🔥 Top 9 Best Entry-Level Road Bikes for Beginners

Cycling is a good way to “go green” and limit the amount of gas released to the environment. It’s also a fitness-efficient way to get around town with relaxation and fun. For novice riders, considering an entry-level road bike is imperative because it’s constructed with more user-friendly features than advanced models. However, out of 2000 options out there, it’s confusing and 80% chances you will end up with a wrong one. Read more:

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That’s why my rounded-up list comes in handy to help you make a good start. Read on!

Best Entry-Level Road Bikes For Beginners  Comparison Chart 2020

Top 9 Best Entry-Level Road Bikes For Beginners Reviews In 2020

Vilano Aluminum Road Bike 21 Speed Shimano

I’ll start this collection with one of the most lightweight road bikes – the Vilano Aluminum 21-Speed Shimano – weighing only 24 pounds. As other entry-level road bicycles that I’ve listed later, it’s crafted from 6061 double-butted aluminum frame. But the key-core element making such that impressive weight is its simple and clean design. With this bike, there’s no need for a cup since it’s integrated a headset to do the home mechanic. Out of a bunch, the Vilano is the easiest for novice riders to start their journey because it requires really less to propel the bike. While the equipped 700c tires highlight their perfect-all-kill performance on rough and rugged terrains, the A050 handlebar and Shimano drivetrain help with easy shifting. On this, I feel really confident to challenge those nearby hills. Because if it requires a hurried break, I can count on the allot caliper brake system of this bike. It stops as quickly as my demand, but still smooth and safe to prevent me from falling out. Very trustful!

6KU Aluminum Fixed Gear Single-Speed Fixie Urban Track Bike

The 6KU Fixie Urban Track Bike, on the other hand, is an ideal bicycle to cruise around the city with ease. It nurtures a slightly different approach with 17 various colorways and full-black wheels. But the most outstanding is the narrow flat bar – something that’s not regularly seen on 85% single road bikes out there. It helps you pass people on a busy street or bike lanes with no difficulties. And the decent lightness – only 21 pounds, making hanging and carrying this bike a simple task. While the wheel size is still kept the popular 700c, its tires seem to get a slightly leverage up to 28c width (the most common is 25c) for extra stability and smoothness during a ride. I myself like the Deep V double-walled alloy rims a lot since they look incredibly quick and cool. Also, are the full front and rear brakes. I think that’s partly what makes this bike hugely favorite since 70% single-gear or fixed bikes only have pedal brakes. The 6KU Urban Fixie is not just a fixie bicycle, but also has a flip-flop hub. One is freewheeled and the other one is fixed. One provides momentum with the power of your legs and one even allows you to ride backward. So, for the price, this is a steal!

Giordano Libero 1.6 Men’s Road Bike-700c

The Giordano Libero is the best choice for climbing hills with less energy expended. Compared to other counterparts in its field, the Libero highlights its aluminum compact crank that supports the rider with climbing. Additionally, is the assist from Shimano Claris 16-speed derailleurs and shifters. They help to grant the gliding ability between speeds easily. Fans of this Giordano also love its lightweight construction – weighing only 27 pounds – and with cranks, they give the bike versatility to ride on different terrains. Take a look at it and you’ll see: 6061 aluminum frame and 700c wheels. I think they are the decisive features making such that lightness. Another big benefit that I’ve found from this bike is even a girl can lift it up and transfer or hang on a rack easily. That’s why I chose it for my 14-year-old daughter. And you’ve also got two water bottle mounts on this bicycle, what else to ask?

Vilano Shadow Road Bike – Shimano STI Integrated Shifters

If your demand on a road bike is its versatility for many outdoor activities from intense exercising to casual riding, try the Vilano Shadow. Same as the previous sibling, it’s constructed with a double butted aluminum aero frame, 700c double-walled CNC machined side wheels, and drop handlebar design. They all help to leverage the bike’s durability and functionality while cutting a huge amount of precious heft to maintain its lightness in weight. The difference here is its dual pivot alloy caliper brakes and the Vilano Shadow 14-speed Shimano Claris shifters. Seem a bit irrelevant but in fact, they complement each other thoroughly to help the bike take pavements or hills with ease and safety with plenty of stopping power. What makes it the most rider-friendly road bike is actually the integrated brake shifters. They simplify shifting and braking while you’re gliding on the street, delivering the simplest accessibility.

