Best road bike 2024: dominate the asphalt

Rev up your wheels and hit the road with the best road bikes – where the only break-neck speed you'll experience is the exhilarating rush of wind against your face. Say goodbye to clunky metal frames and hello to lightweight carbon models that'll have you gliding through the streets faster than ever before, with less effort than a sloth on a lazy Sunday.

Sure, pro-spec peloton punishers may not come cheap, but they're not punishingly expensive either. It's like finding that perfect balance between splurging on a gourmet coffee and saving for a rainy day – except, in this case, you're investing in the joy of zooming down open roads with the sun on your back and the wind in your hair.

If you're feeling adventurous and want to tackle mixed terrain, our best gravel bike roundup has got you covered. Or, if you're all about effortless climbs and breezy commutes, why not consider the best electric bikes? Just remember to keep your new ride safe with top-notch bike locks and illuminate your path with the best bike rear lights – because safety first, folks.

Our current favourite road bike is Canyon's Ultimate CF SLX 8 Di2, thanks to its super-lightweight chassis and impeccable performance on the road. The Ribble Endurance SL is not far behind, offering stable handling and a sleek design. For an affordable option that doesn't cut too many corners, check out the Van Rysel NCR Tiagra.

Best road bikes to buy right now

Best overall

The Canyon Ultimate range is renowned for its stylish and high-performance bikes, and the Canyon CF SLX 8 Di2 is no exception. With its striking Iced Berry paint finish and top-notch components, this model stands out both visually and functionally.

The bike features DT Swiss ARC 1400 50/50 rims paired with Schwalbe Pro One Skin tyres and a comfortable Selle Italia SLR Boost Superflow saddle. Shifting is handled by the Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset, providing smooth and precise gear changes, which is one of the bike's highlights.

Compared to older models, the Canyon CF SLX 8 Di2 offers an improved riding experience due to its lighter and stiffer frame construction. These design tweaks enhance its performance across various road surfaces and contribute to its excellent handling. The bike's lightweight nature makes it incredibly fast, though it comes at a higher price for the lightest options.

Despite its sleek design and hidden cables suggesting potential fragility, the CF SLX 8 Di2 proves to be durable and comfortable, even on long rides. It's a bike that performs exceptionally well, catering to serious cyclists who appreciate both aesthetics and capability.

Read our full Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8 Di2 review

Best mid-range

Ribble really is the final word in value for money, and its Endurance AL Disc machine is arguably the best example of this yet. A sturdy but surprisingly lightweight aluminium frame is made even better by the addition of Mavic Aksium wheels and a lovely finishing kit from Level 1.

Granted, to keep things below the £1,000 threshold, you will have to put up with Shimano Tiagra gearing, which can be a little wayward and doesn't feel like the sharpest set-up around, but an extra £300 upgrades to Shimano 105.

It looks great, too; wearing a neat gloss white and vibrant red paint job, this feels like a bike that has been designed to last but one that offers a fast and comfortable ride that belies its affordable price tag. If you can't quite afford this model, consider the cheaper Ribble Endurance SL. 

Read our full Ribble Endurance AL review.

Best affordable

Decathlon has a reputation for offering great bikes at reasonable prices, and the new Van Rysel range, including the NCR Tiagra, continues this tradition. Van Rysel replaces B’Twin as Decathlon’s top in-house brand, and the NCR Tiagra benefits from this development focus, even being used by a professional cycling team.

The NCR Tiagra features aerodynamic design elements, integrated cables, and varying carbon fibre tube shapes. Its geometry prioritises comfort over competition, making it ideal for long-distance rides and sportives with a slightly relaxed positioning.

Build quality is impressive, with a carbon fibre frame and fork that feel premium despite the bike's affordability. While some components, like the tyres and handlebar tape, are budget-friendly, they are easily upgraded.

Shimano’s Tiagra groupset handles propulsion and braking effectively, offering a good range with a 20-speed drivetrain and reliable hydraulic brakes.

A standout feature is the Mavic Aksium wheelset, adding significant value to the bike. However, the Hutchinson Fusion tyres sacrifice comfort for durability, and the handlebar tape is thin.

In a month of testing, the NCR Tiagra performed well over varied terrain and distances, maintaining comfort and handling. Its only drawback is slightly slower responsiveness compared to more premium models.

The Van Rysel NCR Tiagra is a strong choice for those seeking an affordable entry into carbon fibre road bikes, offering great value and performance.

Read our full Van Rysel NCR Tiagra review.

Best for pedal pushers

Another year and another Specialized ride scoops the Best Road Bike gong at the T3 Awards 2021. This might give you a sense of déja-vu, as the more affordable Roubaix Sport – the very next entry on this list, as it happens – won last year. Clearly, this is not a bike built for pottering around on. Sure, you could use it to commute – if you like to commute at very high speed – but really this is a serious road bike for serious weekend high-jinks. 

For those who want to push themselves and take on everything the roads can throw at them, the SL7 is as good as it gets, without paying an absolutely profane amount of money. It's incredibly rigid, aerodynamically more akin to an eel than a lump of metal and carbon, and yet surprisingly forgiving on rougher terrain. Almost, dare we say it, comfortable to ride – so long as you don't mind the very aggressive on-bike position that it demands.

