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In this report

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Road Bikes: Ratings of Sources
Total of 21 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. Bicycling Magazine
2009
Editors' Choice 2009 Road Bikes
by Editors of Bicycling magazine
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Bicycling's coverage of the best road bikes is hard to beat. Not only do they test each bike they review, but their coverage is extremely comprehensive and balanced. For their 2009 Editors' Choice awards,… Bicycling editors tested bikes throughout the year and narrowed down the list to three contenders in seven road bike categories. Each nominee receives a brief review in addition to several tester comments, and bikes are recommended in several price ranges.

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2. Bicycling Magazine
April 2009
The Buyer's Guide
by Editors of Bicycling magazine
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment The Bicycling Buyer's Guide offers comprehensive reviews of more than 120 of bikes. Some, but not all, of the reviews can be found at Bicycling.com if you search the Gear and Bike Review Finder. Most of the Editors' Choice designations in this April 2009 print issue refer to the 2008 award winners, but this resource is invaluable for evaluating road bikes.
3. VeloNews magazine
May 16, 2009
2009 Buyer's Guide
by Editors of VeloNews magazine
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment VeloNews magazineis geared towards competitive cyclists, but their 2009 buyer's guide is a must-read for anyone looking to buy a road bike. The 160-page guide boasts detailed reviews of road bikes in various categories, and they include sections on "recession rides" and "entry-level racers" for those who wouldn't include themselves in the competitive category.
4. Bicycling Magazine
2009
Road Bikes for Under $1,000
by Editors of Bicycling magazine
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment For cyclists on a budget, Bicycling magazine picks the best road bikes you can get for under $1,000. These bikes may not have been tested as extensively as those reviewed for the Editors' Choice awards, but the reviews are balanced and detailed.
5. Outside Magazine
May 2009
The Best Road Bikes of 2009
by Marc Peruzzi and John Bradley
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Outside magazine uses 20 road racers of various skill levels to evaluate new road bikes. After thousands of miles, the magazine selects 15 of the best road bikes for 2009. Like VeloNews magazine, the reviews are targeted toward serious racers, but several entry-level road bikes make the cut.
6. Outside Magazine
Summer 2009
2009 Summer Buyer's Guide Road Bikes Reviews
by John Bradley and Marc Peruzzi
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment In addition to its list of the best bikes of the year, several other road bikes are reviewed in Outside's 2009 buyer's guide. The Wilier Triestina Izoard scores the coveted Gear of the Year award, and the Cannondale Six 5 is crowned a "killer value."
7. National Geographic Adventure
April 2009
Spring '09 Buyer's Guide: Bikes
by Steve Casimiro
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Only one road bike scores a mention in National Geographic Adventure's spring 2009 buyer's guide -- the Pinarello FP3 Dura-Ace/Ultegra. The review is pretty brief, and we would like to see more bikes evaluated.
8. National Geographic Adventure
2008
Cycling Guide: Road Bikes
by Steve Casimiro
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Steve Casimiro selects the Schwinn Peloton as a Best Buy for 2008, in addition to several other bikes in categories that aren't covered in this report. The Schwinn Peloton gets only a brief review, but National Geographic Adventure is quick to point out where this bike can improve.
9. Los Angeles Times
Aug. 25, 2008
Road Bikes Relax a Little
by Roy M. Wallack
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Endurance cyclist Roy M. Wallack reviews several road bikes for the Los Angeles Times, including the top-rated Giant Defy Advanced 1 and Trek 1.2. Each bike gets a detailed review, and Wallack lists the pros and cons of each model.
10. RoadBikeReview.com
As of June 2009
Road Bike Reviews
by Contributors to RoadBikeReview.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment RoadBikeReview.com is pretty much what it sounds like -- a site for owner-written reviews of road bikes. It's hard to tell at a glance which bikes earn the best feedback (the sites' top picks are all discontinued), but it's a good cross-reference for professional reviews. Some road bikes attract lots of feedback, and others don't, so it can be hit or miss.
