With the increase in popularity of Formula 1 in recent years thanks to a certain Netflix documentary and its overwhelming presence on social media, fans of the sport have gained immense insight into the intense training regimens of the drivers.
Other than attaching weights to their head via a bizarre-looking harness, the most popular keep-fit exercise amongst F1's professional athletes is road cycling. You’ll even catch them taking a pre-race recce lap of the circuit on two wheels, rather than four.
When it comes to recreating this activity, most of us simply cannot afford to pay the equivalent of a flat deposit in Greater London just to buy a fancy bike. Luckily, there is a vast range of incredibly technical, high-performance road bikes on the market for sub £1,000.
What to consider when purchasing a road bike
- How will you be using your road bike? Firstly, determine whether you’ll be using your road bike for racing or endurance. If it’s the former, you’ll need to focus on lightweight, aerodynamic bikes. If it’s the latter, make sure you’re browsing what is often referred to as sportive or fondo bikes – which prioritise comfort during long uphill rides.
- Size: When it comes to road bikes, your torso should form a 45-degree angle with your hips and a 90-degree angle with your arms. Your knee should also have a slight bend in it when your foot is at the bottom of the pedal stroke. However, most brands will have a handy size converter that’ll pluck out your perfect size after you input your weight and height.
- Material: The most common, durable and hi-tech materials to look out for when purchasing a road bike are steel, aluminium, carbon fibre or titanium. Though many prospective buyers immediately go for incredibly lightweight carbon fibre for strength, portability and vibration absorption, it’s also one of the most expensive materials on the market. Likewise, hulk-strong and semi-lightweight titanium does not come cheap. Alloyed metal serves as an incredibly strong value-for-money alternative. Its only downside is that steel is far heavier than most modern materials.
- Brakes: The two most common types of brakes found on a road bike are caliper brakes and disc brakes. Caliper brakes attach directly to the sides of the wheel rim, while disc brakes apply stopping pressure to a separate rotor which is mounted directly to the hub. Though caliper brakes are cheaper, lighter, easier to maintain and offer a quicker release, disc brakes have a fantastic stopping power which comes in handy on those steep downhill descents. Disc brakes are also more suited to off-road detours, inclement weather and precise, skilful braking.
For an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of a road bike, we highly recommend taking a look at REI’s handy guide. In the meantime, keep scrolling for a round-up of the best road bikes available for under £1,000.
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Specialized Allez E5 Disc 2023 Aluminium Road Bike in Black
New for 2023, the Allez E5 from Specialized offers professional quality at a more affordable price than other high-end bicycle manufacturers. Designed to imbue you with confidence even if you veer off-road for a good-looking country path, this versatile two-wheeler is crafted from a premium double-butted E5 alloy frameset weighing just 1.375kg.
For unbeatable shock absorption, the front fork is realised in carbon fibre and is supported by mechanical disc breaks. The Allez by Specialized has been around since 1981, but the E5 is certainly its greatest iteration yet.
Buy now £1000.00, Tredz
Cannondale CAAD Optimo 4 2022 - Road Bike
Perhaps the most fashion-forward road bike we’ve ever come across, the Cannondale CAAD Optimo certainly doesn’t lack substance. The C2 aluminium frame features a road buzz-quieting full carbon fork, a smooth Shimano Claris 3x8 drivetrain, 25c tyres and Promax disc breaks for a “champagne experience for lemonade money,” as the brand itself puts it.
Buy now £599.00, Tredz
Van Rysel Road Bike Triban Rc 500 Microshift Disc Brake
Made with a 100 per cent aluminium frame, the Triban road bike by Van Rysel is equipped with 9-speed Shimano Sora shifting and cable-operated Promax DSK-300R disc breaks for smooth stoppage at high speeds (though we wouldn’t recommend slamming on the cables at a hairpin turn, this isn’t the MotoGP).
Designed to accommodate your most comfortable ride yet thanks to the specialised geometry of the frame, you’ll also be able to ditch your backpack in favour of incredibly handy pannier bags thanks to the built-in racks.
Buy now £499.99, Decathlon
Trek Road Bike - Domane AL 2 Shimano - Claris R2000 Gloss Mulsanne Blue/Matte Black 56
At the centre of the Trek Road Bike is a 100 series Alpha Aluminium frame and a carbon, straight alloy steerer. Described by Trek as the “perfect gateway to comfortable road biking,” the Domane AL 2 is as fun to ride as it is to marvel at. With rack mounts and additional tyre clearance for the occasional off-road adventure, this road bike is brilliant for city and country dwellers alike. We’re also big fans of the fact that Trek offers a lifetime warranty.
Buy now £637.50, Swinnerton Cycles
Ribble Endurance AL Disc – Sport Shimano Tiagra
We know that the Ribble Endurance is technically over the £1,000 price cap, but we couldn’t help but sneak this chromatic two-wheeler into the mix. Available from size XS-XL, this lightweight aluminium piece of kit is fitted with a top-of-the-range Shimano Tiagra chainset and a full carbon tapered steerer. For maximum comfort on longer rides, the Ribble Endurance is fitted with a lightweight alloy sit with an ergonomic Unisex saddle. However, the saddle and the frame can be further customised with Ribble’s ‘Build a Bike’ feature.
Buy now £1099.00, Ribble
Vitus Razor W Road Bike (Claris - 2022)
This entry-level aluminium bicycle has pretty much everything you’d want from your first ever road bike, plus, it’s ideal for commuting. Equipped with Shimano Claris gears and Tektro dual-pivot brakes it offers quality specs at a wallet-friendly price.
Buy now £359.99, Wiggle
Decathlon Triban RC120
If you’re a complete newbie to cycling and you really only want a bike as a mode of transport, then this option from Decathlon comes highly recommended. For the price – which is outrageously good value for money – you get an aluminium frame with a carbon fork, wide-range gearing and a simplistic design.
Buy now £349.99, Decathlon
Verdict
For a hi-tech, hi-spec all-rounded, the Specialized Allez has been top of the game since its invention in 1981. Now, with over forty years of experience under its belt, the Allez E5 is certainly the brand’s best road bike iteration yet.
