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BUYER'S GUIDE

Best road bikes 2024 — the best drop bar, skinny(ish)-tyre bikes for riding on the road

From £300 up to more than £12,000, here are our pick of the best road bikes

This article contains links to retailers. Purchases made after clicking on those links may help support road.cc by earning us a commission but all of our reviews are fully independent. Find out more about road.cc buyer's guides.

Rounding up the best road bikes on the market used to be a relatively simple job a couple of decades ago; but where once round, steel tubes dominated and most road bikes were made purely for racing and fast riding on the road, there's now there’s a huge variety to suit every budget and every need.


Here on road.cc alone we have separate categories for endurance road bikesaero road bikes, sportive bikescarbon road bikes… the list is endless, and now there are also those all-road bikes that blend the borders of all categories by excelling at almost anything! 

It's arguably true that road bike prices have crept up over the years, but there are still some very good value bikes on the market, and in this buyer's guide we've featured a range of bikes suitable for different budgets. You might also want to have a look at all the best road bikes we've reviewed recently - there are some very good bikes there that didn't make it to this guide, because we've got to draw the line somewhere. 

The road bike market can be a confusing one, with frame materials, geometry and components all influencing road bike design. Whereas endurance road bikes might have a more relaxed geometry for many comfortable miles in the saddle, the best aero road bikes will have a greater focus on cutting drag and boosting speed by using aero tubing, and will often come with deeper wheels for more aero gains. 

You need to ask yourself many questions on your road bike-buying journey. The biggest one, of course, is what’s your budget? Then it’s questions like: what will I be using my road bike for? Commuting, long Sunday morning rides, the occasional shorter midweek sojourn with friends? Is weight important? Do you need disc brakes? Is a carbon frame a need or a must?

We're under no illusions that crowning the 'best road bike' is pretty much impossible, because as we've explained already, the road bike genre is a very broad one. If you're just dipping your toe into cycling, then consider this guide as a useful introduction to road bikes with a wide selection of top picks from our bulging reviews archive, plus some handy advice under our selections. Some might be wildly out of your price range, others you may not like the look of... but whatever you're after, we're hoping there should be something here for you. If you want to search according to your budget, you can always check out our guides to the best road bikes under £3,000, under £2,000 and (you guessed it) under £1,000 instead. 

Capiche? Check out our choices and hopefully, the perfect road bike for you is among them!

The best road bikes: our top picks

Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8

Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 - SRAM Red eTap AXS

9
Best money-no-object race bike
Buy now for £12000 from Specialized
It really is stupidly light!
Excellent geometry
It's a proper do-it-all race bike
The price...

The Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 was one of the most anticipated bikes released in 2023 and claims to be lighter, faster, stiffer, and more comfortable than its predecessor, the SL7. Any new bikes claim to be exactly that, but it turns out that the SL8 actually does beat its competitors and predecessors - albeit at times marginally - in about every aspect. It weighs an impressive 6,940g - the frame itself is 120g lighter than the SL7, features excellent geometry and has a 6% improvement in rear compliance. The bike's direct feel, enhanced stiffness, and aero improvements also made this bike an exceptional ride.

Our S-Works test bike came with the top-tier SRAM Red eTap AXS drivetrain, Roval Rapide CLX II wheels, and integrated cockpit completing the high-quality components list.  Despite this build being absolutely top both, the sensible(ish) money would undoubtedly be spent on something further down the range, but if you're after the pinnacle of bike technology, the SL8 is very high up the list.

Lauf Úthald

Lauf Úthald

9
Best endurance road bike
Buy now for £4500 from Lauf
Quick
Comfortable
Light
Good value
No hidden mudguard mounts

Lauf is well known for its superb gravel bike - the Seigla - and now the brand has dipped into the road bike market, too. Úthald is the Icelandic maker's distinctive (and divisive) road bike that blends performance and endurance features. Dave thinks the bike's design makes sense for 'normal' riders, including external routing for easy maintenance - but really defying the current trends of having everything internal and integrated. 

