Road Bike Review

Common price ranges for road bikes

Whether you are 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 a 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 that 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 bicycles are available in a variety of sizes that are expressed in centimeters, shorter men and women will find their choices narrowed. Fortunately, many manufacturers are now offering popular road bikes designed specifically for women. These bikes typically have smaller frame sizes with narrower handlebars, shorter top tubes and short-reach shifters.

Because fit and component selection are important, experts say you should start your search at a bike shop after poking around online to see what's available. Dedicated bike shops will take time to fit you properly and will swap components, especially the saddle, to suit your needs. You can also test-ride different bikes at a bike shop to find the model that will work best for you. If you're new to cycling, the staff at a bike shop can explain the different components of a road bike and how much bike you can get in the various price ranges.

For 2009, reviewers say, there are some good values out there as technology trickles down to lower-priced bikes. Road bikes under $1,000 are nearly all aluminum-framed, and they have lower-quality components than road bikes designed for racing performance. Typically, road bikes under $1,000 also sport triple -- rather than double -- 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. Although many serious cyclists look down on road bikes with triple chainrings, reviewers say they can be a good choice for beginners who ride in hilly areas.

Mid-range road bikes for enthusiasts and beginning racers start at more than $1,000 and go up to $3,000. It is 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 105 components; more expensive bikes use some parts -- usually a rear derailleur -- from the Shimano Ultegra SL group.

Road bikes for serious racers typically start around $3,000. For this money, you'll likely 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 that transmit more road vibration. Bikes in this price range also come with race-quality components, like Shimano Ultegra SL groupsets and select Shimano Dura-Ace components. We don't cover top-end road bikes over $5,000 in this report, but these bikes typically boast full Shimano Dura-Ace, Sram Red or Campagnolo Record 11 components. These high-quality components are lightweight and offer more precise shifting and braking. Bikes over $5,000 can also be made with titanium or custom frames.

Like many other consumer products, road bikes are subject to federal safety standards and can be recalled if they fail to meet these standards. There were a number of bike recalls in the past year, but few top-rated road bikes were involved. The one exception is the Cannondale Six 5, which was recalled in March 2009 for failing to meet safety standards. Several Cannondale models -- including the Six 5 and the Six Carbon 5 -- were sold between Oct. 2008 and Feb. 2009 without spoke protector discs. Authorized Cannondale dealers will repair the recalled bikes for free.

We found the best reviews of road bikes from Bicycling magazine and VeloNews magazine. Both publications put out 2009 buyer's guides, which are must-reads for anyone buying a road bike. In both cases, their reviews are detailed, comprehensive and reflect real-world testing. It's hard to match the coverage at Bicycling or VeloNews magazine, but Outside, National Geographic Adventure, TestRider.com and BikeRadar.com also offer good road bike coverage. A few other publications also provide road bike reviews, but they are usually less detailed and based on features, rather than testing. User reviews can be hit or miss for road bikes; RoadBikeReview.com and Buzzillions.com offer reviews for some bikes, but they're not the most current.

We don't cover super high-end (over $5,000), tri (triathlon) or time-trial bikes in this report, but Bicycling magazine and VeloNews magazine offer great reviews in these categories. Be sure to check out our companion reports on mountain bikes and commuter bikes for bikes not covered in this report. Commuter bikes blend the two styles, with an emphasis on comfort and handling on roads, but with mountain-bike-style handlebars. If you want a bike for recreational riding or commuting, rather than long-distance road rides or racing, you might also want to check out our report on commuter bikes, many of which cost about $500 but aren't that lightweight and aren't intended for competitive performance.