Road Bike Review

Common price ranges for road bikes

Whether you're a beginning rider or a seasoned racer, there are countless options for road bikes in a variety of price ranges. Major brands produce dozens of models using a variety of materials and components to arrive at different price points. Experts say that even beginning riders should expect to spend more than $500 on a new road bike; anything less will probably result in disappointment.

Although price is important, experts say proper sizing should be your first priority: If a bicycle frame is too large, it may be difficult to reach shifters, brakes or even the ground comfortably. Alternately, too small a frame may increase the risk of knee injuries. Although most road bikes are available in a variety of sizes that are expressed in centimeters, shorter men and women will find their choices narrowed. Luckily, many manufacturers now offer popular road bikes designed specifically for women. These bikes typically have smaller frame sizes with narrower handlebars, shorter top tubes and short-reach shifters.

For 2011, reviewers say there are some good values out there as technology trickles down to cheaper bikes. Road bikes less than $1,000 almost always have aluminum frames and feature lower-quality components than road bikes designed for racing performance. Typically, road bikes less than $1,000 are equipped with triple -- rather than double or compact -- chainrings. Triple chainrings can make it easier for beginners to power up hills, but experts say they don't shift as cleanly or precisely as doubles and compacts. Although many serious cyclists look down on road bikes with triple cranksets, reviewers say they can be a good choice for beginners who ride in hilly areas. Many manufacturers now provide a choice of a triple or compact crankset, even on entry-level road bikes.

Mid-range road bikes for enthusiasts and beginning racers start at more than $1,000 and go up to $3,000. It's possible to get lighter full-carbon frames in this category, but most bikes start with aluminum frames and add carbon to the seat stays, fork or rear triangle to absorb road vibration. The components on these road bikes can vary based on the price, with less expensive bikes sporting mainly Shimano Tiagra components; more expensive bikes use some parts from the Shimano Ultegra group.

Road bikes for serious racers typically start around $3,000. For this money, you'll probably get a full-carbon frame that weighs less and dampens more road vibrations than an aluminum frame. As a result, experts say you'll be able to ride longer before getting tired than you would on heavier bikes. Bikes in this price range also come with race-quality components such as Shimano Ultegra or Dura-Ace.

When it comes to road-bike reviews, the best sources are based in the U.K. BikeRadar.com has a huge selection of reviews, with content pulled from a variety of publications such as Cycling Plus and Pro Cycling. British magazines Cycling Weekly, Cycling Active and Triathlon Plus conduct excellent group tests that evaluate several similar road bikes. Even better, each road bike is rated and an overall winner is named. Unfortunately, most of these reviews aren't available online, and the magazines can include brands that aren't widely available in the United States.

No American publications come close to the depth and breadth of these U.K.-based publications, but Bicycling is the best source on this side of the pond. Editors test a large number of road bikes throughout the year, and the "Gear and Bike Review Finder" is helpful for finding reviews on specific road bikes. However, the reviews themselves are often very brief, and Bicycling doesn't conduct the same head-to-head tests as the sources mentioned above. Road Bike Action Magazine and Outside are also helpful, while Women's Adventure Magazine is the best source for reviews on women's road bikes. Buzzillions.com is worth checking for owner-written feedback.

We don't cover super high-end (more than $5,000), tri (triathlon) or time-trial bikes in this report. Because they don't attract as much attention as mainstream bikes, it's hard to find a consensus. Bicycling and VeloNews magazines offer great reviews in these categories. Be sure to check out our companion reports on mountain bikes and comfort bikes for bikes not covered in this report. We also have a report on folding bikes.