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Mountain Bikes, Road Bikes, E-Bikes, and More | Schwinn
https://www.schwinnbikes.com/
Luke Friend, Sonny Evans
2022-02-23T08:37:35Z
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<p>(Image credit: Getty Images - Milos Bjelica)</p>
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<div>
<div><p>Investing in some of the <a href="https://www.cyclingweekly.com/group-tests/best-road-bikes-461550">best road bikes</a> can cost you thousands. Fortunately, there's now a breadth of budget road bikes that offer many of the same features as the top-range of road bikes.</p><p>

Trickle-down technology and direct-sales manufacturers means that high-end technology and features have eventually become available on mid-range bikes without the hefty price tag. These bikes offer a superb ride, feel and serviceable componentry that will last you for years.</p><p>

But this ever-growing range of low cost road bikes can be difficult to navigate, especially for <a href="https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/six-things-no-one-tells-you-when-you-start-cycling-204956">beginner cyclists</a>. Cycling Weekly's test team has had the opportunity to put hundreds of bikes through their paces at the whole range of prices from the inexpensive to bikes that cost as much as a small car—so we know a good, inexpensive bike when we ride one.</p><p>

If you're new to cycling or just looking for a budget <a href="https://www.cyclingweekly.com/group-tests/best-bike-commuting-345561">commuter bike</a>, this list will definitely have something for you. Here's our picks for 2024's best cheap roadbikes...</p></div><h3><span>Best cheap road bikes: our picks</span></h3><div><div>
<p></p>
<div>

<p>While many bikes at this price offer 8-speed Shimano Claris, Decathlon's Triban 520 has an 11-speed Shimano 105 groupset along with semi-hydraulic disc brakes, offering impressive value.</p>
</div>
</div><div>
<p></p>
<div>

<p>The Brand X Road Bike offers stunning value with a double chainset, decent 7-speed gear range and integrated shifters/brake levers for less than the cost of a bike computer. </p>
</div>
</div><div>
<p></p>
<div>

<p>The Boardman SLR 8.9 Carbon offers a carbon fibre frameset along with Shimano 105 shifting, although it has rim brakes rather than disc brakes. It's still impressive value for a carbon bike.</p>
</div>
</div></div><section><p><span>You can trust Cycling Weekly. 
 </span><span>Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. <a href="https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/cycling-weekly-tech-how-we-score-product-470922">Find out more about how we test.</a></span></p></section>
</div>

<div><section><p>The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!</p></section></div>
<div><p>Luke Friend has worked as a writer, editor and copywriter for twenty five years. Across books, magazines and websites, he's covered a broad range of topics for a range of clients including Major League Baseball, the National Trust and the NHS. He has an MA in Professional Writing from Falmouth University and is a qualified bicycle mechanic. He has been a cycling enthusiast from an early age, partly due to watching the Tour de France on TV. He's a keen follower of bike racing to this day as well as a regular road and gravel rider. </p></div>
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         1. Group Tests

        Best cheap road bikes 2024

        Our pick of the best cheap road bikes available and guide to how to choose

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              * Best cheap road bikes: our picks
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                        By Luke Friend
                        last updated 16 October 2023
                    Contributions from
                      Sonny Evans
                in Buying Guides

              Investing in some of the best road bikes can cost you thousands. Fortunately, there's now a breadth of budget road bikes that offer many of the same features as the top-range of road bikes.

              Trickle-down technology and direct-sales manufacturers means that high-end technology and features have eventually become available on mid-range bikes without the hefty price tag. These bikes offer a superb ride, feel and serviceable componentry that will last you for years.

              But this ever-growing range of low cost road bikes can be difficult to navigate, especially for beginner cyclists. Cycling Weekly's test team has had the opportunity to put hundreds of bikes through their paces at the whole range of prices from the inexpensive to bikes that cost as much as a small car—so we know a good, inexpensive bike when we ride one.

              If you're new to cycling or just looking for a budget commuter bike, this list will definitely have something for you. Here's our picks for 2024's best cheap roadbikes...

