Best beginner road bike: Our top 5 best road bikes for beginners

Beginner road bike... You have not ridden one yet, but you'd love to give it a try? Then you are in the right place. Today, we are introducing you to 5 great road bikes for beginners that impress with their price, looks, and performance. And no, a road bike does not have to cost at least $2,000! If you are just starting out, you can easily go for a more affordable model. Here are our top 5 entry-level road bikes!

What is the best beginner road bike?

A beginner road bike can take you far. Whether you are planning simple short rides or getting into bikepacking, you can start with a beginner road bike. Still wondering which bike is right for you? When buying a road bike for beginners (whether women’s or unisex), there are a few key points you should know. Here are some of them:

Comfortable riding position and easy handling

A beginner road bike is often designed with less aggressive handling and a more upright riding position, making it suitable even for complete beginners.

Wider tires for added comfort

This also applies to the tires. They are often between 28 and 32 millimeters wide to better absorb shocks and bumps, and they are usually tubeless-ready. This means your tires do not need an inner tube, are less prone to flats, and reduce vibrations. We also have a guide to help you find the road bike that suits you best.

A beginner road bike: The “perfect” geometry

When it comes to geometry, you should look for a longer wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear axle). This increases stability, though it might slightly reduce agility.

Do you prefer hilly terrain? If you are planning a mountain ride, you should opt for gearing with enough "easy" gears. A common standard is a compact crankset with 50/34 chainrings and a cassette with 30-34 teeth.

Now that you know some key features of a good road bike, let us dive right into our five favorite models.

Best beginner road bike: Our top 5

• Best Value: Triban RC500 by Decathlon
• Top Performance: Cannondale CAAD Optimo 2
• A True All-Rounder: Giant Contend 0 2023
• Light and Easy: Scott Speedster 30
• Last but Not Least: Trek Domane AL 2 Rim

Best value: Triban RC500 by Decathlon

The first bike on our list is also the most affordable—the Triban RC500 by Decathlon, available for an unbeatable $767.00! It is the second of four drop-bar bikes from Triban, Decathlon’s in-house brand. According to the manufacturer, this road bike is designed to remain comfortable even on long rides.

• Fantastic price: The Triban RC500 from Decathlon is priced at just $767 and offers excellent value for money. The combination of components and geometry at this price is hard to find elsewhere.
• Tire freedom: To make your entry into the world of road biking easier, the Triban RC500 allows for tires up to 36 mm wide. This is especially comfortable for beginners.
• Tubeless ready: Even though it’s rare to find this feature on such an affordable model, the wheels are tubeless-ready. However, you will need to purchase the conversion kit separately.
• Tour-ready: The geometry of the Triban RC500 is designed with comfort and long-distance rides in mind, featuring a tailored slope for a smoother experience. Additionally, the saddle is designed with a “hammock construction” for added comfort.

The Triban RC500 proves that affordable doesn’t always mean poor quality. With this entry-level road bike, you can comfortably start a longer ride or commute regularly. It’s particularly worthwhile for those looking to try road biking without immediately investing thousands of dollars.

Best performance: Cannondale CAAD Optimo 2

The next road bike on our list is the Cannondale CAAD Optimo 2 – an ideal entry-level bike that is not overly expensive yet delivers impressive performance. Handling, speed, and durability? This bike excels in all these areas.

• Great frame: The SmartForm C2 frame from Cannondale is surprisingly lightweight and stiff thanks to its optimized aluminum construction.
• Easy shifting: If you want to change gears quickly and effortlessly, you'll love the Shimano Tiagra GS groupset. It's also very ergonomic, making it suitable for long rides.
• Optimized road bike geometry: The frame geometry is influenced by the award-winning CAAD13 model, offering true road bike handling with an optimal riding position.

Overall, this road bike, with its full carbon fork and aluminum frame, weighs about 22 lbs in size M – similar to the other models on our list. With this bike, you will definitely be able to pick up the pace.

A true all-rounder: Giant Contend 0 2023

The Giant Contend 0 2023, priced around $1,484, has a lot to offer. This versatile aluminum road bike rides smoothly and quickly. It's also well-suited for longer tours and is a true all-rounder!

• Street all-rounder: The Giant Contend 0 offers a well-balanced geometry, making it particularly suited for the road. The frame improves your riding position, allowing you to navigate corners with agility while maintaining good acceleration.
• Lightweight: At just 20.3 lbs, the Giant Contend 0 is one of the lightest in our top 5. Typically, budget-friendly entry-level road bikes weigh at least 22 lbs!
• Full control: With its very stiff frame and comfortable D-Fuse components, you can always rely on secure and balanced handling.
• Smooth rides: The innovative D-Fuse seatpost design effectively absorbs bumps and vibrations on the road. The GIANT WheelSystem allows you to use tubeless tires up to 30c wide, enhancing riding comfort and reducing the likelihood of flats.

In summary: With the Giant Contend 0, you get an entry-level model that’s lightweight, well-suited for the road, and easy to handle. It makes it simple to increase your speed, cover longer distances, and gain more experience

Light and easy: Scott Speedster 30

The Scott Speedster 30 is an affordable and easy-to-ride aluminum road bike. With this entry-level bike priced at $1,388, you can comfortably tackle long distances. Plus, it looks great! Curious? Check out the specs.

• True endurance: The Scott Speedster 30 features a frame made from 6061 D.Butted Alloy, offering a balance of lightness and durability. The geometry is designed for endurance, making long rides more comfortable.
• Easy steering: Even when you’re pushing hard, the Speedster's HMF Carbon fork with eccentric steerer provides excellent steering response and surprising stability.
• Effortless rolling: Whether on bike paths, cobblestones, or light gravel, the Syncros Race 24 rims combined with Schwalbe Lugano tires ensure reliable grip and smooth rolling performance.

The Scott Speedster 30 makes your ride easier, no doubt about it. Long distances, varied surfaces, and speed – all handled effortlessly by this great entry-level road bike for both women and men. By the way, there’s also a gravel version of this model available!

Last but not least: Trek Domane AL 2 Rim

The Trek Domane AL 2 Rim, priced at just $855, is not only incredibly affordable but also the perfect entry-level model if you prefer a comfortable ride and want to gain initial experience with a solid road bike. This bike allows you to attach various accessories, and it’s both lightweight and stable.

• Great value: Even though the Trek Domane AL 2 is budget-friendly, it comes with a sturdy aluminum frame, a carbon fork, and various mounting options—features that are almost unique in this price range.
• Pure comfort: Worried about arm discomfort on long rides? No need to worry! The IsoSpeed carbon fork has a slight forward bend at the dropouts, effectively absorbing road vibrations.
• Fantastic features: The stem is Blendr-compatible, a user-friendly technology from Bontrager that allows you to mount your gear on the stem without compromising the bike’s aesthetics.

We believe the Trek Domane AL 2 is an excellent choice if you're new to road cycling and want a high-quality bike that you'll enjoy for years to come.

So, have you found your perfect entry-level road bike yet?

We hope this overview has given you a better idea of which road bike is suitable for beginners. You can also find our top 5 road bikes second-hand and at much lower prices on buycycle.com.

Of course, you don’t have to buy one of the models featured in this blog post. We have many other great road bikes for beginners! Each model series offers various options, typically with the same core features as the bikes on our list. Take a look now and find the perfect companion for your first road biking adventure!