The best road bike should satisfy the needs of all kinds of riders. If your goal is to stay active, they are a good starting bike because they cause less impact on the body thanks to how they position you on the seat and handlebars. If you are the competitive type, a road bike is the essential race bike that emphasises a speedy and smooth ride that’ll keep you ahead of the pack.
The different types of road bike
While searching for the best road bike, you’ll come across different terms that describe a specific function that the bike can give you. Whether you’re looking for more speed on an early morning ride or to give you an advantage in your next triathlon, finding the right type of bike is key.
An aero bike features a streamlined frame that enhances the natural aerodynamics to increase speed. A race bike has a stiffer frame and has the most responsive handling. Finally, another common type that most bike brands offer is the endurance bike, which are built for comfort on those long rides and to support you up those hills.
The best materials for your bike frames
Ever since the turn of the century, the development of bicycle frames has been rapid and the biggest bike brands now have access to some of the most advanced materials. Understanding what advantages certain materials can give you is another major point to consider when finding a bike that is the right fit for you and your riding style.
Today, the most dominant material for the best road bikes is carbon fibre, because it can easily be molded into shape, making it an ideal material for bike brands to experiment with. It is also the most aerodynamic and seen predominantly in race bikes.
Another common material you’ll come across is aluminum. One of the oldest materials, it has been a pioneer for road bikes and some of the very first road bike brands in history. Over the years the material has evolved and made the most of its lighter weight making it perfect for entry-level bikes.
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If you need a new road bike or just want an upgrade, these are the best road bike brands to shop from.
Bianchi
Handcrafted in Italy, their range of road bikes will meet the needs of the professional racer and even the casual rider. That’s why they include some of the most advanced technologies such as the Countervail disk that is vibration cancelling and supports longer chainstays for a smoother ride as seen in the ‘CV Disc Force AXS’ bike.
Cervelo
Using different fields of engineering such as computational-aid design and fluid dynamics, and even wind tunnel testing at facilities such as the San Diego Air and Space Technology Centre. Among their best road bikes is the ‘R-Series’ bike, with it’s racing geometry and disc brakes that are responsive and agile, and a squoval-shaped carbon frame that increases aerodynamics.
Ridley
To this day, they continue to commit themselves to applying the best technologies to their range of road bikes that are best suited for cyclo-cross racing and long-distance endurance rides. The ‘X-Night Disc Ultegra’ bike is a competition-level bike whose development has seen cooperation from multiple cyclo-cross world champions.
Specialized
Being an enthusiast himself, Sinyard made sure that Specialized created road bikes for all types of cyclists, whether it was a downhill race through the mountains or a Saturday ride with friends. If you are looking to perform on the road no matter what, the ‘S-Works’ series of bikes have premier tour-level frames that sport ultra-responsive disc brakes and achieve a perfect balance between aerodynamics and weight.
Trek
Their best road bikes are consistently ranked as some of the highest performing and pack engineered horsepower that will have even the most novice of riders feeling the difference. From carbon race frames to refined aluminum models, you will find a bike to fit your needs and among them, the ‘Emonda’ series of bikes that is the best in class thanks to its carbon frame, aero-tube shaping and Shimano disc brakes.
BMC
Whatever type of rider you think you are, BMC guarantees that their range of road bikes know you even better and will conform to whatever you may experience on a ride. If you are looking to push the pace, the ‘Teammachine’ series of bikes includes stiff aluminum frames and the best disc brakes technology that offers optimum control and stopping power.
Surly
Designed to counter any obstacle you might come across while riding the streets, Surly’s road bikes excel on deteriorating pavement and even across unexpected grassy patches. The ‘Midnight Special 650B’ bike will also provide maximum comfort with its tires that are optimised to absorb any and all bumps from the bitumen to the pavement.
Pinarello
With the ‘Dogma’ series of road bikes, you’ll find the highest-level performance right down to the most minute details. From the angle of the handlebars to the slope of the seat, everything has been accounted for to give you an advantage and with nanoalloy-infused carbon frames and high-grade disc brakes, there will be nothing stopping you on the road.
Orbea
The range of road bikes they offer include e-bike variants that will help you to push the boundaries of what you are capable of during a ride. With the ‘Gain M30’ bike, you’ll find an 11-speed drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes that inspire with it’s stopping power so you can even ride in bad weather with confidence.
Niner
Staying true to their mountain bike roots, their range of road bikes are specially designed to transition between the bitumen to the gravel with no slack in performance. Thanks to the suspension of the ‘MCR RDO 2020’ bike, you will be able to pedal comfortably and with more control over any unexpected rough patches.
Cinelli
The range of road bikes seek to combine contemporary materials with the legendary versatility of the old Italian tour bikes. That results in lightweight but aggressive handling and the precise geometry of racing bikes. With the ‘Superstar Disc’ bike, a dura ace groupset and carbon fibre frame allows for greater performance over long distances as well as sturdier handling.
Wilier Triestina
That history has followed the brand and today they have a range of road bikes that are race ready and performance tested by the very best professionals. For the very best on offer, the ‘Filante SLR’ is an extremely lightweight aerodynamic bike that includes liquid polymer infused carbon handlebars that achieve a balance between lightness and stiffness.
Cannondale
Their range of road bikes continues the tradition by using the most advanced technology and materials to enhance speed, stability and comfort. The ‘Synapse Carbon’ bike is the perfect example of this, and with shimano ultegra hydraulic disc brakes and a BallisTec carbon fibre frame, it will withstand any type of ride.
Polygon
For over 25 years, the brand has made it their mission to create road bikes for every kind of rider and price point, having amassed one of the most affordable ranges as well. With the ‘Strattos S7, you’ll find a bike that compliments fast cycling thanks to an agile geometry and the Strattos disc brakes that allow for powerful, fade free braking.
Marin Bikes
With success came the opportunity to branch into different bike types and their range of road bikes are well suited to the needs of the first time racer or taking the long journeys around town. They know you enjoy riding and the ‘2021 Four Corners’ bike will keep you smiling the whole ride thanks to its steel frame that won’t crumble after a day’s ride.
De Rosa
To this day, the brand remains family-owned and operated, with every model within their range of road bikes being handcrafted. The ‘SK Di2’ bike combines performance, comfort and elegant style with a carbon frame and shimano ultegra groupset to create a bike that is fit for road races, long distance events and steep uphill climbs.
Cube
With every model of their road bikes tested rigorously and ensured to meet the requirements you need to exceed a personal best or stand on the podium. The ‘C:68X Race’ bike sports an uncompromising combination of functionality, weight and safety with hydraulic disc brakes and a 12-speed electronic groupset.
Orro
Working with the industry's leading technicians and mechanics, Orro have used the very best technologies and finest materials in their range of road bikes. The ‘Venturi STC 2021’ bike sports Fulcrum R400 race wheels on a Sigmatex multi-directional carbon fibre frame that provides lightweight performance suited for group races and long endurance rides.
Fuji
If you are looking for speed and uncompromising feel, Fuji’s road bikes are among the most aerodynamic and built to endure sharp turns and steep climbs. You’ll find the very best in the ‘Transonic 1.1’ bike, which features carbon fibre technology and a 12-speed groupset, giving you the balance between gear shifting and braking performance.
Vitus
With a rich heritage in road cycling that has seen their frames in the highest positions and used by the best, including Australia’s Phil Anderson. The range of road bikes set the standard and the ‘Vitesse EVO’ bike is the best example, with the very best in Shimano groupset technology including disc brakes and a carbon fork that can withstand any unexpected bumps on the road.