Finding Decent, Affordable Entry Level Road Bicycles
Riding a road bicycle is one of the best and most exhilarating exercises you can find. It's a wonderful combination of endurance, speed and agility. If you're new to riding, or are hoping to get into it, finding a good entry level road bike at an affordable price is really i
There is a lot on the market and it can be confusing. A good entry level quality road bike will have some specific features. They need to have efficient components that will ensure the ride is smooth and quick. They need to have a light frame and a good geometry to let the rider pedal comfortably. Since the price tag is lower there will almost always be some compromise on components, but those components must still do a decent job.
This article will take a look at five of my favorite entry level road bikes, giving a brief review of each one and offering my opinion on why you might consider it. We'll also talk briefly about some specific things you might want to avoid on an inexpensive road bicycle, to steer you away from a dud. Let's get started.
Things To Avoid On Beginner Level Road Bikes
Obviously an entry level quality road bike comes with a lower price tag. With that comes lower value components, and while that's not necessarily a bad thing, you should know what you're getting into. Here are a few tips to help you avoid riding around on a two wheeled lemon.
Stick with well known, proven brands:
A good rule of thumb is to stick with a brand you're familiar with. There's a reason they are successful, and if nothing else you have a large company to turn to in the case of a failed component. Some of the best entry level road bikes for beginners are available from bigger brands like Schwinn and Diamondback. They have the buying power to get discounts on decent components, which saves you money in the long run, so check them out.
Avoid plastic components:
I'm not a bike snob. I know that plastic has its place, but I still think it should be avoided on primary components. That means that a good entry level road bicycle should avoid fully plastic brakes, shifters and especially derailleurs. They just don't have the resilience that steel and aluminum alloy boast. They bent, snap and wear out much more quickly. A good road bike for beginners doesn't have to skimp on component quality.
Set it up properly:
Sometimes a bike doesn't feel right, and it's not the bicycle's fault at all. Make sure that you set up your ride properly. There are some great online guides on standover height, handlebar position and things like that. If you're not comfortable, look here first before blaming your bicycle. Even cheaper entry level road bikes can benefit from adjustments like this.
Source: Giordano
Giordano Libero 1.6 White/Red Men's Road Bike-700c (20-Inch Frame)
Amazon Price: $377.99
List Price: $549.99
List Price: $549.99
Giordano Libero: An Entry Level Road Bike for Beginners
The Giordano Libero is a great road bike that gives the rider a taste of higher end components, luxury and construction. Based around a lightweight 6061 aluminum frame, it's an entry style road bicycle that will please even experienced, seasoned riders. The Vitesse alloy 700c wheelset is light and spins really well for the price, and the Shimano 2300 shifters and derailleurs are quite smooth as well.
It's available in multiple frame sizes depending on your size, and all of them are light and agile platforms, quick to start and fast on long straightaways. Personally, I think they are very attractive bicycles too, with a subtle, race inspired look and oversized tubing. It's also a breeze to upgrade components if you find yourself outgrowing them. One of the better entry level road bikes on the market.
Beginner Level Road Bicycle by Vilano
Source: Vilano
Vilano Aluminum Road Bike 21 Speed Shimano, Black, 54cm Medium
Amazon Price: $329.00
List Price: $500.00
List Price: $500.00
Vilano Beginner Level Road Bicycle: Aluminum Frame
Vilano isn't necessary a name you'll recognize, but they boast some of the best entry level road bikes in the business right now. Their prices are very affordable despite have a decent set of components. This aluminum framed road bike is a prime example of what Vilano has to offer. Don't let the name confuse you, these bikes are not Italian, but they're solid with brand name components and good construction. I always like to go by customer reviews, and this one has had a great response.
It's the kind of bike you'll want to see up close. The paint is excellent, and it has a low key appearance that's not too flashy. With Shimano A050 handlebar mounted shifters and a 6061 aluminum frame, it's light and responsive. (24 pounds, compare that against more expensive models!) The caliper brakes actually stop better than many disc varieties out there. The double-walled alloy rims make the bike look great and keep weight respectable. It's one of my favorite inexpensive entry level road bicycles out there today, definitely give this one a look.
