7 Shimano Tourney gear shifter that provides a wide gearing range for climbing any hill while retaining the speed you would have on a flat road. The gear shifters are smooth and responsive and provide the maximum speed and performance you need, whether it is a ten-mile ride or a hundred-mile ride.
This is a great road bike for new learners and returning cyclists as it has amazing features and riding is very convenient as well. Tomasso provides U.S. based customers amazing feedback service and a lifetime frame warranty as well. They sell directly to consumers so there’s no middle-man, as a result, you save money on your purchase. The aim of the brand is maximum customer satisfaction, so they ensure the best quality products as well as great customer service.
Pros
- Responsive and smooth gear shifting
- Compact and comfortable frame and handlebars
- Matte color with hot paint theme
- Suitable all sizes from 4.9″ to 6.5″
- Comes with Lifetime Frame and Fork warranty in the U.S
Cons
- Little bit heavy
14. Giordano Trieste Gravel Bike
We have another road bike from the brand Giordano on this list. The Giordano Trieste is a high-quality gravel bike that is very affordable. This gravel bike comes with Chromoly (also known as Chromo-moly) steel frame and fork. The bike comes with Shimano Claris STI shifters that ensure smooth and hassle-free gear shifting, and optimal speed. It also comes with 32 hole double-wall alloy rims and 700c x 30mm tires. It is equipped with mechanical disc brakes that allow for a strong and responsive stopping force.
Pros
- Chromoly steel frame and fork
- Shimano Claris STI shifters
- Responsive mechanical disk brakes
- Affordable
- Appropriate for learning and beginner-level riding.
Cons
- Some customers received the wrong set of brake calipers
- The handlebar is low quality
15. Schwinn Fastback 1 Performance Road Bike
The Fastback 1 performance road bike by the brand Schwinn is the best road bike for intermediate and advanced riders under 1000 dollars. The bike has a Schwinn N LITENED Platinum hydro-formed aluminum road frame and the fork is made of carbon fiber, which is great for fitness-enthusiastic cyclists. It uses a full 22-speed Shimano 105 drive-train with Shimano 105 STI shifters and an alloy 50/34T compact crank providing premium quality gear shifting experience.
The 28mm 700c tires are wide enough to allow the rider to glide smoothly on pavements, and the front and rear Shimano BR-5800 alloy caliper road brakes and Shimano 105 brake levers allow the riders to brake precisely and ensure efficient speed control. The frame of this best road bike also comes with rack and fender mounts, so you can easily install them if needed. The S1 road stem, bar and road race saddle along with double-gel bar tape ensure comfort at important touchpoints of the bike.
Pros
- Comes with Shimano 105 group-set
- Schwinn race carbon fork gives it more performance
- Matte color with hot paint theme
- Suitable for all sizes from 5′ to 6.5″
- Perfect deal for intermediate to advanced riders
Cons
- Few customers complaints about manufacturing faults
16. Schwinn Phocus 1400 and 1600 Drop Bar Road Bicycle
The frame is lightweight and the drop handlebars allow for a very aerodynamic riding position, therefore increasing the speed of your bike. It uses the Shimano Claris 16 speed derailleur with micro shift integrated shift/brake lever combination and alloy cranks, so you get a wider gear range and easily attain maximum speed, as well as smoothness in turning and gliding. The braking power is great; thanks to the Promax alloy dual pivot caliper road brakes.
It is a beginner to intermediate level road bike, so if you are going to be learning how to ride a bike for the first time ever in your life, this product is the best one for you. It comes at a price that is under 1500 dollars and is quite affordable; it also offers great quality compared to the price. The company has a reputation for offering high-quality products and great customer support. So you won’t be disappointed with your purchase at all.
Pros
- Lightweight aluminum frame
- High profiled alloy rims with spokes
- Great baking features Promax alloy dual pivot caliper road brakes
- Easy assembling
- Great value for the money
Cons
- The bottom bracket has a quality issue
Road bike vs. Hybrid Road bike
The age-old question for new bike buyers is “what is the best type of bike for me?” Hybrid bikes are basically the kind of bikes that can be ridden on smooth paved surfaces and also on rough uneven surfaces to some extent, whereas road bikes are mainly for paved roads and smooth surfaces. Although hybrid road bikes are more versatile, road bikes have their own advantages. You must take into consideration the fact that road bikes are specifically made for roads and paved streets, and ensure maximum speed, aerodynamics, comfort, and efficiency, which is why the bikes are designed in a way to be lightweight, aerodynamic, and for the handlebars to have more than one holding positions.
Hybrid bikes may give you more features overall, but if your purpose is to go on long rides and tours, a road bike will always be better than a hybrid bike. The road bikes come equipped with powerful gears and gearshifts, so you can traverse huge distances with ease and less effort. But if you want to ply on different terrains, then a hybrid would be better. Assuming that you don’t expect your bike to do so (since you are reading an article specifically about road bikes), a road bike would definitely be a better option for you.
How to ride a road bike?
Riding a road bike isn’t rocket science. With a little practice, riding a road bike is very easy and can be a very joyful activity. However, there are certain things that you must keep in mind while riding a road bike. At first, you have to position your body correctly when sitting on the bike. Raise the saddle to the hip level and adjust it so that you can sit straight and put one foot on the pedal. Bring one pedal (the side of your dominant foot) upward and place them in a diagonal form, so you get a powerful downward stroke when you start pedaling.