              Best cheap road bikes: our picks

                        Decathlon Triban 520
                                  View at Decathlon US
                                  Check Amazon

                      While many bikes at this price offer 8-speed Shimano Claris, Decathlon's Triban 520 has an 11-speed Shimano 105 groupset along with semi-hydraulic disc brakes, offering impressive value.

                        Brand X Road Bike
                                  Check Amazon

                      The Brand X Road Bike offers stunning value with a double chainset, decent 7-speed gear range and integrated shifters/brake levers for less than the cost of a bike computer.

                        Boardman SLR 8.9 Carbon
                                  Check Amazon

                      The Boardman SLR 8.9 Carbon offers a carbon fibre frameset along with Shimano 105 shifting, although it has rim brakes rather than disc brakes. It's still impressive value for a carbon bike.

              The best cheap road bikes

                You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

                The Specialized Allez has now switched to disc brakes and offers much greater tire clearance

                (Image credit: Future)

                  1. Specialized Allez Sport

                  Best cheap road bike for performance feel

                  Specifications

                      Frame: Aluminium
                      Fork: Carbon
                      Groupset: Shimano Sora shifting, Axis 1.0 rim brake
                      Weight: 9.3kg
                          Today's Best Deals
                              Check Amazon

                  Reasons to buy

                    +
                      Superb quality frame
                    +
                      Confident and stable handling
                    +
                      Full carbon fork

                  Reasons to avoid

                    -
                      Somewhat clunky shifting
                    -
                      Budget rim brakes don't stop well
                    -
                      Rather harsh ride

              The Allez bike range from Specialized is one of the best selling bikes in the industry, and at last review we awarded this model a near perfect 4.5 stars. The Allez Sport is in the middle of the three bike range.

              Designed with 'balanced' geometry, its ride position is comfortable enough but you can slam the stem for a more aggressive ride. In fact this is a bike that's versatile enough to handle a fast club run, a commute to work and plenty of winter miles too, although we found the ride a little harsh.

              The aluminium frame features the brand's 'SmoothWeld' tech keeping the joins neat. The dropped stays and internal cable routing give it a contemporary 'race' look while the stack height and chainstay length point more towards comfort and stability - which makes a great deal of sense for any entry-level road bike. On review we found the Allez Sport inspired confidence thanks to its assured handling.

              The carbon FACT fork helps to smooth out the ride while also helping to reduce weight - the Allez tips the scales at just over 9kg. The fork also features mudguard eyelets, helping further add to the bike's commuter and four-season credentials.

              Elsewhere you have Shimano's tried-and-tested 9-speed Sora groupset sitting in a threaded bottom bracket shell. The compact chainset is paired with an 11-32t cassette, which provides a nice wide range. Tackling steep climbs and rolling quickly along the flats are both achievable here.

              At this price point there are always compromises and on the Allez Sport these come in the form of the own-brand Axis 1.0 rim brakes. On review we found their performance to be lacklustre and took downhills carefully. That said, the brake pads or even the entire callipers can be easily upgraded and it's a change that the superb Allez frameset warrants.

              Read more: Specialized Allez Sport full review

                The Triban 520 offers a great value package including Shimano 105 shifting and disc brakes

                  2. Triban 520 road bike

                  Best cheap road bike with a Shimano 105 groupset

                  Specifications

                      Frame: Aluminium
                      Fork: Carbon
                      Groupset: Shimano 105 shifting, TRP disc brakes
                      Weight: 10.4kg
                          Today's Best Deals
                              View at Decathlon US
                              Check Amazon

                  Reasons to buy

                    +
                      Impressive spec for the price
                    +
                      Two time award winner

                  Reasons to avoid

                    -
                      Semi hydraulic brakes take more maintenance

              Rebranded and redesigned, the aluminium frame now comes with a carbon bladed fork. The Triban 520 has also switched to disc brakes in the form of TRP's well regarded HY/RD mechanical offerings. And amazingly, for a bike of this price, you also get Shimano 105.

