Have you ever been interested in mimicking the accomplishments of legends like Chris Froome? Or even expanding your borders when it comes to fitness? The best beginner road bike makes it possible and easier to do so without having to break the bank. Stylish and affordable, these bikes have the potential to make you look great and improve the all-important aspect of fitness. The Diamondback Bicycles Century 1 Road Bicycle is one of the best for beginners with all the top features any beginner will make use of.
As an avid cycling supporter, I love turning on the TV and watching things like the Tour De France. While this might be boring for some, once you understand the fundamentals and the strategies, you also learn how important the bikes are. While the bikes on this list are nowhere close to those revolutionary bikes, my insight and years of studying helped me in selecting cheaper models that work great for beginners.
In this article, you will see a new side of the road bike. Instead of living under the illusion that these bikes are far too expensive, I have taken a different approach and searched for some of the cheaper models. While they are cheaper, they still offer decent features and you can look at the small buyer’s guide we included helping you understand some of these features.
Best Beginner Road Bike On The Market Today
As a beginner, all the technical aspects might bore you. Some might not even understand all of these features fully. However, in this review, I focused on my experiences with these bikes and how they worked. If you are looking for a new road bike without breaking the bank, you have come to the right place. Here are the best-rated options.
Top Pick: Diamondback Bicycles Century 1 Road Bicycle
Why not start by looking at one of the most elite brands when buying a new road bike? The Diamondback Bicycles Century 1 Road Bicycle is highly rated and not only designed for beginners. Made from lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber, it is highly durable. We believe it works great for beginners and should last them well into the intermediate level.
Diamondback claims the ergonomic design would help when it comes to reducing fatigue. While it might not be apparent for the beginner, the more elite riders will definitely see this difference. A 2 x 11-speed Shimano drivetrain has been inserted. I found this really easy to use when scaling up mountains. It also helped me in reducing fatigue as an experienced rider.
Some beginners might find it to be a little expensive. However, quality does not come cheap, and compared to the elite bikes, this is still affordable. The standard Diamondback warranty is included for giving you peace of mind and you can make many upgrades. I personally recommend this bike to an enthusiastic beginner with high ambitions. We would also like to mention that the Diamondback Century 2 Road Bike is the newer version.
Best “WOW” Factor Bike: Tommaso Monza Endurance Aluminum Road Bike
I don’t consider the “WOW” factor to be really important when it comes to expert riders. However, as a beginner, it will be great to have a bike that turns heads. The Tommaso Monza Endurance Aluminum Road Bike definitely has this “WOW” factor that many people desire. As part of the aluminum series, it is lightweight and durable, with a carbon fork for added durability.
Shimano has been a leading supplier of drivetrains. The 2 x 10-speed drivetrain is definitely one of the best additions and it also ensures the bike does hold up on different terrains. I personally like the precision shifting feature that makes it easier to find the right gear. Whilst riding the bike, it got me out of a couple of tough situations.
The price is reasonable for all of these features and the stylish design is a great plus point. The only upgrade I would suggest making it improving the brakes from cantilever to disc brakes. It is worth noting that you receive a limited lifetime warranty as well. However, you will need to have it assembled by a professional to activate these warranties.
Best Road Bike For Large Beginners: Giordano Libero 1.6 Men’s Road Bike
We often see people aspiring to ride road bikes, but they are afraid that the bike will not hold their weight. Fortunately, the Giordano Libero 1.6 Men’s Road Bike makes it possible for large riders – it also removes the excuse of blaming your weight for not working out. Aluminum has been used for the frame with carbon in the fork. I like this combination of lightweight and durability. However, it might not stand up to the best mountain bikes for the large rider.
The massive 16-speed Shimano drivetrain has been added and this means you have a lot of functionality. It might take some time figuring out exactly how to use them, but I figured it out in a couple of minutes. It does have multiple water bottle holders, but I personally feel the cantilever brakes must be replaced with disc brakes.
