500 pieces creating 7 different sizes with the same tuned ride–that’s Rider-First Engineered. We examine every ply of carbon on every frame size to ensure that all of our performance targets come through. Aerodynamics is the most important thing we can do to make you faster, but with the Tarmac, we added aero features without any cost to weight. Through development, areas were discovered where we could add aero for free—a new fork shape and dropped seatstays with aero tubes. A Tarmac that’s approximately 30 seconds faster over 40 kilometers. The updated the geometry is based on countless Retül data points and professional rider input.
The saddle comes courtesy of Selle Italia in the form of the much admired carbon-rail Flite Boost. The BMC Teammachine SLR01 Two might have a hefty price tag, but if you’re looking for the best race bike around, you could do much worse. Also gone are the gender-specific geometries, the only difference between the men’s and women’s versions are the touchpoints and cranks. We’re on the SL7 issue of the Specialized Tarmac, and when the bike launched, it didn’t just spell the end of the Tarmac, it also put a nail in the coffin of the Venge aero bike. Basically the SL7 took the aerodynamics of the Venge, the low weight of the Tarmac and blended it into one bike.
Our lineup of 5 great bikes includes 3 carbon frames and 2 aluminum frames. Aluminum frames have enjoyed a bit of a resurgence lately, as makers like Trek and Felt have really cranked down the overall weight and built beautiful, nearly seamless frames. When you are looking at the $2,000 price point, keep in mind that you might be getting a top-of-the-line aluminum frame or a relatively entry-level schwinn bicycles carbon frame at that price. Still, carbon is carbon, which we love, and the bikes listed above are made by manufacturers who would not skimp on the build. They just can’t put the same time and maerial into a $2,000 bike that they would a $5,000 bike. The Salsa Journeyman is a great example of what you can do with aluminum that you would never be able to do at the same price with carbon.
Wilier is kind enough to offer some very nice paint jobs as well – matte black with white detailing, matte velvet red and a glossy admiral blue. The matte black frameset is slightly lighter, but go for the red or blue for that essential touch of Italian flair. Geometry and handling is lifted straight from the brand’s dedicated race bike, the Tarmac SL7, and is supremely precise in its cornering and weight distribution.
The Apex gives you a durable all-road bike, and we find the drivetrain to be excellent. We don’t expect to see you drop many chains — the shifting is smooth. The Co-Op brand is backed by the large retailer REI, and we are certain that REI has the resources, reach, and attention-to-reputation that will motivate them to make the Co-op lineup enduring. Plus, we really like the value that the bike provides for a newer rider. At the same time, some of the other bikes that used to be on our list just got too darn expensive. They are still great bikes, but we can’t in good conscience tell you that a $4,000 bike is really an entry-level option.
The Specialized Allez Sprint is a high-speed cornering, criterium racing weapon. With aerodynamic D’Alusio Smartweld tubing, the sprint is supremely stiff in every way, and no watt or steering input is sacrificed to flex. This also means you can articulate granular details about the road surface based solely on the vibrations coming up through the saddle.
We’ve tested hundreds of here at Cycling Weekly, so here is our top advice for choosing our pick of the best road bikes at different prices. If you click on this then we may receive a small amount of money from the retailer when you purchase the item. Keep in mind that while these are solid entry-level bikes, the lower prices mean you’re going to compromise on at least some level of component durability and riding comfort. Road bikes can be as easy or complex as you want them to be, so once you’ve got the basics down, whatever comes next will be based on your preferences and how the bike meets your evolving needs and capabilities. It’s best to pick out the features and components that best meet your needs, then see what the bike costs. It’s less expensive to get the frame, wheels and components you want initially than to upgrade later.