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The 7 Best Cheap Road Bikes for a Reliable Ride Less Than $1,200

Go fast, go long, or go off the beaten path on one of these affordable road bikes.

The Best Cheap Road Bikes

• Best Overall: Trek Domane AL 2
• Best Bargain: Brooklyn Bicycle Co. Roebling
• Most Well-Rounded: Specialized Allez
• Best for Gravel: Salsa Journeyer Claris 700 Bike
• Best E-Bike: Aventon Soltera

What to Consider

Simpler drivetrains (if you want them).

Although many gravel models now have 1x drivetrains (one front chainring) that simplify shifting and require less maintenance, 2x drivetrains (two front chainrings) are still the most common on the road. Bikes are also getting fewer gears in the back, with 8- and 9-speed drivetrains becoming commonplace. Additional cogs allow smaller jumps between gears for faster shifting and a wider overall range that lets you pedal more efficiently without sacrificing top-end speed.

Brakes and Tires

Affordable road bikes often come with the same wider, versatile tires found on their expensive counterparts . Models with tires 28mm or wider are standard. The extra width softens the road because you can run lower tire pressure without fear of flatting. They also grip better on dirt and gravel, opening new exploration routes. Wider tires can be heavier, so if you’re strictly looking to do faster rides on smooth roads, tires in the 25mm range will work well.

You’ll also likely find hydraulic or mechanical disc brakes on less-expensive bikes. Discs offer better stopping power than rim brakes, especially in the rain and on dirt and gravel roads. You have more control and less hand fatigue, and they require less maintenance than older rim brakes. This alone is a great reason to upgrade to a new bike.

Get the Right Position

Few affordable road bikes are designed for racing . Instead, most are created to meet the needs of riders commuting long distances, riding for fun or fitness, or exploring new places they can reach only by bike.

Comfort is just as important as speed. Get as light a bike as you can afford (because it makes pedaling easier), but also look for one with frame angles and components that will keep you happy over many miles. Consider a bike with a slightly taller head tube and a shorter top tube, which puts you in a more upright position than a pure race bike and takes the strain off your back and neck. A longer wheelbase also adds some stability as speed increases. The best bikes in this category do that without sacrificing fun or performance.

How We Evaluated

These cheap road bikes have been carefully selected and ridden hard or exhaustively researched by test editors and contributors. We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and engineers, and use our experience riding these bikes to determine the best options. As we’re testing and teasing out the subtle and not-so-subtle differences among them, we consider the quality of parts and how the overall package meets the needs of the intended rider. Above all, this list of bicycles focuses on value.

Trek Domane AL 2

The good looks of the Domane AL 2 are the first indication that Trek didn’t mess around with its entry-level road bike. Start digging deeper, and you’ll find even more to like.

The shaped aluminum frame is nicely made and features Trek’s IsoSpeed carbon fork that takes some of the bump out of choppy surfaces. The rims are tubeless-ready so you can upgrade to smoother-rolling tires filled with puncture sealant , and they’re machined for steadier braking. Speaking of the brakes, they have a light pull and a firm bite on the rim—no vague mushiness here—and provide the best slowing and stopping performance we’ve sampled in this price bracket. The shifters snick-snick the drivetrain through the gears lightly and crisply.

There are other little surprising nuggets, like the pocket in the frame for a speed sensor and the included light and computer mount that cleanly integrate into the stem. Best of all, the bike is a joy to ride. Handling is stable, precise, and attentive to pedal strokes, so you feel like flying over the road, not pushing across it.

Brooklyn Bicycle Co. Roebling

This versatile commuter bike is so cheap, you might want a pair of them. The Roebling has a wide gearing range via a beginner-friendly Shimano 9-speed drivetrain, plus puncture-resistant tires and plenty of mounts for your own full-length fenders and racks. Its steel frame and fork make it heavy compared to other aluminum rides on this list, but that durability also makes it tough enough for light touring, wheeling through rain, and taking some mild gravel rides. For those needing more saddle real estate, consider the Roebling's sister bike, the Lorimer .

Specialized Allez

This is a gateway bike and, arguably, the best cheap roadie money can buy. For $1,200, you get quality, versatility, and comfort, all wrapped in a sharp aluminum frame and full carbon fork. The Allez sports a crisp Shimano Claris drivetrain with an 8-speed, 11-32 Sunrace cassette, and 50/34t chainring to get you over climbs and help you keep up with friends when the pace picks up.

The bike’s relaxed, endurance-style geometry means it’s comfortable for a long day in the saddle and zipping down the block to the brewery. Given the all-day rideability of this bike, we would’ve liked to see a slightly wider 28mm tire for some added compliance. Tektro rim brakes, though not as good as discs, perform well enough and keep the Allez light and cheap, giving riders the performance and weight savings they want for an affordable price.

Read Full Review

Salsa Journeyer Claris 700 Bike

A solid all-around road bike, the Journeyer can double as a hardy gravel or touring bike when you get the itch for adventure. Available with 700c x 38mm or 650b x 47mm tires, the Journeyer is as solid of a commuter as a bikepacking workhorse. The aluminum frame has mounts for fenders, bags, and more, while the fork-crown mount lets you attach a permanent light set for nighttime commutes.

Aventon Soltera

In a market full of commuter e-bikes, the Soltera is a relief. Instead of souping a ride with fat tires and a suspension fork, Aventon kept this singlespeed simple to maintain a lightweight. It also did away with derailleurs and disc brakes, making maintenance much more manageable. The Soltera has a peppy rear hub motor for a responsive and comfortable electric ride and a 350-watt hub-motor system with an integrated battery to give it power. It also has integrated lights for commuters. Not all riders will enjoy the long-reach caliper rim brakes, but it helps keep costs low on this affordable, speedy e-bike.

diamondback Haanjo 3

For a little more than a thousand bucks, you get an aluminum frame and fork, 700c wheels, and 37mm-wide WTB Riddler tires with a low-profile center tread and higher cornering knobs in the Haanjo 3. That means you can tackle gravel rides and cyclocross courses but still keep up on casual road rides.

A Shimano Sora 2x9 drivetrain with an 11-32 cassette and 46/30 chainrings—a notch above the Shimano Claris 8-speed groupset often found on bikes at this price—provides an extensive range of gears on both the high and low end. The cable-actuated disc brakes are a nice bonus as well. The 46x11 combo lets you pedal downhill and pick up the pace on flats, and the 30x32 is easy enough to help you get up and over just about any hill.

Diamondback Haanjo 2

The Haanjo 2 from Diamondback handled just about anything we threw at it. With clearance for 38mm tires, the Haanjo 2 is an excellent bike for the gravel curious. Looking for a commuter bike with more road-based geometry? With its fender and rack mounts, the Haanjo 2 works there, too. It’s great to see Tektro disc brakes spec’d at this price point. Although not as powerful as hydraulic discs, these stoppers didn’t rub and performed great in all weather conditions.

As always, the Shimano Claris drivetrain was crisp and reliable. The sub-compact gear suited this bike’s personality perfectly, allowing us to spin up climbs with ease. The whole package adds up to a bike ready for anything, though it comes with a bit of a weight penalty. Mounting more road-focused 28mm tires did help to liven the bike up noticeably.

Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.

Chris Pino is a former photographer turned woodworker who discovered his love of cycling after buying a commuter bike shortly after moving to New York City—that commuting turned into all day rides and eventually into competitive cyclocross and crit racing; nowadays, Chris enjoys long, bad-idea bike rides with his friends and all things bike tech. You can follow along on Instagram at @chrispino . 

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Trek road bikes: range, details, pricing and specifications

Cyclingnews' roundup of Trek road bikes available to buy this year

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Trek's road bike range explained.

With a history spanning some four decades, the Trek Bicycle Corporation has become one of the foremost bicycle makers in the world, and a perennial staple in our list of the best road bikes . What started out as a small steel frame-building company operating out of a carpet warehouse in Waterloo, Wisconsin, has grown enormously into a global leader of bicycle design and innovation. The Trek road bike range is based around three anagrammatic models; Domane, Madone, and Emonda - nominally the endurance, aero, and climbing bikes respectively. All are available in an array of build options, with the Domane and Emonda also available in both carbon and aluminium guises.

Trek has a history of innovating in the world of bicycle manufacture, with a particular emphasis on pioneering new materials. Bonded aluminium and carbon construction was lifted from the aerospace industry in the '80s, creating the 2000 and 2500 framesets. The lessons learned from bonded carbon were then poured into the manufacture of the brand's first full-carbon frameset, the 5000. Nowadays it has its own patented in-house carbon fibre, known as OCLV (optimum compaction low void) which is on a par with aerospace-specific alternatives

Trek continues to disrupt the industry from a manufacturing standpoint, but first and foremost it makes bikes for riders; the manufacturing innovation is only a means to an end. For some that means the very best commuter bikes , for others that means the best touring bikes , and for a lot of riders that means racing at the highest levels. It's no great surprise that Trek has become a big player in the world of gravel cycling too, and it also features on our list of the best gravel bikes . Whatever your interests in cycling, Trek has options. If you are thinking about something from the Trek road bike range, keep reading to see all the details about what's available. 

Trek Domane

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The latest model of the Trek Domane has gone through a complete makeover. The comfort-enhanced model in the Trek road bike range picks up a number of aerodynamic details, along with an all-new Isospeed decoupler design (additional flex at the steerer and seat post) and space in the frame and fork for up to 38mm of the best road bike tyres you'd care to cram in. These are changes that make the Domane an incredibly versatile road bike. The lineup is perfect for all-day comfort and the new Domane+ LT, makes our list of the best electric road bikes too.

The Domane is available in three frame types. For the budget minded, you'll want to look at the aluminium Domane AL; it's the most accessible in terms of price, and the only option for fans of a rim brake. It's entry level but it doesn't leave off the performance and adds options for racks for commuters, though it can only fit 35mm tyres rather than the 38mm max on the carbon models.

Moving up the range, the next option is the mid-range Domane SL. Stepping up to the SL means a move to 500 series OCLV carbon fibre. That opens up access to a dual IsoSpeed decoupler system, not found on the alloy version, for comfort-enhancing vibration damping. It also means space for larger tyres and storage in the downtube. If you'd like to stick with rim brakes there aren't any options for a fully built bike in the SL range but you can still get a rim brake option of the frameset.

