If you’re looking for good advice on buying your first road bike, you’ve come to the right place.
We've tested six of the biggest-name road bikes for around $1,000 / £650 / AU$1,300: the Cannondale CAAD8 Sora 7, the Trek 1.2, the Merida Ride 200, the Giant Defy 3, the Focus Cayo Al Sora and the Specialized Allez E5 Sport.
To get a good feel for these machines, our four-rider Australian test team rode these bikes on a regular test track near Sydney’s Northern Beaches. With sharp pinches and sustained climbs, dead and bumpy road sections, twisting descents and scenic views, it’s a road bike-testing playground.
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We get to grips with the highs and lows of each below. Given that these six are drawn from some of the biggest and most renowned global brands in cycling, it should come as no surprise that there are no truly bad choices to be had here.
Of the group, our testers felt the Specialized Allez E5 Sport rode particularly well – and made it our Editors' Choice for 2016. That said the Cannondale CAAD8 7 and Giant Defy 3 gave it a serious run for its money. Read on to find out why…
Take a look at our test here, and read in more detail below. We've also provided complete reviews of all the contenders – just follow the links.
What you should look for
Slammed low, or upright and comfortable?
Winching your way up the hills
The kit choices that matter
Specialized Allez E5 Sport
- Highs: Balanced geometry, ride comfort, contact points, solid brakes, wheels
- Lows: Heaviest on test, saddle has slight sharp edge beneath it
- Price: $970 / £750 / AU$1,399
- Weight: 9.41kg (20.75lb)
- Frame size tested: 54cm (effective top tube: 549mm)
- Head tube: 144mm
- Gearing: 11-32
- Tyre width: 28.2mm (25c claimed)
- Outer rim width: 24.5mm
Cannondale CAAD8 Sora 7
- Highs: Proven CAAD frame, sorted geometry, prestige image
- Lows: Brakes, narrower gearing range, price
- Price: $1030 / £700 / AU$1,299
- Weight: 9.24kg (20.37lb)
- Frame size tested: 54cm (effective top tube: 545mm)
- Head tube: 154mm
- Gearing: 12-27
- Tyre width: 25.5mm (25c claimed)
- Outer rim width: 21.45mm
Giant Defy 3
- Highs: Progressive frame design, ride comfort, full Sora drivetrain, padded contact points, price
- Lows: Narrower rims, weak brakes, blocky aesthetics
- Price: $920 / £649 / AU$1,099
- Weight: 9.32kg (20.55lb)
- Frame size tested: Medium (effective top tube: 545mm)
- Head tube: 164mm
- Gearing: 11-32
- Tyre width: 25.2mm (25c claimed)
- Outer rim width: 19.90mm
Merida Ride 200
- Highs: Comfortable ride, full carbon fork, premium frame quality
- Lows: Slow front shifting, brakes, perhaps too upright ride
- Price: $N/A / £N/A / AU$1,249
- Weight: 9.31kg (20.53lb)
- Frame size tested: 52cm (effective top tube: 540mm)
- Head tube: 169mm
- Gearing: 11-32
- Tyre width: 25mm (25c claimed)
- Outer rim width: 18.90mm
Focus Cayo Al Sora
- Highs: Quality frame, full carbon fork, component choices, fast ride
- Lows: Ride rattles in both comfort and sound, brakes, saddle needs to go
- Price: $TBC / £599 / AU$1,299
- Weight: 9.12kg (20.11lb)
- Frame size tested: Small (effective top tube: 537mm)
- Head tube: 128mm
- Gearing: 11-28
- Tyre width: 26.5mm (25c claimed)
- Outer rim width: 21.7mm
Trek 1.2
- Highs: Proven frame geometry with balanced handling and position, quality wheels, saddle
- Lows: Tyres, brakes, tight handlebar bend, and did we mention tyres?
- Price: $930 / £650 / AU$1,299
- Weight: 9.25kg(20.39lb)
- Frame size tested: 52cm (effective top tube: 534mm)
- Head tube: 139mm
- Gearing: 11-28
- Tyre width: 24.2mm (23c claimed)
- Outer rim width: 23.00mm
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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