Best Road Bikes - Cycle Solutions

Luckily for the modern day commuter there is a great deal of choice if you decide to go for a road bike and only have £1000 to spend. There are however a few rules you should follow when picking your bike to ensure you get the best deal for your money.

If you can afford it, get a bike that costs over £500. If you go under this then the quality of the frame and components starts to drop quite rapidly, and you won’t enjoy the ride.
Buy from a well established and respected manufacturer (all brands in this article are a good example of this). They have produced quality products and built up a good reputation for a reason.
Frame over components. If a bike is being sold on the quality of it’s components, it’s probably because the frame is lacking for the price. You can always upgrade the components later.
Make sure it’s right for you! There’s no point picking a bike because of it’s colour/price/size if it’s not what you need, isn’t comfortable or just isn’t practical.

Apart from that, the world is your oyster! There are hundreds of bikes you can choose from on our website, so many you might find it hard to choose! To help you out, we have picked some of our favourite 2012 bikes we think you will like.

£500 - £750

	Giant Defy 5 - £549 (Triple £569) A newcomer to the Defy range, this bike has a light aluminium frame, can corner with precision and boasts a comfy saddle. The perfect entry-level road bike for a beginner or the experienced rider who needs a run around.
	Specialized Allez Sport - £725 The Allez has been around for over 30 years, during which time it has been tweaked and altered to achieve a classic best selling product. Fast, comfortable and easy to ride, this is a great option for a beginner to get to grips with.
	Cannondale CAAD8 7 - £749 This bike takes the expertises normally saved for the more expensive bikes to create a quick, comfortable ride. It uses lower level gearing to make it an affordable entry-level bike that retains great frame quality.

And for the ladies…

All ladies road bikes come with a frame specifically designed for women. For most women, riding a man’s bike means that they have to stretch too far to reach the handlebars, causing discomfort when riding. A women’s frame therefore is slightly shorter with raised handlebars so that the ride is much more comfortable. They also come with a women’s specific saddle, which is designed to compliment wider sit bones and a differently shaped pelvis.

	Giant Avail 5 - £569 This bike has a lightweight frame and is easy to steer. A great entry-level bike for someone new to road riding.
	Specialized Dolce - £650 The Dolce is the Allez’s more feminine sister. With female specific components, a carbon fork and a great paint job you will never want to replace this bike!
	Cannondale Synapse Alloy Sora - £749 The design of this bike is the same as its much more expensive carbon sister, plus it comes with rack mounts and mudguard clearance. It also has a carbon fork to improve performance and make it lighter.

£750 - £1000

	Scott Speedster S40 - £849 The Scott Speedster is an efficient and economical bike that is exceptionally light and easy to steer. The geometry of the frame ensures great handling and comfort for a fantastic ride.
	Felt Z85 - £899 This bike is all about the frame. Light, comfortable and quick as lightning, this bike is also sturdy so you will feel safe throwing it around. Why not try it out on a short ride or a long weekend venture?
	Bianchi C2C Via Nirone 7 Alu Xenon - £950 Bianchi’s reputation for stylish, revolutionary bikes can be seen in the fantastic C2C range. Unlike the other bikes in this article it comes with Campagnolo components, well renowned Italian heritage and has bags of character.
	Specialized Secteur Elite - £1000 Roubaix-inspired Endurance Road geometry gives the Secteur Elite something special. A very popular bike for the commuter who wants a bike with class.

And for the ladies…

	Specialized Dolce Sport - £800 The Dolce Sport comes with Zertz inserts to reduce vibration from the road and give you a more comfortable ride. This bike is perfect for the weekends and the working week.
	Bianchi C2C Nirone Al Dama Bianca Sora Women’s - £830 Bianchi bikes are elegant, edgy and effortlessly beautiful. Pick this bike if you want to stand out from the crowd.
	Scott Contessa Speedster 25 - £949 A favourite with the Cycle Solutions team, the Scott Contessa Speedster 25 looks great and rides even better. If you are looking for a women’s bike with power, Scott is a brand to seriously consider.
	Felt ZW75 - £999 Felt have made this bike to fit female proportions. It has a Superlite frame and boasts carbon fibre seatstay, fork and seatpost to create a smooth, reliable ride. Plus the colour is fabulous!

Not what you’re looking for? Take a look at our full range of road bikes to find your perfect ride.

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