Cycle advice

Cheap road bikes - our pick of the bestGreat value budget bikes under 500, 600 and 750

You could pay a small (or large) fortune for a new bike, but in these cash-strapped times not

everyones looking to spend a four figure sum. Luckily, there are some great value budget bikes

NEWS By BikeRadar UK (/author/BikeRadar+UK/)June 09, 2014 8:00am

You don't have to part with a huge amount of cash to get a decent, entry-level road bike

Russell Burton/Future Publishing

Sensa Romagna Special

Joby Sessions/Future Publishing

Ribble Sportive 7005

Russell Burton/Future Publishing

Dolan Preffisio Apex

Seb Rogers

Scott Speedster S55

Future Publishing

Ribble 7005 Audax/Winter Trainer

www.robertsmithphotography.co.uk/Future P

Three stars

Future Publishing

Boardman Road Sport

www.robertsmithphotography.co.uk

Wilier Toni Bevilacqua

Paul Smith www.smithpic.co.uk

Carrera TdF Ltd

Future Publishing

Scott Speedster 60

Robert Smith/Future Publishing

Revolution Sabre


B'Twin Triban 5


Four stars


Five stars


Cheap road bikes - our pick of the best - BikeRadar http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/cheap-road...

1 of 16 Friday 18 July 2014 04:23 PM

around the 500 mark. If youre a beginner looking for your first road bike, you need look no further.

The entry level bikes below have all scored highly in tests by BikeRadar (/) and Cycling Plus

(http://www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/cycling/cycling-plus-magazine-subscription

/?ns_campaign=br_news&ns_mchannel=hl&ns_source=bikeradar&ns_linkname=br_news_cyp&ns_fee=0).

Some of the newer or higher-specced models will push you a little bit past that 500 benchmark, although

there are several of last year's bikes still available online at a heavily discounted price even more of a

bargain.

Best road bikes under 500

B'Twin Triban Black 5

RRP 429.99

www.decathlon.co.uk (http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-road-bike-black-id_8239801.html)

FEEDBACK (HTTP://WWW.BIKERADAR.COM/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=40033&T=12968029 )


2 of 16 Friday 18 July 2014 04:23 PM

Gallic sporting hypermarket Decathlon offers its BTwin Triban 5 Black at a price that almost defies belief. It

has a carbon fork and Shimano (/tags/shimano/)s Sora groupset but have compromises been made

elsewhere to hit this improbable price?

Its light, comfortable and versatile. Want to tackle your first century or sportive (/tags/sportive/)? Perfect.

Riding to work or need a winter trainer? Spot on. We really do think it will be love at first ride. Indeed, the only

problem might be buying one these bikes fly off the shelves as soon as Decathlon gets them, and we can

see why.

Click here to read our full review of the B'Twin Triban 5 Black. (/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-

btwin-triban-5-black-14-48520/)

Revolution Sabre

RRP 429.99

www.edinburghbicycle.com (http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-sabre-14)



3 of 16 Friday 18 July 2014 04:23 PM

The Revolution Sabre from the Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative is a striking black and red number (the colours

of the anarchist flag, fittingly), sporting Revolutions usual star logo.

Out on the road, the Sabre is certainly more comfortable than might be expected for an alloy bike with an

aggressive position, and will be well-suited to more powerful riders. It may not be as revolutionary as the

paint-job would have you believe, but its certainly gone down its own route in terms of beginners' road bikes

and if the Sabre's geometry resembles your existing bike, it would also make an ideal choice for a winter

trainer.

Click here to read our full review of the Revolution Sabre. (/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-

revolution-sabre-13-14-48519/)

Scott Speedster 60

RRP 499



4 of 16 Friday 18 July 2014 04:23 PM

www.evanscycles.com (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/speedster-60-compact-2014-road-

bike-ec054457)

Scotts Speedster 60 is the entry-level road bike from a company whose machines compete in the pro peloton

at the very highest level Simon Gerrans and Daryl Impey riding their Scott Foils to stage victory and the

yellow jersey (/gear/category/clothing/jerseys/) early in the 2013 Tour de France.

In conclusion, this Scott would make a great first road bike. Both frame and wheels (/gear/category

/components/wheel-sets/) are relatively light compared with some of its competitors and, while the seat tube

angle is quite steep, the medium height head tube and classic 73-degree head angle stops it from being too

aggressive for less experienced riders.

Click here to read our full review of the Scott Speedster 60. (/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-

scott-speedster-60-14-48518/)

Carrera TdF Ltd

RRP 499



5 of 16 Friday 18 July 2014 04:23 PM

Buy

now

from:

Halfords (currently 329) (http://www.halfords.com/webapp

/wcs/stores/servlet

/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810691_langId_-

1_categoryId_165710)

On miles of rural and urban routes, the Carrera was glitch-free and very pleasant to ride. It descends pretty

well and braking was good helped by the fact that it has calliper brakes with metal cartridges rather than the

solid rubber brake blocks found on some other bikes at this price, allowing softer and grippier rubber to be

used.

Click here to read our full review of the Carrera TdF Ltd. (/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-carrera-

tdf-ltd-road-bike-11-44902/)

Best road bikes between 500 - 600



6 of 16 Friday 18 July 2014 04:23 PM

Scott Speedster S55 (2012)

Buy

now

from:

Paul's Cycles (currently 499.99)

(http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p3974/SCOTT-

SPEEDSTER-S55-%2816-SPEED%29-2012)

A lively and entertaining ride that also has a practical side. The Alex wheels are relatively light for a bike at

this price, and spin up to speed well, aided and abetted by the stiff and lively frame. For a four-season bike

the seat and head angles are quite racy, and the Scott is as happy to hold a tight line as a pure race machine.

