Looking at 5 of the best road bikes under $1,500, there’s still going to be a bit of give and take, but there are also lots of great options here, and quite a few of them quite frankly offer exceptional performance. This is usually the price range where you start to get all-around great packages that you could feasibly take into a race. Overall, the bikes on here are a lot of fun and pack quite a punch.
Our picks for 5 of the best road bikes under $1,500
The above links will take you to eBay & Amazon, where you can check prices and see some similar bikes.
What should you look for in the $1,500 price range?
The Top 5 Road Bikes Under 1500 Dollars Compared
Our list of best road bikes under 1500 dollars includes a comparison of 54cm bikes, except for the Giant Defy 2 Disc, for which we used the Large (L) 53.5cm bike. In keeping the sizes of the bikes similar, we can compare their geometries and features more precisely, allowing you to determine which road bike might be your best option.
Effective Top Tube Length
The top tube of the Defy 2 is significantly longer than the other bikes, which are right around the same length. This shouldn’t be a huge surprise, since these bikes are usually best suited for taller riders. The other top tubes are similar.
Chainstay Length
The average chainstay length of road bikes is between 405 and 410mm, which all of these bikes have except for the Giant Defy 2 Disc, which has a length of 420mm. This length is unique for a road bike, as you’ll more often see longer chainstays on mountain bikes that need to trek uphill frequently. This longer chainstay may not make the bike quite as agile as the others, but it’s also typical for a Giant bike’s geometry.
Wheelbase
Again, the Giant Defy 2 Disc is entirely different than the other bikes in our roundup in its wheelbase length, which is 1022mm. Both the Allez and the Fuji Roubaix have relatively short wheelbases that over around 97mm, making them the more agile bikes of the pack.
Stack / Reach
Stack
Reach
We can see here that the bikes are somewhat similar in their stack and reach measurements, except that the Giant Defy 2 has a significantly longer stack than the others (characteristic of Giant bikes). This puts the rider in a more bent-over, aerodynamic position than the other bikes.
The shortest stack in the group belongs to the Ridley Fenix Alloy 105, putting the rider in the most upright position of the bikes.
Weight
Aluminum tends to be a little heavier than carbon. So, it makes sense that these bikes, all of which use aluminum frames, are on the heavier side for road bikes, although the weights here are nothing to be ashamed of either. The Fuji Roubaix 1.1 is the lightest of the bunch, boasting an aluminum frame that uses less material than others to keep it as lightweight as possible. The Emonda ALR 5 is also relatively light, weighing in at an impressive 18.67lbs.
Specialized Allez DSW Elite review
For this price point, you’ll likely be pleased with the amount of power, cornering ability, and strength you get from this bike. This bike is a more affordable version of the professional Specialized Tarmac, but you’ll get much of the same excellent handling as you would from the more expensive counterpart.
- Groupset
- Wheelset
The Allez DSW Elite uses a Specialized E5 Premium Aluminum with D'Aluisio Smartweld Technology.
Specialized made this bike for aggressive riders, and the aluminum frame with DSW technology meets that need. The DSW technology welds the frame in places of low stress to improve the overall stiffness and strength of the frame.
While the setup is generally good here, everything comes together in a package that weighs a bit more than others on this list. Still, the nice, stiff frame makes up for it a bit.
Pros
Cons
The big draw here is just the performance similarity between the Allez DSW Elite and Specialized's higher-end models, like the Tarmac. The downside (a trend you might notice in this list) is the wheelset, which is fine but would is definitely one of the things we'd upgrade first.
Expert Opinions
“The main upgrade here from our previous Allez at the base and sport price points are that, here, we start to use the D’Aluisio Smartweld technique. That’s mainly related to the head tube area and the joints of the top tube to the down tube as well and that effectively stiffens up the whole front end, so our tracking and our cornering ability is enhanced.” – David Alexander, JE James Cycles
Trek Emonda ALR 5
The Emonda ALR 5 is one of Trek’s mid-range bikes, and most of the time, you can find it just under our maximum price today. It features a superbly engineered frame that seems to represent Trek’s attempt at approximating the performance of a carbon fiber with an aluminium bike, using raw engineering willpower. In our view, it gives you one of the best bangs for your buck on the list.