Tommaso Imola Endurance Aluminum Road Bike, Shimano Claris R2000, 24 Speeds, Black, White, Burnt Orange

Thanks to the precise laser measured sizing, the Tommaso Imola gets an extraordinary frame geometry that can fit any types of riding styles or positions. By utilizing the full combo of 2018 Shimano Claris R2000, from derailleurs, brakes, to shifters and crank, the bike is literally made for customization. While ensuring the top-notch performance by not matching and mixing several group-sets, the Imola truly takes affordable road riding feel to a higher level. Like other good road bikes, this Tommaso is equipped with a shallow handlebar drop to resist wind effectively. It also helps riders to keep the better body balanced as well. But what I love the most about this bike is its wider 25mm 700cc tires. They help with sharp but safe turns to give beginner riders the ultimate control. Or, I think it’s also a good selection for those who have just returned to biking after a long break.

Vilano R2 Commuter Aluminum Road Bike Shimano 21 Speed 700c

If you wonder, what should an inexpensive entry-level road bike look like, here it is! I bet anybody can tell this, its construction is that of expensive models out there. And to the feel, is very lightweight and strong. As usual, the bike is crafted from 6061 double-butted aluminum frame and 700c doubled-walled CNC machine wheelset. But this time, it also includes quick release skewers as well. Altogether, it weighs roughly 25 pounds to be a perfect choice for female beginners. And also, is good at making hill-climbing even less energy. Shifters are one of the most critical features for beginners to consider. And this commuter road bike has a Shimano A050 thumb shifters that excel shifting without costing a fortune. The 21-speed drivetrain allows you to change speeds rapidly while handling all situations with ease. I find that this is a versatile option for those novice riders who want to invest for long-term use. whatever you go, Sunday riding, fitness, or marathons, it’s perfect all kill. And with the amazingly cheap price, your budget will love it as well.

Schwinn Volare 1300 Men’s Drop Bar Road Bike, 700C Wheels Medium Frame Size

On my collection, the Schwinn Volare 1300 immediately got its place as a high-quality, affordable entry-level road bike. And here, it still has remained. I’m personally impressed with the carbon fork that nearly no other bikes out there, at this price range, can have. It supplies quick, responsive riding while keeping the bicycle itself rigid and sturdy. Add to this a Schwinn aluminum road frame with superb durability and you get a lightweight go-green vehicle to use for years ahead. Every component of this Volare 1300 is well-made and functional, from the Shimano rear derailleur to the 14-speed Shimano A050 shifters. Even, its tires are size leveraged to 28C, which delivers extra fast and fun. I appreciate the hard work of Schwinn to slim down their products, but compared to other brands, like Vilano, it’s still a heavy boy with 30 pounds of weight. Hence, if you’re a true roadie, I guess you will don’t want to be the last person over every hill just because of that, right? Well, my suggestion (in case you want to give an upgrade to it) is replacing the rim tape, saddle, and wheels. Trust me, it sure helps!

Goplus Road Bike Commuter Bike Shimano 700C Aluminum 21 Speed Quick Release Racing Bicycle

The Goplus gives starter riders a perfect combination of fashion and speed to let them enjoy every ride while on roads to its fullest. Available in 5 different colors, it gives you a wide range of choice to be fashionable and attractive. Sometimes, this is also a good conversation starter as well. Designed as a commuter bike, it comes in some different features to suit every biking demands. The most mentionable is the PVC fake leather saddle combining with adjustable seat and handlebar to make daily ride (even on long distances) comfortable. Besides, are the provided safe and fast 700C tires that help riders go through rough terrain and road conditions with ease. Like other good road bikes, this model is crafted from the aluminum frame for extra lightness but strength, giving more efficiency to the ride. And on the other hand, provide wonderful racing memories to riders. For under $500, this is for sure a great budget road bike for beginners.