Source: Schwinn
Schwinn Men's Prelude Entry Level Road Bicycle
Schwinn is a very well established and recognized brand, and they've gotten there by putting out a consistently excellent product. The Prelude is a respectable platform and an excellent value, and it's definitely one of my picks for the best road bike for entry level riders. Like many of the competitors in this bracket, this bike uses a lightweight and strong 6061 aluminum frame, and many of the other components are Schwinn's proprietary brands, including the rims, tires and stem.
The shifters are Shimano A050 road bar style, so they're easy to shift, and they're paired with Shimano derailleurs, and the cranks are all alloy making them light and strong enough to last. The bike is a 55cm frame, which is medium sized by most standards and with the adjustable seatpost, it's good for anyone between 5'5 and 5'11.
Source: Schwinn
Schwinn Men's Phocus 1400 700C Drop Bar Road Bicycle, Black, 18-Inch
Amazon Price: $262.46
List Price: $359.99
List Price: $359.99
Schwinn Men's Phocus Road Bicycle for Beginners
I'm not finished with Schwinn just yet! I've spent a lot of time building and repairing Schwinns, and they consistently impress me, being well built and crafted. The Phocus is a great example of an entry level road bicycle that will impress. It has a gorgeous, arched aluminum frame with oversized tubing for extra strength and rigidity. This is a snappy bike that you'll love zipping around town on. With Shimano A050 shifters and derailleurs, you have 14 speeds, which is more than enough for most situations.
The brakes are alloy caliper, which actually operate a lot better than the disc brakes that more expensive cycles come with. The frame is 18 inches, which is a medium frame good for someone around 5'6 to 5'11, and the seatpost is adjustable depending on your exact height. The wheels are quick release, so be sure to pick up a cable lock to keep them safe too. It's a good road bicycle for beginners that's not a huge investment, but will probably last you for years to come.
Source: Nashbar
Nashbar AL-1 Entry Level Bike for Road Riding
Nashbar is another brand that's less well known, but it's gaining notoriety by producing an excellent quality bicycle with great components for a decent price. They're primarily makers of cyclocross, mountain and road bikes. The AL-1 is one of the best entry level road bikes, albeit a bit more expensive than the others listed here.
This bike has a full aluminum frame that's lightweight and extremely responsive. Shimano Sora derailleurs and shifters are a cut above what you'll usually find at this price point, and shifting is a breeze. It has dual pivot caliper brakes that stop you on a dime. It comes in silver or matte black / blue, I've listed both models for you below. I encourage you to research Nashbar a bit to get to know the brand. The AL-1 is among the best road bikes for entry level riding on the market.
Considering a different beginner road bicycle? Here are some quality indicators.
If you're considering an entry level road bicycle that's outside of these selections, I want to encourage you to use this 'check list' to make sure the bike is a decent buy. This isn't a surefire way to determine quality, but it can definitely help.
- Check where the bike is made: if it's made in a factory in China, it probably isn't as high quality as one made by hand somewhere else. That said, some Chinese factory bikes are really decent, especially if the manufacturer controls the quality.
- Check the brand. Some bikes are 'brandless', and that's a risky thing. Many less popular brands are just rebadged versions of more popular bikes. A big brand is an indicator of quality control, and something to look for.
- Make a list of the components, and then research those brands. If most of the components are 'no-name', the bike is probably not as good as one carrying lots of brand name parts. If you're not sure of a component brand, post a comment below and I can let you know if it's any good.
- Customer reviews are key. There are a lot of enthusiastic bicycle fans like myself that buy, ride, build and review bicycles from all over. Read blog reviews and forum posts for a better understanding of the bike you're looking into. Also, if you're buying from a big online retailer, be sure to read the customer reviews and blurbs for a better understanding.
- Check the frame material. Steel is generally the cheapest material, followed by aluminum and chromoly, and then carbon fiber and titanium. At this price point if you're able to find aluminum or chromoly it's probably a great deal.
If you're still stumped and looking for more indicators, please leave a message and I'll try to help you out.
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