Raleigh Grand Sport

Experts say the Raleigh Grand Sport road bike is a good choice for beginners or casual cyclists who are shopping on a budget. This aluminum-frame bike is a good performer according to reviewers, who test it against other budget-friendly road bikes. In particular, reviewers are impressed with the Raleigh's shifting performance, which is traditionally a weak area for budget bikes. The upright geometry translates into a comfortable, beginner-friendly ride, but some testers find the Grand Sport a bit heavy, which is a common complaint for bikes in this price range. The Raleigh Grand Sport doesn't use the best components, so you may have to eventually upgrade as your skills improve. A Shimano 2300 front derailleur and shifters are standard, along with a Shimano Sora rear derailleur and a carbon composite fork. If you can afford to spend a bit more, the Giant Defy 2 (*Est. $1,100) also gets good reviews.

Outside magazine has the best review of the Raleigh Grand Sport. Editors include the bike in their latest buyer's guide, where it's evaluated by a number of testers and rated on both handling and responsiveness. Bicycling Magazine also has a test-based review, but the bike isn't rated. We also found a few user reviews at RoadBikeReview.com and Buzzillions.com.