Thanks to trickle-down tech from high-end road bikes, some of today's best budget road bikes deliver performance that far exceeds their price. Many of these budget road bikes inherit the same geometry and serviceable componentry to offer excellent feel, ride experience and longevity.
Since many of the best road bikes are becoming increasingly unaffordable for the average rider, our team set out to find the best budget options that deliver lasting quality. Naturally, some of these options will feature lower-spec road bike groupsets and fewer gears, but the geometry and handling are on par with premium models.
Likewise, the wheels will be lower priced than the best road bike wheels, but you can expect them to be robust and serviceable and you'll usually get quality tyres. A wheel upgrade can often bring a big improvement to your ride.
The Giant Contend AR 3 stood out as the best all-around pick. It offers a quality aluminium frame, carbon fork and a Shimano CUES groupset - a great starter setup with plenty of upgrade potential. You'll also find strong contenders from Specialized, Trek, and Marin, which we've chosen for spec, aesthetics and use-cases. We've also included the Liv Avail AR 3 as a more affordable alternative to some of the best women's road bikes.
Quick list: Best budget road bikes
The Giant Contend is a really solid all-rounder. Comprising an overall package made up of a quality aluminium frame, carbon fork and Shimano CUES groupset. It's serviceable and would suit future upgrades well.
The Liv Avail AR 3 is a female-specific road bike that has been designed by women for women using specific geometry and contact points. It's a good-looking bike that has mechanical disc brakes and a Shimano CUES drivetrain.
The Allez is a popular aluminium framed bike with an excellent ride feel. It's a favourite amongst racers as an affordable, stiff bike that's well-suited to racing.
The Triban RC520 comes loaded up with a great spec. A quality Shimano 105 R7000 groupset is complemented by TRP disc brakes and a range of mudguard and rack mount points.
Trek's Domane is designed to provide a comfortable ride and comes with some nice features. There's a carbon fibre fork, tubeless-ready wheels and plush 32mm tyres.
If you're looking to spice up your road rides with a little gravel, the Marin Gestalt 2 comes equipped with clearance for 35mm tyres and a low-range gravel drivetrain for climbing steep inclines.
Last updated on 20th January 2026 This guide has been updated to ensure all budget road bikes are current as of January 2026. Spec lists and models have been updated, and the formatting has been updated for easy-to-read advice.
Best Budget Road Bikes available today
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Best for all-round riding
✅ You're looking for an affordable quality bike: Giant gives you a lot of bike for the money, with the brand's size allowing it to offer a good frame and spec.
✅ You want a good range of gears: The Shimano CUES offers super reliable shifting and is 11-36t cassette compatible for a wide range of gear options.
❌ You want to ride off road: The Contend has clearance up to 38mm so it's aimed at road plus light gravel riding rather than anything chunkier.
Pretty much everything on the Giant Contend AR 3, other than the groupset and brakes, comes from Giant. That’s no bad thing though, as it’s all good quality stuff. You get a decent set of wheels and 33mm tyres from Giant, along with a D-Fuse alloy seatpost, which Giant says increases comfort by allowing greater flex in desired directions, without sacrificing stiffness in others.
The frame is made from ALUXX-Grade aluminium, with Giant’s iconic compact frame design and a full carbon OverDrive fork. The groupset is Shimano CUES and you get an almost complete package of components – the only non-Shimano substitute is the Tektro MD-C550 mechanical disc brakes.
It also has mounts for mudguards and a rack, extending its usefulness into the winter months or for commuting/touring.
Best women-specific
✅ You want women-specific geometry: Liv designs its bikes for women riders with geometry and contact points tailored to better fit female riders.
✅ You want all-road capability: With its 32mm tyres, the Avail AR can handle lighter off-road duties as well as road riding.
❌ You want to really hit the gravel: The Avail AR is designed for mixed on/off-road riding; you'll probably want a gravel bike with wider tyres for tougher off-road.
While some people are still asking the question, 'can women ride men's bikes?', Liv Cycling just goes ahead and creates high-performing bikes for women's specific needs. Designed by women, engineered by women, and tested by women, using women-only body data, it's fair to say that many women will find the Liv Avail AR 3 an incredibly comfortable road bike on a budget.
