What frame material do I need?Ĭarbon fibre reigns supreme at the top end of the performance pyramid, whereas aluminium framesets tend to occupy the lower end. The £1,000/$1,000 price point is, in our opinion, where you can start to find really high quality machines that will be reliable as well as able to give you a real performance boost. If you pick a number it's pretty likely you can find a bike for that price, be it £20,000 or £20. Getting used to the differences happens pretty swiftly, and if you're worried about clip in pedals then start off with some of the best flat pedals until you're confident enough to make the switch. We understand that drop bars, skinny tyres and clip-in pedals can be daunting for some riders, but if you can ride a bike then you can definitely ride a road bike. How to choose the best budget road bike for you Can beginners use road bikes? Ribble also offers a large degree of customisation through its BikeBuilder tool (opens in new tab) – meaning you can change key components for size, make upgrades or you go a step further and build a completely custom bike with a custom paint job - if your budget is really flexible. If you absolutely have to have a carbon frame, the Ribble R872 is a great option. You do get a full Shimano Tiagra 4700 groupset though, as well as a dependable finishing kit from Level, Ribble’s new in-house brand. ![]() If your budget can stretch a little over the £1,000 mark, then this is where we'd spend it.Īt 9kg, it’s decently lightweight (though there are lighter alloy bikes at this price point), but the Raleigh Mach 1 CFX wheels are more suitable for training rather than racing. The recently updated Ribble R872 has a thoroughly modern frameset, and both the frame and fork are full carbon, and a chunky downtube and chainstays offer great pedalling stiffness, while slim, dropped seat stays increase compliance and comfort over rough roads. ![]() Yes we know, the Ribble R872 retails over the £1,000 budget but hear us out on this one. The externally routed cables also mean you need to be careful with keeping the exposed sections clean and in good condition, to keep everything working smoothly, though this does make for simple maintenance when the time comes. So what’s the catch? Well, the looks are a little workhorse-like – not bad per se, but just nothing to set your heart fluttering. They do require a little more maintenance and certainly add on some weight but the performance benefit is worth it if you are frequently riding in poor weather conditions. While most bikes at this price point get rim or mechanical disc brakes, the HY/RD offer a significant improvement in power and control. Another interesting spec choice is the TRP HY/RD mechanical actuated hydraulic disc brakes. It’s also got mounts for racks and mudguards, the wheels can be converted to tubeless, and Decathlon offers a lifetime warranty on the frame, stem and handlebars. And it’s not just a pricey groupset at the expense of everything else either – you get a modern styled frame with dropped seat stays for extra comfort and heaps of tyre clearance (slick tyres up to 36mm will fit). It’s pretty rare to see Shimano 105 R7000 on a bike that costs under £1,000, let alone one that comes in at under £850, but that’s exactly what the Triban RC 520 Disc offers. However, with plenty of mounting options including on the fork, you can set it up however you wish to, and switch things up whenever you need to take the Haanjo for a different kind of ride.ĭriven by a Shimano Claris 2x8-speed drivetrain and controlled with Tektro Lyra mechanical disc brakes, the Haanjo 2 comes stock with plush 40mm Vee Rubber Speedster tyres for a super comfortable ride and reduced rolling resistance when fully inflated. The aluminium frame is paired with a steel fork, which admittedly does put it at the heavier end of the spectrum. ![]() If you're short on storage space and need something affordable that can be used for road riding, commuting, touring and recreational off-road stints, the Haanjo is the one. The Diamondback Haanjo 2 may appear to be a better fit for our guide to the best budget gravel bikes, and it certainly comes with gravel capabilities, but first and foremost it's designed to be a do-it-all bike that can perform all the main functions needed without the need to own a quiver.
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