Best Road Bikes Under $1,000

Are you ready to hit the open road on a sleek, speedy ride but don’t want to break the bank? Look no further than the best road bikes under $1,000! 

These affordable options may be budget-friendly but don’t skimp on quality and performance. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just starting out, we’ve got you covered.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the top road bikes under $1,000, exploring their features, benefits, and what makes them stand out from the rest. So buckle up and get ready to find your perfect ride!

Please enjoy the roundup review, as we know it is very hard to decide what’s worth your money!

In A Rush? Here Are Our Top Picks…

Below are our top 3 entry-level road bikes that are great for new riders or to use as a daily commuter.

The Best Road Bikes Under $1,000 Roundup

• Frame material – Aluminum with steel fork
• Groupset – Shimano Claris R2000
• Total Weight – 23.8lbs

The Tommaso Imola is one of the most popular entry-level road bikes around at the moment. I’m personally quite a big fan of the Italian design and black colorway!

The frameset is made of aluminum. However, I feel that it has been let down a bit by the steel fork, making it slightly heavier than it needs to be. It comes with a compact frame geometry, meaning riders can be in a more relaxed position for all riding styles.

Where it has been let down by the steel fork, it has more than made up for the drivetrain, using a uniform Shimano Claris groupset which is meant to improve overall performance as you’re using the one system.

The Tommaso Imola is available in three colorways (black, burnt orange, and white), which is always a big plus.  Note that it’s only available online, so you won’t be able to test-ride it.

• Frame material – Aluminum alloy
• Groupset – Shimano 105
• Total Weight – 23lbs

This baby is built for both speed demons and casual riders looking to hit the road in style.

Thanks to its lightweight aluminum frame and carbon fork, this bike delivers a smooth and comfortable ride, making those long journeys a breeze. It handles corners like a pro, providing a nimble and agile experience.

Cube has designed the Attain with a more relaxed geometry, striking a perfect balance between performance and comfort. This means you can enjoy hours in the saddle without feeling strained or fatigued, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and seasoned riders.

Riders have noted that the Attain can feel a bit rigid on rougher roads or over bumps. However, it’s worth mentioning that the bike still maintains a good balance between comfort and performance overall. The Attain also has limited colorways available.

• Frame material – Aluminium frame with steel fork
• Groupset – Shimano 14-speed integrated shifter/brake lever with Shimano rear derailleur
• Total Weight – ~30lbs

Out of the top-name brands today, Schwinn is still fairly well known. However, over the last few years, it’s slipped in the popularity rankings though. That being said, the Volare 1400 model has had pretty good reviews given the quality and price matrix.

If you’re looking for a reliable cheap commuter or just starting out with your cycling fitness journey, I would recommend the Schwinn Volare 1400 given the price point.  Overall, the stock features of this bike make it great for beginners, and is able to cope with some of the rougher terrains.

• Frame material – Aluminum alloy
• Groupset – Shimano Claris
• Total Weight – 23.1lbs

Users love the Vitus Razor Road Bike for several reasons. Firstly, its lightweight and agile design makes it a breeze to maneuver, allowing you to conquer the open road with ease. Whether you’re navigating through tight corners or sprinting down straightaways, this bike’s responsiveness will keep you in control and give you a thrilling ride.

Another feature that stands out is the bike’s smooth and responsive ride. The combination of high-quality frame construction and efficient components ensures a seamless experience, absorbing bumps and vibrations for a comfortable journey. You’ll be able to enjoy longer rides without feeling fatigued, thanks to the bike’s ability to absorb road imperfections.

While the Vitus Razor Road Bike offers a range of features, some users have expressed a desire for more color options to suit their personal preferences. Additionally, being an entry-level road bike, it comes with components that may not be as advanced as those found on higher-end models.

However, it still delivers excellent performance and durability, making it a great choice for beginners or riders on a budget.

• Frame material – Aluminum alloy
• Groupset – Microshift R8 8-speed
• Total Weight – 24lbs

If you’re seeking an entry-level road bike without breaking the bank, the RC120 has your back. With an affordable price tag, it provides decent value for money.

The RC120 offers a robust frame that ensures durability and longevity. It can handle rough roads, occasional bumps, and the demands of daily commutes.

Some users find the gear range of the RC120 limiting, especially when tackling steep hills or challenging terrains. Consider upgrading if you’re planning on venturing into more demanding rides.

Whether you’re exploring country roads, commuting to work, or going for a weekend fitness ride, the RC120 is adaptable to various riding styles. Its versatile nature makes it an all-rounder, accommodating both beginners and seasoned riders.