Liv's own ALUXX-Grade aluminium frame is a lot more compliant and comfortable than most would expect, while the Advanced-Grade carbon composite fork reduces the overall weight and keeps the front end of the bike light and snappy.
In terms of spec, the Avail AR 3 matches what many of the other bikes in this list have to offer, with Shimano CUES gearing, mechanical Tektro disc brakes, and tubeless-ready wheels.
Best for aspiring racers
✅ You want a versatile bike: Specialized has designed the Allez so that it can be put to a multitude of uses.
✅ You value the extra tyre clearance: While the 30mm tyres fitted are fairly conservative, the option to go out to 35mm means you can have a plusher ride.
❌ You want an aggressive ride position: The Allez is more upright than it was - good for comfort, less so for chasing the lowest racing position.
❌ You want to avoid upgrades: The weakest link in the Allez's spec is the wheels and an upgrade would help bring out the bike's best.
The Allez is Specialized's longest-serving road model, one of the brand's original three bikes, and the latest model includes disc brakes, adding greater control to what is a firm favourite for riders' first 'proper' road bike.
The geometry has been tweaked to be slightly more upright than the outgoing model, as we detailed in our Specialized Allez Sport 2024 review, as well as adding more tyre clearance (up to 35mm), and mounts for permanent mudguards and a pannier rack. The aim seems to have been to make what was a racy bike much more of an all-round package, and the Allez should suit anything from Sunday club runs, through commuting and winter duties, to light touring and everything in between.
The range of Specialized road bikes can be a bit confusing, but we've got a guide to help you navigate it.
Best component specification
✅ You want a high spec for the price: Shimano 105 offers 11-speed shifting, while most bikes at this price offer just eight speeds.
✅ You are looking for good wet-weather braking: The TRP Spyre hybrid brakes are a step up from mechanical disc or rim brakes.
❌ You want to go tubeless: Although the wheels are tubeless-ready, the tyres are not, so you'd need to replace them to set up tubeless.
❌ You want more weatherproof shifting: External cables need more care to keep them shifting well than do fully enclosed cable runs.
It’s pretty rare to see Shimano 105 R7000 on a budget bike, but that’s exactly what the Triban RC 520 Disc offers. And it’s not just a pricey groupset at the expense of everything else either – you get a modern styled frame with dropped seat stays for extra comfort and heaps of tyre clearance (slick tyres up to 36mm will fit).
It’s also got mounts for a rack and mudguards, the wheels can be converted to tubeless, and Decathlon offers a lifetime warranty on the frame, stem and handlebars.
Another interesting spec choice is the TRP HY/RD mechanical actuated hydraulic disc brakes. While most bikes at this price point get rim or mechanical disc brakes, the HY/RD offer a significant improvement in power and control. They do require a little more maintenance and certainly add on some weight but the performance benefit is worth it if you are frequently riding in poor weather conditions.
So what’s the catch? Well, the looks are a little workhorse-like – not bad per se, but just nothing to set your heart fluttering. The externally routed cables also mean you need to be careful with keeping the exposed sections clean and in good condition, to keep everything working smoothly, though this does make for simple maintenance when the time comes.
Best for long distance
✅ You want plenty of mounting points: With rack and mudguard mounts, as well as top tube bag bolts, you can load up the Domane.
✅ You want a good range of sizes: With seven frame sizes from 44 up to 61, almost all riders will find a good fit.
❌ You want gearing down to 1:1: A 1:1 ratio is great for climbing, but the Domane's lowest gear is slightly higher than this.
❌ You want a faster ride: With its all-road pretensions and middling weight, the Domane is more for going long than fast.
Trek is usually considered to make bikes that are on the pricier end of the spectrum, so you might be surprised to see a Trek on this list, especially at this price. The Trek Domane AL 2 packs in plenty of value though, with a nicely finished 100 Series Alpha Aluminium frame and carbon fork.
The groupset is Shimano Claris with Tektro C550 dual-piston mechanical flat mount disc brakes. You get comfortable 32mm tyres and tubeless-ready Bontrager wheels, which is seriously impressive at this price point. There are also eight different size choices, so you can really narrow down the frame size to find the perfect fit.