The top-tier Domane SLR is also carbon fibre but it's a lighter 700 series OCLV. It still carries the dual IsoSpeed decoupler, but it's an upgraded adjustable version also seen on the aero focussed Madone. Like the SL, there's no fully built rim brake option available but you can still get an SLR frameset in a rim brake format.

Depending on your taste, and budget, builds are available from Claris-level at one end, through to SRAM Red eTap at the other extreme, with most options in between available.

Trek Emonda

For years, the Emonda had been the lightweight option in the Trek road bike lineup, and one of the usual suspects in our lineup of the best lightweight bikes . This is the bike to grab when you want to head to the mountains. As technology has progressed though the modern climber's bike has somewhat disappeared; brands have been slowly moving away from labelling their lightest offering as a 'climbing bike', and instead pivoting to selling it as an all-round option, for both up hill and down dale. Trek is no different in this regard, with the Emonda filling its all-rounder spot. It's no lump though, if weight is your concern.

While the Emonda is still the bike you'd want to turn to on the steep uphill segments, it's more than that now. Aero-optimisation and disc brakes take it away from a bike only for the mountains to a much more well-rounded option. In some ways it's defined more by what it isn't than what it is. It's not the all-out aero bike and it's not an endurance bike. The Emonda is the lightest of the options but it's also a bike that does a little bit of everything.

Available models for the Emonda still cover a wide range in much the same way as the Domane, with an aluminium option at one end, with a rim brake frameset option, and two tiers of carbon above it. The SL represents the middle ground with a carbon frame at a more affordable price. Then, at the top of the range, sits the SLR with a new ultralight 800 series OCLV carbon construction. There's even an SLR frameset with a more aggressive geometry available for those competing at the highest levels or fans of ultra-responsive handling. 

Trek Madone

The Madone sits at the top of the range as Trek's most purebred race bike. It's aero optimised in every way, and features among our list of the best aero road bikes too. Being the range topper means that it's the most expensive option in the Trek lineup but that has more to do with a lack of low-end options rather than it necessarily being vastly more expensive. There are only SLR and SL models available, meaning no entry level aluminium choice to be had. 

After years of aero bikes carrying a reputation for being harsh and uncomfortable, Trek went in a different direction. It was the first to market its aero bike as not just aerodynamically fast, but also fast because of its comfort, primarily thanks to the addition of the IsoSpeed decoupler system lifted from the Domane.

Of course, comfort isn't the only trick for the Madone; integrated cables feature heavily, along with fully integrated cockpits on the top end models. Even lower models, without an integrated cockpit, look to cheat the wind, with truncated aerofoil tube shapes and aerodynamically optimised disc brakes. Tyre width is however much more limited than with other models, topping out at 28mm.

Trek Speed Concept

The Trek Speed Concept is the Trek solution for triathletes who want the very best. For years the design had been stagnant but that all changed at the end of 2021. The brand new 2022 Trek Speed Concept is all new and faster than it's ever been before. Compared to the previous version, Trek claims the new bike saves a full six minutes over the Kona full Ironman race course. 

Moving away from a solely wind-tunnel focus, Trek has sought to create a bike that works as an entire system, rather than simply a lab-optimised object. The system approach means hydration and storage helps make not only the bike faster, but also the rider. There's an available between-the-arms (BTA) bottle that enhances aerodynamics by smoothing air between the arms and a clip allows you to drink without leaving the aero bars. It's also easy to refill during a race with a port on the top that accepts the nozzle of another bottle. 

While the BTA bottle is a separate purchase, the downtube bottle comes with every Speed Concept bike. Capacity is 750 ml and, like the BTA bottle, it also enhances aerodynamics; the system is 14 per cent faster when the bottle is in place. 

Outside of hydration there are two additional storage solutions onboard and included. The two bottles cover opportunities to enhance aerodynamics so the storage doesn't make the bike more aero. Instead, the bento box and the flat repair storage take advantage of the increased frame space to hide from the wind. 

The once-simple exercise of choosing a bicycle has become an appreciably complex decision owing to a plethora of new riding disciplines and technological advancements.

There are four different types of road bikes available in Trek’s current catalogue — aero, endurance, time trial, and climbing/do-it-all, each of which differs based on design and function.

As the name suggests aero road bikes are designed for speed while still retaining some form of compliance and comfort. Climbing bikes are ideal for hilly/mountainous routes and are pretty decent all-rounders. Endurance bikes offer a combination of durability and comfort while time-trial bikes are more outlandish-looking in their appearance and built for speed.

Trek offers a wide selection of specifications for each of the models in its range. Most of the brand's road frames are available in three different types of carbon, as well as aluminium and denoted by SLR (Trek's lightest OCLV carbon), SL (mid-range OCLV carbon) or AL (Aluminium).

Different geometry options are also available on certain models, with the majority featuring regular H2 geometry and some offered in the more aggressive H1 geometry, designed specifically for racing.

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Aaron was the Tech Editor Cyclingnews between July 2019 and June 2022. He was born and raised in South Africa, where he completed his BA honours at the University of Cape Town before embarking on a career in journalism. Throughout this career, Aaron has spent almost two decades writing about bikes, cars, and anything else with wheels. Prior to joining the Cyclingnews team, his experience spanned a stint as Gear & Digital editor of Bicycling magazine, as well as a time at TopCar as Associate Editor. 

Now based in the UK's Surrey Hills, Aaron's life revolves around bikes. He's a competitive racer, Stravaholic, and Zwift enthusiast. He’s twice ridden the Cape Epic, completed the Haute Route Alps, and represented South Africa in the 2022 Zwift eSports World Championships.

Height: 175cm

Weight: 61.5kg

Rides: Cannondale SuperSlice Disc Di2 TT, Cannondale Supersix Evo Dura-Ace Rim, Cannondale Supersix Evo Ultegra Di2 Disc, Trek Procaliber 9.9 MTB 

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The 5 Best Affordable Road Bikes, According to a Bike Mechanic

Bike rides are a great way to build community, stay fit and experience the great outdoors. However, the cost of a bike is a barrier to entry of this activity, especially among lower-income people of color, according to the Transportation Research and Education Center at Portland State University .

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This is not surprising, as some high-end road bikes can cost well beyond $10,000. If you're looking for a quality, durable road bike that won't break the bank, not all hope is lost. We've compiled a list of the five best affordable road bikes, according to a bike mechanic.

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How We Chose

We spoke with Fiona Beltram , a veteran bike mechanic at BFF Bikes in Chicago. Beltram frequently works on affordable road bikes, maintaining them for cyclists of all abilities. BFF Bikes also sells a variety of entry- to mid-level road bikes that retail for under $3,000.

Beltram explained that the following criteria should be used to evaluate an affordable road bike:

• ‌ Brand name: ‌ While having a recognizable name doesn't necessarily mean a bike is high quality, it's important to mainly refer to well-known brands when shopping for a bike. An unfamiliar brand from a big box retailer like Amazon may be cutting corners to achieve their low price.
• ‌ Components: ‌ Bike components can be thought of as the parts of the bike that allow it to move forward and come to a stop, like the gear cassette, front chainrings, bottom bracket, shifters and brakes. There are different quality components on the market, and affordable bikes usually use lower-quality components. However, there are still options for good components on an affordable road bike if you know what to look for.
• ‌ Surface: ‌ Road bikes often have the ability to be used both on a paved road or on a smooth dirt road. It's likely you'll want to invest in an affordable road bike that isn't just limited to paved bike paths and roadways.
• ‌ Frame material: ‌ While carbon bikes are all the rage, they can often be expensive. Looking for an affordable road bike with an aluminum alloy frame or a mix of aluminum and carbon used across the frame will net you a sturdy and affordable road bike.

"Investing in an affordable, yet well constructed, road bike is going to get you a lot more bang for your buck than simply reaching for the cheapest option on the market," Beltram says. "Always opting for the no-name cheapest option may result in you actually spending more than planned because the bike will need constant maintenance and repairs due to poor construction."

Beltram shares her picks for a variety of affordable road bikes, along with shopping tips you should know before buying.

1. Best Long-Term Investment: Liv Langma Advanced Disc 2

Liv Langma Advanced Disc 2

This bike features quality components and is great for someone looking to invest in something that's going to get them through the next 5 to 10 years.

The Liv Langma Advanced Disc 2 comes with Shimano 105 components, which are considered solid-quality components in the cycling industry, as well as disc brakes, which means the bike uses hydraulic disc brake rotors to stop the bike, making its stop time and power very good.

The bike also has a "relaxed geometry," according to Beltram, which means the rider is not crammed into an unnecessarily tight or overly aerodynamic position, allowing for comfort over many miles. Beltram describes the bike as being well constructed and can grow with the rider as their goals change.

"This bike is definitely for someone who knows how to ride a bike and is looking to invest in something that's going to get them through the next 5 to 10 years of cycling," Beltram says.

Liv markets itself as a women-specific brand, but Beltram notes that their bikes can be for anyone.

"Women-specific bikes mean that the brand has made a couple of tweaks to the bike frame's geometry," Beltram says. "The distance from the seat post to the handlebars may be a bit shorter to accommodate a typical female's anatomical measurements. There is no reason a Liv bike can't work for a male as well."

If you are looking for a non-women's specific bike, or a bike that may fit larger measurements, the Giant TCR Advanced Pro 2 Disc Compact for $3,000 is nearly the same bike.

2. Best Entry Level: Trek FX Sport 5

Trek FX Sport 5

This bike is perfect for someone who is moving from recreational riding to social rides or even day-long rides on local roads.

The Trek FX Sport 5 combines what you love about a recreational cruiser with the tech of a road bike. Its frame is made of carbon, making the bike light and durable. The FX Sport 5's handlebars are flat, optimizing them for comfort and solid grip. The bike also has what is known as a "1x drivetrain," meaning it only has one chainring in the front of the bike near the pedals, making shifting easy and uncomplicated.

Last, this bike has hydraulic disc brakes, making stopping and controlling speed a breeze. This bike is perfect for someone who is moving from recreational riding to social rides or even day-long rides on local roads.

3. Most Versatile: Liv Avail Advanced 2

Liv Avail Advanced 2

This is a "do-it-all" bike that can be ridden around town, on off-road surfaces or during races like triathlons.

