A look at the best value road bike around £500.
At this price, there isn’t a huge range of choice with many entry level bikes starting at just over £500. I’ve included some of these bikes costing just above £500 because you can often see them on discount from their RRP bringing them under £500. Of these road bikes mentioned here, the Raleigh Airlite 100, Specialized Allez, Pinnacle One and Trek 1.1 are particularly good value road bikes and can be bought for less than £500. Note, when testing bikes, I tended to find a huge noticeable difference between the very cheapest road bikes, and those costing at £500 – it is worth saving that extra.
I have had two trek 1000s (the first one was stolen) and overall I am quite happy with it.
Trek 1.1
At a RRP of £549, it is just above the target of £500. But, I will include it because it is pretty close; and if you search you might be able to pick up a new model with 10% discount. Some people have complained about the wheels going out of true quite easily, but, I have not experienced this since owning one for a couple of year years. The trek 1.1 comes with an 100 Series Alpha Aluminium fully butted frame and with Seven different H2 sizes and carbon fork. A carbon fork is a very nice upgrade helping to reduce the weight and increase comfort when riding. The Trek 1.1, makes an excellent choice for a good commuting bike (I have fitted both panniers and mudguards) or an entry level racing bike. For just over £500 it offers good value if unexceptional performance.
Specifications for Trek 1.1
- Seven different H2 sizes to choose from there’s a bike for everyone. Equipped with Shimano 8-speed shifting.
- Frame:100 Series Alpha Aluminium
- Fork: AluminiumFront Derailleur:
- Groupset: mainly Shimano 2300, STI
- Gears: 50/34 (compact)
- Brakes : Alloy dual-pivot brakes
- Trek 1.1 at Evans Cycles
Specialized Allez
I bought a Specialized Allez for riding when I’m in New York. It is based on a race ready geometry, and offers excellent value. Compact gearset 50/34 and 16 choices of gear. Similar to the Trek 1.1, it has an aluminium frame and Shimano 2300.
I wrote a more detailed review here of the Specialized Allez (£550) for 2013 model.
Pinnacle Dolomite One Road Bike
Another bike with RRP at just over £500. But, again you may find with 15-20% off.
It looks good with integrated headset and neat clean rides. The 7005 aluminium frame and carbon fork provides a good ride – a good combination for this prive. Perhaps aimed at the sportive market and those looking for an entry level bike. It comes in lighter than some of its competitors at 10Kg. The brand is less well known, and this helps it to be really competitive in terms of components and feature.
- Frame: 7005 Double-butted Aluminium
- Fork: Kinesis carbon blade, steel steerer
- Groupset: Shimano 2300 16 gears
- Kenda Kwick Roller Sport 700 x 26c
- Weight: 10kg
- Pinnacle road bikes at Evans cycles
Raleigh Airlite 100
Raleigh are making a comeback into the road bike market, they have restarted sponsoring a road team and are promoting a range of road bikes. The Airlite road bike is rrp £499, though you may pick up a discount. The aluminium semi-compact frame gives a solid ride and equipped with Shimano 2300 gives good performance for an introductory road bike.
- Frame: Airlite AL6061 semi-compact frame with Mudguard clearance
- Fork: EVO Alloy blades and steerer. 45MM rake, Mdgd clearance & eyelet
- Bars: RSP semi compact alloy
- Weight 10.7Kg for 55cm model.
- Gears: Shimano 2300
- Tyres” Michelin Dynamic
Giant SCR
Giant SCR is one of the best selling road bikes, which is unsurprising given how cheap it is. Manufactured in Taiwan Giant bikes benefit from the mass production of aluminium frames. Groupset is Shimano 2200. If you’re looking for a cheap, but fairly decent road bike, it will be difficult to find anything cheaper than the Giant SCR
GT GTR 4- £699
This is above the £500, but you might be able to pick up last years model for below £500.. GT Road bikes offer a cheap way to get a decent road bike which can be used for touring, training and sportive. The compact frame is made by the established GT frame builders. Groupset is a mixture of Shimano Sora and STI. The GT GTR4 2012 has had an upgrade compared to previous years model, including a carbon fork. The groupset is a mixture of SRAM, Shimano and Microshift R92
Unfortunately, this means that it is retailing at over £699. However, if you are patient, you may get a discount in due course.
GT Road Bikes at Wiggle.co.uk
Cheapest Decent Road Bike
Dawes Giro 200 – £299
- 14 speed shifters, Shimano RD-A050 rear Mech,
- Shimano FD-A050 front Mech,
- KMC-Z51 chain,
- Shimano MF-HG37 13-28T cassette, 52/42Tx170mm alloy crank
- I would consider this as a cheap commuting bike. Quick into town, but you don’t have to worry too much about getting stolen.
- For this price, you are economising on parts and so the ride experience is less that more expensive road bikes. But, I wouldn’t turn your nose up at it. It still gives an entry into the road bike market and at under £300 it is good for those on a very tight budget.
- Dawes Giro 200 at Evans Cycles
Chris Boardman Bikes
The cheapest Chris Boardman road bike is RRP £649 (Boardman Race with Aluminium frame and Sora) so is out of budget for this price range. But, they are very good value bikes, if you can stretch a little. Chris Boardman Bike reviews
Buying Second Hand
To buy a road bike under £500 does limit your choice. One option may be to look into the second hand market. This may enable you to pick up a carbon frame. If you are lucky you could get a £1,000 bike for half price second hand. Make sure it’s not stolen, see tips on buying second hand
Road Bikes Under £500
- Road Bikes at Evans cycles
- Road Bikes around £1,000 at Wiggle
Related
- Complete Listing of Road Bikes at Wiggle
- Advice on buying first road bike
- Focus Road Bikes Review
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