What Do You Get For A Road Bike Under $1,000?

Okay, so you’ve decided on a road bike – now, what kind of bike can you get for under $1,000? How do you choose which road bike?

All road bikes have lightweight frames and skinny tires designed for varying speeds and comfort. Road bikes fall into two general broad categories – racing and endurance.  

Race bikes place your body position at a more aggressive angle.  This helps achieve a more aerodynamic position, thereby allowing you to ride faster! 

Endurance bikes (or sportive bikes) place your body in a more upright and relaxed position allowing for a more comfortable ride (allowing you to ride longer). In the last few years, there has been huge growth in this type of bike. This has resulted in some very good bikes at the $1,000 price point!

Whichever you decide to get, you will be able to get a high-quality entry-level road bike for under $1,000. Around the holiday sales period, you should be able to get a pretty good deal for that price point.

So what do you get for $1,000?

The Bike Frame

Material

The frame is the core part of your new road bike, and this is what you’re mainly paying for. Generally, road bikes come with an aluminum or carbon fiber frame and/or fork. There are some steel / titanium-based road bikes out there, but they are not as popular due to their weight compared to aluminum and carbon fiber.

Aluminum framed bikes tend to be cheaper and on the “heavier” side for a road bike when compared to a full carbon road bike. On the other hand, carbon fiber frames are lighter but you’re starting to dip into the many $1,000s for the bike 😄

Most bikes at the $1,000 price point will have an aluminum frame and potentially a carbon fiber fork. Manufacturers are big fans of aluminum, which is relatively inexpensive and makes very good stiff and light frames. This provides a good balance between weight, reliability, and vibration absorption when on the roads.

Frame Geometry

Frame or bike geometry refers to the shape of your bike’s frame.  It is important to buy a road bike that fits your body type. If this is your first road bike, I suggest trying out a few road bikes and going for what’s the most comfortable. Nothing worse than buying a new road bike, and then you don’t end up using it because you’re hurting every time you use it!

Check out our in-depth sizing guide.

The geometry of a bike is made up of the length of the tubes and the angles to which they connect. The positioning of your handlebars also plays a part. However, this part can be adjusted.  All of these play a role in how your body sits on top of the bike.

As mentioned earlier, the sportive bikes will put you in a bit more of an upright position. This will put less strain on your back and generally be a more comfortable ride.

On the other hand, racing bikes will place your torso at more of an angle. This improves the aerodynamics of your ride (i.e., less wind drag on your body!).

What you’ll need to think about when selecting the frame is the main purpose of the bike. Is it for daily commute use, or is it more for your long weekend rides with friends?

Another factor you should consider is where you are at with your fitness journey.  Are you flexible enough to sustain an aggressive forward bend position for a couple of hours at a time?  As mentioned earlier, if this is your first bike, err on the side of more comfort.

Groupset

The next thing to consider is the groupset on a road bike.  This is the brakes and transmission system of the bike.  Bike makers buy groupsets from manufacturers to build into bikes.

You will generally find the following major manufacturers. I’ve also listed out the series model from entry-level to top-end for each brand as well. Correct at the time of writing!

• Shimano – Claris, Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra and Dura-Ace
• SRAM – Apex, Rival, Force and Red
• Campagnolo (Campy) – Veloce, Centaur, Potenza, Chorus Record and Super Record

Road bikes in this $1,000 price range usually come with a Shimano groupset. As with frames, the more you pay, the lighter and better performance you get.

For example, to balance performance and keep costs down, some road bikes will come with a mix of tiers regarding the front and back derailleur.

Entry-level road bikes are generally equipped with 8-10 speed options. This refers to the number of gears in the rear cassette. The rear cassette is the collection of different-sized sprockets the chain moves across. 

What does all this mean? 

When you’re riding up a hill, the more gears you have, the easier it is to make your way up! Additional gears will allow you to maintain a consistent cadence (pedaling speed).

Looking for some upgrades to your bike? Check out the review of the best road bike wheelsets under $500.

Conclusion

Well, there you have it, the best road bikes that you can pick up for less than $1,000.  All of these are great bikes, and you can’t go wrong with any of them!

However, if I had only to pick one, it would be….. the Tommaso Imola!

Yes, it is one of the heavier bikes with the steel fork (by a couple of lbs), but if you’re like me and need something for a general commute and fitness / long weekend rides, it has the perfect balance of comfort and performance. Still not convinced if road bikes are good for commuting?

Added bonus is that this bike looks amazing (especially black), so why not turn a few heads whilst you’re out on the road? 😃