Beltram recommends the Liv Avail Advanced 2 for those who are looking for the "do-it-all" affordable road bike.

"The Avail Advanced 2 is great for people who want to do their first triathlon but still have a comfortable road bike for cruising around town," Beltram says. "The bike is also meant to walk the line between on-road and off-road, so if you want to put off-road tires on it, you absolutely can."

The Liv Avail Advanced 2 is an aluminum frame but comes with the option to get a lighter carbon fork for an additional cost. Beltram explains that the Advanced 2 comes with Shimano 105 components, which are well-regarded in the cycling world, and its frame geometry is relaxed enough to allow for comfort when riding off-road, but not so relaxed as to cause riders to lose their ability to ride fast in a race or on paved road.

4. Best Endurance Build: Canyon Endurace 8 Disc

Canyon Endurace 8 Disc

This bike is designed for riding many hours and miles at a time while still keeping you comfortable.

An endurance road bike is designed to help you ride many miles in one go while keeping you comfortable. Unlike racing road bikes, which are designed to tuck you into a more aerodynamic position, an endurance road bike will keep you slightly more upright and aim to distribute your weight evenly over the bike seat and handlebars.

The Canyon Endurance 8 Disc comes with Shimano 105 components and DT Swiss wheels. DT Swiss is a respected wheel manufacturer in the cycling industry and makes wheels that are designed to last a long time without wearing out. The bike itself is aluminum and has mechanical shifting (which means there is no battery powering the gears to shift into place) as well as hydraulic disc brakes. The handlebars are Canyon's "Ergospeed Gel" model, which are designed to keep your hands comfortable even after many hours on the bike.

Canyon is a highly reputable bike manufacturer known for creating high-class bikes of nearly every kind: road, triathlon, gravel and mountain. Investing in an affordable Canyon endurance bike is an excellent foray into the road bike world.

5. Best for People in Larger Bodies: Cannondale Synapse Sora

Cannondale Synapse Sora

This bike has a weight capacity of 330 pounds, while many other road bikes top out at weight capacities of about 250 pounds.

Marley Blonsky is a cycling activist who aims to make the biking industry and community more inclusive for those in larger bodies. Blonsky rides a Cannondale Synapse Sora , which has a weight capacity of 330 pounds, while many other road bikes top out at weight capacities of about 250 pounds.

The Synapse Sora is an aluminum alloy frame with a carbon fork and comes with Shimano Sora components, which are a level "below" the Shimano 105 components, but are still solid quality as they are made by Shimano. This bike is a nine-speed bike, which could be considered a drawback by some who ride a 10-, 11- or 12-speed road bike, but the Sora's price point is hard to argue with.

Plus, the Sora is equipped to be used either on paved roads or on a gravel trail, giving you options in terms of where you can ride.

Tips for Buying an Affordable Road Bike

Before swiping your credit card on an affordable road bike, be sure to follow these tips in order to make an informed purchase.

1. Know Your Bike Size

Bikes come in a variety of frame sizes, ranging from XS to XXXL. It can be difficult to return a bike if it doesn't fit you, so check the size charts that are available on all bike manufacturer's websites to hone in on your size. If you aren't sure how to read the size chart, ask your local bike shop.

2. Consider the Types of Rides You'll Do

"If your goal is to enjoy riding and get out on the road with friends, you may not need to buy the latest, most flashy bike," Beltram says. "You want to own a bike with technology that you're comfortable with, such that you could change a flat tire on the bike alone without being confused by how to remove the tire, how to get the wheel back on, etc."

Consider the type of riding you'll be doing, how much you'll be doing and on what types of terrain you'll be riding on. You likely don't need a top-of-the-line road bike — a bike with the basics that gets you from point A to point B may be exactly what fits your lifestyle.

Chat with a bike mechanic or someone at your local bike shop to get an idea of what affordable road bike fits your needs and technology know-how.

3. Avoid Craigslist and Unverified Resellers

While there are some verified bike resellers available, Beltram strongly suggests avoiding places like Craigslist and Facebook when looking to purchase an affordable road bike.

"One of the risks of buying an unverified used bike is that the price it's listed for may not reflect the total amount you're going to end up spending on the bike," Beltram says. "You're trusting someone else's assessment of the bike, which may not be entirely accurate."

Even if it means ponying up a bit of extra cash for a brand new affordable road bike, this is the best way to ensure you are getting a safe, high-quality road bike that will serve you well for miles to come.

• Transportation Research and Education Center at Portland State University: "Breaking Barriers to Bike Share Insights on Equity"

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The best cheap road bikes 2024 | 12 budget bikes for £750 or less

Great-value budget road bikes for beginners or training from just £350

Russell Burton / Our Media

Oli Woodman

Here are 12 of the best cheap road bikes reviewed by BikeRadar, costing less than £750.

As road bike groupsets have become ever more affordable and more direct-sales brands have entered the market, the ride quality and value for money of entry-level road bikes have increased hugely.

If you're looking for a road bike for serious riding, training or just commuting , £700 is about the price point at which you will get a solid ride that, given due care and attention, will serve you well for years to come.

Have you got a little bit more to spend? Make sure you check out our list of the best road bikes under £1,000 , too.

A lot of buyers who would once have only gone with a traditional road bike are now considering a gravel bike instead. The best gravel bikes are more versatile than regular road bikes and will be better for those taking on mixed surfaces, but they are often heavier and may be slower on the road. We have a guide to the best cheap gravel bikes , as tested by BikeRadar.

Skip to the end of this article to read our full buyer's guide to cheap road bikes .

The best cheap road bikes in 2024, as tested by BikeRadar

Triban rc 120.

• £429.99 as tested
• Pros: Ludicrous value for money; generous wide-range gearing; carbon fork
• Cons: Tyres could be better

Like most of the bikes in this list, the Decathlon Triban RC120 has been subject to a pretty steep price hike since we first reviewed it in 2019. Despite this, it's hard to exaggerate how good this bike is. You could easily be fooled into thinking you're riding a bike that costs much more.

If you’re looking to make your first move into road cycling, or perhaps want to encourage a partner or friend, the Triban RC120 comes highly recommended.

• Read our full Triban RC120 road bike review

Triban RC120 Disc

• £499.99 as tested
• Pros: Well-thought-out spec choices; comfortable geometry; value for money
• Cons: Not light; firm ride

The disc version of the RC120 performs similarly well, with a very well-thought-out spec and the same comfortable geometry that's good for long days in the saddle.

Mechanical disc brakes will never have the outright power of hydraulic brakes, but they still provide more consistent wet-weather braking than conventional rim brakes.

• Read our full Triban RC120 Disc review

Triban RC 500 Disc Brake

• £650 as tested
• Pros: Shimano Sora groupset
• Cons: Slightly weighty

Decathlon’s Triban RC 500 Disc Brake road bike is a great all-rounder. It offers a comfortable ride and is fitted with quality kit.

The bike has a Shimano Sora R3000 drivetrain with a 50-34t compact drivetrain and an 11-32t cassette. As well as offering smooth and accurate shifting, this also provides a generous spread of gears for hard climbs.

Despite being billed as a road bike, the Triban RC 500 has clearance for 36mm wide tyres. This ensures plenty of comfort, even if you trade the road for light gravel riding or towpaths.

The aluminium frame is designed to be comfortable, only helping this bike take on everything from commuting to light bikepacking .

• Read our full Decathlon Triban RC 500 Disc Brake review

Giant Contend 2 (2020)

• £749 as tested
• Pros: Versatile frameset; sporty and comfortable ride; competitive weight
• Cons: So-so brake pads

For an entry-level alloy bike costing a little over £700, the Giant Contend 2 weighs in at a competitively light 9.56kg – a full 900g lighter than the Merlin PR7, also on this list. While this may not sound like a lot, it represents a 10 per cent difference in weight, which you can really feel on the bike.

Like most bikes in this price range, the Contend 2 is fitted with a Shimano Claris groupset. There's also a full complement of mudguard and rack mounts, so the Contend 2 is an ideal option for those looking for a true all-rounder that doesn't compromise on ride quality.

The bike we've reviewed here is the 2020 model, but the 2021 Contend 2 looks even better – at least on paper – thanks to larger 28mm tyres and different brakes.

• Read our full Giant Contend 2 (2020) review

Boardman SLR 8.6

• £550 as tested
• Pros: Good gearing; balanced comfort and handling
• Cons: Average brakes; eight-speed groupset

The SLR 8.6 sits at the bottom of Boardman’s range of road bikes but it still has a triple-butted aluminium frame and carbon fork.

The frameset is fitted with Tektro cable-actuated rim brakes, Vittoria tyres and a Shimano Claris groupset.

While the brakes are a little lacklustre and you might want to upgrade the tyres, the groupset delivers crisp shifting.

The bike’s endurance geometry makes it suitable for long days in the saddle.

Boardman should be commended for keeping the price of this bike the same for the last three years – something few brands have managed to do.

• Read our full Boardman SLR 8.6 review

Mango OG 2X

• £670 as tested
• Pros: Steel frame and playful ride
• Cons: No bottle bosses on the down tube

Mango has earned a reputation for its fixies and singlespeeds , but it also makes this 2x road bike, available with either a flat or drop handlebar.

Mango has opted for a steel frame that delivers a great balance of comfort and zing, smoothing out poor road surfaces in the process.

The bike is fitted with an eight-speed Shimano Claris drivetrain with an 11-34t cassette, so you should never be caught short when it comes to gears for climbing.

One drawback is there are no mounts on the seat tube, so you can only fit one bottle cage to the frame on the down tube.

But apart from this, the Mango OG 2X proves a great road bike with a performance that belies its price.

A flat bar, single chainring version called the Mango DO.GG 1X is also available.

• Read our full Mango OG 2X review

Pinnacle Laterite 1 (2020)

• £430 as tested
• Pros: Decent frame makes for a good all-round ride
• Cons: A few small upgrades would make the bike great

At this price level, you can expect compromises, but the Laterite is decently specced and rides well. It’s not too heavy and while we’d replace the cheap, one-piece brake pads, there isn’t much else to complain about. It’s even versatile thanks to rack and mudguard mounts, and there are both men's and women's versions available.