- Groupset
- Wheelset
The Emonda ALR 5 uses a an Ultralight 300 Series Alpha Aluminum frame.
This is an aluminum frame (Trek calls it an “advanced aluminum” frame) designed to achieve a good balance of stiffness and weight, which an sometimes be tough for aluminum frames. Trek uses hydroforming to create these tubes, a process where they essentially fill round tubes with pressurized water inside a mold to create the tube shape, which allows them to mold aluminum frames “to their current limit” as well as to create more precise welds with less welding material. Trek likes this system because it supposedly gives them a weight advantage over competitors in the same class.
All in all, it shouldn’t be any surprise that Trek makes a great frame, and it’s a particularly solid frame at this price point.
This bike also features Trek’s H2 geometry, which is slightly less aggressive than their ultra-serious H1 geometry. Lots of people seem to love this fit, and it’s great geometry for most amateur riders (lots of triathletes apparently like it as well)
Pros
Cons
The big draw of this bike is the frame. Trek goes out of their way to bridge the gap between aluminum and carbon with some creative metalurgy, using tappered tubes and vairable tube widths to create a pretty interested riding experience. Is it carbon? No. Can it do some really fun stuff at a considerably lower price point? Yes.
Expert Opinions
“The ALR 5 is a hard-to-beat performance value package.” - Durianrider
“If you’re looking for an entry-level race bike… if you’re looking for a bike that’s comparable to carbon… this is the bike… Everything works on this bike.” - David Vega
Fuji Roubaix 1.1 Review
Fuji’s purpose for the Roubaix 1.1 was to create an aluminum-framed bike that was one of the lightest on the market without sacrificing the bike’s durability and responsiveness. This bike is the lightest one in our roundup, thanks to its frame technology that uses less material than most aluminum frames.
This bike has a typical racing geometry that improves its agility and comfort on the road. The Fuji offers somewhat of a mixed-bag of components that both lend to its weight and performance, but may not be ideal for those who like the look of having matching groupsets regarding looks and reliability.
- Groupset
- Wheelset
The Fuji Roubaix 1.1 Road Bike uses an A6-SL super-butted 6066 aluminum frame.
The A6-SL super-butted 6066 aluminum frame is Fuji's way of keeping the bike as light as possible while maintaining its strength and responsiveness. The frame is a step up from the company's lower-budget aluminum frames, using less material in areas where stress isn't usually a factor and butting the frame in areas where it needs it most, like the front fork and tubes, to improve its stiffness and strength.
While the Fuji is awesome for a lot of reasons, one of the areas it doesn't necessarily compete as well is in the groupset, which would be just slightly better (we think) if it were a full Shimano groupset, but, hey, you can't always have it all.
Pros
Cons
Noticing a pattern? Aweosme bike, sub-optimal wheelset. But that's usually fine for most riders, and you can always replace them. The huge selling point for Fuji is the weight, which is impressive and makes up for the slight compromises in the groupset.
Expert Opinions
“I love riding it. I've got almost 1,000 base miles on it already on the same tires, and I can’t say enough about these Vittoria clinchers.” – David Vega
Ridley Fenix Alloy 105 Review
The Ridley Fenix Allow 105 is a bike for aggressive racers who want bent-over positioning and a compact, aerodynamic geometry that’s still powerful enough for top speeds and hill climbs. This bike also excels at absorbing shock and creating a comfortable ride for endurance cyclists, thanks to its diamond shape frame.
- Groupset
- Wheelset
The Ridley Fenix Alloy 105 uses a Fenix A, Triple Butted Hydroformed 6061-T6 Aluminum frame.
The Ridley has a triple butted aluminum frame that relieves extra pressure from the frame's joints to create an overall stiffer frame. The Fenix is also known for its diamond shape frame, giving it a geometry that absorbs impact from small and large road bumps, making it an excellent frame for those who ride long distances on harsh road surfaces.
The diamond frame is a good all-around frame that provides a solid combination of stiffness and shock absorption. The groupset is also good, and the only non-Shimano component here is the brakes, which are good in their own right, making this a great package overall.
