Foldable Bikes Party: Best road bikes under £2,500

Tuesday, 15 November 2016

Best road bikes under £2,500

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This sort of price range used to be the sole preserve of the dedicated race bike. But the profile of this section of the market has now changed, and the best road bike under £2,500 is now just as likely to be a sportive model.

(This article was updated in November 2016)

Race bikes still feature, but the best ones in this category tend to be the all-rounders that can take a decent stab at everything. Think lightweight frames that offer all-day comfort for those sportive riders chasing fast times — bikes that aim for the sweet spot between stiffness, comfort and weight.

If you’re spending this sort of money you’re unlikely to be disappointed with your purchase

More specialist models such as featherweight climbing machines or aero-optimised rigs feature, but the compromises made to bring them into this price range will usually be bigger than the small advantages their specialisation can bestow.

Also, bear in mind that the type of riding the term ‘all-rounder’ encompasses is widening with the emergence of gravel/enduroad bikes. And for this price you can expect to find bikes carrying a lot of worthwhile kit, including thru-axles and quality hydraulic disc brakes.

But whichever bike you choose, the good news is that if you’re spending this sort of money you’re unlikely to be disappointed with your purchase. Wander into the territory that lies beyond £2,000 and everything you find is going to be a seriously nice piece of kit. You could certainly spend a lot more on a bike, but after £2K the margins for improvement get smaller while the prices get a lot bigger.