Stock of this bike has now sold out and the Pinnacle Laterite 1 has been replaced with a 2021 model, but used examples do come up for sale fairly regularly.

• Read our full Pinnacle Laterite 1 (2020) review

Pinnacle Laterite 3 (2021)

• £600 as tested
• Pros: A bargain, even at new price; blends comfort and performance
• Cons: Some low-spec components

The Pinnacle Laterite 3 provides a nippy yet stable ride, defying its low price tag, basic build and cheap parts. Unusually aggressive geometry makes the Laterite pacy for a bike of this ilk. Our tester found the Laterite 3 comfy enough for 100km-plus outings, even venturing off paved surfaces.

Shimano’s nine-speed Sora groupset ensures efficient shifting. The addition of 34t and 32t sprockets makes climbing easier.

The rim brakes are dependable but could eventually be upgraded, while the 25mm tyres could be switched for a wider pair (up to 32mm).

• Read our full Pinnacle Laterite 3 review

Trek Domane AL 2

• £775/$1,100/€794 as tested
• Pros: Poised handling; quality spec; sporty feel
• Cons: Handlebar can transmit vibrations

The Trek Domane AL 2 is the entry-level Domane. Its compliant frame and well-balanced handling are worthy of that prestigious label.

The endurance bike geometry will suit a wide range of riders and styles – it is comfortable enough for long rides on mixed-quality surfaces without feeling sluggish when you pick up the pace.

But the Trek Domane AL 2 could do with some upgrades. Higher volume tyres than the stock 25mm tyres would improve comfort. The inconsistent rim brakes could also be swapped out.

• Read our full Trek Domane AL 2 review

Vitus Razor Claris (2020)

• £549.99 as tested
• Pros: Wide tyres; smooth and accurate gear shifting; modern geometry
• Cons: Non-cartridge brakes

Vitus's affordable Razor road bike scored well in our testing.

The bike is supplied with generous 28mm-wide Vittoria Zaffiro tyres that actually measure closer to 30mm wide on the broad own-brand rims.

That means comfy ride quality on poor roads and a complete package that’s hard to fault, apart from slightly budget brake pads that make stopping a little 'grabby'.

A women's-specific version was also sold.

• Read our full Vitus Razor review

Also consider...

Brand-x road bike.

• £300 as tested
• Pros: Low price; surprisingly comfortable ride quality; Shimano Tourney groupset
• Cons: Non-cartridge brake blocks; 14-28t cassette limits climbing and sprinting

Strictly speaking, the curiously unnamed Brand-X Road Bike from Chain Reaction Cycles / Wiggle doesn't belong in this list – only bikes that score four stars or above are usually included in our best lists.

However, at just £300 , which is a full £80 less (a big margin at this price point) than the second-cheapest bike on this list, we can still wholeheartedly recommend this bike for commuting, riding for fitness or the occasional longer ride.

Of course, compromises have to be made somewhere at such a low price, but even when adding on a select few cheap upgrades , this bike still represents tremendous value for money.

Again, the Brand-X Road Bike is no longer available as a new bike, but keep your eyes peeled for used examples.

• Read our full Brand-X Road Bike review

Carrera Zelos

• £375 as tested
• Pros: Pretty comfortable; Shimano components
• Cons: On the heavier side; limited bottom gear

The Carrera Zelos is a good-value road bike that's reasonably comfortable and well-specced.

Despite the price, the Carrera Zelos rides like a genuine road bike. The cable disc brakes and mostly seven-speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain work fine.

But the Carrera Zelos' high weight is exacerbated by the limited gearing. This may pose problems in hilly areas.

• Read our full Carrera Zelos review

How much should I spend on a cheap road bike?

Cheaper bikes aren't just for beginners, they can also be the ideal, easy-to-maintain platform to create an all-weather, year-round training bike.

In terms of frame material , nearly all bikes at this price point will be made from steel or aluminium , although some may have a carbon fork.

Most bikes around the £700 mark will be specced with an 8- or 9-speed groupset. The number of speeds tells you how many sprockets the cassette has attached to the back wheel.

Most entry-level road bikes still come with either double or triple cranksets (with two or three chainrings at the front), giving you a large range of gears.

As 11-speed – and even 12-speed – groupsets have become the norm for more expensive bikes, 8- and 9-speed parts have become very affordable, and sourcing replacement parts shouldn't pose any problems for you or your wallet.

Most bikes at this level will also use external cable routing. This means the cables run on the outside of the tubes and are held in place with brazed- or welded-on 'stops'.

Although not as neat-looking as internal cable routing – which, as the name suggests, routes the cables inside the frame – it is far easier to live with and doesn't require any special tools to service.

Nearly all bikes at this price point will also use a threaded bottom bracket, which is easier to replace and often longer-lasting than many varieties of press-fit systems found on more expensive bikes.

While these bikes may not be the most expensive options on the market, it's still worth considering getting the best bicycle insurance to keep your bike (and investment) protected.

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Best road bikes 2024: top reviewed bikes from our testing

We choose the best road bikes we've ridden, from budget models to grand tour-proven race machines

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• ENTRY LEVEL
• 1. Best overall
• 2. Best for speed
• 3. Best value
• 4. Best for versatility
• 2. Best value
• 3. Best aero superbike
• 4. Best lightweight superbike
• HOW TO CHOOSE

Meet the testers

How we test.

Best road bikes 2024: Jump Menu

The list in brief ↴ 1. Best entry-level overall 2. Best entry-level for racing 3. Best entry-level for value 4. Best for versatility 5. Best superbike overall 6. Best superbike for value 7. Best aero superbike 8. Best climbing superbike How to choose How we test

Buying a new road bike isn't a simple task. The category today is full to the brim, with plenty of options for most budgets. The sheer number of bikes in your price bracket might leave you feeling spoilt for choice, if not a little confused. But we're here to help.

We've tested hundreds of road bikes, from entry level options ideally suited to road-riding newbies to superbikes, ridden on the pro tour and often coming with a five-figure price tag. By riding across such a range, we're well placed to understand the many nuances that dominate this sector of the market. And more importantly, we can guide you through the many elements that help define a bike's ride quality, from frame material to tube shapes to components.

If your budget sits at either end end of the scale, you can also check out our guide to best cheap road bikes as well as our Race Bike of the Year (RBOTY) 2023 awards, some of which feature here. Likewise if you're after more of an all-road machine, you can read our guide to the best gravel bikes . Otherwise read on for our picks of the best road bikes for 2024.

The quick list

Best entry-level overall

The Allez is now into it's fifth decade, with the latest model right on trend with disc brakes and bags of tire clearance. Sensible geometry makes for a comfy ride, too.

Read more below

Best entry-level for racing

Yes you can race alloy! In this CAAD13 guise it's light and stiff but not harsh, delivering a ride that easily matches lower price carbon options.

Best entry-level for value

If you're drawn to long rides that place an emphasis on comfort, the Contend SL1 is good match with plenty of rear end compliance and a great spec to match.

Best superbike overall 

A grand tour winner, the S5 is racing thoroughbred. Aerodynamic with sublime handling yet still comfortable for longer distances, aided by wider tire clearance. 

Best value superbike

Giant typically delivers lots of bike for your money, and the latest Propel is no different, especially on the lower priced models.  

Best aero superbike

A radical frameset with IsoFlow tech and a freshly designed aero cockpit makes the new Madone distinctive. It also makes it very fast.

Best road bikes we’ve tested at Cycling Weekly

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 entry level

The best entry-level road bike overall.

The Specialized Allez now has disc brakes and extra tire clearance

1. Specialized Allez

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Specialized's 2023 update of the Allez has added disc brakes in place of the rim brakes on the older model. That has allowed it to increase tire clearance to a more substantial 35mm or 32mm with mudguards. That in turn has provided an extra dose of comfort to the ride and means that the new Allez can handle light gravel duties and isn't confined to smoother tarmac. 

We enjoyed this new found versatility when testing - and it even has rack mounts should you fancy throwing in some touring or commuting as well. Vitally though the Allez has still manage to retain its sporty profile, and with a slammed stem in place, we found it to be fast and playful companion.

The base model bike has Shimano Claris 8-speed shifting and mechanical disc brakes. Claris has big jumps between gear ratios on the 11-32t cassette, while we found that , as expected, the mechanical disc brakes just don't have the stopping power of hydraulics.

The Allez line-up now consists of just two models (plus the Allez Sprint ). The higher spec Allez Sport has ten speeds and hydraulic disc brakes, but there's a big jump in price for what's otherwise the same spec as the base model.

A wheelset upgrade would significantly improve performance, but all in all it's a decent package for the price, making the Allez reasonably competitive against the other best cheap road bikes we've reviewed.

Read more: Specialized Allez first ride review

The best entry-level road bike for racing

Cannondale is a master of alloy bike frame fabrication

2. Cannondale CAAD13 Disc 105

Cannondale has long been a master of performance alloy frames and the CAAD13 follows in that vein. It's fairly long and low geometry is based on that of the pro-level carbon SuperSix EVO - in fact it shares the same stack height and reach numbers, with a 54 size equating to a stack height of 55.5cm and a reach of 38.4cm. 

The aero tube profiles are also borrowed from the WorldTour bike and we found that the combination resulted in superb handling as well as a smooth ride - one that we felt closely resembled that of a carbon frameset. Granted we tested a high-spec model with decent wheels and tires that certainly didn't hinder the experience as some entry level components somehow can.

However, at the lower price points the CAAD13 is affordable enough to be a first bike but with a frame that you won't outgrow - and one that we believe warrants any significant upgrades you make, whether it be wheels or groupset.

That said, even if you opt for a 'cheaper' model you can get a Shimano 105 hydraulic groupset with a RS510 crank set, while the wheels match DT Swiss R470 rims with the Formula hubs - all perfectly good kit. Below this in the pecking order is a Tiagra equipped offering, while rim brake fans will pleased to know that you can get the CAAD13 with calipers!

As per usual, the size range starts at 44 and goes all the way up to 62, with six sizes inbetween. We see this as another big plus point for the CAAD13, making it available not only to a range of budgets thanks to the build options but also wide range of rider builds.

The only thing that we found fault with was the rather high front end stack. It's easy to rectify but means you'll have to have your head tube cut down to avoid an ugly stack of spacers above the stem. 