              The frame's geometry places the 520 clearly in the endurance/commuter/light tourer camp. Think generous stack height and shorter top tube. If you're looking to get 'long and low' then this probably isn't the bike for you. However, if you favour comfort and stability over speed and need a bike that can handle the trifecta mentioned above then the 520 is well worth further consideration.

              Its credentials as a solid all-rounder are deepened by both the tire clearance and the rack and mudguard mounts. The bike comes equipped with 28mm tires. However there's room for up to 36mm of rubber should you want to hit the bridleways or dirt roads or fancy attempting an audax ride or two when comfort is paramount. Add guards (fenders) and a pannier rack and the 520 is ready for daily commute duties or some multi-day touring. Versatile indeed.

              As mentioned earlier the bike's greatest asset might just be that 105 groupset. However it's worth noting that this isn't a full 105 set-up. To help keep costs down Decathlon has opted for a Shimano RS510 chainset and a Microshift cassette. While they'll add a little weight they shouldn't adversely affect performance. As for the gearing you get a compact 50/34t chainset paired with an 11-32t cassette. The result is a decently low gear that helps negate some of the bike's weight when climbing the steep stuff.

                The Brand X road bike is one of the cheapest options you can buy but still impressed us

                (Image credit: Hannah Bussey)

                  3. Brand X road bike

                  Best cheap road bike for those on a really tight budget

                  Specifications

                      Frame: Alloy
                      Fork: Steel
                      Groupset: Shimano Tourney, rim
                      Weight: 11.4kg
                          Today's Best Deals
                              Check Amazon

                  Reasons to buy

                    +
                      High spec for its budget price
                    +
                      Combined shifter/brake levers
                    +
                      Includes mudguard/rack mounts

                  Reasons to avoid

                    -
                      Narrow gear range
                    -
                      So-so rim brakes
                    -
                      Rather narrow 23mm tires

              An in-house offering from Wiggle/Chain Reaction, the Brand X road bike offers impressive value.

              Gearing comes from a 2x7-speed Shimano Tourney groupset with a 50/34t Prowheel chainset and 14-28t freewheel (rather than a more modern cassette). Although this gives limited high and low end gearing and quite large jumps between gears, it's still great to see a Shimano groupset and combined brake/shifter levers on a bike at this price.

              As you might expect, the Brand X road bike is fitted out with rim brakes rather than the more expensive disc brake calipers. Cables are also external rather than running through the frame or boasting full outers, so they may be more prone to contamination. This isn't an unusual feature in a lower priced bike though. The nominally 25mm Kenda tires measure closer to 23mm. At 11.4kg, the Brand X isn't too heavy either.

              There are even fenders / mudguard and rack mounts if you want to use the Brand X road bike for commuting or all-weather duties.

              Read more: Brand X road bike full review

                38mm wide tires allow you to take the Hanjo off-road

                (Image credit: Diamondback)

                  4. Diamondback Haanjo 2

                  Best cheap road bike for comfort

                  Specifications

                      Frame: Aluminium
                      Fork: Steel
                      Groupset: Shimano Claris shifting, Tektro disc brakes
                      Weight: 26lbs/11.kg
                          Today's Best Deals
                              View at REI.com
                              Check Amazon

                  Reasons to buy

                    +
                      Steel fork is sprigy and comfortable
                    +
                      Space for wide tires

                  Reasons to avoid

                    -
                      Heavy overall build

              A recommendation from one of our trusted US testers, the Diamondback Haanjo offers something a little different when compared with the pure road bikes in this list.

              Being a gravel/adventure bike, the Haanjo will roll smoothly on the road but also comes with 38c tires which will cushion out the bumps for off-road gravel rides.

              In fact versatility is a constant theme with the Haanjo. The frameset, made from fully butted 6061 aluminium, features front and rear rack mounts as well as mudguard, (or fender) eyelets. This makes it well suited for light touring, commuting and winter training rides. This versatility is reflected in the generous stack height, the slack-ish headtube angle and the long chainstays, all of which point to a stable and comfortable ride.

