Purchasing a new road bike is an extremely important decision. For many, buying a new road bike is as big a commitment as buying a new car or going on a big holiday. Therefore, it has to be right.
To make it simpler you should break down this process by answering these two questions. First, what do you want from this bike? Second, how much money are you willing to spend on a new road bike?
Today, we’ll present to you 10 best road bikes that you should absolutely consider if you are looking to buy a new one in 2020.
Tommaso Monza
There have been some improvements in the Tommason Monza in components in recent years. The newest model is unique because all of its moving parts are produced by Shimano, which guarantees superb quality. However, that is just one of the reasons why we made it to our list of best road bikes 2020.
However, Tommaso Monza is not all looks. It is fitted with a decent Shimano Tiagra 4700 groupset with 20 speeds in total. The largest cog on the cassette has 32 teeth, which makes this bike perfect for climbing!
This is a serious Aluminum road bicycle with a carbon fork. With its weight of 22.3 lbs, it definitely doesn’t mess around on the road. The frame is available in two colors — blue and matte black. They will definitely get the looks!
The brakes are Shimano Tiagra brake calipers with Tiagra 4700 brake levers. Some might prefer discs, but the truth is many roadies still love riding with V-brakes.
The wheelset is a Tommaso TC40 which is really lightweight and has low rolling resistance, while the tires are Kenda K191 700x25c. This is one of the most popular tire widths because of a good compromise between speed and rolling resistance.
So, if you are an advanced rider and want to make some cycling gains, Tommaso Monza is one of the best road bikes that you should get.
Trek Domane SL 4
The Trek Domane SL 4 has a really sleek design. The color is glossy grey, with “Trek ” written in black. The fire red/orange top tube adds a nice contrast. Also, there’s an all-black design as well.
Trek has managed to build another fantastic full carbon road bike and add it to their already impressive range of road bikes. Trek Domane SL 4 is the best road bikes for serious riders who aim to win races and snatch local KOMs — it offers incredible value for the money.
Apart from the carbon, the Domane SL 4 can also boast with a full Shimano Tiagra 4700 set of components. The drivetrain is a 2×10 and it is made from a Praxis crank and a Tiagra cassette, which will make it last long even if you abuse it.
It’s not common nowadays for high-end road bicycles to have hydraulic disc brakes, but it is becoming more and more usual. The Trek Domane SL 4 has them and even though they add a bit more weight, they have staggering stopping power.
Finally, this Trek is fitted with Bontrager Affinity rims and Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite tires (32c) which have a good power transfer on sprints or uphill attacks.
If you are asking for the best road bikes and you have the money to spare, then the Trek Domane SL 4 is the right choice for you!
Salsa Journeyman 700
Salsa Journeyman 700 is a bike that opens the door to gravel racing for novice riders and is often seen in gravel events.
So, if you love speed, you will love the Salsa Journeyman 700c Claris because this bike is fast! Thanks to the aero design of its frame and fork, it cuts through the air like through butter.
When you see its price, you will be dumbfounded how is it possible that it is so cheap. However, even the best road bikes do not have to be expensive if they are well-built.
Because this is a mid-range road bike, it comes with Shimano Claris components which are great value for money and perform excellently in all conditions. Moreover, the Salsa Journeyman 700c has 2×8 speeds and Shimano Claris brakes.
The tires are really fast and durable WTB Riddler, 37mm wide. They will perform well on the tarmac as well. However, you do not have to worry about vibrations since the carbon fork will absorb most of them.
Whether you are looking for a fast road bike that will help you “break” your limits, a TT bike, or even your first triathlon bike, the Journeyman will be a great buy. At this price, there aren’t really any downsides to it.
Pure Cycles Gravel Adventure Apex Bike
Aesthetically, the Pure Cycles Gravel Adventure Apex bike is one of our favorites of this list. Pure Cycles ApexWhen you look at it, this bike just screams to come out and ride it. The design is simple, but very appealing. Keeping it inside for more than two days should be considered a crime!
Even though this bike costs around $1,000, it has a carbon fork. The frame is made of Chromoly steel, so you can expect the utmost comfort on your gravel rides.
While the frame is amazing, at this price range, the components are as well. The SRAM Apex 1 rear derailleur and Promax mechanical disc brakes are fitted on the frame which helps you shift through the gears on the 1×11 drivetrain and stop quickly. You’ll have more than enough gears and stopping power wherever you go.
Pure Cycles Gravel Adventure Apex is a classic gravel smasher, but its road-ready components make it a decent all-around contender as well.
The Pure Cycles Gravel Adventure Apex bike rides on 700c WTB STP i23 rims with durable stainless steel spokes. The Hutchinson Overide tires are 38 mm wide and will maintain contact with the ground no matter the surface. However, many gravel bikes today have even wider tires, so you might want to upgrade in the future.
The bottom point is, even with some slight downsides, this is a high-performing and a beautiful bike, one of the best road bikes out there at this price range.
Cannondale Synapse Disc Tiagra
Cannondale CAADX 105 is ideal for intense training and entry-level competitions making it ideal for cycling enthusiasts and fitness riders. So, on the market, the Cannondale CAADX 105 is one of the best road bikes 2020. It is a part of the well-known and popular CAAD range of Cannondale’s bikes, so you know that you are buying a high quality item when you spend your money. There are plenty of reviews online and most of them are positive.
Even though the frame is aluminum, the fork is made of carbon which achieves significant weight savings. However, it is available only in one color, painted in black with white and orange details.
As the name suggests, the Cannondale CAADX 105 is equipped with complete Shimano 105 components, which puts it among high-performance and high-end bikes. Moreover, it has 22 gears with a wide-range 11-34T cassette and Shimano 105 hydraulic disc brakes.