Read more: Cannondale CAAD13 Disc full review

The best entry-level road bike for value

The Giant Contend SL1 is a quality entry-level option

3. Giant Contend SL1

Sharing features of Giant’s more expensive bikes, the Contend has a compact alloy frame with a sloping top tube. The D-Fuse seatpost and carbon fork are designed to add compliance at the rear and the front end respectively. Along with the endurance frame geometry this gives great comfort and handling, letting you ride for longer and inspiring confidence. 

We were particularly impressed with the bike's ability to eat up the road chatter, which isn't always the case with aluminium frames. Combine this with the sensible geometry (a longer wheelbase for stability and higher stack) and wide tire clearance (room for 34mm) and you get a set-up that sits squarely in the endurance category, ready to eat up the miles in comfort. For an entry level bike we feel it's the right recipe, one that's better suited to a wider range of riders than a more aggressive riding position.

The Contend SL hasn't been updated for a little while but you can still get both a rim and disc brake option. Both use's Shimano's impeccable 105 groupset with a Shimano RS510 chainset, with the rim brakes using Tektro calipers and the disc brake option fitted with 105 hydraulic.

Again befitting both the entry-level and endurance tags, there's bags of low gearing, down to 1:1, to tackle uphills and Shimano 105 gives you quality shifting as always. Naturally at this price point it's not the lightest bike by any means, which we found didn't always make for sprightly performance. That said, It's a good value proposition for its price and a genuine 'contender' for any entry-level road bike prize out there.

Read more: Giant Contend full review

The best road bike for versatility

The Vitus Venon Evo is available in road or gravel specs

4. Vitus Venon Evo-RS

While versatility has always been desirable for some of us when shopping for a new road bike, the evolution of the category has seen more and more sub-sections emerge. The result is a slew of bikes designed with specifics in mind, whether it be aero race machines or featherweight climbers. 

But Vitus has decided to buck the trend somewhat. And the Venon Evo has a trick up its sleeve to make it a bike for more than one purpose. With its wide tire clearance of 45mm it's not glued to the road and you can buy the same frame specced out for gravel duties, with a series of models with a GR suffix; we've also reviewed the Vitus Venon Evo-GR gravel spec bike.

The carbon frame weighs under 1kg and we found that it had plenty of compliance built in. The road-going specs are fitted with Michelin Power Cup 28mm tubeless tires on Prime Attaquer alloy wheels. We tested the 105 Di2 model of the Vitus Venon Evo, but there's a whole range of electronic and mechanical groupset options from Shimano and SRAM. 

When reviewing the bike on the road, we found the  ride to be well balanced and firm but still really comfortable. Continuing the versatile theme, there's plenty of room to fit mudguards on the hidden mounts, making the Venon Evo a good option for year-round use.

Read more: Vitus Venon Evo-RS full review

Superbikes: Overall winner

The Cervélo S5 mixes a fast, aero ride with comfort and handling

1. Cervélo S5

The Cervélo S5 garnered top spot in our Race Bike of the Year awards in 2023. We rated its straight line speed, but also its cornering ability and superb ride quality. It's the handling that sets it apart from other aero bikes though: fast to respond to a change of line but never twitchy.

Likewise, we were impressed with the Reserve wheels, which are 52mm deep at the front and 63mm deep at the rear. Their internal width of 24.4mm really helped to add comfort to the tires (they plumped up our 28mm Vittoiria Corsa to over 31mm)  as well as progression when cornering and additional grip.

If there is any downside to the S5 then it the weight: it's not the lightest bike, tipping the scales at over 8kg. This makes it around 1kg heavier than the Scott Foil for example. But again the sheer ride quality of the S5 manages to negate any additional grams on even moderately steep gradients.

Naturally superbikes are primarily designed with the pros in minds and if you want some validation of the bike's qualities then how about 2022 and 2023 Tour de France yellow jersey wins, the TdF green jersey in 2022 and a slew of one day race triumphs? While these wins are testament to the talent of Jonas Vingegaard, Wout van Aert and others, they also point to the S5s ability to be ridden across a range of stages and races. For us, this only confirms what we felt when riding the bike - that it's as well-rounded a race bike as you'll find.

Read more: Cervélo S5 full review

Superbikes: Best value

The Giant Propel offers a lot of bike for its price

2. Giant Propel

The latest Giant Propel has slimmed down from its previous chunky frameset, to reduce weight and increase comfort, but according to the brand has still improved aerodynamics over the outgoing model - to the tune of some 6 .2 watts at 40kph.

Adjustability has improved too thanks to a newly designed two-piece bar and stem, without impacting those aero number.The cables are neatly routed through the bars and under the channelled-out stem before entering the frame. It makes for a slick looking bike indeed.

Giant has also adjusted the Propel's geometry, so that it's much closer to its TCR climbing bike, for a more responsive ride. Maximum tyre clearance sits at 32mm. We found that it all added up to a fast yet stable ride, with the thinner tubes performing better in crosswinds than aero bikes with deeper sections. We were impressed with the comfort levels too, with the plumper tires and well-designed front end helping to negate road chatter.

Although we tested the Rival AXS build, best value can be found in the entry level bike which easily beats the other bikes in our Race Bike of the Year awards.

Read more: Giant Propel Advanced Pro 1 full review

Superbikes: Best aero bike

The Trek Madone SL7 is very aero

3. Trek Madone SL7 Gen 7

Another bike that's shed weight, in its case 300g. The Gen 7 does this in large part by andoning the IsoSpeed system of its predecessor, and replacing it with IsoFlow technology. It makes for a striking looking frame, with its hole under the saddle, which sits on a seatpost cantilevered over the rear of the frame.

But that's only half of the 20 watts saving over the older Madone. The other half comes from the bars, which position the hands 30mm closer together on the tops, for a more aero tuck -  for example a 42cm bar actually measures 39cm at the hoods and 42cm at the drops. Trek offers 14 different cockpit combinations to allow you to dial in your position.

We found that it makes for an incredibly assured bike, with great handling and plenty of comfort as well as being a fast ride in a straight line. It's a light by aero bike standards too, with our review model tipping the scales at 7.5kg. Like many superbikes, the downside for most is likely to be the price, and the Madone is certainly firmly in the expensive category - five figures with a second-tier Ultegra groupset.

Read more : Trek Madone SL7 Gen 7 full review

Superbikes: Best climbing bike

The Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi Mod is a great bike for climbers

4. Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi Mod 2

This fourth generation of the Cannondale SuperSix has received some subtle updates from its predecessor, which nevertheless make it more aero and lighter. You'll likely notice the more steeply sloped top tube and the lower seat stays. 

Tire clearance has been increased too, and there's now room for up to 34mm in width. Last but not least, the press fit bottom bracket has been replaced by a BSA 68mm threaded number - something we're big fans of not least because it allows you to fit a new BB home with relative ease.  It adds up to a claimed 770g frame weight , which was the lightest in our Race Bike of the Year awards from last year.

We found the latest SuperSix to be better than ever. It's lightening fast and it holds speed well thanks to the 50mm deep aero wheelset. Equally it's a great climber's bike as well, with low weight and great geometry for out-of-saddle efforts. Descending is equally magical.

We did find that comfort was comprised a little over longer distances - it's not as comfy at the Cervélo S5 for example - but this isn't uncommon for stiff, light race bikes.

Cannondal typically do a good job of offering a sensible range of models and prices on offer, and its no exception with SuperSix Evo.

Read more: Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi Mod 2 full review

How to choose the best road bike for you

What's the difference between race and endurance geometry.

A key decision when choosing the best road bike for you is what you plan to do with it. Are you looking to go fast or race, or are you after a more comfortable bike for leisurely rides or long days in the saddle?

Geometry is the key factor here. A full-on race bike will put you in a more bent-over riding position, with your head and shoulders lower down over the handlebar. That’s great when you have a need for speed, reducing your frontal profile to lower your wind resistance but can be uncomfortable, particularly for a beginner.

On the other hand, bikes labelled 'endurance' or 'sportive' will be designed for a more upright riding position, with the bars higher and closer to the saddle. That delivers greater comfort on longer rides, but may make you a bit slower.

If you’re riding on hilly roads , or planning a trip abroad to the Alps for example, you’ll certainly appreciate a lightweight bike . However, if you're going to spend your time riding fast on flatter terrain then aerodynamics are probably more important to you. And If you’re looking to race, the stiffer, more edgy handling of a race bike will work better than the more stable handling of an endurance machine .

An increasing number of bikes are designed to take you off the tarmac as well as letting you ride efficiently on road. A gravel bike will give you wide tires and lower gears. But many endurance or 'all-road' bikes now offer plenty of tire clearance as well as an expansive gear range, letting you take in a wider variety of routes.

How much do I need to spend on a road bike?

You also need to look at how much you want to spend on a bike. That’s not just the initial outlay, but the cost of replacing worn or damaged parts, the cost of servicing your bike and the cost of any upgrades. There’s a big difference in price between lower spec mechanical parts and top of the range electronic gearing.

A bike's specs will vary a lot between manufacturers. In particular, prices will often be lower at direct only brands (such as Canyon and Ribble) and in-house brands (Vitus at Wiggle or Boardman at Halfords). But to give you an idea, here's a look at common specifications at various investment levels. In the interest of brevity, some bandings are wide and therefore you would expect variation within them.

£750 - £999 / $1000 - $1500

An aluminium frame and carbon fork, aluminium seatpost and handlebar/stem, shifting at Shimano Sora or Claris level, aluminium wheels. Rim brakes. 

£1000 - £2000 / $1500 - $2500

Either an aluminium frame and carbon fork at around Shimano 105 level, or a carbon frame and fork with shifting at Shimano Tiagra level. Aluminium wheels, seatpost and handlebar/stem. Disc or rim brakes. 

£2000 - £3500 / $2500 - $4000

Carbon frame and fork with Shimano 105 (lower end of budget) or Ultegra (higher end), aluminium or carbon rims, carbon seatpost, aluminium handlebars and stem. Disc brakes should be hydraulic from this price point. Titanium frames are an option.

