There comes a point in a cyclist’s life when they can justify buying a nice bike. Not just a new bike, but one that represents a real upgrade away from whatever they’re currently riding.
If you’ve hit this point and find yourself browsing new road bikes, then you’re in luck. This article rounds up six of the best road bikes you can get for under £2,000: a price point that opens up a whole new world of performance and engineering precision.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- How to choose a road bike
- The best road bikes under £2,000
Click here to jump straight to the bikes
How to choose a road bike
It may be that you’re already familiar with the intricacies of a road bike and you know exactly what you’re looking for. But if not, or if you want a refresher, this section will quickly recap the key points to keep in mind when choosing a road bike.
If you’re buying your first road bike this information will help you make an informed choice and could make the difference between buying a bike you like and one you love.
- Aim light: Whether you're looking to ride a sportive or even race, a light road bike will be of benefit, accelerating faster and quicker at cruising. Aluminium or carbon fibre frames are both great choices.
- Choose versatility: at this price point it may be that you’re thinking about using your bike competitively, but still want something that can function as a commuter, or in more relaxed settings. Choosing a versatile frame lets you switch between uses based on your needs: mudguard and pannier eyelets, for example, let you add or remove these components as and when you need them.
- Consider the components: as you move upward through price points, you gain access to increasingly high-quality components. Look at the individual components - cassettes, derailleurs, gear levers etc - and don’t be afraid to research the specifications of each.
- Don’t rush it: take your time when deciding which bike to buy, and feel free to ask questions. Taking a considered approach to the decision will help you to find a bike that really aligns with your needs, and represents a solid investment rather than an impulse buy.
The 6 best road bikes under £2,000
Our team of road bike experts have hand-picked these bikes from our range. They represent the sweet spot between performance and value, and all come from reputable manufacturers.
Cannondale CAAD Optimo 2 Road Bike 2024
Retail price - £1,150
Starting our list of road bikes under £2,000 is a stunning offering from Cannondale. Here, with the CAAD Optimo 2, you can enjoy a full aluminium frame, which keeps weight down and features specially engineered flex zones to reduce fatigue. Added to this is a carbon fork which reduces feedback from the road.
- The SmartForm C2 aluminium frame keeps the overall weight of the bike lower, contributing to nimble, responsive handling
- SAVE engineered flex zones reduce fatigue when riding over rough surfaces
- Shimano Tiagra 10-speed gears provide crisp shifting
- Rim brakes offer responsive stopping and easier maintenance than disc brake alternatives
- Eyelets on the frame give you the option to add mudguards and reduce splashback
Shop the Cannondale CAAD Optimo 2 Road Bike
Specialized Allez Disc Road Bike 2024
Retail price from - £875
The latest version of the Allez Disc Road Bike, is now lighter, more versatile, and available with disc brakes. This model from Specialized features comfortable and confidence-inspiring Endurance Road geometry and reliable components. Beyond this the pairing of an alloy E5 frame with a full carbon fork creates an excellent stiffness to weight ratio.
The Specialized Allez Disc Road Bike also features wider tyres and tubeless-ready wheels, allowing you to take advantage of lower air pressures, which definitely helps with the smoothing out of rough, potholed roads.
- Extremely reliable Shimano Claris 8-speed components
- Smooth ride while keeping weight to a minimum
- Mechanical disc brakes which provide confidence even at speed
- Practical additions of mudguard and mount racks
Shop the Specialized Allez Disc Road Bike
Cannondale Synapse 3 Disc Road Bike 2023
Retail price - £935 to £990
The Cannondale Synapse 3 offers the perfect mix of comfort, responsiveness and capability- all for under £1000. Designed for longer distances in mind, the Synapse 3 is sporty yet feels more relaxed than other road bike models. The alloy frame helps to damp vibrations, while the carbon forks lend themselves to precise handling.
- Shimano Sora components offer reliable shifting across the 9-speed cassette
- Mechanical disc brakes which perform in both wet and dry conditions.
- Vittoria Zaffiro tyres capable of handling rougher roads
- Practicality considered with a number of mounting points for mudguards and racks
- Trainer-compatible thru-axle with easy-to-install end caps for simple turbo trainer mounting
Shop the Cannondale Disc Road Bike 2023
Orbea Avant H40-D Disc Road Bike 2022
Retail price from - £1,549
To the untrained eye, this may look exactly the same as the H60-D. But there are differences, and they’re differences that matter. First, the 10-speed Tiagra drivetrain for improved gearing versatility over the H60-D's 8-speed; second, the Shimano Tiagra brake levers in place of the H60-D's Claris ST-R2000. These subtle changes give you that little more bang for your buck when choosing the H-40D.
- Designed for long rides with no loss of comfort or unnecessary fatigue
- Hydroformed aluminium frame with variable thickness tubing and kinked top tube design combines into a compliant and comfortable ride
- A carbon fork reduces vibrations from rough road surfaces while lowering the weight of the bike
- Shimano Tiagra 10-speed gears offer a generous range of movement with seamless shifting, helping you to ride just as hard on long flat sections as on challenging gradients
- 35mm tyre clearance gives you the option to switch out the 28mm Vittoria tyres for something a little wider should your riding style demand it
- Fizik Aliante R5 saddle is hand-picked for comfort over any distance
Shop the Orbea Avant H40-D Disc Road Bike
Specialized Allez E5 Sport Road Bike 2022
Retail price from - £1,250
“Innovate or Die” - this was the motto of Specialized for over 30 years, and it’s an ethos that still sings through their range. This manufacturer is consistently amongst the most popular, and the Allez E5 Sport embodies all the key reasons why: the engineering is sound, the component selection is solid, and performance is at the heart of its design. The 2022 model is one of the best road bikes available at this price point.
- The Specialized Allez E5 brings performance and affordability into perfect harmony, representing a great choice for any rider looking for a reliable, enjoyable road bike
- The E5 is defined by its lightweight frame that keeps weight low while being robust enough to perform
- A FACT carbon fork absorbs road buzz to give you a smooth ride
- Mudguard and pannier mounts let you quickly transform this road bike into a specialised commuter or even a light-tourer: great for the demanding rider
- Shimano Sora R3000 9-speed gear shifters offer precise and controlled shifting
- Rim brakes offer easy maintenance and assured stopping power
Shop the Specialized Allez E5 Sport Road Bike
CUBE Attain SLX Disc Road Bike 2023
Retail price - £1,299
This CUBE has an aluminium chassis designed and built with comfort and performance in mind. With slender seatstays and a full carbon fork, the CUBE Attain SLX is able to reduce road shock and vibration equating to better rider comfort. With Shimano's iconic 105 2x11 transmission also on-board, cyclists will enjoy the perfect mix of support and pace.
- Lightweight folding Continental tyres
- Double-butted tubes for weight saving
- Shimano's 105 hydraulic disc brakes for reliable braking
- Tapered steerer and thru axles for pinpoint precision accuracy
- Geometry offers a nice mix of speed and comfort
Shop the CUBE Attain SLX Disc Road Bike
Ride well, for under £2000
Investing in a new road bike is a joyous moment, whether it’s your first bike or your fifteenth. And taking the time to select a bike that aligns with your aesthetic preferences and your riding style will ensure you feel that joy every time you get on the saddle.
As trends evolve and development cycles progress the selection of bikes will continue to grow, but the bikes in this list are a solid bet for anyone looking for a high-quality, high-performance road bike under £2,000.
To find out more about our road bikes, check out our selection. You can also get in touch with us, and one of our experts will be happy to get you matched up with your perfect bike.