Trek produces some other options if you suddenly want to expand your budget; head to our guide to Trek road bikes to find out more.
Best all-road
✅ You plan to head off-road: The Shimano GRX groupset gives lots of low-speed grunt for off-road riding.
✅ You are looking for hydraulic disc braking: Most budget road bikes are equipped with rim or mechanical disc brakes, so hydraulic discs are a bonus.
❌ You want higher gears for road riding: With 46x11 being the highest gear, it may slow you down on tarmac.
❌ You want to keep the budget low: The Gestalt 2's posh spec means it's a bit pricier than most bikes here.
Marin Bikes makes some adaptable budget bikes, with the Gestalt 2 offering 35mm tyres, giving the flexibility to head off-road for some light gravel riding. Although the fitted tyres may not have adequate tread for more extreme conditions, they'll let you get the feel for gravel.
It's equipped with 10-speed Shimano GRX gravel gearing, with a lowest gear that's well below 1:1 to help you get up the steepest roads and trails, while stopping power comes from in-series Shimano hydraulic disc brakes. There are mudguard and rack mounts, making the Gestalt 2 a versatile all-season/all-surface option. If the Gestalt 2 blows the budget, the Gestalt 1 or the base model Gestalt lower the spec but comes in less expensive.
How to choose the best budget road bike for you
- What will I use the bike for? For commuting or casual riding, look for a more relaxed riding position. If you're an aspiring racer, look for semi-aero frames and a lower, more stretched-out riding position.
- What frame material should I choose? Aluminium frames occupy the lower end of the market and are generally heavier than carbon but lighter than steel.
- What type of brakes should I get? Hydraulic disc brakes are the gold standard and can sometimes be found on higher-end budget bikes. In general though, most budget bikes will come with mechanical disc brakes.
- What should I prioritise? Decide what's most important based on the type of riding you plan to do. Look for solid frame and groupset first as wheels and tyres can be upgraded later relatively affordably.
- What gearing do I need? 9-speed groupsets are common at this price point which are generally fine for most riders. Look for wider range cassettes to make climbing easier.
Everything you need to know about the best budget road bikes
If you're looking for a lower-priced road bike, that doesn't need to limit your options. Most brands will strive to offer an entry-level road bike that has a quality spec for those just getting started with road cycling or who want a budget road bike for commuting duties and who maybe have a more expensive machine already.
Here's the lowdown on everything you need to think about when looking for the best budget road bike.
What is considered a budget road bike?
A budget road bike typically costs under £1,000/$1,200. Obviously, 'budget' is relative to different incomes but we think below the £1,000/$1,200 mark is a solid ballpark figure.
Typically, these bikes have an aluminium frames and entry-level groupsets while still offering quality geometry, upgradeable components and solid performance for recreational riders and commuters.
How much should I spend on a road bike?
If you pick a number, it's pretty likely you can find a bike for that price, be it £20,000 or £20. The £1,000/$1,000 price point is, in our opinion, where you can start to find really high-quality machines that will be reliable as well as able to give you a real performance boost.
There's been significant bike price inflation over the last few years though, so if you can afford it, it's worth looking a bit over this price threshold. The good news though is that the best low-priced bikes now increasingly come with features like disc brakes, internal cable routing and quality finishing kit.
Can beginners use road bikes?
We understand that drop bars, skinny tyres and clip-in pedals can be daunting for some riders, but if you can ride a bike then you can definitely ride a road bike. Getting used to the differences happens pretty swiftly, and if you're worried about clip-in pedals, then start off with some of the best flat pedals until you're confident enough to make the switch.
Tyres on road bikes have got a lot wider too over the last few years, and many bikes will have tyres that are 28mm wide or more. That offers more grip and a more comfortable ride, as the extra width lets you lower your tyre pressure.
What frame material do I need?
Carbon fibre reigns supreme at the top end of the performance pyramid, whereas aluminium framesets tend to occupy the lower end. There's nothing intrinsically worse about aluminium as a material, however, so don't be put off in this regard - we even have a guide to the best aluminium road bikes that clearly shows they can mix it with the best.