11. BikeRadar.com
As of June 2009
Recent Reviews
by Editors of BikeRadar.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment There's no sorting feature on BikeRadar.com, and it's hard to tell which bikes get the best reviews. Still, it is valuable cross-reference because their reviews are excellent -- detailed, balanced and thorough. Each bike gets an overall rating along with several paragraphs of analysis on the bike's handling, frame, equipment and wheels.
12. TestRider.com
2009
2008 Bike of the Year
by Editors of TestRider.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment In early 2009, TestRider.com looked back at 2008 and the various products and bikes that were introduced. In a detailed video review, TestRider.com selects the Van Dessel Hellafaster as the 2008 Bike of the Year. TestRider.com also offers video reviews for other bikes and bike components on their website.
13. Men's Fitness
2009
Best Bicycles for ‘09
by Scott Boulbol
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Men's Fitness picks the "six hottest bikes for spring," including two road bikes --- the Giant Defy 3 and the Schwinn Paramount Series 8. It's unclear whether the bikes were tested, and each bike gets only a brief description.
14. The Boston Globe
July 27, 2008
When It Comes to 2 Wheels, There Are Countless Choices
by Ethan Gilsdorf
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Ethan Gilsdorf at The Boston Globe focuses mainly on bikes that would work for commuters, and only one true road bike is mentioned -- the Trek 1.2 Triple. Calling it a "no-frills choice," Gilsdorf interviews a bike expert who says it may not be the lightest road bike out there, but it will "get the job done" for beginners.
15. Women's Adventure magazine
April 2009
2009 Editor's Choice Awards
by Karina Evertsen
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Women's Adventure Magazine tests more than 1,000 outdoor products over the course of six months to pick their 2009 Editor's Choice awards. A number of road bikes are selected, although most are in the mid- to high range. Each bike is tested, and the reviews incorporate tester feedback.
16. Cycling Plus magazine
Not Dated
Product Reviews - Bikes
by Editors of CyclingNews.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment CyclingNews.com reviews several road bikes, including the Specialized Tarmac Expert Compact. There aren't many bikes reviewed so far, but the reviews are very detailed and each bike receives a CyclingNews rating.
17. Fitness Magazine
June 2009
What's Your Bike Type?
by Dana Sullivan
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Focusing on the best bikes for women, Fitness magazine picks the Trek 1.2 WSD as the best bike for road racers. Dana Sullivan calls it "perfect for long rides," thanks to a lightweight frame and carbon fork that will absorb road chatter.
18. Women's Health magazine
March 17, 2009
Cycling for Fitness
by Editors of Women's Health
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Women's Health picks six noteworthy bikes that are specifically designed for women, including two road bikes. The Novara Carema and Trek 2.3 WSD each score a mention, but the reviews are brief and not very detailed.
19. Buzzillions.com
As of June 2009
Road Bike Reviews
by Contributors to Buzzillions.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Multiple Trek road bikes receive a number of reviews on Buzzillions.com, a site that compiles user reviews from other websites. Most of the reviews from Trek bikes come from the Trek website. Normally we are pretty skeptical of reviews listed on manufacturer websites, but it seems that these reviews are mostly balanced.
20. Shape magazine
May 2009
Our New Favorite Summertime Rides
by Editors of Shape
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment In an article on cycling workouts, Shape magazine picks three of their "favorite summertime rides," including one road bike. Shape calls the Giant Avail 3 a good entry-level bike and likes the performance features and price. The bikes weren't tested, and each bike only gets a one-sentence description.
21. Walmart.com
As of June 2009
Road Bikes
by Contributors to Walmart.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment The Kent GMC Denali Road Bike is the top-rated road bike on Walmart.com, where owners give it an average of four stars in more than 180 reviews. Overall, most owners are happy with the bike, although others complain about the long-term reliability and durability of such an inexpensive road bike.

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