Click here to read our full review of the Scott Speedster S55. (/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-scott-

speedster-s55-11-44888/)

Ribble 7005 Audax / Winter Trainer (2012)

RRP 669.96FEEDBACK (HTTP://WWW.BIKERADAR.COM/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=40033&T=12968029 )


7 of 16 Friday 18 July 2014 04:23 PM

Buy

now

from:

Ribble Cycles (currently 579.95)

(http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p3974/SCOTT-

SPEEDSTER-S55-%2816-SPEED%29-2012)

The level of equipment for the price is simply outstanding. Add to this a great quality if a little dated

aluminium frame and a good Deda fork and you have the perfect winter trainer/ year-round commuter. We

wouldnt be tempted to use it for much more than that, but we cant think of a better value bike for seeing out

the winter.

Click here to read our full review of the Ribble 7005 Audax / Winter Trainer. (/gear/category/bikes

/road/product/review-ribble-winter-trainer-12-45501/)

Ribble Sportive 7005 (2012)

RRP 595.95



8 of 16 Friday 18 July 2014 04:23 PM

Buy

now

from:

Ribble Cycles (currently 595.95)

(http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/road-track-bike/ribble-

sportive-7005?part=BB13RIBSPORTIVE7005)

The basic spec Ribble Sportive costs 581.95 with full Shimano Sora groupset complete with chainset and

brakes, but we made a few minor changes, going for a Deda stem and bar which fitted the look perfectly, a

Selle Italia saddle and Continental Ultra Sport tyres (/gear/category/components/tyres/). The Sportive

balances the needs of comfort and performance well. It would make an ideal first road bike, and, given how

comfortable it is, a fine sportive machine.

Click here to read our full review of the Ribble Sportive 7005. (/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-

ribble-sportive-7005-12-46015/)

Boardman Road Sport

RRP 599.99FEEDBACK (HTTP://WWW.BIKERADAR.COM/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=40033&T=12968029 )


9 of 16 Friday 18 July 2014 04:23 PM

www.halfords.com (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet

/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_875977_langId_-1_categoryId_165710)

Should red really be quickest, then the Boardman Road Sport ought to fly. Its a brilliant bright red, none of

your namby-pamby burgundy. This is a bike that screams rather than whispers, that turns heads, whose looks

belie its modest price.

Click here to read our full review of the Boardman Road Sport. (/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product

/review-boardman-road-sport-13-47150/)

Wilier Toni Bevilacqua

RRP 599



10 of 16 Friday 18 July 2014 04:23 PM

www.wilierbikes.co.uk (http://www.wilierbikes.co.uk/2012/bike_range.php?BikeModels=3)

To mark 105 years in business, Italian brand Wilier are moving in on the fixie scene with their own

well-executed interpretation named after Antonio Toni Bevilacqua, a 1950s double track world champion.

Click here to read our full review of the Wilier Toni Bevilacqua. (/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-

wilier-bikes-toni-bevilacqua-12-45910/)

Best road bikes between 600 - 750

Dolan Preffisio Apex (2012)

RRP 749.99

Buy now

from:

Dolan Bikes (currently 612.99) (http://www.dolan-

bikes.com/dolan-preffisio-aluminium-road-bike.html)



11 of 16 Friday 18 July 2014 04:23 PM

At heart, the Preffisio is a modern take on the old-fashioned training bike, a machine for grizzled roadmen

with chiselled thighs to ride on five-hour epics through the worst weather.

Click here to read our full review of the Dolan Preffisio Apex. (/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-

dolan-preffisio-apex-12-46574/)

Sensa Romagna Special (2013)

RRP 754.99

Buy now

from:

Merlin Cycles (689.99) (http://www.merlincycles.com

/sensa-romagna-custom-road-bike-58987.html)



12 of 16 Friday 18 July 2014 04:23 PM

0 SHARES

Your money buys a beautifully finished hydroformed and double-butted aluminium frame showroom glitz

with smooth welds and neat graphics. If you want a quick sportive or race bike, the Sensa is fantastic value.

Click here to read our full review of the Sensa Romagna Special. (/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product

/review-sensa--romagna-special-12-46600/)

Related Links()

()

()



13 of 16 Friday 18 July 2014 04:23 PM

(/road/gear/article/best-

road-bikes-under-1000-29719)

(/beginners/gear/article

/how-to-get-your-road-bike-position-right-39738)

(/gear/article/10-ways-

to-make-your-road-bike-faster-workshop-30490)

0 comments

VIEW/WRITE COMMENTS

Related ArticlesBest road bikes under 1,000 (/road/gear/article/best-

road-bikes-under-1000-29719)

How to get your road bike position right (/beginners

/gear/article/how-to-get-your-road-bike-position-right-

39738)

10 ways to make your road bike faster workshop

(/gear/article/10-ways-to-make-your-road-bike-faster-

workshop-30490)

Best sportive bikes (/road/news/article/best-sportive-

bikes-33527)



14 of 16 Friday 18 July 2014 04:23 PM

sportive-bikes-33527)

From around the webRecommended by

Comments



15 of 16 Friday 18 July 2014 04:23 PM

BACK TO TOP



16 of 16 Friday 18 July 2014 04:23 PM

Documents

Cycle advice