              The wide tires and more rugged frame - with a steel fork - do naturally boost the weight but the Haanjo comes with a sub-compact 46/34t chainset and an 8-speed 11-32t cassette to help you get up the steeper climbs. Shifting comes courtesy of Shimano Claris while stopping is left to Tektro and its flat-mount mechanical disc brakes. By using the newer flat mount standard Diamondback has made it straightforward to upgrade the brakes if required.

                The Ribble R872 has a carbon fibre frame

                (Image credit: Future)

                  5. Ribble R872 Tiagra

                  Best cheap road bike for value

                  Specifications

                      Frame: Carbon
                      Fork: Carbon
                      Groupset: Shimano Tiagra, rim brake
                      Weight: 8.64kg at last review (upgraded wheels)
                          Today's Best Deals
                              View at Ribble Cycles
                              View at Ribble Cycles
                              Check Amazon

                  Reasons to buy

                    +
                      Comfortable ride
                    +
                      Good handling
                    +
                      Lightweight
                    +
                      A frame worthy of future upgrades
                    +
                      Value for money

                  Reasons to avoid

                    -
                      Poor braking, upgrade the pad and shoe for instand uplift

              The R872 from Ribble received a 9/10 score and a place in our Editor's Choice awards in 2020 - so it comes highly recommended.

              Many of the best cheap road bikes will be created around an aluminium frameset. It's a fine material and one that delivers a well-rounded ride quality. However, if you're looking for your first foray into carbon fibre then the R872 might be the place to start.

              To make it affordable Ribble has opted for Toray 700 carbon. It's also better suited to the R872 desired ride quality, that of a comfortable endurance bike. This means it's not as stiff but rather more forgiving over long distances. If you're planning on tackling a gruelling Gran Fondo or Sportive then comfort is of greater importance. Importantly though it still makes for a lightweight frameset - when we last reviewed it our size small tipped the scales at just over 8.6kgs.

              This points to a frameset worthy of upgrades. However the beauty of buying a bike with Ribble is that you can use its 'bike builder' to select the right components for you - choosing handlebars and saddle that suit you, potentially saving you from forking out on future swaps. But if your budget prohibits this at the time of purchase you know that you'll have a frame that's ready for a few tweaks when the money's there.

              Read more: Ribble R872 Tiagra full review

                The alloy Domane frame shares the geometry of Trek's pricier carbon fibre Domane models

                (Image credit: Trek)

                  6. Trek Domane AL 3 Disc

                  Best cheap road bike for a range of terrains

                  Specifications

                      Frame: Aluminium
                      Fork: Carbon
                      Groupset: Shimano Sora shifting, Tektro disc brakes
                      Weight: 10.45kg
                          Today's Best Deals
                              Check Amazon

                  Reasons to buy

                    +
                      Same frame as 4.5/5 scoring Domane SL6
                    +
                      Beautiful smooth welding
                    +
                      Space for 35c tires
                    +
                      Rack and mudguard mounts

                  Reasons to avoid

                    -
                      There are lighter options

              The Domane has long been Trek's endurance model - and it performed well last time we reviewed the SL6 model, gaining a 4.5/5 score.

              The AL3 carries a lower RRP, being made of aluminium rather than carbon fibre; Trek's 100 Series Alpha Aluminium to be precise. It's paired with carbon fork and features modern standards such as thru-axles and flat mount disc brakes.

              While the frame material helps keep the price down in comparison to the carbon models, such as the SL6, the geometry stays the same. The numbers make for a comfortable and stable ride, making the AL3 well-suited for long days in the saddle as well as for less than perfect road surfaces.

              In fact, this is where the Domane excels. With room for 35mm tires it's suitably equipped to smooth out the cracks and reduce the chatter. Perhaps no surprise then that Lizzie Deignan chose a Domane for her victory at the inaugural Paris-Roubaix Femmes in 2021.