£3500 - £5000/ $4000 - $6000

Carbon or titanium frame and fork, Shimano Ultegra or SRAM AXS eTap groupset, carbon seatpost, aluminium bar/stem, carbon rims 

£5000 - £10,000 / $6,000 - $12,000

Carbon frame and fork, Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 or SRAM Red AXS eTap, carbon wheels of 50mm+, carbon bars and stem.

£10,000+ / $12,000+

Accept nothing but the best of everything. Top of the range carbon frame and fork - usually utilising stiffer carbon and therefore fewer layers resulting in lower weight, carbon wheels of 50mm+, one piece carbon bar/stem Shimano Dura-Ace, SRAM Red AXS or Campagnolo Super Record Wireless, power meter as standard.

What are the best frame materials for road bikes?

A major difference between cheaper and more expensive bikes is their frame material . Bikes costing under $/£1000 are typically made of aluminium alloy , with the tubes welded together. It’s a material used in more expensive bikes too and can result in a strong, lightweight machine.

But pricier bikes are usually made of carbon fibre . The fibres give the bike strength and are embedded in a synthetic resin to hold them together. The mix of fibres used and their lay-up determine the bike’s ride feel. More expensive bikes will use more high modulus carbon fibre, which lowers the weight without reducing the bike’s strength.

Titanium is another material used in some more expensive bikes. It’s lightweight, strong and doesn’t rust or fatigue. And you can still find bikes made of steel tubing, which was the traditional framebuilding material. It’s not quite as light as other choices, but robust and gives a distinctive ride feel.

You should also look at what the bike’s fork is made of. Many bikes will have an all-carbon fork or one with carbon fork blades and an alloy steerer. This tends to absorb road bumps well for a more comfortable ride, but you can find alloy or steel forks on some lower priced bikes .

How do I choose the right size road bike for me?

It’s important to get the right size bike . Most bikes come in a range of sizes to fit your stature and bike makers will usually publish a rider’s height range which a bike of a specific size will fit. 

You should feel comfortable seated on your bike and be able to put both feet flat on the ground when standing over the crossbar, without it touching you.

You’ll usually find more detailed frame dimensions listed too, which give you more details of how your bike will fit you. The most important are reach and stack, although they’re a bit complex to interpret. 

In general, the higher the stack number (usually shown in cm or mm) the more upright your riding position will be. If you enjoy a 'taller' riding position then look for a more generous stack height. Equally, a shorter reach will put you closer to the bars, thus in a more upright position. For the most part, race bikes will feature a lower stack height than endurance models. 

To make sure that your bike is set up correctly and to avoid the risk of injury from incorrect fit, it’s well worth getting a professional bike fit . A bike fit will cost some money, although sometimes a bike shop will offer one at a discount or free when you buy a bike. A bike fit will ensure that your saddle and bars are optimally placed for efficient riding. Consider a good fit an investment.

What is an 'aero' road bike and do I need one?

Bike makers push their bikes’ aero credentials, especially on more expensive machines, with claims of wind tunnel testing and time saved. Time was, an aero frameset was significantly heavier than one with the traditional round tubes, but the best aero bikes can now be as light as a non-aero one.

On the other hand, around 80% of the wind resistance comes from the rider , not the bike and those time savings are typically when riding at around 45kph/28mph. Since wind resistance increases as the cube of speed, if you’re riding at half that, you’ll have an eighth of the drag, so all those aero features won’t make a lot of difference.

How many gears should a road bike have?

After the frame, gears are the most important thing to consider when choosing a road bike. Today many top end road bikes will come fitted with 12-speed cassettes. When paired with a double chainring this means you'll have 24 gears. Remember however that some of these gear ratios will be duplicated in certain chainring/cassette combinations.

More affordable road bikes tend to come with fewer gears. These cassette options should range from 8-speed to 10-speed, again most often paired with a double chainset.

As for groupset brands, Shimano gearing is the most common, but the other major options are SRAM and Campagnolo. Shimano’s top end groupsets, Dura-Ace, Ultegra and 105 have a 12-speed cassette, while less expensive bikes may come with 10-speed Tiagra, 9-speed Sora or 8-speed Claris.

SRAM and Campagnolo also offer 12 speeds on their top end road bike groupsets and all three brands offer electronic shifting rather than the mechanical cables used on lower priced ranges.

What are the best gear options for a road bike?

When choosing a new road bike it's important that you think about the gears it comes equipped with. Fortunately if you've already matched your potential bike to the kind of riding you plan on doing, there's a good chance that the gear choice will also be well-suited. 

An out-and-out race bike may come with a more traditional gearing set-up, for example 53/39 tooth chainset paired with an 11-30 tooth cassette. 

However road bikes that fall into the endurance or sportive categories are likely to have a compact chainset, most likely a 50/34, and a cassette that will have 30, 32, 34 or even 36 teeth as the largest option. The lower gears will help you to both tackle steep hills with more ease and generally pedal with a higher cadence . However, this can mean larger gaps between gear ratios.

There are other options out there too. SRAM, for example, now offers its eTap AXS groupsets with 48/35, 46/33 and 43/30t chainsets. Paired with its cassettes starting at 10 teeth, these give similar highest gear ratios to traditional gearing starting at 11 teeth, but greater low-end gear range for easier climbing and less need to shift between chainrings on undulating roads.

Electronic shifting is now a mainstream option on higher spec bikes

Is electronic shifting really better?

While the major groupset brands - Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo - still offer mechanical groupsets, there has been a significant shift towards electronic shifting in recent years. Here a motor shifts the derailleurs between ratios, rather than the traditional cable.

The main electronic systems are Shimano Di2, Campagnolo Wireless and SRAM eTap AXS, which all offer 12 speeds.

There are benefits and drawbacks of both mechanical and electronic options. 

Mechanical components, such as mechs and levers, are generally cheaper and lighter than their electronic counterparts. They are also, for the most part, easier to fix when something goes wrong. 

Electronic gears benefit from reliable shifting. There's no cable tension at play here. If you've suffered a hand injury, the ease of changing gear with the press of a button could be appealing. 

Electronic gearing can be personalised through an app, allowing you, for example, to shift multiple gears seamlessly. However, all this tech doesn't come cheap and complete road bikes fitted with electronic gears will be more expensive. Plus, you've got to remember to charge the batteries.

Are rim or disc brakes best for a road bike?

Disc brakes have largely taken over on road bikes and all but the lowest priced bikes are now in general disc brake only. That said, you can still find rim brake bikes, usually at either end of the price spectrum.

Typically disc brakes give you more consistent braking, whatever the weather conditions, better modulation and greater overall stopping power. On the flip side, they’re heavier than rim brakes, although bike makers have been able to make frames lighter, largely mitigating the extra weight.

Most disc brake bikes use hydraulic calipers, although you can find mechanical disc brakes, usually on cheaper machines. Discs have been creeping down the price range for the last few years, which means it's still likely an option even if your budget is limited.

Disc brakes are a feature of the majority of new road bikes

What is the difference between carbon and alloy wheels?

Road bike wheels are typically 700c size, although the smaller 650b size can be found on some smaller frames. Regardless of size, both are available as carbon or alloy options.

Carbon fibre rims are used on most of the best road bike wheelsets . These rims lower weight and are often deeper, to improve aerodynamics over a shallow wheel. In fact carbon can be produced in a far greater range of shapes, allowing manufacturers to create wheels optimised for a varied range of riding styles. 

Alloy rims are generally cheaper and will feature on many complete road bikes. They are usually heavier than their carbon counterparts although lightweight alloy options are available. 

Wheels are a component where bike makers often look to economise, so a budget wheelset may feature even on an expensive bike. It’s worth considering whether you’ll need to upgrade them to get the best out of your new bike. If you decide to do so, you can always keep the original set for winter riding.

Wider tyres let you reduce tyre pressure, increasing comfort and grip

What is the best tire width for a road bike?

There was a time when tire options for road bikes were limited by the frames they were fitted to. A 23mm tire was commonplace. If you were lucky you might be able to squeeze a 25mm into your frame.

However, today road bikes now come with increasingly wide tires due largely to the advent of disc brakes; even race bikes will typically have clearance for 28mm to 32mm tires, while endurance machines will likely allow for wider still. It's worth noting that even if your new bike has come specced with 25mm or 28mm tires, there's a good chance it will have the clearance for something wider.

With wider tires it's possible to run a lower tire pressure for more comfort and added grip. Wider tires can be as fast as or faster than narrower widths as well.

Wheels and tires are increasingly tubeless-ready too. This means that you can add sealant and dispense with the inner tubes, reducing the risk of punctures and upping grip and ride comfort even more. Tubeless tires are in general faster as well.

Simon is a hugely experienced cycling tech writer, who has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2003. Until recently he was our senior tech writer. In his cycling career Simon has mostly focused on time trialling with a national medal, a few open wins and his club's 30-mile record in his palmares. However, as writer and reviewer he's ridden more road bikes than he cares to remember, from eye-wateringly expensive aero race bikes to far more wallet friendly offerings and plenty in between.

After winning the 2019 National Single-Speed Cross-Country Mountain Biking Championships and claiming the plushie unicorn (true story), Stefan swapped the flat-bars for drop-bars and has never looked back. 

Since then, he’s earnt his 2ⁿᵈ cat racing licence in his first season racing as a third, completed the South Downs Double in under 20 hours and Everested in under 12.

How we tested these road bikes

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.

When it comes to testing road bikes we log hundreds of miles, looking at a number of factors as we assess their overall performance. Of course we consider what the bike is primarily designed for, whether it's an aero race bike, a lightweight climber or an endurance model but also look at more general considerations such as build and spec quality, durability and value for money. 

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Paul started writing for Cycling Weekly in 2015, covering cycling tech, new bikes and product testing. Since then, he’s reviewed hundreds of bikes and thousands of other pieces of cycling equipment for the magazine and the Cycling Weekly website.

He’s been cycling for a lot longer than that though and his travels by bike have taken him all around Europe and to California. He’s been riding gravel since before gravel bikes existed too, riding a cyclocross bike through the Chilterns and along the South Downs.

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The 3 Best Trek Bikes Under $500 (Mountain and Hybrid)

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Finding the best Trek bikes under $500 for adults is easy. That’s because only a few bikes meet this budget:

• Trek 820 men’s mountain bike
• Trek 820 WSD women’s mountain bike
• Electra* Cruiser 7D cruiser bike (in multiple variations)
• Electra Cruiser 1 cruiser bike (in multiple variations) You will learn more about these bikes below.

