With a super-cheap bike, you might expect the quality to be lower or the frame geometry to be less than desirable. But a really good bike built with decent materials and components doesn’t have to come with a super-low price tag. We’ve scoured the internet for the best road bikes that can be bought for less than £750, and picked out 10 fantastic machines for you to choose from, including a couple of entry-level bikes that would suit new cyclists and commuters perfectly.
It’s easy to lose track of the many new bike releases in the world of cycling. There’s always a new road bike race and a new race series, a new bike company or a new product for your favourite race team. Choosing the right bike can be confusing, so here we have gathered a selection of bikes that we think are fabulous value for money.
It’s time to start thinking about your next bike. After all, your bike should be an extension of you, but one that you can use to explore the world. If you’re looking for a new bike, you’ll want to think about factors like what type of riding you’ll be doing, what you want to look like on the bike when you’re done, and what you want to spend.. Read more about best road bikes under $1,000 and let us know what you think.
Here are 10 of the finest inexpensive road bikes under £750 that we’ve evaluated.
The ride quality and value for money of entry-level road bikes have greatly improved as road cycle groupsets have gotten more cheap and more direct-sales companies have joined the market.
If you’re looking for a real road bike for serious riding, training, or simply commuting, £700 is approximately the price range where you’ll receive a decent ride that, with proper care and attention, will last for years.
Do you have a little extra money to spend? Don’t forget to look at our list of the finest road bikes under £1,000 as well.
Many customers who previously would have only considered a conventional road bike are now contemplating a gravel bike. Gravel bikes are more flexible than road cycles and are better for riding on varied terrain, but they typically come at a cost in terms of weight. If you believe a gravel bike may be right for you, check out our selection of the best inexpensive gravel bikes.
Buying a bike right now is complicated by supply shortages brought on by the epidemic and Brexit. As a result, many of the bikes shown in this article are no longer available and must be bought secondhand.
2021’s finest low-cost road bikes
- £429.99 for the Triban RC120
- £499.99 for the Triban RC120 Disc
- £749 for Giant Contend 2
- ADV 8.8: £750 Boardman
- £550 for a Boardman SLR 8.6
- £599.99 for the Decathlon Triban RC500 Disc
- PR7 Merlin costs £650.
- £430 for Pinnacle Laterite 1
- £549.99 Vitus Razor Claris
- £300 for a Brand-X road bike
RC120 Decathlon Triban
The RC120 received a rare five-star rating, making it one of the finest road bikes for beginners. Immediate Media / Jack Luke
- £429.99
- Surprisingly good value for money
- Wide-range gearing is generous.
- Fork made of carbon
The Decathlon Triban RC120, like most of the bikes on our list, has seen a significant price increase since we originally evaluated it last year. Regardless, it’s difficult to overstate how amazing this bike is. You might easily be duped into believing you’re riding a much more expensive bike.
The Triban RC120 comes highly recommended whether you’re wanting to get into road cycling for the first time, or if you want to inspire a partner or friend.
Decathlon RC120 Disc Decathlon Triban RC120 Disc Decathlon Triban RC120 Disc
A pleasant, long-distance endurance ride that is enjoyable mile after mile. Immediate Media / David Caudery
- £499.99
- Specs that have been carefully considered
- All-around comfort geometry
- Excellent value for money.
The RC120 disc version rides just as well, with a well-thought-out spec and the same comfortable shape that’s ideal for long days in the saddle.
Although mechanical disc brakes will never be as powerful as hydraulic brakes, they will offer more consistent wet weather braking than traditional rim brakes.
Contend 2: Giant (2023)
The Giant Contend 2 gives you a lot of value for your money. Giant
- £749
- Frameset with a lot of versatility
- Comfortable and sporty ride
- Weigh-in competition
The Giant Contend 2 is a fairly light 9.56kg for an entry-level alloy bike costing just over £700 – a whole 900g less than the Merlin PR7, which is also on our list.
While this may not seem to be a significant difference, it represents a 10% weight differential that you may feel on the bike.
The Contend 2 is equipped with a Shimano Claris groupset, as are most bikes in this price category. The Contend 2 also comes with a complete complement of mudguard and rack mounts, making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking for a genuine all-rounder that doesn’t skimp on ride quality.
The bike we tested is the 2023 model, but the 2023 Contend 2 seems to be even better – at least on paper – due to bigger 28mm tyres and new brakes.
ADV Boardman 8.8 (2023)
If you’re searching for a bike that can handle a range of terrain, the Boardman ADV 8.8 is an excellent choice. Immediate Media / David Caudery
- £750
- Brakes using mechanical discs
- Ability to work on a variety of surfaces
- Fork made of carbon fiber
If you’re searching for a mixed-surface alternative, the Boardman ADV 8.8 offers a lot of features and a good ride for the money.
The high-quality aluminum frame has geometry that performs well on and off the road, and the carbon fork is a welcome addition.
Shimano’s Sora groupset and TRP Spyre mechanical discs are fantastic, and we had no issues with any of the own-brand finishing equipment.
With mudguard mounts and pannier rack eyelets, the ADV may be used for commuting, touring, or adventure.
The ADV 8.8 is no longer being manufactured.
SLR 8.6 Boardman (2023)
The 7005 aluminum frame of Boardman’s SLR 8.6 is brand new and extremely well polished. Immediate Media / David Caudery
- £550
- Build that is very cost-effective.
- It stands out because to its carbon fork and tubeless-ready rims.
- A wonderful ride all-around.
Boardman’s SLR 8.6 is one of the bikes to consider if you’re wanting to move from your first, super-cheap road bike to something a bit more expensive from a well-known brand.
