Best road bike 2020
You also need to think about whether a carbon frame road bike is even the best for you. Most cheaper road bikes use carbon fibre, but do note that cheaper carbon tends to flex under load and can also be less comfortable and more brittle than their steel or aluminium-framed counterparts.
With all this in mind, we've collated a list of brilliant road bikes that represent excellent value across the board - from their tyres to their top tubes. Ultimately, it pays to do some research, and our countdown of the best bikes for around the £2,000 mark (some may be slightly more) is the ideal starting point. If we say so ourselves.
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THE BEST ROAD BIKES IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE
best road bike: Specialized Roubaix Sport
(Image credit: Specialized)
- SPECIALIZED ROUBAIX SPORT
The best road bike for most buyers
SPECIFICATIONS
Frame: Fact10r Carbon
Groupset: Shimano 105 11 Speed
Wheels: DT R470 Disc
Finishing Kit: Specialized
REASONS TO BUY
+Suspension-enabled frame +Durable components +Disk brakes
REASONS TO AVOID
-Spec is a bit stingy for the price
Today's Best Deals
£1,999.99
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£1,999.99
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£2,749.99
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- Read our full Specialized Roubaix review
Named after the infamously gruelling Paris to Roubaix Challenge, this intelligent road bike features the marque's new Future Shock 1.5 cartridge, which gives a staggering 20mm of vertical stem and bar movement to soak up bumps. It's also now better integrated into the seat post for a smarter look.
The frame and headset are chunky but it doesn't feel like a particularly heavy bike and those oversized elements are only put in place to house the clever suspension system. Although discreet, there's a noticeable difference in the way the handlebars and stem miraculously iron over imperfections in the road, while the squishy seatpost makes arduously long sportives slightly less painful.
The addition of tried-and-tested DT R470 wheels means it remains a fast ride and that Fact10r frame is stiff and pointy, nicely transferring power through the wheels. Of course, those with bicycle Spider senses will likely argue that the additional damping effects power transfer and handling but we struggled to find those flaws.
Also, the Shimano 105 gearing and brakes is a bit stingy for a bike at this price point, but you're really paying for that brilliantly clever frame. In our humble opinion, it's a race bike that doesn't punish the spine, wrists and arse like its carbon fibre brethren. And that's a very good thing. Little wonder this high-tech ride has now won the T3 Award for best road bike two years running…
- PINNACLE ARKOSE R2 (2019)
Best cheap road bike – not for the purists but an incredible bargain
SPECIFICATIONS
Frame: Alloy
Groupset: Shimano 105 11 Speed
Wheels: WTB ST
Finishing Kit: Pinnacle
REASONS TO BUY
+Empty List
REASONS TO AVOID
-Empty List
Today's Best Deals
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- Buy the Pinnacle Arkose R2 2019 Road Bike at Evans Cycles
Although this hardy steel frame started life as an all-out gravel bike, Pinnacle have revised the recipe so it now has full compatibility for various wheel sizes (650B x 52C or 700C x 45mm), rear axle and Di2/cable gearing options, plus internal F+R dynamo light routing.
A super versatile all-rounder, the Arkose R2 will suit anyone who likes to subject their bike to punishment, or have an all-weather commute that requires something hardier than a flimsy carbon show pony.
Solid Shimano gearing, comfortable riding position, chunky tyres and a skinny aluminium frame all come part an parcel with this highly affordable machine. Plus, this is a 2019 run-out model, meaning it can be snapped up with some VERY healthy discounts.
(Image credit: Canyon)
- CANYON AEROAD CF SL DISC 8.0
Staggeringly fast and completely focussed
SPECIFICATIONS
Frame: Carbon
Groupset: Shimano Ultegra R8000
Wheels: Reynolds AR58 DB
Finishing kit: Canyon, Selle Italia
REASONS TO BUY
+Sharp as a tack+Great power transfer+Cruises like a missile
REASONS TO AVOID
-Firm ride-Aero cockpit not to all tastes
Buy the Canyon Aeroad CF SL Disc 8.0 direct from Canyon
- Read our Canyon Aeroad CF SL Disc 8.0 review
Canyon's updated Aeroad CF SL is one of the raciest, sharpest and fastest machines on this list - fusing the latest aero-tested frame geometry with a full carbon integrated cockpit for fighter jet levels of on-road performance.
New for this year is Shimano's laser sharp Ultegra R8000 drivetrain, which pinches learnings from the top spec Dura-Ace collection and filters it down into something mere mortals can (sort of) afford.
That also means Ultegra RT800 disc brake rotors are present, as well as some of the most tactile levers on the planet. Feathering those powerful brakes is enough to scrub speed off at an impressive rate, while minor adjustments are made possible by the high levels of control and feedback.