              Shifting and braking come courtesy of Shimano and Tektro. The 9-speed Sora groupset features trickle-down tech from Shimano's more expensive offerings. This equates to reliable shifting and a comfy brake hood design. Gearing wise Trek has opted for the sensible combination of a compact chainset and an 11-32t cassette, which should provide ample range for most conditions. That said the Sora rear mech can handle a 34t cassette should you fancy lower gearing.

              Interestingly, the AL 3 Disc also has both mudguard (fender) and rear rack mounts. This means that's it ready to serve as your commute bike as well as handle light touring duties too. If you're looking to buy a road bike for the first time, or don't have the space to have more than bike in your home, then these humble mounts can make a real difference to a bike's versatility. Certainly your winter riding companions will thank you for the installation of mudguards, as will your bike's drivechain.

              Check out the Trek Domane SL6 review for some more insight.

                The Boardman SLR 8.9 offers a carbon frame and Shimano 105 parts at a budget price

                (Image credit: Future)

                  7. Boardman SLR 8.9 Carbon

                  Best cheap road bike for weekend rides to sportives and races

                  Specifications

                      Frame: Carbon
                      Fork: Carbon
                      Groupset: Shimano 105, rim
                      Weight: 8.9kg
                          Today's Best Deals
                              Check Amazon

                  Reasons to buy

                    +
                      Responsive ride quality
                    +
                      11-speed 105 groupset
                    +
                      Generous clearance for rim brakes
                    +
                      Hidden mudguard mounts

                  Reasons to avoid

                    -
                      Rim brakes might not suit all tastes

              The Boardman SLR 8.9 is a bike that offers impeccable value, with Shimano 105 shifting - albeit paired with lower level FSA chainset and Tektro brakes.

              Over various iterations the frame has put a smile on our face, at every opportunity we've had to review it. It shares many of the attributes of the more expensive SLR 9.6 such as aero tube profiles, dropped seat stays and an integrated seat clamp.

              Importantly it also matches the 9.6s numbers, which point towards a versatile bike that's both responsive and comfortable to ride. The latter is helped by Boardman's chosen carbon layup, which is designed to offer compliance during long days in the saddle. There are also hidden mudguard (fender) mounts should you need the 8.9 to serve as a winter bike or commuter.

              The 11-speed Shimano 105 components are a significant selling point on a bike at this price. Arguably all you'll ever need when it comes to shifting, 105 is efficient and durable. It's also worth noting that upgrading to a matching 105 chainset and brakes is a fairly easy swap to make.

              If you're sold on the Boardman 8.9 but want disc brakes not rim you're in luck. The model is now also offered with Shimano 105 hydraulic disc brakes. However the jump in price is considerable.

              Read more: Boardman SLR 8.9 Carbon full review

                Boardman swaps to alloy for the SLR 8.6

                (Image credit: Future)

                  8. Boardman SLR 8.6 road bike

                  Best cheap road bike with quality-finishing kit for the price

                  Specifications

                      Frame: Alloy
                      Fork: Carbon
                      Groupset: Shimano Claris, Tektro rim brakes
                      Weight: 10kg (claimed)
                          Today's Best Deals
                              Check Amazon

                  Reasons to buy

                    +
                      Nice looking frameset with smoothed welds
                    +
                      Fairly racy ride position lets you get aero
                    +
                      Quality finishing kit, including tubeless-ready wheels

                  Reasons to avoid

                    -
                      Rim brakes lack bite
                    -
                      A little harsh over uneven roads

              The Boardman SLR 8.6 is the brand's base model, but despite this its alloy frame has smoothed welds on the main tubes, almost giving it the look of carbon. The fork really is carbon.

              Like the Pinnacle, there's a Shimano Claris groupset with the same gear ratios and Tektro rim brakes. Both have their deficiencies relative to more expensive options: the large jumps in gear ratios and the indifferent braking respectively.

              But we were impressed by the frame's efficiency and the quite racy geometry, although there's a bit of road buzz on less smooth surfaces. The Boardman own-brand components work well and are comfortable. Boardman's wheels are tubeless ready if you want to upgrade the tires.