This is not a pure race bike, but instead, it's built for those who love long miles and comfort - Lauf has used its Integrated Compliance Engineering (ICE) to add comfort to the frame, allowing for subtle movement in response to road vibrations. The geometry is a unique mix, featuring a slack head tube for stability and a short rear end for agility. Our test bike was the Race Wireless build, equipped with SRAM Force AXS groupset and Zipp 303S wheels and for the price, the overall build represents good value for money. 

As reviewer Dave concluded: "For the weekend warrior who wants a quick bike in the shed but doesn't need the marginal gains of a top-end race machine, this bike is pretty hard to fault. I'll certainly be sad to see it go, and I'm hopeful that it's an indicator of the direction road bikes for normal people will be taking over the coming years. More like this, please."

Giant Propel Advanced Pro 1 2023

Giant Propel Advanced Pro 1

9
Best aero road bike
Buy now for £5499 from Giant
Efficient
Comfortable
Good value
Not the lightest bike for the money

If you love speed on the flats, Giant Propel Advanced Pro 1 is a stellar aero road bike with a lot of improved aero efficiency. Although it's not the lightest aero bike out there, and the SRAM Rival eTap AXS groupset is not top-tier, it still stands out for its exceptional efficiency, comfort, and overall value in the current market. It remains stable even in crosswinds which is perhaps partly due to the Propel's redesigned frame, featuring truncated ellipse tubes, promising improved aerodynamics. Despite the aero premise and a little more aggressive geometry, this bike still impresses in terms of the comfort it offers - and on the flats it will make you faster. 

Orro Gold STC Force D2 Etap AXS Tailormade

Orro Gold STC Force D2 Etap AXS Tailormade

9
Best aero inspired yet comfortable road bike
Buy now for £5499 from Orro
Excellent balance of performance and comfort
Great value
Very responsive
Well specced throughout

Orro has struck quite a nice balance with the Gold STC Force D2 Etap AXS Tailormade - this bike seems to offer an outstanding blend of comfort and performance, at an attractive price. Reviewer Stu went as far as to say the ride quality is sublime, providing a solid and confidence-inspiring feel without compromising on speed. The lightweight frame, coupled with good handling, allows for nimble manoeuvring and precise control.

The bike's construction, featuring spread tow carbon and various carbon fibre grades, contributes to its impressive stiffness-to-weight ratio. The updated design, drawing inspiration from Orro's aero bikes, enhances both aesthetics and functionality, with smoothed junctions, dropped seat stays, and internal cable routing.

Our test bike was clad with SRAM's updated Force AXS groupset, Vision Metron handlebar and SMR Alloy stem which offer versatility and adjustability, and the Selle San Marco Shortfit saddle which added comfort. If you want a high-performance road bike that excels in both comfort and speed, this one makes a compelling choice for a wide range of riders.

Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8 Di2

Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8 Di2

8
Best all-rounder for racing
Buy now for £6449 from Canyon
Well-balanced speed, handling and comfort
Spec is perfect
Loads of easy position adjustability
Not the bargain that it once was

The Ultimate has been designed as a race bike and, if you have the legs, Canyon’s absolutely correct – this is one fast bike. Upon this carbon beauty, you can sprint, climb and descend swiftly and with style. The test model came in at 7.27kg but if that’s not light enough for you, an even higher-spec model comes in at 6.8kg.

But what of the spec of the Ultimate CF SLX 8 Di2? Well, as you can tell from the title, it’s equipped with Shimano’s electronic groupset, this time in the form of its 12-speed Ultegra. It works wonderfully and you’d have to be a real shifting pedant to look to upgrade to the more expensive and ever-so slightly lighter Dura-Ace Di2.

Wheels come in the form of DT Swiss’ ARC 1400s and they complement the bike nicely, though they will suit rolling roads a little more than properly hilly routes. The 50mm depth can be nudged slightly by sidewinds, but these are one of the easiest wheels to get along with in gusty conditions. Mounted onto these wheels are Schwalbe Pro One Skin tyres that perform well.