The front and rear rim profiles have also been cleverly devised for aerodynamically efficient high speed cycling, with a 58mmx19mm at the front and a wider 62mmx21mm Reynolds AR58 carbon unit at the back funnelling air across the frame's sharp profile for a direct, effortless ride. Side winds can be a pain, mind.
Canyon's H36 integrated cockpit is now famous in cycling circles, as its 400g mass helps to keep overall bike heft down to just 7.83kg and it's just as slippery as the rest of the set-up. But its shape means there are only a couple of grip positions, forcing the rider to adopt a full-on tucked up riding style. On top of this, bike computer users will have to buy a special "out front" mount in order to use them.
Alas, these are minor gripes and issues that hardcore riders (let's face it, this bike is aimed at them) won't even consider. Canyon Aeroad CF SL 8.0 is an absolute weapon.
(Image credit: Specialized)
- SPECIALIZED TARMAC DISC SPORT
One of the fastest and most reliable road bikes around
SPECIFICATIONS
Frame: Carbon
Groupset: Shimano 105 11 Speed
Wheels: DT Swiss R470
Finishing Kit: Shimano & Specialized
REASONS TO BUY
+Excellent frame+Durable components+Disc brakes
REASONS TO AVOID
-Basic wheels and groupset for the price
Today's Best Deals
£2,348.99
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£2,499.99
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- Buy the Specialized Tarmac Disc Sport directly from Specialized
Okay, so you'll have to bust the £2,000 budget here, but that smart investment buys some of the best frame technology found in the cycling game.
Specialized's FACT 9r carbon fibre construction is light and stiff, for improved straight line speed and inspiring greater downhill confidence, yet it manages to remain comfortable enough for longer rides.
The US-based company has refreshed its Tarmac line-up for 2019/2020, doing away with some of the more basic models. This means that even the entry level Disc Sport comes with improved rims, powerful disc brakes and a more performance orientated frame geometry than previous iterations.
Straight out of the box, this bike is built for lengthy sportives and heavy training usage but with a little more tweaking and outlay, it can easily transform into a pro-spec race-ready piece of kit.
(Image credit: Ridley)
- RIDLEY NOAH ULTEGRA
Best carbon fibre road bike under £3,000 – now nearly sold out
SPECIFICATIONS
Frame: Carbon
Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 11 speed
Wheels: Forza RC31
Finishing Kit: Forza, FSA, Vittoria
REASONS TO BUY
+Beautifully styled+Mix use bike+Fast enough for racing
REASONS TO AVOID
-Heavier than other carbon bikes-It's called Noah
Today's Best Deals
LOW STOCK
£4,999
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- Buy Ridley Noah Ultegra from £4,350
You've probably noticed that a couple of Tour de France podium finishers have been riding Ridley last year, not least Thomas de Gendt and his awesome Ridley Helium SLX.
This build isn't quite up therewith the pro spec model but it is far more affordable and can be used for a variety of cycling styles. The hardier carbon layup makes it good for weekend racing, as well as the daily commute.
The downside is weight, as this will feel slightly heavier than some of the more performance-focussed bikes out there, but it will be barely noticeable to most regular riders.
The use of Shimano 105 and Ultegra is top notch, as it keeps cost down but ensures super smooth gear changes with the added bonus of tried-and-tested reliability.
- CANYON ROADLITE CF 8.0
Best road bike for urban commuting
SPECIFICATIONS
Frame: Carbon
Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 11 speed
Wheels: DT Swiss E 1800 Spline DB
Finishing Kit: Canyon, Tektro, Shimano
REASONS TO BUY
+Great riding position for city traffic+Feels comfortable and sturdy+...But also nimble and quick
REASONS TO AVOID
-Okay, strictly speaking it's not a road bike
Today's Best Deals
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- Buy Canyon Roadlite CF 8.0 direct from Canyon
Canyon is the German meister of packing as much bike as possible into as small a price and box as possible – their mail-order packaging is a masterclass in ruthless German efficiency when it comes to use of space, allied to speed and ease of setup.
Now, the more astute among you will have noted that there's something rather odd about this 'road bike' and that's because technically it isn't one; it's what is called a 'fitness bike'. However, that is a very stupid and un-catchy name for what is essentially a road bike with flat pedals (by default; obviously you can fit it with whatever you like) and flat bars. And it is fantastiche, as the Germans say.
For riding in town, I literally can't think of anything better than this bike. The riding position, forgiving frame and Fizik saddle give you great awareness and comfort but when you need to put the hammer down, it will accelerate in a way that is not unlike a road bike.
You get so much stuff here for £1,799 outlay (and that's currently discounted to £1,529!).
As well as very well-judged geometry, you get a carbon frame, Shimano Ultegra components, disk brakes and a DT Swiss E 1800 wheelset that's built to be speedy yet highly durable. Shipping is also included in the price, and takes under a week.
Canyon has ridiculously exacting standards for the component sourcing and manufacture of its bikes, and even employs Bluetooth torque wrenches in its factory in Koblenz.