*Electra is Trek’s brand of city and commuter bikes, e-bikes, and accessories.

Unfortunately, Trek doesn’t offer road, gravel, or fitness bikes for under $500. You would have to pay at least twice as much for a Trek road or gravel bike.

Check out the Trek bikes for under $1000 . This price range offers more options.

Let’s look at the bikes and see which is best for you and your riding style!

What Are the Best Trek Bikes Under $500?

The following bikes are suitable for adults. Of course, Trek also offers kids’ bikes for under $500, but I didn’t include them in this article.

Trek 820 and Trek 820 WSD (Best Trek Mountain Bike Under $500)

Budget-friendly mountain bike for men or women, providing durability, versatility, and a wide gear range.

Main Features

• Available for men and women
• Durable steel frame
• Mounts for accessories for easy storage capacity extension
• Suspension fork with a 75 mm travel for a more comfortable ride
• Platform pedals included

Technical Specifications

• Frame material : Steel
• Weight: 15.28 kg / 33.68 lb [M]
• Drivetrain : 21-speed Shimano Tourney
• Wheels : 26″
• Tires: 26×2.00″ semi-slick
• Suitable for heights: 4’6″ – 6’8″ (137 – 203 cm)

Trek 820 is one of the best beginner mountain bikes . This is thanks to its affordable price and the great value it offers.

Its versatility will allow you to ride it on various surfaces, from city streets to forest roads, trails, and singletracks.

The steel frame ensures durability, so the bike will take anything you throw at it. The downside is the weight penalty. The bike weighs 33.68 lb (15.28 kg), so you will have to make a little more effort when climbing.

It’s also a shame it comes with only 26-inch wheels. Yes, they provide better maneuverability than the 27.5-inch but they are less comfortable.

The 21-speed Shimano drivetrain (3×7spd) offers enough gears for various gradients. This means that you will always find the right gear.

Trek 820 also has a front suspension with 75mm travel. It doesn’t perform as well as more expensive suspension forks at the value of this bike, but it will absorb bumps and vibrations.

Your ride will be more comfortable than riding with a rigid fork, and you can relax your hands.

You can also leverage the mounts for a rear rack if you need to extend the storage capacity with bags or panniers.

This additional cargo space allows you to store spare clothes, food, and other things needed for a long trip.

Trek 820 comes with platform pedals, so you don’t have to buy them separately.

Choose from step-over or step-through options and multiple sizes.

You can also learn more in this Trek 820 review .

Electra Cruiser 7D and Electra Cruiser 7D Step-Through

Cruiser bike with seven gears , front and rear brakes, and comfy saddle, suitable for flat and rolling terrain.

• Wide saddle for a comfortable ride in an upright position
• Front and rear rim brake
• Chainguard to protect your pants
• Weight: 18.14 kg / 40 lbs [M]
• Drivetrain : 7-speed Shimano Tourney
• Tires: 26×2.125″
• Suitable for heights: 5’3″ – 6’2″ (160 – 188 cm)

Are you looking for a comfortable bike for cruising around the coast, through a city, or neighborhood?

Electra Cruiser 7D is a bike that should catch your attention because that’s what it has been designed for.

Its geometry and bent handlebar will allow you to sit in an upright riding position. It’s beginner-friendly, and you will also have a nice field of view. So, you can take it easy and enjoy your rides.

The Cruiser 7D differs from the Cruiser 1 with the 7 gears. Those are helpful if you don’t live in a flat area but occasionally encounter hills. You can switch them with a simple twist of your wrist.

This bike is not suitable for performance-oriented cyclists. I recommend it for paved roads, not for bumpy terrain. This is because it has no suspension and is not designed for it.

One detail I want to highlight is the chainguard. It will ensure that your pants do not get tangled in the chain.

Also available at trekbikes.com

Electra Cruiser 1 and Electra Cruiser 1 Step-Through

Affordable single-speed cruiser bike suitable for chill rides in flat areas.

• Singlespeed
• Drivetrain : Singlespeed
• Tires: RetroRunner 26×2.125″

Cruiser 1 is like the Cruiser 7D but with three differences.

• It’s a single-speed bike meaning it’s suitable for flat terrain.
• It doesn’t have brakes, so you must backpedal for braking.
• It’s more affordable.

Except for these features, you can enjoy all the other benefits of Electra’s cruiser bike.

These include comfortable riding geometry, wide saddle, style, step-over and step-through options, fresh colors, etc.

The Cruiser 1 is available in two wheel sizes – 24-inch and 26-inch. I recommend a 24-inch size for short riders and a 26-inch for taller ones.

If you are looking for a brand new Trek adult bike, you only have a few options because most Trek bikes cost over $500.

I recommend:

• Trek 820 (also available in a step-through option ) if you want a versatile, beginner-friendly mountain bike that will last you for years. It’s great for learning the basics or commuting.
• Electra Cruiser 7D cruiser bike (also available in step-through option ) for those looking for a stylish and comfortable bike. It’s suitable for short trips, cruising, or commuting across a city, near beaches, flat and rolling areas.
• Electra Cruiser 1 (also available in a step-through option ) is like the Cruiser 7D but has no gears or brakes. These limitations make it suitable only for flat terrain and chilly rides you want to enjoy fully.

You can also buy some second-hand Trek bikes. I am sure you will find the iconic Trek 3700 , Trek 4300 , or Trek 800 on Craigslist, eBay, etc.

Trek Bikes Under $500 FAQ

First, you have to think about your riding style. Do you want to ride in harsh terrain? Then you should probably choose from mountain bikes. Are you looking for a commuter bike suitable for paved roads? Then, a hybrid bike will be a better option. Read my other article on how to choose a bike for more info. Once you know what bike type you want, check out the customer reviews. At this price range, I recommend buying a more expensive bike because the cheap ones often provide a bad experience. They are unreliable, heavy, and often not fun to ride. Considering your riding style and needs with the available options. If you struggle to choose, feel free to contact me .

Trek is among the most established bicycle brands in the US and the world market. Some of their bikes are pretty expensive and exceed the $10,000 mark. However, their low-end bikes are worth considering. So, depending on what bike you are looking for, it might or might not be a good deal.

Yes, some of the Trek bikes are suitable for beginners. These include the Trek 820 mountain bike. Depending on your riding style, you can also choose from some of their other bike types, like road, gravel, or hybrid.

Yes. Depending on what bike type you want, I recommend you check out my other articles. You might be interested in: • Hybrid bikes under $500 • Mountain bikes under $500 • Beginner road bikes

Preview picture source: trekbikes.com

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Elektrostal

Cycling routes in

Find the right bike route for you through Elektrostal, where we've got 330 cycle routes to explore. The routes you most commonly find here are of the hilly type. Most people get on their bikes to ride here in the months of June and August.

Find cycle routes in Elektrostal:

Flat routes | Hilly routes | Uphill routes | Downhill routes | Quick rides | Long tours | Top rated routes

Trains Moscow to Elektrostal: Times, Prices and Tickets

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Moscow to Elektrostal by train

The journey from Moscow to Elektrostal by train is 32.44 mi and takes 2 hr 7 min. There are 71 connections per day, with the first departure at 12:15 AM and the last at 11:46 PM. It is possible to travel from Moscow to Elektrostal by train for as little as or as much as . The best price for this journey is .

Get from Moscow to Elektrostal with Virail

Virail's search tool will provide you with the options you need when you want to go from Moscow to Elektrostal. All you need to do is enter the dates of your planned journey, and let us take care of everything else. Our engine does the hard work, searching through thousands of routes offered by our trusted travel partners to show you options for traveling by train, bus, plane, or carpool. You can filter the results to suit your needs. There are a number of filtering options, including price, one-way or round trip, departure or arrival time, duration of journey, or number of connections. Soon you'll find the best choice for your journey. When you're ready, Virail will transfer you to the provider's website to complete the booking. No matter where you're going, get there with Virail.

How can I find the cheapest train tickets to get from Moscow to Elektrostal?

Prices will vary when you travel from Moscow to Elektrostal. On average, though, you'll pay about for a train ticket. You can find train tickets for prices as low as , but it may require some flexibility with your travel plans. If you're looking for a low price, you may need to prepare to spend more time in transit. You can also often find cheaper train tickets at particular times of day, or on certain days of the week. Of course, ticket prices often change during the year, too; expect to pay more in peak season. For the lowest prices, it's usually best to make your reservation in advance. Be careful, though, as many providers do not offer refunds or exchanges on their cheapest train tickets. Unfortunately, no price was found for your trip from Moscow to Elektrostal. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find price results. Prices will vary when you travel from Moscow to Elektrostal. On average, though, you'll pay about for a train ticket. If you're looking for a low price, you may need to prepare to spend more time in transit. You can also often find cheaper train tickets at particular times of day, or on certain days of the week. Of course, ticket prices often change during the year, too; expect to pay more in peak season. For the lowest prices, it's usually best to make your reservation in advance. Be careful, though, as many providers do not offer refunds or exchanges on their cheapest train tickets.

How long does it take to get from Moscow to Elektrostal by train?

The journey between Moscow and Elektrostal by train is approximately 32.44 mi. It will take you more or less 2 hr 7 min to complete this journey. This average figure does not take into account any delays that might arise on your route in exceptional circumstances. If you are planning to make a connection or operating on a tight schedule, give yourself plenty of time. The distance between Moscow and Elektrostal is around 32.44 mi. Depending on the exact route and provider you travel with, your journey time can vary. On average, this journey will take approximately 2 hr 7 min. However, the fastest routes between Moscow and Elektrostal take 1 hr 3 min. If a fast journey is a priority for you when traveling, look out for express services that may get you there faster. Some flexibility may be necessary when booking. Often, these services only leave at particular times of day - or even on certain days of the week. You may also find a faster journey by taking an indirect route and connecting in another station along the way.

How many journeys from Moscow to Elektrostal are there every day?

