5 of the Best Budget Road Bikes (under $1,000)

The Century 1 105  uses a 7005 Series Alloy Enhanced Performance Geometry (EPG) frame.

This alloy frame is something that you’d find on a much more expensive bike because of its lightness and relative ability to flex under pressure, yet here it is on the Diamondback. This frame will be durable, help reduce fatigue, and should shield your body from some of the harder shocks of the asphalt.

This bike uses Shimano FC-RS500 Compact 50/34T cranks in addition to Shimano 105 ST-5800 shifters. It also uses a Shimano 105 CS-5800 Cassette and a KMC X11L 11 speed chain.

These Shimano components are budget options, but they’ll still let you smoothly shift gears and reach the proper differential that you’re looking for. The double crankset will make most operations easier, and the number of sprockets on the cassette is hard to beat on a budget bike. These components may not last very long, but they’ll work perfectly well in the meantime.

The Century 1 uses a Michelin Dynamic Sport 700x28c wheelset. 

This wheelset is relatively high quality, and will give you good traction on the road while maintaining the efficiency of your pedaling. You probably won’t need to replace your tires if you purchase the Century 1, and doing so is easy if necessary.

The Raleigh Merit 2 uses a AL-6061 double-butted alloy disc frame with Thru-Axles.

This alloy frame leaves the Merit 2 relatively light and with enough flex to protect you from the minor bumps along long journeys on the roads. Sticking to smoother roads is probably advisable with the Merit 2 for reasons which we’ll discuss shortly in our examination of the groupset.

This bike uses compact 34/50t cranks in addition to a Shimano 8spd (11-32t) 11-speed 11-32T cogset and a KMC Z82 chain.

The dual crankshaft is compact, making  repair and maintenance more difficult and provides you with many opportunities to have trouble while shifting gears. Likewise, the other Shimano components of the groupset are far from high quality, and will likely need repair.

The exception is the chain, which should last you longer than most of the other components within the drivetrain thanks to how little stress it undergoes throughout the rotation process.

The Merit uses a Clement Strada LGG 60TPI 700x28c wheelset.

This wheelset is relatively solid when it comes to puncture resistance; they sport a belt under their tread that defends the tube inside, which is normally very delicate. The textured center-tread with Clement chevron side-tread pattern offers serviceable grip in both wet and dry conditions, and their lightweight construction make the bike more maneuverable overall.

This bike uses a SmartForm C2 alloy frame.

This alloy frame is built to withstand additional shocks that would percolate into the saddle, which adds a bit of weight but also a lot of fatigue reduction which you’ll appreciate if you use the bike for a long commute or a long ride.

The frame itself is durable, offers good controllability via the handlebars, and isn’t so heavy that you’ll struggle or so light that you’ll have trouble picking up speed downhill.

The Synapse AL Sora uses FSA Vero 50/34 cranks in addition to Shimano Sora shifters. It also uses Shimano HG-50 11-32 9-speed cogset and a KMC Z99 9-speed chain.

The Cannondale Synapse AL Sora Bike’s groupset is geared toward the budget and non-racing audience that still wants a road bike that can perform better than average. The crankshaft, cogset, and chain guarantee that you won’t feel any discomfort while shifting gears, freeing you from the anxiety that often accompanies budget bikes’ groupsets.

The weakest part of the Cannondale Synapse AL Sora Bike’s groupset are its Shimano Sora shifters, which are notoriously unreliable. You may need to replace them or repair them with extended use.

This bike uses a Schwalbe Lugano 700x25c wheelset. 

We’ve seen this same wheelset used in other bikes discussed in our reviews, and in general, this wheelset is not a winner. The Schwalbe Lugano wheels are going to break easily while not provide you with the bad weather traction that you might want from your wheels, but should be okay for extended city riding and commuting.

The Allez E5 uses a specialized E5 aluminum frame with smooth welds.

The aluminum frame does a lot to bring down this bike’s price point, making it more affordable as an entry level for beginner bikers. It’s stiffer than steel, which allows for better transfer of power when riding, and the bike’s bearing frame makes the ride much smoother than in other aluminum frames.

The Allez E5 uses a Shimano Claris 50/34T in addition to Shimano Claris 2400 STI shift levers. It also uses a Sunrace 8-speed 11-32t cassette.

The Allez E5 groupset offers a high-quality combination of impressive shifting and reliable braking. While the Shimano Claris is far from top of the line, you will find it provides a workmanlike, entry-level cycling experience, with intuitive dual control shifting and a solid range of gear options to make your ride as flexible as possible.

The Allez E5 uses a Specialized Espoir Sport 700x25mm wheelset. 

Unique to the bikes that we’ve discussed so far, this wheelset is overpowered rather than an afterthought given the price range. These wheels will last a long time, provide superior traction, and stay intact when you need them most.

The Giant Defy 3 uses an ALUXX grade aluminum frame.

This means that the Giant Defy 3 uses their own proprietary aluminum construction, making for a sturdier and stronger bike frame than most other aluminum builds.

This bike uses a SRAM PG950 11x32 9-speed cassette in addition to a Shimano Sora 34/50 crankset. It also uses Shimano Sora shifters and a KMC X9 chain.

The Shimano components in the Defy 3 are budget options. They’re could be considered cheaply made, and might require replacing. Expect shifting gears to be a bit clunky, and expect changing your posture from sitting upright to be less useful than with other bikes.

The size and heaviness of the bike’s frame and its intended use case of long-haul road cycling could mean that you could get a lot of mileage—no pun intended—out of the relatively cheap components.

The Defy 3 uses Giant S-R4 700x25 wheelset. 

These wheels are built for a tank, and are unlikely to be the point of failure in your Defy 3 bike. Though they are likely a bit inefficient, these wheels aren’t about to puncture or slip.