Rocketing bike prices mean Canyon isn’t the value-packed brand it once was. But with the Ultimate CF SLX 8 Di2, that doesn’t matter. It’s comparable price-wise with its contemporaries (or better than) and it delivers a fantastic ride, one that’s fast and comfortable. If you have the money, you can’t go wrong.

Liv Avail Advanced Pro 2 2023

Liv Avail Advanced Pro 0

9
Best women's road bike
Buy now for £5999 from Balfes Bikes
Light
Power efficient
Exceptionally comfortable
Sleek looking
No extra bosses for bags for endurance riding

We loved the previous version of the Liv Avail Advanced, and the new Avail Advanced Pro 0 has only continued to impress us. This is a great endurance road bike specifically designed for women, and with its tyre clearance for 38mm tyres, it could even do light gravel. This top-of-the-range model we tested weighs only 7,620g, making it a very capable climber and on rough roads, Liv's D-Fuse handlebar and seatpost technology really dampen down the bumps. 

The Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset offers great, precise shifting and the bike comes set up tubeless with the Giant Gavia Fondo 0 tyres. Despite the premium price of our test model (you could opt for the lower-tier models for the best value for money), the Liv Avail Advanced Pro 0 is a top choice for female cyclists seeking a high-performance, comfortable, and versatile endurance bike - and with the wide size range even the smallest riders can find a good fit. 

Triban 100 Road Bike

Triban 100 Road Bike

8
The most affordable road.cc-recommended road bike
Buy now for £299.99 from Decathlon
Stable handling
Functional components ideal for the beginner
Weighty steel fork
Bottom gear too high for beginners

French retailer Decathlon has forged a reputation for fine-value sports gear, but this is next level. At £300 (£50 more than when we reviewed the older B'Twin-branded version, but still a right bargain) the Triban RC100, from Decathlon’s own Triban brand, is cheaper than some shoes we’ve tested. And that price doesn’t come totally at the expense of ride quality, as this is one comfortable and smooth bike that also comes in a women’s option.

The aluminium alloy frame and entry-level components mean it’s a relatively weighty number (11.61kg), with much of that extra bulk down to the steel forks and rudimentary wheels. But, perhaps surprisingly, it doesn’t feel sluggish. It’s a comfortable ride, helped by the 32mm tyres, which have a bit of knobbly tread on the sidewalls, so are ideal for hardpacked towpaths and bridleways. Handling’s good and it’s plenty stable enough through corners and when descending.

The drivetrain’s a bit of a mish mash but it all works. The seven-speed Shimano gear shifter is operated by your thumb. Shifting across the range is fine albeit a little clunky. The calliper brakes do a solid job, especially in the dry.

Overall, this is a good package for very little money.

Boardman SLR 8.8

Boardman SLR 8.8

8
Best road bike under £1,000
Buy now for £787.5 from Halfords
Great value for money
Decent spec list
Easy-to-control handling
A bit weighty

As prices continue to rise, Boardman has done a sterling job to keep a bike of this quality and componentry under the £1,000 mark. The SLR 8.8 delivers a fine ride via a no-nonsense frame and fork with well-balanced handling to suit beginners or those who want to exploit its all-weather capabilities.

The triple-butted 6061 alloy frame and slender tube profiles serve up a tasty ride, transferring power proficiently without feeling harsh. The SLR 8.8 primarily uses a Shimano Tiagra groupset that’s based around a 10-speed system. However, the chainset is FSA Vero Compact, while the brakes switch to Tektro. It’s a cornucopia of components but it does the job.

Boardman’s-branded SLR rims are laced to Formula DC-20 (front) and DC-22 (rear) hubs and are a solid set of wheels. They’re not light but they are dependable. Vittoria’s Rubino G2.0 28mm tyres are great for high-mileage riders who aren’t obsessed by top speed. Grip levels are reassuring, especially in the wet.

At £850, this bike is an absolute bargain.

Fairlight Strael 3.0

Fairlight Strael 3.0

10
Best steel road bike
Buy now for £3099 from Fairlight Cycles
Excellent ride quality
Clever design details
Massively versatile

One of the few bikes to receive a 10/10 score from road.cc and a road.cc Recommends Bike of the Year winner, the Fairlight Strael 3.0 is even better than the versions before it and wowed our reviewer with its stunning ride quality, genius design and versatility. 

