Trek 1.1

For riders on a tight budget, reviewers say the Trek 1.1 is the best budget road bike for beginners and casual cyclists. This aluminum-framed bike comes in eight sizes, which makes it easy to obtain a precise fit. Components include Shimano 2300 gearing, a compact FSA Tempo crankset, alloy brakes, and Bontrager wheels and tires. Experts say the Trek 1.1 is a great value, and the ride is smoother and more racelike than the price would suggest. Overall, testers think the bike is fun to ride. Shifting performance is very good and the stock saddle is more comfortable than most. However, reviewers wish the Trek 1.1 came with the option for a triple crankset, something commonly found on budget road bikes. We also saw one complaint that the tires need more grip and traction, especially in tight corners and turns. If you can afford to spend a bit more, the Specialized Allez Comp Compact M2 Apex (*Est. $1,450) is named one of the best values of the year.

Both BikeRadar.com and Triathlete's World magazine provide excellent reviews of the Trek 1.1 that are quite lengthy and reflect a good amount of technical detail. Both publications are also quick to point out where a bike falls short. Buzzillions.com is a good source to check for user opinions, but most of the reviews are pulled from the Trek website.