Aluminium bikes will generally be heavier than carbon, but lighter than steel. For an entry-level bike they make perfect sense as they're less fragile than their carbon siblings, but won't rust like those made of steel, so you can get a decent level of performance whilst still being able to leave it locked up outside if you need to.
We wouldn't recommend cheap carbon bikes that don't come from trusted manufacturers; good aluminium is better than cheap carbon.
Can you ride long distances on a budget road bike?
Yes, many budget road bikes are suitable for long rides.
Although these budget models will be slightly heavier and have fewer gears than higher-end models, they're still designed for endurance.
Plus, you can definitely upgrade tyres and saddle to improve comfort and handling across longer distances.
Are budget road bikes good for commuting?
Absolutely. Many of the budget road bikes in this guide are ideal for commuting.
If you're looking to commute daily and in varied weather, we'd recommend looking for models with a mudguard and pannier mount—especially if you live in the U.K
How long will a budget road bike last?
Short answer: it depends.
With regular maintenance, even a budget road bike can last several years. Frames are often impressively durable and entry-level components can certainly go the distance if well-maintained.
Ultimately, it depends on how much you care for your bike.
How many gears do I need on my bike?
This will be a function of the groupset that comes with the bike you buy (all the drivetrain components). Budget road bikes will almost invariably come with Shimano components, which is no bad thing as they're reliable, robust and easy to use and service.
More expensive offerings may reach 11 speeds, while more wallet-friendly models may only have 8 or 9 speeds. More speeds mean narrower jumps between ratios over the same gear spread.
More isn't necessarily better though, provided the bike has ample range for the terrain you're riding on - the more gears you have the finer the tolerances are for smooth shifting, and so the more maintenance they require.
In short, fewer gears will be more forgiving if you're not the sort of person who takes the utmost care of their bike, and they're a little easier to learn basic bike maintenance on too.
Do I need disc brakes?
While discs have taken over at almost all price points, they haven't yet begun to totally dominate road bikes at the entry level. Discs are on the whole better, especially in the wet, but riders have been using rim brakes without issue for decades, so they aren't the be-all and end-all.
Our top tip would be to invest in some quality brake pads, which can make lacklustre rim brakes a noticeable amount better.
What components should I get on my bike?
If you're buying with a set budget, there will always be a compromise. A better frame will likely come with worse components, but this leaves it ripe for future upgrades. Conversely, a less expensive frame may be built with higher-quality componentry.
If quality build kits are what you're after, then you can usually get a little more bang for your buck with direct-to-consumer brands like Ribble or Canyon, who cut costs by cutting out the middleman. Be sure of your sizing before you commit though!
What else should I look for?
If this is your first road bike, you'll probably be looking to use it year-round, so mudguard mounts will be particularly useful. Also, if you plan on using it for commuting, then the ability to add a pannier rack to take your belongings to and from the office will also be of benefit to you. This will also mean you can use it for some light touring too, if the mood takes you.
Don't forget to budget for the extras you'll need like a helmet, lights and a pump. A pair of the best cycling shorts can be expensive but will help to make the saddle a lot more comfortable.
How much maintenance does a bike need?
If this is your first bike, then we have one tip for you that's likely more important than any other: keep it clean! A clean bike is a happy bike - it'll save you money, it'll run better, and it'll stop you getting filthy. We've got a guide on how to clean your bike if you've never done it before, as well as a guide to the best bike chain lube to keep your freshly washed chain running smoothly afterwards.
Once you've got it running smoothly, you'd do well to make sure you've got the best bike insurance and one of the best bike locks just in case the worst happens and someone tries to steal your pride and joy.
What are the differences between a cheap and expensive bicycle?
There are going to be a good few differences between a cheap and an expensive bike. But remember, regardless of price you still need to pedal a bike and put the effort in.
Cheaper bikes will usually have heavier frames made of metal like aluminium and steel. You may get a carbon fibre fork included though, like more expensive models. Components will be heavier and may not share the same serviceability or quality. You will usually see less technology and an absence of features such as built-in frame suspension, storage aids or electronics.
The key point we would make is, if you can, to avoid buying the very cheapest road bikes on the market that often offer a false economy in terms of serviceability and lifespan. They also won't provide a very enjoyable ride experience.