It takes everything brilliant from its predecessor but includes some updates that not only improve the ride quality but also give the Strael an even smoother, more refined look. The forming and butting of the chainstays on this model have been reshaped to work better with forces in all directions, and this results in a very stiff bike that responds almost as well as a carbon superbike. It's comfortable and well-balanced too, meaning this bike is at home in races, on sportives or even the commute if you're after a luxury mile-munching bike. 

The attention to detail on the Strael 3.0 is second to none, and with so many mounts for extra gear, it can be anything you want it to be.

The price we've quoted is for a build with Shimano's Ultegra groupset at the time of writing. The frameset currently starts at £1,399, and you can completely customise your build with Fairlight when ordering. 

Van Nicholas Ventus

Van Nicholas Ventus

8
Best value titanium road bike
Buy now for £2774 from Van Nicholas
Beautiful ride quality
Plenty of stiffness for hard efforts
Good value for a titanium bike
Standard wheels add a fair chunk of weight

Incredibly, the Ventus is classed as Van Nicholas’ entry-level option, but the way it performs is anything but. In short, it’s great fun to ride, as well as looking rather beautiful to boot. It’s designed for speed, whether that’s racing or lively group riding.

Much of that lively attribute comes down to the geometry, which is rather aggressive compared to many modern bikes. It sends you into a good aero position that helps you to capitalise on the titanium frame that maximises every pedal stroke.

Van Nicholas give you the option of configuring your Ventus to suit your needs and budget. Our test model came equipped with Shimano 105 groupset with hydraulic disc brakes, both of which do a fine job. Shimano also provide the wheels in the form of their WH-RS171 model.  Stiffness is good and they’ll take plenty of abuse. Continental’s Grand Sport Race tyres are decent performers, too.

If you’re looking for some titanium in your life, the Ventus is a compelling way to dip your toes in.

Specialized Allez Sport

Specialized Allez Sport

8
Best aluminium road bike
Buy now for £1600 from Evans Cycles
Geometry is well balanced
Decent spec for the money
Impressive comfort
Tyres are quite 'dead' feeling

The Specialized Allez is a bit of a cult classic when it comes to aluminium road bikes. The updated 2023 Specialized Allez has, as you might have guessed, an aluminium alloy frame that offers a smooth ride feel, lacking any harshness. Being also very competitively priced, this bike is ideal for beginners wanting to get started in their cycling journey. The well-balanced geometry provides stability and control, making it enjoyable for both new and experienced riders and while the stock tyres feel a little "dead," they're easy to replace. The Tiagra groupset, hydraulic brakes, and full mudguard compatibility also add to this bike's winter capability and versatility. 

Vitus Venon EVO-RS Force AXS All-Road

Vitus Venon EVO-RS Force AXS All-Road

9
Best all-road carbon road bike
Buy now for £4399.99 from Wiggle
Awesome performance
Well thought out geometry
Good spec for the money
Versatile but not compromised
Full mudguards will require fettling to fit

All-road words might seem like a gimmick, but once you've tried the Vitus Venon EVO-RS Force AXS, you might think they're actually worth all the hype. This bike is a performance bike delivering outstanding rides on both road and gravel, all the while weighing just over 8kg. Its lightweight design, coupled with a 386EVO-compatible bottom bracket, ensures responsiveness and easy pedalling and the geometry strikes a balance between efficiency on roads while maintaining stability on rough terrains.

The frame is made with SL UD carbon fibre and can accommodate tyres up to 45mm in width - which is more than some dedicated gravel bikes can take. Our test bike's SRAM AXS Force groupset offered wireless, precise shifting and despite the basic alloy wheels, this bike's build kit offers excellent overall value. If you want one bike to do it all on, then this one is really worth a proper look! 