Boardman’s SLR 8.6 boasts an all-new 7005 aluminum frame with aero-optimized tube shaping and a really nice finish. This comes with a complete carbon fork, which is a huge plus at this pricing point.
The bike we reviewed here has been replaced by a 2023 model with a fresh paint job and a wide-range 11-32t cassette, which we believe this bike deserved.
Review of the Decathlon Triban RC500 Disc
The Decathlon Triban RC 500 Disc is the finest disc-equipped road bike we’ve tested under £600. Courtesy
- £599.99
- Frameset that is both comfortable and stylish
- We’ve evaluated the finest disc-equipped road bike under £600.
- There’s a lot of flexibility here.
The bike has a Shimano Sora groupset with the exception of the Microshift cassette and Promax calipers.
While mechanical calipers will never be able to match the force of hydraulic discs, they don’t fall short, offering plenty of modulation and power.
The mudguard and pannier mounts, as well as the ample tyre clearances, turn this bike into a true all-rounder.
If you have the additional bucks, we strongly advise you to go with this over the RC120 Disc.
Merlin PR7
If you’re wanting to get your feet wet in the realm of road riding, the Merlin PR7 Sora is a fantastic bundle. Immediate Media / Dave Caudery
- £650
- Low-cost gear that is plentiful
- Exceptional all-around performer
- Excellent ride quality
The Merlin PR7 is a stylish bike that can compete with bikes from companies several times its size.
The current model comes with the newest R3000 Sora groupset, which is faultless, and the 34/30 low-end gear should be enough to bring most riders up any hill.
Although the wheels are a little hefty, the bike rides smoothly and provides a lot of value for the money.
The Merlin PR7 is no longer available for purchase new, so you’ll have to settle with a used one.
Laterite Pinnacle 1 (2023)
The Pinnacle Laterite 1 is a low-cost option that isn’t excessively compromised. Pinnacle
- £430
- A nice all-around ride is made possible by a good frame.
- Claris shifters have been added to the latest version.
- The bike might be even better with a few minor improvements.
You might anticipate sacrifices at this pricing point, but the Laterite is well-equipped and rides smoothly.
It’s not too heavy, and apart from the cheap, one-piece brake pads, there’s not much else to criticize. It’s also flexible, with rack and mudguard attachments, and it comes in both men’s and women’s models.
Although new stock of this bike has run out and the Pinnacle Laterite 1 will be replaced by a 2023 model, secondhand models are available on a regular basis.
Claris Vitus Razor (2023)
The Razor in the year 2023 is a really attractive vehicle. Vitus
- £549.99
- The ride is very pleasant because to the wide tyres.
- Shimano Claris provides smooth and precise shifting.
- Geometry in the modern era
In our tests, Vitus’s inexpensive Razor road bike performed well. The bike comes with Vittoria Zaffiro tyres that are 28mm wide but measure closer to 30mm wide on the wide own-brand rims.
Except for the somewhat cheap brake pads that make stopping a bit ‘grabby,’ this means a comfortable ride quality on bad roads and a full package that’s impossible to criticize. A women’s version was also available.
The Vitus Razor Claris is now completely sold out, so you’ll have to look for one secondhand.
Road Bike by Brand-X
The Brand-X road bike is an excellent choice for commuting or light usage. Immediate Media / Jack Luke
- £300
- Price is very cheap.
- The riding quality is quite pleasant.
- Shimano Tourney groupset performs well.
The strangely unnamed Brand-X Road Bike from Chain Reaction Cycles / Wiggle doesn’t belong on this list — we typically only feature bikes that earn four stars or above in our best lists.
We can still suggest this bike for commuting, fitness riding, or the occasional longer ride since it costs just £300, which is £80 less than the second-cheapest bike on our list (a significant savings at this price point).
Of course, at such a low price, sacrifices must be made somewhere, but even with a few inexpensive improvements, this bike still offers excellent value for money.
The Brand-X Road Bike is no longer available as a new bike, although used ones are still available.
How much should an inexpensive road bike cost?
Cheaper bikes aren’t only for novices; they may also serve as the perfect, low-maintenance foundation for building an all-weather, year-round training cycle.
Almost all bikes in this price range will be constructed of steel or aluminum, with the exception of a few with a carbon fork.
A 8- or 9-speed groupset is standard on most bikes priced about £700. The number of speeds indicates how many sprockets are connected to the rear wheel via the cassette.
The majority of entry-level road bikes still have double or triple cranks (two or three sprockets in the front), offering you a wide range of gears.
Because 11-speed – and even 12-speed – groupsets have become the standard for higher-end bikes, 8- and 9-speed components have become extremely cheap, and finding replacement parts should be a breeze for you and your budget.
External cable routing is also used on most bikes at this level. The cables run on the exterior of the tubes and are kept in place by ‘stops’ that are brazed or welded on.
Although not as attractive as internal cable routing, which routes cables inside the frame, it is much simpler to live with and does not need the use of special equipment.
Nearly all bikes in this price range use a threaded bottom bracket, which is simpler to repair and typically lasts longer than many of the press-fit systems seen on higher-priced bikes.
You don’t need a $1,000 bike to hit the road. You don’t need a $1,000 bike to hit the road. You don’t need a $1,000 bike to hit the road. You don’t need a $1,000 bike to hit the road. You don’t need a $1,000 bike to hit the road. You don’t need a $1,000 bike to hit the road. You don’t need a $1,000 bike to hit the road. You don’t need a $1,000 bike to hit the road. You don’t need a $1,000 bike to hit the road. You don’t need a $1,000 bike to hit the road.. Read more about best road bikes under 750 and let us know what you think.
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- best affordable bikes
- best cheap bikes for adults
- best road bikes under 750
- best budget bike
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