              Read more: Boardman SLR 8.6 full review

                The Endurance 725 is a Reynolds steel option from Ribble

                (Image credit: Future)

                  9. Ribble Endurance 725 base model road bike

                  Best cheap road bike with a durable steel frame

                  Specifications

                      Frame: Reynolds 725 steel
                      Fork: Carbon
                      Groupset: Shimano Tiagra/FSA Omega chainset
                      Weight: Not specified
                          Today's Best Deals
                              View at Ribble Cycles
                              Check Amazon

                  Reasons to buy

                    +
                      Durable steel frame
                    +
                      Decent Mavic Aksium wheelset
                    +
                      Good spread of gears
                    +
                      Old-school looks

                  Reasons to avoid

                    -
                      Rim brakes only
                    -
                      28mm max tire size
                    -
                      Heavyish

              The Ribble Endurance 725 is made from Reynolds steel tubing and comes with rim brakes rather than discs, limiting it to 28mm tires maximum or just 25mm with fenders / mudguards.

              The Tiagra groupset gives a good spread of gears and the Mavic Aksium wheels should be durable, although the wire bead Continental tires would benefit from an upgrade. We found the ride to be steady rather than racy, but the robust frame coped well with pockmarked roads in our testing period.

              Read more: Ribble 725 Endurance full review

                Space for 40mm tires means that the Triban RC500 could be set up for light gravel use

                (Image credit: Adam Jones)

                  10. Triban RC500 Microshift Disc road bike

                  Best cheap road bike with disc brakes

                  Specifications

                      Frame: T6 aluminium
                      Fork: Carbon with alloy steerer
                      Groupset: Microshift 9-speed
                      Weight: 10.6kg (claimed)
                          Today's Best Deals
                              View at Decathlon US
                              Check Amazon

                  Reasons to buy

                    +
                      Quality alloy frame and carbon bladed fork
                    +
                      Decent shifting from Microshift gearing
                    +
                      Mechanical disc brakes
                    +
                      Fender/mudguard and rack mounts

                  Reasons to avoid

                    -
                      Needs self-assembly
                    -
                      Black only

              Although the price of the Triban RC500 puts it squarely in the budget category, and great value at that, Decathlon talks more about going further and we rated it a great all-rounder, with the rack and guard mounts enhancing its versatility. With space for 40mm tires, it's a bike that could be set up for gravel duties as well, with a simple change of rubber.

              The semi-compact aluminium frame is paired with a carbon blade fork and the geometry is relaxed, with a great handlebar shape to add to the bike's comfort. That's enhanced by the 28mm own-brand tires and tubeless-ready wheels.

              In the US, the same bike is specced with 9-speed Shimano Sora rather than Microshift components.

              Read more: Triban RC500 Disc road bike full review

              What to consider in a cheap road bike

              What frame materials are the best cheap road bikes made from?

              Cheaper road bikes are almost invariably made of aluminium alloy. You might occasionally find a steel frame, while pushing the price tag up further may introduce carbon fibre.

              Don't assume that alloy is an inferior choice though, as a well-made alloy frame can ride better than a budget carbon frame and may weigh less as well.

              At the lowest prices, the bike's fork may be made of steel or aluminium alloy. Here, there are benefits from a carbon fork, as it will usually be more compliant and so more comfortable to ride.

              What groupset should I expect?

              Your groupset is the gears and shifters for your bike. Most road bikes have a double chainset and so include both a front and rear derailleur.

              Shimano dominates the groupset market and on lower priced bikes you can expect 8-speed Shimano Claris to be fitted (giving 16 speeds with a double chainring). More expensive bikes may include 9-speed Sora or 10-speed Tiagra.

              The lowest price bikes may use 7-speed Shimano Tourney or derailleurs from Microshift. Some may do without the front derailleur.

              Often, you'll not get a full Shimano groupset, with the chainset swapped out for one from FSA or another brand. that's not necessarily a bad thing, but something to be aware of.

              What gear ratios do I need?