Roadmaster 26″ Men’s Granite Peak Men’s Bike

Last but not least, is a men’s granite peak road bike from Roadmaster – a trusted US brand with decades of manufacturing recreational products to leverage your next ride. Unlike other counterparts in this list, the Roadmaster is designed with a lower headtube than handlebar to provides a more relaxed geometry. This not only helps with back relief but also gives riders the ability to be capable during a ride. What’s worth mentioning about this product is its knobby tire treads. In my opinion, it gives me more protection against dirt roads or pavements. And the alloy rims, they provide extra stability and durability as demanded on a good entry-level road bike. This bike is versatile enough for those who want to cruise the streets in their neighborhood or sometimes, challenge themselves on a rugged unpaved path. Since equipped with a Shimano rear derailleur and 18-speed twist shifters, the bike gives maximum shifting performance out on the trail. Hence, ensure your safety significantly!

The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Best Entry-Level Road Bikes For Beginners

Size

About size, a road bike is measured from the crank to the seat-post. The reason why you should take this feature into consideration is its close connection to your height. A comfortable road bike, especially for beginner riders, should let their feet stand flatly and solidly on the ground. So, during a quick stop, they avoid you from unbalancing. Here is that connection between a bike size and your height, take a look:

Frame

For the very first bike, even if your budget is loose enough to afford a carbon frame road bike, I still highly recommend choosing aluminum. These two kinds of material all emphasize with decent lightness and durability, even during a test, carbon shows its superior performance than aluminum. So, why? – You might ask. Well, it’s because of the NON-scratch-resistance of carbon. During a crash (which is an inevitable thing happened to novice riders), a bike that’s crafted from aluminum will survive. The second reason is the affordable price. For the huge difference between aluminum and carbon, you can expect that a same-price bike made of aluminum will provide higher-quality components than a carbon model. Though, they come in same-same durability and longevity. Lastly, while you’re just a beginner who hardly notice any differences between them, why pay more?

Components

When it comes to brands of choosing bike’s components, I suggest Shimano. Look for Claris if you’re in a tight budget while a more high-level Sora component lineup will deliver better performance. There’re even lineups of 105 components or Tiagra, but for novice riders, I feel they aren’t necessary. Sometimes, you might find a road bike made of Campagnolo group-sets. It’s mostly manufactured and sold in the US with decent performance – a perfect choice for long-term investment. Xenon lineup is a choice-wise while Veloce and Mirage are even better. In terms of SRAM, I don’t like this brand since their products don’t have any comparable components for entry-level riders, but feature higher price. Note: The listed sets are all easy to replace or maintain, and importantly, they understand what road cycling really is.

FAQ

1. What are the best road bikes?

• Based on three listed elements, I highly suggest: Vilano Aluminum Road Bike 21 Speed Shimano
• 6KU Aluminum Fixed Gear Single-Speed Bike
• Giordano Libero 1.6 Men’s Road Bike-700c

2. What is the best cheap road bike?

Not only the cheapest road bikes on the market, but these picks also don’t sacrifice quality as well. They are:

• Roadmaster 26″ Men’s Granite Peak Men’s Bike
• Vilano R2 Commuter Aluminum Road Bike Shimano 21 Speed 700c
• 6KU Aluminum Fixed Gear Single-Speed Bike

3. How much does a decent bike cost?

I always say to my readers – Good design doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Hence, it’s not compulsory or always right that the costlier the bike, the better. On the market, the price range for road bikes is vast – from $200 to $11,000. And trust me, whichever range that your budget can afford for, there’s always some decent options for you. However, for beginners, the advised range should be $200-$600.

4. Which road bike brand is the best?

A road bike brand that’s considered good should satisfy these two things in their products:

• Cheap Price
• High Quality

From my experience, here are three highly-recommended brands that any beginners should try:

• Vilano
• Giordano
• Roadmaster

Conclusion

I understand that the biggest complaint among nowadays bike consumers is price. And while overwhelming of countless options, passing up quality to pick a cheap alternative can be tempting. However, I do hope that you don’t let such that enticement stop you from getting a great road bike to last you years ahead. At least, look for a steal option that satisfies two things: First, quality and then, cheap price. Thanks for reading!