Our top 5 best road bikes for beginners

Aug 5, 2024 11 min

Beginner road bike... You have not ridden one yet, but would you love to try it? Then you are in the right place. Today, we introduce 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 starting, you can easily choose a more affordable model. Here are our top 5 entry-level road bikes!

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What is the best beginner road bike?

A beginner road bike can take you far. Whether planning 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), you should know a few key points. Here are some of them:

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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 absorb shocks and bumps better and 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

Regarding 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're planning a mountain ride, you should opt for gearing with enough "easy" gears. A common standard is a compact crankset with 50/34 chain rings and a cassette with 30-34 teeth.

Now that you know some key features of a good road bike, let's explore our five favorite models.

Explore available road bikes on buycycle.

Best beginner road bike: Our top 5

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.

Feature	Details
Price	$767.00 to $933.00
Frame Material	Aluminum
Weight	23.1 lbs for size M
Fork	Triban Evo fork made of carbon-aluminum
Derailleur	Shimano Sora R3000 9-speed derailleur with long cage
Gear Ratio	Front: 50/34
Brakes	Promax DSK-300R disc brakes
Wheelset	Triban Tubeless Ready 622x17c wheels, Triban Resist 28-622 tires
Tire Clearance	Up to 36 mm
Wheelbase	1014.5 mm for size M
Geometry	Long-distance, commuting
Additional Components	Mounting options for racks and fenders, pedals included

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 road biking easier, the Triban RC500 allows 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 for comfort and long-distance rides. It features a tailored slope for a smoother experience, and the saddle has a “hammock construction” for added comfort.

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

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Check out the Triban bikes on buycycle.

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. ? This bike excels in all these areas: handling, speed, and durability

Feature	Details
Price	$1,388
Frame Material	Aluminum
Weight	Approximately 22 lbs
Fork	Full carbon
Groupset	Shimano Tiagra 10-speed shifting / FSA Omega crankset
Gear Ratio	FSA Omega ME Alloy compact crankset with 50/34 chainrings and a gear range of 11-32
Brakes	Rim brakes, Promax RC-476 dual-pivot calipers
Wheelset	Vittoria Zaffiro 700x25c tires and RS 3.0 wheels, 24 spokes front, 28 spokes rear
Wheelbase	39.1 inches for the 54 cm model
Geometry	Racing, speed, performance
Saddle	Cannondale Stage CX
Additional Components	Mudguard mounts on frame and fork, tapered head tube

Great frame: The SmartForm C2 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 can pick up the pace.

Discover our selection of Cannondale road bikes at buycycle now!

A true all-rounder: Giant Contend 0 2023

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

Feature	Details
Price	$1,484
Frame Material	AluxX frame
Weight	20.3 lbs
Fork	Advanced full carbon fork, OD1 steerer tube
Groupset	Shimano 105, 11-speed
Crankset	Shimano RS510, 50/34T chainrings
Brakes	Tektro TK-B178 rim brakes
Wheelset	GIANT S-R3-AC, 700x25c tires, GIANT P-R2, tubeless-ready rims
Tire Clearance	Up to 30 mm
Wheelbase	39 inches for size M
Geometry	Road, all-rounder
Saddle	Giant Approach
Additional Components	Tubeless-ready rims

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 among the lightest in our top 5. Typically, budget-friendly, entry-level road bikes weigh at least 22 lbs!
Full control: With its 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, the Giant Contend O is a lightweight, entry-level model well-suited for the road and easy to handle. It makes it simple to increase your speed, cover longer distances, and gain more experience.

Here are the Giant bikes available for sale.

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.

Feature	Details
Price	$1,388
Frame Material	Aluminum
Weight	23.1 lbs
Fork	Speedster HMF Disc, 1 1/4"-1 1/2" eccentric carbon steerer
Derailleur	Shimano Sora RD-R3000-GS, 18-speed
Cassette	Shimano CS-HG400, 9-speed, 11-32T
Brakes	Tektro MD-C511, mechanical disc brakes
Wheelset	Syncros Race 24 28 front / 28 rear rims, Schwalbe Lugano 700x32C tires
Wheelbase	40 inches for size M/54
Geometry	Long distances, speed
Saddle	Syncros Tofino Regular 2.5

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 pushing hard, the Speedster's HMF Carbon fork with eccentric steerer provides excellent steering response and surprising stability.
Effortless rolling: 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 tremendous entry-level road bike for both women and men. By the way, this model’s gravel version is also available!

Here are the Scott Speedster's bikes available for sale.

Last but not least: Trek Domane AL 2 Rim

The Trek Domane AL 2 Rim, priced at just $855, is incredibly affordable and 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 is both lightweight and stable.

Feature	Details
Price	$855
Frame Material	Aluminum
Weight	21.1 lbs for 56 cm size
Derailleur	Shimano Claris R2000, medium cage, max. 34 teeth on largest cog
Cassette	Shimano HG31, CS-HG31, 11-32, 8-speed
Brakes	Aluminum rim brakes, dual pivot
Wheelset	Tubeless-ready Bontrager rims, Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite tires with 60 TPI, 700 x 28 mm
Tire Clearance	28 mm without fenders, 25 mm with fenders
Wheelbase	40 inches for 56 cm size
Geometry	Endurance, comfort, and speed, but less aggressive
Saddle	Bontrager Verse Comp
Additional Features	DuoTrap S compatibility for wireless ride tracking

Great value: Although the Trek Domane AL 2 is budget-friendly, it features 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.

Here are the Trek bikes available for sale at buycycle.

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 suits beginners. Our top 5 road bikes can also be found 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. Look now and find the perfect companion for your first road biking adventure!

Browse our selection of road bikes at buycycle now!

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