On average, there are 71 daily departures from Moscow to Elektrostal. However, there may be more or less on different days. Providers' timetables can change on certain days of the week or public holidays, and many also vary at particular times of year. Some providers change their schedules during the summer season, for example. At very busy times, there may be up to departures each day. The providers that travel along this route include , and each operates according to their own specific schedules. As a traveler, you may prefer a direct journey, or you may not mind making changes and connections. If you have heavy suitcases, a direct journey could be best; otherwise, you might be able to save money and enjoy more flexibility by making a change along the way. Every day, there are an average of 18 departures from Moscow which travel directly to Elektrostal. There are 53 journeys with one change or more. Unfortunately, no connection was found for your trip from Moscow to Elektrostal. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find connections.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Moscow to Elektrostal, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.

Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys

Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from Moscow to Elektrostal.

Always check special offers

Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.

Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains

If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.

Best time to book cheap train tickets from Moscow to Elektrostal

The cheapest Moscow - Elektrostal train tickets can be found for as low as $35.01 if you’re lucky, or $54.00 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $77.49.

Find the best day to travel to Elektrostal by train

When travelling to Elektrostal by train, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Moscow to Elektrostal CO2 Emissions by Train

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SixThreeZero Electric Rickshaw review: This fun e-bike can carry an entire family!

E-bikes simply aren’t niche anymore. The US has awoken to the fact that electric bikes can replace cars for many around-the-town trips and even on longer commutes. But what if you need to take multiple kids to school or want to drive your family around the neighborhood without using a car? That’s where an electric rickshaw can come in handy, and the SixThreeZero EVRYjourney Electric Tricycle Rickshaw is one heck of a great way to do it.

Sure, it’s a mouthful of a name, but it works so well that I will look past that long moniker. Plus, I’m probably just going to call it a rickshaw, for short.

A rickshaw like this is an incredibly useful tool for neighborhood runs with multiple people, pets, or just a pile of cargo.

It may seem like an obvious choice for throwing a couple of kiddos back there on that padded bench, but I actually tested it with two adults in the rear as well, and it worked great! And then I added even more kids into the mix, too! At some point, I’m sure I even exceeded the 500 lb (228 kg) weight rating, but the dang thing just wants to keep on going!

To see what I mean, check out my video review below. Then, keep reading for my full review of this fun and full-utility three-wheeler.

SixThreeZero Electric Rickshaw Video Review

SixThreeZero Electric Rickshaw tech specs

• Motor:  750W geared Bafang front hub motor
• Top speed:  32 km/h (20 mph)
• Range:  Up to 80 km (50 mi)
• Battery:  48V 21Ah (1,008 Wh)
• Weight : 71.6 kg (158 lb)
• Max load:  227 kg (500 lb)
• Brakes:  Mechanical disc brake calipers with parking brake on right lever
• Extras:  Large LCD display with speedometer, wattmeter, battery meter, PAS level indicator, odometer and tripmeter, triple wheel braking, front and rear LED lights, 5 pedal assist speed settings, right-side thumb throttle, removable and lockable battery, included fenders, rear bench with seatbelt and storage compartment underneath, and more!
• Price :  $2,999

Spec’d for the whole family

This isn’t just a fun little electric trike for cruising around by yourself. This beast of a trike is built for the entire family!

With a 500 lb weight rating, you can easily fit three adults on the bike. Or you can do like I did and throw a couple more kids in their laps, then slap another kid or two hanging off the back. At one point I think I had 6 or 7 souls on board, though that’s definitely not recommended. There’s probably a warning somewhere that says to limit the number of passengers to some reasonable level, but my job as a reviewer is to push things further, and now I can confidently say that the rickshaw can support a lot more weight than you’ll probably throw at it.

However, I did notice that at a certain point you can get so much weight behind the rear axle (with kids hanging off the back) that you should be careful not to have the driver hop off first, lest you send the front wheel catapulting, but that’s pretty far outside the use case of the trike. The point is, it can handle a LOT of weight from MANY riders! See my video above, if you don’t believe me.

The real magic here, of course, is that rear bench. More than purely functional, it looks good too! It comes with a nice faux leather upholstery complete with a sturdy seat belt. Technically speaking, I’m not sure seat belts are a great idea for bikes since you don’t want to be strapped down to any vehicle that doesn’t have a roll cage (that’s why motorcycles don’t have seat belts), but I understand that some kids might need a little help staying in their seats when the parents aren’t watching, so I get the idea. I ended up removing the seatbelt partway through testing since we often just sat on top of it, but it’s nice to have it there for the kind of kids who need to be restrained.

The diamond plate floor panel in back helps rear passengers feel more stable with a wide foot deck. And with around 26″ (66 cm) of space on the rear bench, fitting two good-sized adults on back is a peace of cake. Three children can fit side-by-side as long as they are well behaved, though my nieces and nephews started to get a bit handsy with each other on longer rides. It’s rare that you get the chance to shout “Settle down back there or I will PULL THIS TRIKE OVER!”

For the most part though, the rickshaw is definitely designed for some serious hauling with plenty of passengers. The front 750W motor only began to show some slight protest once we had six people on the bike, and even then it was really just in the beginning when it was pulling peak torque. For the most part, it definitely feels like it has more power than you’d ever need for a normal three-passenger setup.

The big 48V 21Ah battery is key to making this work, since there’s a lot more resistance in a three-wheeler designed for several passengers. The 1 kWh battery seems like the minimum I’d want on a bike that will often carry three riders, so I’m glad to see they didn’t skimp on a big battery.

It’s great to see that the battery is UL2271 certified and the entire bike has UL2849 certification, which are the main US standards now recommended for e-bike safety.

For comfort, the wide saddle has some nice spring to it with a suspension post, matching the front suspension for more rider comfort.

There’s no suspension in the rear for the passengers, but as long as you aren’t going too fast when you hit a bump, the cushioned bench and fat tires should help absorb normal road vibration and small imperfections in the asphalt.

The fat tires also mean you can make off-road excursions, such as rolling across the grass in a park or hitting the sand at the beach, though it really only works on harder-packed sand like you’ll find closer to the water line.

Speaking of speed and riding quickly, the rickshaw can go surprisingly fast. Most electric trikes seem to top out at 14 or 15 mph (25 km/h), likely out of an abundance of caution. But SixThreeZero either has more chill lawyers or just trusts us with more responsibility, since the bike can hit a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h).

I’ve ridden it at full speed a lot by now, and it actually feels quite stable while riding fast. Some trikes can get unwieldy, but it feels perfectly solid when riding relatively straight, even at full speed. You’ll just want to make sure you slow down for the turns since you’ll be lifting the outside wheel in the air if you try to take a sharp turn at more than 10 mph or so (16 km/h). Fortunately there’s an easy-to-read LCD display right in your face so you can check your speed before going into a turn. Though once you ride a trike long enough, you just get a feel for how fast you can hit each turn without lifting rubber off the road.

The LCD display isn’t very fancy but it gets the job done just fine with basic readouts for battery capacity, speed, distance, time, battery voltage, assistance level, etc. There’s even a USB-A port to help charge up your phone or other device.

One last really cool feature is the included storage compartment. It’s a great place to store the kids’ backpacks, water bottles, sporting equipment for a trip to the park, or anything else you want to bring along.

It has a closure clasp but it does not lock, so don’t leave anything valuable in there. But it does give some much-needed storage for those situations where the entire family is heading out for the afternoon and wants to bring a bit more than would fit in the passengers’ laps.

One other storage option would be to add a couple of hooks to the back of the rear bench to hang some canvas shopping bags or even clip-on the kids’ school bags, though you’d have to fashion a slightly DIY for that solution.

The few downsides

As much fun as the SixThreeZero electric rickshaw is, there are still a couple of disadvantages to the design.

The first is that it takes a while to assemble. It shows up in the biggest bike box you’ve probably ever seen, and is something like 80% assembled already. You’ve got several steps though, including mounting the front wheel, handlebars, bench, fenders, seat, lights, etc.

None of the steps are very difficult – if you can put together IKEA furniture, then you can put together the rickshaw. It’s just that because of the size and bulkiness, each step takes longer than on a normal bike. It took me a little over an hour to get it all set up, including fussing with my cameras to film it.

The next issue is that the rickshaw is simply really heavy. It’s just over 150 lbs, and I filmed in a few locations that were a fair distance apart, meaning I had to lift it into the bed of a pickup truck multiple times. I was able to do it by myself, but just barely. I found that a good method was lifting just the front wheel up, then getting behind it and lifting the rear up. I also tied the bars so they stayed straight during the lift. It’s not pretty, but with the right amount of proper posture and swearing, it’s possible.

For most people though, I’d definitely recommend a team lift to avoid risking hurting yourself.

The last area I wish could be improved would be to swap the mechanical disc brakes for hydraulic disc brakes. I never felt like it was underbraked, but I also wasn’t going very fast with a full load. Out of an abundance of caution, I usually stayed below 10 mph with several people onboard. I only rode at the rickshaw’s top speed of 20 mph when I was by myself. In both cases, the brakes felt adequate. But I worry that with fast speeds and multiple passengers, or even hard braking while going downhill by yourself, those mechanical brakes might not always be strong enough – especially on long braking descents. I’d rather see hydraulic disc brakes to give me more power with less hand fatigue.

Sum it all up!

All told though, the SixThreeZero electric rickshaw is an incredible machine. Sure, it’s heavy and could use fancier brakes, but ultimately I could lift it into a truck by myself and I never felt like it was actually underbraked. Everything else was pretty darn awesome.

I love being able to ride with other people, and being able to put them on a comfortable bench seat instead of a stuffy child seat or an awkward tandem bike seat (for adults) makes the experience a lot more relaxing and ultimately a lot more fun.

At $2,999 , this definitely isn’t a cheap way to ride with your family. But you’re also getting a capability that you just don’t find with many other e-bikes – or perhaps any other e-bike!

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Micah Toll is a personal electric vehicle enthusiast, battery nerd, and author of the Amazon #1 bestselling books DIY Lithium Batteries , DIY Solar Power,   The Ultimate DIY Ebike Guide  and The Electric Bike Manifesto .

The e-bikes that make up Micah’s current daily drivers are the $999 Lectric XP 2.0 , the $1,095 Ride1Up Roadster V2 , the $1,199 Rad Power Bikes RadMission , and the $3,299 Priority Current . But it’s a pretty evolving list these days.

You can send Micah tips at [email protected], or find him on Twitter , Instagram , or TikTok .

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