As one of the cheaper models, the bike is also really popular amongst many riders. If you move in these circles, you should not have any trouble when it comes to using the bikes. While it might not hold up to the best carbon road bikes, it is the ideal option for beginners. I also recommend it in conjunction with a good Fitbit smartwatch to track all your stats.
Best Bike for Versatility: Raleigh Bikes Merit 2 Endurance Road Bike
Without a shadow of a doubt, beginners will need some versatility and while the Raleigh Bikes Merit 2 Endurance Road Bike is a road bike, it also serves as the ideal bike for cyclocross. Made from durable aluminum, the bike features wider 700c wheels, which can make a massive difference on different terrains. The bike also tends to be really lightweight.
It is actually an upgrade from the Raleigh Bikes Merit 1, giving it some upgraded features for you to work with. The bike includes 16 different gear combinations on the Shimano drivetrain. However, I also like the fact that Raleigh has included the more expensive disc brakes for better stopping power. According to Raleigh, the assembly process is also rather swift.
With a reasonable price and a lot of room for upgrades, this bike is considered a long-term investment for beginners and intermediates. The limited lifetime warranty is good for peace of mind and I also like the cyclocross edge. It is highly recommended and can be used with some of the best cyclocross bikes for the money.
The Ultimate Beginner Starter Bike: Vilano Shadow Road Bike
Now that you have seen some of my personal favorite bikes that I have reviewed, the Vilano Shadow Road Bike is one of my favorite budget bikes for beginners. Made from durable 6016 aluminum, the bike holds up well under pressure and it also keeps the weight down. The alloy fork is not the most durable, but still functional for riders.
As with most of the other bikes, Shimano has provided the quality drivetrain. The precision shifters are a real benefit and should help users when moving between gears. Cantilever brakes are used for decent stopping power as well. However, if you need to improve the brakes, you can simply add your own Shimano set of disc brakes.
We have rated the bike as the ultimate bike for beginners thanks to all of the features. The bike is really affordable as well and this makes it a decent option for those strapped to a budget. Nevertheless, the only downside is the lack of a top-quality warranty. We definitely recommend it to beginners and intermediate riders. It is also worth noting that the bike is liked by many hobbyists as well.
Key Features To Consider In The Best Beginner Road Bike
If a beginner might be looking for a new bike, they might not know the most important features to keep in mind. Fortunately, we have decided to simplify this process and isolate these top features. If you are in the market for a new bike, especially a good road bike, these are some of the most important features to keep in mind:
Frames
The biggest misconception is that if you do not have a carbon frame, you are wasting your time. However, these frames are really expensive and recommended to the pro riders. Steel is another decent option, but I feel that steel can be a little too heavy. For these reasons, the aluminum frame does hold its own in many situations and keeps the budget down.
Brakes
Cantilever brakes are really affordable and many riders love the cantilever brakes for the ability to do this. However, they are not as effective in wet weather conditions. The modern disc brakes are much better at offering you stopping power and keeping you safe in all conditions. The brakes also help you adhere to road safety rules.
Versatility
Most new bike owners are not really sure if they like the road bike niche or tackling some off-road terrains. However, the best cyclocross bikes will make it easier for you to determine which area of cycling you favor. I always look at the versatility factor as this also translates to more fun in the long run.
Wrap-Up
The best road bike for beginners is designed to make life easier and to help you adhere to the rules of the sport. This article should have shed some light on the important features and the current top models you can choose. I have tested many bikes in my life and these 5 bikes have certainly stood out with the Diamondback Bicycles Century 1 Road Bicycle being the best beginner road bike.
We would like to thank you for reading this article and encourage you to share some of your thoughts on the options. Your comments might make a difference for a new buyer and we also like doing some additional research to help you find what you are looking for. I look forward to seeing some of these interesting comments.
Check out some of the top mountain bikes if you prefer scaling mountains and taking on nature.