Vielo R+1 Alto Classified

Vielo R+1 Alto Classified

9
Best 1x road bike
Buy now for £6999 from Vielo
Impressive shifting under load
Large spread of gears
Great ride quality
Hugely stiff
Yet another component to charge

If simplicity is what you're after in your bike, then having a 1x drivetrain is one way to achieve that. Vielo R+1 Alto Classified is a high-performance road bike that skillfully combines the simplicity of a 1x system with the gear range of a 2x setup. The impressive gear range is achieved using the Classified's Powershift rear hub, which is powered by contactless energy transfer and eliminates the need for a front derailleur while maintaining a wide gear range.

Despite the additional weight of the Classified system, this bike tips the scales at an admirable 7,870g and excels in sprints and climbs alike, showcasing its versatility and practicality. The 1x setup simplifies the look of the bike but simultaneously offers well-rounded performance with minimal trade-offs.

Spa Cycles Elan Ti Mk2 105 R7000 11-speed

Spa Cycles Elan Ti Mk2 105 R7000 11-speed

8
Best titanium endurance road bike
Buy now for £2495 from Spa Cycles
Great ride quality
Finished to a high level
Good value
Durable handbuilt wheels
External cable/hose routing not as clean looking as internal routing

The Spa Cycles Elan Ti Mk2 105 R7000 11-speed impressed us with its performance, especially over long distances. It has a tall head tube that offers a relaxed, upright position, yet it's surprisingly agile once in motion- It has a geometry that aids you to have stability on descents, and the compact chainset allows you to comfortably climb back up. Despite lacking internal cable routing, the Elan Ti Mk2 is a great titanium bike with a characteristic smooth and joyous ride and good overall value.

How to choose from the best road bikes

faq-icon
How much should I pay for a road bike?

Road bikes vary in price a lot as you can see from this buyer's guide as well. You can bag yourself a new road-going steed for as little as £300, but on the other end of the fiscal spectrum, the sky is the limit really, and an all-singing, all-dancing option can cost upwards of £10,000.

As with anything, paying more won't guarantee you better performance but when it comes to road bikes, spending more will often result in a lighter build and higher-quality components (wheels, gears and brakes). As you spend more, be wary of diminishing gains. Whilst the difference between a £300 bike and a £1,000 bike will feel significant, don't expect to experience the same performance benefit between, say, a £3,000 and £10,000 bike.

It's also worth thinking about your priorities. If you're new to the sport, the road bike alone doesn't account for all the expenses you'll encounter. You will also need to invest in a helmet, clothing, shoes, pedals and possibly a cycling computer and at the bare minimum, some sort of puncture repair kit.

Your bike will also need maintenance. If you don't yet know how to do it yourself, you will pay for the service but also for the parts and the more expensive the components on your bike the more you will spend on each cassette and chain. So sometimes the lower-end components are actually saving you even more money in the long run, especially if you regularly log in lots of winter miles. 

faq-icon
What type of road bike should I buy?

There's a vast array of styles of road bikes to suit a plethora of riders and roads. The first step is to identify what you like about riding your bike. 

Are you looking to become an out-and-out racer and the next Tadej Pogacar or Demi Vollering? If yes, then you probably want a race-ready bike. Next, you can think how mountainous are the roads where you live/will be riding; sprinters and speed freaks will want to check out the best aero road bikes on the market whilst those looking to conquer cols might prefer one of the best lightweight road bikes.

Many of us, however, simply don't put in enough hours on the bike to benefit from the super aggressive position and twitchy/fast handling of machines designed for out-and-out racing. One of the best endurance road bikes is what the vast majority of us should be riding thanks to their more stable handling characteristics and more relaxed geometry such as a higher front end which will most likely result in greater comfort on long rides such as sportives.

And if you're bad at making decisions, an all-road bike might be for you. This newest category of road bikes is, as the name suggests, aimed at doing well on all surfaces. These bikes don't come without compromises but if you think you'd like to do a bit of gravel and road riding, then an all-road bike is a great option as by simply changing your tyres and/or wheels, you can ride almost anywhere. 

faq-icon
Do I need a road bike?

If you’re planning to ride solely on the road, then it’s a no-brainer – go for a road bike, they're by far the most efficient way of cycling, meaning that you can travel further with less effort thanks to aerodynamics and low rolling resistance. 