              Most cheap road bikes will be fitted with a "compact" 50/34 tooth chainset. Most cassettes at the rear start with an 11-tooth sprocket, giving you a usefully high top gear.

              It's now increasingly likely that you'll have a cassette with a largest sprocket with 30 or more teeth. Paired with the 34 tooth smaller chainring, that will give you a usefully low bottom gear to tackle most climbs. You may get a 34 tooth lowest gear, that will give you a 1:1 lowest ratio, which is great for steeper uphills.

              Some cheap road bikes will stop at 28 teeth or even 25 teeth in their largest sprocket. Fitter riders or those who only use their bike somewhere flat may be fine with that, but it may make climbs hard work if you're a beginner.

              On the other hand, with the smaller jumps between gears, you may be more comfortable with a closer ratio cassette, as it will better allow you to choose an appropriate gear for the terrain. There can be quite large jumps on a wider ratio cassette and lower spec groupsets may give you clunky shifting between them.

              It's worth checking, but most modern rear derailleurs will let you fit wide range cassettes, so even if your bike comes with an 11-28t cassette it might be possible to swap it for an 11-32t cassette if you do want more gear range.

              What brakes are fitted to cheap road bikes?

              Disc brakes are increasingly taking over on road bikes. They offer more consistent braking in wet weather than rim brakes, are usually more effective and they reduce wear on your wheel rims.

              Higher priced bikes include hydraulic disc brakes, but cheap road bikes will usually have mechanical disc brakes fitted. These give less efficient overall braking than hydraulics, but retain the all-weather abilities of disc brakes. They're also easier to maintain than hydraulic disc brakes.

              Lower priced bikes may still be fitted with rim brakes. These offer less bite than disc brakes and are less effective in wet weather. Often, the brake pads are the weakest link though. It's inexpensive to swap to better quality brake pads and this may significantly improve braking performance.

              What tire width should I expect?

              With rim brakes, there's a limit to how wide a tire will fit in the brake caliper. That means that rim brake bikes are often fitted with 25mm wide tires, although you may see a 28mm tire.

              One result of the shift to disc brakes is that there's much more room for wider tires. Many disc brake bikes can fit 32mm tires or even wider. That lets you drop your tire pressure and gives you a more comfortable ride. It may even be faster. A cheap disc brake bike will usually be fitted with 28mm tires.

              How we test

              We have a dedicated team of testers here at Cycling Weekly, whose job is to review a whole range of cycling products and to write objective reviews of their experience of using them day in day out in a whole range of conditions.

              With huge experience, they're really well placed to compare products, identify their strengths and weaknesses and bring you an honest, unbiased assessment of how they perform.

              To test road bikes, we undertake rides of varying lengths and conditions. Typically these will include a variety of flat, rolling and hilly terrain, along with a mix of road surfaces: from smooth(ish) tarmac to more broken and pitted roads. Our testers assess the performance each bike across a number of factors, including comfort and handling and the bike's suitability for long-distance riding or shorter duration racing. The durability of the components and the bike's overall value for money are also considered - in this case, particularly the latter.

                      Round up of today's best deals
                              Triban RC520 Disc
                                $1,499
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                              Diamondback Haanjo 2 Gravel Adventure
                                $925
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                              Ribble R872 Tiagra
                                $1,470.56
                            View
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                              Ribble Endurance 725 Base
                                $1,971.46
                            View
                            See all prices
                              Triban RC500 Disc
                                $999
                            View
                            See all prices
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                  Luke Friend
                  Freelance writer

              Luke Friend has worked as a writer, editor and copywriter for twenty five years. Across books, magazines and websites, he's covered a broad range of topics for a range of clients including Major League Baseball, the National Trust and the NHS. He has an MA in Professional Writing from Falmouth University and is a qualified bicycle mechanic. He has been a cycling enthusiast from an early age, partly due to watching the Tour de France on TV. He's a keen follower of bike racing to this day as well as a regular road and gravel rider.

              With contributions from
                * Sonny EvansWriter
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Best cheap road bikes 2024
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/group-tests/the-best-cheap-road-bikes-143004