By now you have started cycling, so just keep your head up straight and allow your shoulder to hang relaxed. Try not to hunch forward too much as that causes neck and shoulder pain. Make sure to keep your elbows bent and NOT straight, as you could actually get injured due to shock of bumps if your elbows are locked straight. When riding a flat surface, grip the top of the handlebar, but when going downhill, hold the drop bars as it will give you more control. Use the brakes to control speed while turning and learn to shift gears to maintain your momentum. If you maintain these rules, you’ll learn how to ride a road bike in no time.
How to get the correct road bike size?
The sizes of road bikes are measured in a certain way. The measurement you will see in centimeters is the distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the center of the top of the seat tube. However, some manufacturers measure their road bikes in a different way; some measure center to center of the bottom bracket and top tube whereas others measure center to top of the bottom bracket and top tube. Now, we come to the real question; how do you get the correct road bike size? Simply just stand barefoot with your legs about 6-8 inches apart from each other and measure the length from the ground to your crotch; that distance should be equal to the size of the bike that is perfect for you. Some bikes may show sizes in XS, S, M, L, and XL so for your convenience here’s a size chart that you can use to get a perfect size:
| Height | Size (cm) | Size |
|---|---|---|
|
4’10”- 5’2” |
47-48 cm |
XXS |
|
5’2”- 5’6” |
49-50 cm |
XS |
|
5’3”- 5’6” |
51-53 cm |
S |
|
5’6”- 5’9” |
54-55 cm |
M |
|
5’9”- 6’0” |
56-58 cm |
L |
|
6’0”- 6’3” |
58-60 cm |
XL |
|
6’3”- 6’6” |
61-63 cm |
XXL |
What tires will my road bike come with?
Tires are one of the most quintessential parts of a bicycle, being the only connection between you and the road when riding. Good quality tires are very important for a smooth cycling experience. Road bike tires are usually thin, aerodynamic, and suitable for paved surfaces. The road bike tires generally come in 700 x 25mm sizes, where 700mm is the diameter and 25mm is the width of the tire. These 700mm tires fit into 700c rims.
There are basically 3 types of tires: clincher, tubeless and tubular, although it is hard to tell the tires apart as they all look pretty similar to each other. Clincher tires have an open-casing and require an inner tube. These tires can be mounted on standard hooked wheel rims. Clincher tires are the most widely available ones in the market. Tubeless tires are very similar to clincher tires, but as the name suggests, it uses a non-tubular design and can be used on tubeless compatible rims. Tubular tires are the oldest in the game; it comes with a tubular casing around the inner tube and the tire is glued to the tubular compatible rim which lacks side walls or bead hooks. We would recommend getting a road bike with rims compatible with clincher and tubeless tires.
Should I buy a road bike with rim or disc brakes?
When it comes to brakes for road bikes, the debate between disc brakes and rim or caliper brakes continues. But which one is actually better? The answer is not too clear, but to help you decide which will be more suitable for you, let us see what advantages and disadvantages each brake comes with. In tough weather conditions, disk brakes would provide you better and more responsive stopping force than rim brakes. Disk brakes also require less force to be applied on the lever, so you are getting more braking force with less effort with disk brakes compared to rim brakes.
However, you have to give rim brakes one point for reliability and maintenance. The rim caliper will hardly ever let you down, whereas, disk brakes may fail at certain moments, and fixing the issue can get pretty tricky. The two different brakes use different kinds of axles; rim brakes use quick-release skewers, which can flex and your rim may contact brake pads when under load, whereas disk brakes use the thru-axle system which screws through the wheel directly into the fork legs, providing stiffer and secure braking. Most rim brakes are more affordable than disk brakes, so if you’re low on cash, rim brakes would be a better option. But if your budget allows it and you want to get the best bike for yourself, get one with disk brakes and you won’t regret it.
What do I need to go on a road bike ride?
Gears and accessories are a part of almost every sports activity (except bodyweight stuff, of course). When going on a road cycling ride, you should wear some cycling gear (not compulsory but recommended) such as a helmet, cycling jersey, padded shorts, knee and elbow pads, and cycling goggles. The helmet and the pads will protect you from getting injured and the jersey and the shorts will give you maximum mobility and flexibility while cycling. Besides the wearable gear, you should also carry a few things with you on the cycle. Such as, a water bottle (this one is a no-brainer, as cycling can be a very tiring activity that is bound to make you thirsty), a pump, a spare tube, basic tools (Swiss army knife is recommended), and chain oil. Having the tools and oil with you during long tours can decrease the chances of you having to walk your bike home or to the local repair store.
One more thing that you can carry with you during cycling tours is a cycling computer. Who doesn’t want to see how fast they are going? Although modern-day smart-phones come equipped with such fitness apps, a cycling computer is specifically made for cycling and withstands harsh weather conditions. So if you don’t want to damage your phone but still measure your average speed, distance traveled, etc, use a cycling computer.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Start cycling today!
Road bikes are a great investment! You can use them as your regular commute or ride them for recreation. But if you are into racing, you better get yourself only the highest quality road bike.
Make sure to figure out and decide what features you want in your road bike before purchasing it. We have listed the best road bikes for different price ranges, so you can check out a wide range of products, compare them, and decide what to get.
check out all the products listed above and get the best bike for your road cycling experience. We hope you had a fun time reading this article. Have a nice day!