Then again, if your main journey is from home to the office, you might be better off choosing a commuting bike for your needs. This could be a hybrid (usually with flat bars and chunkier tyres), a folding bike for easy carrying and storage, or an electric bike for some pedalling assistance so you arrive at the office less sweaty. Road bikes are also fine for commuting, and offer the advantage of being perfect for longer rides if you fancy riding beyond your commute; at the weekend, for example.

You may have also seen the rise in the popularity of gravel bikes, and as the name suggests these are steeds that can also be taken off-road thanks to a more upright/relaxed position, wider gearing and wider tyre clearances. If on-road speed isn't a priority and you fancy venturing... onto the beaten track, then one of these might be a better bet. You can, of course, keep a set of road wheels to put on it too for extra speed on the tarmac.

faq-icon
What groupset is best?

A groupset is the collection of parts that make up a bicycle’s drivetrain. The components include the shifters, crankset, bottom bracket, front and rear derailleurs, chain and a cassette. It can often also include brakes, whether these be hydraulic disc brakes, mechanical disc brakes or rim brakes. 

Often, the increase in a bike’s price as you go through a brand’s range is heavily down to the quality of the groupset. In many cases, the frame is exactly the same! At the top end, you’ll find 12-speed groupsets, such as Shimano Dura-Ace R9200, Sram Red eTap AXS and Campagnolo Super Record Wireless, all of which feature electronic shifting. Electronic gearing has been a thing for quite a while now, and as such has trickled down into lower groupsets from the big players such as Sram Apex XLPR AXS and Shimano 105 Di2.

At the entry level, you'll tend to find groupsets that are weightier, feature fewer gears and with less sophisticated and cable-operated gear actuation. Even the lower-tier groupsets are great nowadays, though, so you should not rule them out. If your budget allows and you're running disc brakes then we do recommend opting for hydraulic rather than mechanical in this area. Shimano Claris R2400 (that will soon be replaced with the interchangeable Shimano CUES range) is a good example of one of our favourite entry-level groupsets, and it features eight gears at the back.  

Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo are the three major road-bike groupset manufacturers. You can read more about them in our Shimano groupsetSram groupset and Campagnolo groupset guides.  

faq-icon
What are the best upgrades I can make to my road bike?

Beyond groupsets, which we've mentioned above, the biggest upgrade that you can make is purchasing a set of the best road bike wheels. Swapping out the stock wheelset can save a huge amount of weight and significantly impact the ride feel. If you're after performance then you might want to consider carbon wheels, which can also feature deeper rims for an aerodynamic boost.

Other popular upgrades include saddles, as they're a very personal choice and can vastly improve comfort on the bike by picking the perfect one for you (you can check out our best cycling saddle buyer's guide to see some of your options). There are also some relatively inexpensive upgrades that you can make which can still have a big effect on your riding enjoyment. Changing your tyres or even going for plusher bar tape, to give two examples can boost confidence, grip and speed.

faq-icon
What frame material should my road bike be?

Road bikes are generally made out of carbon fibre, aluminium, steel or titanium. Which one is the best for you depends again on your riding preferences and also your budget.

Aluminium is the most affordable bike frame material, but it doesn't often offer the best ride quality as the material is not very good at absorbing road vibrations. Apart from a few racier aluminium bikes, this material also makes the frame quite heavy, which doesn't lend itself well to climbing. Aluminium frames can, however, take some dents to it without compromising the whole bike's safety which is a pro if you for example ride on gravel, commute or tour on your bike. 

Carbon is the most common material in the pro peloton, and for anyone who wants a reactive, lightweight, snappy and fast bike. Carbon bikes are great at smoothening your ride because the road vibrations get dampened by the frame, and at the same time the material remains stiff for quick accelerations. The biggest negative associated with fibre is that it gets damaged if you crash your bike, and that damage is sometimes impossible to see by the human eye. This means that in case you had a little tumble, your bike might actually be unsafe to ride and fixing carbon fibre - although possible - is quite costly. 