Read our full Specialized Tarmac SL7 review

Best carbon

The Venturi EVO 105 road bike is the scaled-down version of ORRO's top-tier STC range and rides the fine line of being affordable without compromising too much on specs. Sure, you won't find the top of the line Shimano Dura-Ace groupset included here – that's overkill for most non-competitive riders anyway – but for a not-so-extreme price, you'll get a full carbon frame and fork, Fulcrum R800 DB wheels, Continental tyres and even an SRAM 11-speed cassette.

The carbon/aero frame might not be to everyone's taste, but yet again, the Venturi EVO 105 makes this work by using a semi-integrated cable design that's flexible to be easily upgraded to a fully integrated system. 

Better still, the Vetruri EVO 105 features flat-mount disc brakes and 12mm thru-axles that utilise ORRO's switch lever design. The removable lever and hollow axle are lightweight; removing the lever once tightened also "makes them more aerodynamic and adds extra security for your wheels", as ORRO explains. Lightweight, affordable and extremely cool; that's the ORRO Venturi EVO 105 promise.

Best aero

Canyon's updated Aeroad CF SL is one of the raciest, sharpest and fastest machines on this list - fusing the latest aero-tested frame geometry with a full carbon integrated cockpit for fighter jet levels of on-road performance. New for this year is Shimano's laser-sharp Ultegra R8000 drivetrain, which pinches learnings from the top-spec Dura-Ace collection and filters it down into something mere mortals can (sort of) afford.

The Ultegra RT800 disc brake rotors are present, as well as some of the most tactile levers on the planet. Feathering those powerful brakes is enough to scrub speed off at an impressive rate, while minor adjustments are made possible by the high levels of control and feedback. Alas, these are minor gripes and issues that hardcore riders (let's face it, this bike is aimed at them) won't even consider. Canyon Aeroad CF SL 8.0 is an absolute weapon.

Read our Canyon Aeroad CF SL Disc 8.0 review

Best beginner

Cube has craftily picked accessories and kit typically found on more expensive race bikes and hung it all on a more affordable but arguably more durable lightweight aluminium frame to keep the costs down here.

That means disc brakes and a carbon front fork come as standard, while Cube's attempt at an entry-level aero rim is wrapped in Conti Ultra Sport 3 tyres. Disc brakes at this price can sometimes be troublesome but the TRP Spyre mechanical units found here are tried and tested. Above all else, the geometry of this frame has been styled and fairly aggressive racers, so expect a speedy ride with exceptional strength and durability. 

Best all-rounder

Named after the infamously gruelling Paris to Roubaix Challenge, this road bike features a Future Shock 1.5 cartridge, which gives a staggering 20mm of vertical stem and bar movement to soak up bumps. It's also now better integrated into the seat post for a smarter look.

The addition of tried-and-tested DT R470 wheels means it remains a fast ride and that Fact10r frame is stiff and pointy, nicely transferring power through the wheels. Of course, those with bicycle Spider senses will likely argue that the additional damping affects power transfer and handling but we struggled to find those flaws.

Also, the Shimano 105 gearing and brakes are a bit stingy for a bike at this price point, but you're really paying for that brilliantly clever frame. In our humble opinion, it's a race bike that doesn't punish the spine, wrists and arse like its carbon fibre brethren. And that's a very good thing.

Read our full Specialized Roubaix review

How to choose the best road bike for you

Road cycling can be pretty daunting if your usual jaunt is a pedal along a flat cycle path to the local pub. The terrain can make the ride uncomfortable, and quite frankly, the old road bike in the back of your shed isn't going to cut it in today's world of wind tunnel-tested carbon fibre rockets and lightweight aluminium frames.

The frame material is the main reason for this, but be warned: we have found that as frame technology has improved over the years (particularly those of the carbon fibre variety), the finishing kit that completes the bike (gears, wheels, brakes, saddles etc.) has suffered.

You need to look at the whole package. If you opt for a more expensive carbon, be sure to check out the wheels, groupset (gears and brakes) and the finishing kit (saddle, bar tape and cabling), as often manufacturers will balance the books by scrimping on these fittings.

The same can be said for wheelsets. Ideally, the lighter and stiffer the wheel, the better for speed and handling. But don't forget this will typically mean a compromise in comfort and budget.

Similarly, the geometry of a frame and its construction will greatly affect the way it performs and handles. A racy geometry (the angles of the tubes that make up the frame) can be a pain on longer rides, despite performance gains. A fact that's well worth considering if you're simply looking to add a little swag to your daily commute.

In short, that ultra, super-lightweight frame that has been tested in a wind tunnel to within an inch of its life might sound like a good idea, but the overall package may not represent good value.

You also need to think about whether a carbon frame road bike is even the best for you. Most cheaper road bikes use carbon fibre, but do note that cheaper carbon tends to flex under load and can also be less comfortable and more brittle than their steel or aluminium-framed counterparts.

How we test the best road bikes

There is only one way to test road bikes: by taking them out on the road, which is precisely what we do when reviewing them. We use the best internal and external freelancers and riders in the industry to ensure the most capable people review all bikes.

All road bikes are tested for at least a couple of weeks (and a couple of hundred miles), so we can determine each model's strengths and weaknesses. We put in the work and ask all the questions from the manufacturer's engineers so that we can recommend each bike to the people who benefit from riding them the most. 

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