Steel is renowned for its excellent ride quality; it's akin to that of carbon but often referred to as "smooth". Steel is also easy to fix and you can make it quite lightweight, but the highest quality steel tubing can cost you well more than a carbon fibre bike would. 

Titanium is the newest frame material and is increasingly popular among those who are after a bike for life. Titanium is much more difficult to weld than steel (it needs a very sterile environment) and it's naturally non-corrosive, meaning it'll never rust. It's not as easy to fix as steel or aluminium, but at the same time titanium is incredibly hardy and you can for example simply buff off any scratches from the frame. If you want a boldly coloured bike, then titanium isn't the best because it can't take paint - but the raw titanium finish is very sleek, though. 

Suvi joined F-At in 2022, first writing for off-road.cc. She's since joined the tech hub, and contributes to all of the sites covering tech news, features, reviews and women's cycling content. Lover of long-distance cycling, Suvi is easily convinced to join any rides and events that cover over 100km, and ideally, plenty of cake and coffee stops. 

Add new comment

8 comments

Avatar
Surreyrider | 4 days ago
0 likes

Road CC puts the Orro in the best bike category, Mapdec (Cycle Works) puts it in the bin (for the poor quality frame). Who to believe? Strange having the Lauf (with the fugly seat tube) as the best endurance bike when the new Defy rides very high in the superbike list.

Avatar
Steve K | 1 week ago
1 like

In terms of value titanium bike, the Ribble Endurance Ti Sport (with 12 speed mechanical 105) is currently on sale at £2k - https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-endurance-ti-disc-105-r7100/ 

Which is less than paid for the 11 speed version three years ago.  Lovely bike, though.

Avatar
Ride On | 1 week ago
2 likes

I don't think I want my carbon frame to be "snappy" 😬

Avatar
cyclisto | 1 week ago
0 likes

I cannot understand how people allow themselves to pay such huge prices for bikes when the cheapest Boardman presented here seems like a really really good bike. A smooth welded frame with a carbon tapered fork, disc brakes and 2024 Tiagra would make a dream bike for me. Yes it is heavy, but I guess it will be able take more punishment than other lighter proposals here.

I have great respect for Specialized for the research they put when designing products, but 12K seems crazy to me for a mass produced 7kg item with limited electronics.

Avatar
Velophaart_95 | 1 week ago
1 like

I'd go for the Strael, and with two fits for each size, there's more chance of finding an excellent fit.

Avatar
Secret_squirrel | 1 year ago
3 likes

Having owned a Strael I'd love to ride some of these bikes back to back.  Maybe the Strael, the Definition/Resolution and the Kinesis and my Gradient in place of the Van Nicolas.  Not the fugly Specialised though.  Those welds only a mother could love.

Avatar
JOHN5880 | 1 year ago
6 likes

I ordered a Strael 3.0 with 12 speed Ultegra di2 a few months back, having been convinced by all the rave reviews across the board.  I received the bike a few weeks ago and have to say after a few hundred miles of riding, it's an awesome bike and (enhanced by the GBP/USD exchange) a fantastic value.  Coming from carbon bikes (S-Works Roubaix, Boardman SLS 9.2) and only having experience with much lower end steel previously, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect.

If it gives up anything in outright performance, it's very minimal.  Power transfer is super solid, even in an all out sprint.  It's stable while still being very nimble and able to dive into corners.  As a non-racer who doesn't need the smallest of marginal gains from a carbon race machine, this bike really gets so many things just right and makes me want to ride.  It's beautifully designed and built with everything from the CNC parts to the paint quality being beautifully done. I find it compares very favorable against top carbon endurance bikes, and worthy of praise beyond just the steel category.  

Avatar
Boofus replied to JOHN5880 | 1 year ago
3 likes

Mine arrived recently too. Have to say it's the most comfortable bike I've ever owned - it just feels so right mile after mile. Perfect amount of feedback form the road, and I never feel like I don't know what it's doing. Not as light as my carbon summer bike but don't seem to notice and it rides with so much character. Early days but quietly excited it might be the best bike I've ever owned.