The CX 2.0 rims, with Formula RX-512 and CX-22 hubs with quick-release are fast, yet lightweight, so the rolling resistance is very low on the CAADX. The tires are 35 mm wide, which is wide enough to make this road bike a good choice for mixed gravel and road rides.
The Cannondale CAADX 105 is a beautiful bike! This is important for your opponents, as they will have a nice view as you ride past them and over the finish line, but it will also push you to get out and motivate you to ride more.
Orbea Avant M40 Team-D (2020)
Orbea Avant M40 Team-D offers exceptional value for the up and coming road racer with its uniform Shimano components and race-ready geometry. So, it has caught our eye because we believe it is a very good buy. It costs a bit over 2,000 dollars, but for that money, you get a full carbon frame along with a carbon fork. The frame is power meter compatible and the fork features carbon dropouts.
Because it is a high-range bike, considering its price, it uses mid-range Shimano Tiagra components for the most part. The derailleurs and the cassette are Shimano Tiagra giving 2×10 gears. The good news is that the brakes and shifters are also Shimano Tiagra, so everything is compatible.
The Shimano Tiagra hydraulic disc brakes are undeniably the best possible braking solution in all weather conditions. So, if you live in an area with a lot of rainfall, you will be happy to have them on long descents.
The geometry of the Orbea Avant M40 Team-D is endurance-based, so it will be comfortable if you wish to go for century rides. Moreover, the seat is Selle Royal Seta RS, which seems to be highly regarded online among riders.
All in all, this Orbea is one of the best road bikes for the money, it has three attractive color schemes and it will no doubt put wind in your hair on a daily basis.
Boardman SLR 8.9
The new SLR 8.9 Carbon brings cutting-edge carbon fiber development to an attainable price point offering outstanding performance without breaking the bank.
The SLR 8.9 Carbon uses the same aero tube profiles and geometry as the top of the range SLR 9.8, using our C7 Carbon in the frame and fork. Features such as the integrated seat clamp reduce drag further, whilst dropped seat stays and a full carbon fork both help with maintaining comfort. A stiff, oversized PF86 bottom bracket area means that the bike responds instantly when you put the power down. Mudguard mounts and clearance for 28mm tyres add practicality for year round riding or commuting too.
As it stands, Boardman produces some pretty best road bikes like the SLR 8.9. Making do with Shimano’s 10-speed Tiagra groupset, it may not have the same component offering achieved by some of its competition. But then it is fully carbon.
Recently updated and renamed, the SLR 8.9’s endurance-focused frame sports skinny stays, an integrated clamp, and seamless looking cable management. This is backed up by a matching all-carbon fork.
Weighing a claimed 9kg, it’s quicker than most bikes at this price point, something you can boost further by ejecting the tubes from its tubeless-ready wheelset.
Tifosi Auriga Disc Ultegra
Tifosi Auriga Disc Ultegra is a fine, race-orientated machine hampered by dull tyres. Stylish, quick, and disc-equipped, the third generation of Tifosi’s Auriga retains a snappy, even punchy feel. Its compact frame dimensions marking it out as a racer, despite its impressive comfort over longer distances.
An aero bike, its gearing is also aggressive, with an FSA chainset marrying well with Miche’s 12-29 cassette. Operated with trademark efficiency by Shimano’s Ultegra-level shifters, the ratios are normally enough to drag the bike’s minimal weight up most mid-sized hills.
The mid-section Vision wheels and high-spec Schwalbe Durano Plus rubber are both inclined to roll fast, while the Auriga newly added hydraulic discs will slow it down in an instant.
Orbea Orca M21i Team
Firstly, sold as seen, this Orbea Orca in shiny teal is a true Basque beauty. Secondly, Orbea now gives you the option of a custom paint job on your bike to make it that bit more personal.
Besides that, the Orca is a truly stunning frame that is light yet aero while being comfortable and compliant. Basically, all you could want from a bike.
We highlight some outstanding features of this bike make it one of best road bikes as below:
+ Dynamic Structure Stiffness – The large majority of torsional and lateral loads are handled by the lower spine of the frame. The headtube, downtube and chainstays are shaped to resist twisting and transmit power to the rear wheel.
+ Smoothness – The natural flex patterns created by the carbon layup and minimal bulk of the top tube and seat stays deliver a dynamic, smooth ride that feels like floating over rough roads.
+ Freeflow – Freeflow spreads the fork legs away from this area to reduce pressure and turbulence.
+ Orbea Road Racing Geometry – Angles and dimensions are considered carefully across a range of sizes to put more power to the road with every pedal stroke, and more power means more speed.
Cervelo S5 Ultegra Disc
The S5 Ultegra 8020 Disc Road Bike is Cervélo’s latest aerodynamically biased machine. The TrueAero design of the carbon frame improves airflow around the bike whilst also increasing stiffness in the areas that matter; around the bottom bracket and head tube. The V-shaped stem and handlebar provide all the advantages of a one-piece design, but add flexibility as the stem and handlebar are actually separate and are fully adjustable so it’s easier to find the optimal position for both aerodynamics and power output.
It may sit below their famed Dura-Ace groupset, but Shimano’s mechanical Ultegra components give nothing away in terms of performance, with the shifting across the 11-speed cassette being sharp and accurate. Race speed isn’t just about straight lines, and so the hydraulic disc brakes are a welcome addition, giving extra confidence to attack the bends even in wet conditions.
Chief among that is the split stem, which is claimed to create cleaner airflow, plus a tougher heatube and bottom bracket.
This is one of best road bikes thanks to completing with mechanical Shimano Ultegra Disc, an outstanding groupset, and DT Swiss P1800 Splice 32 wheels.
In conclusion
Finding the right bike takes more than choosing the style you prefer. There are many other factors to keep in mind to ensure you have quality, durability, and efficiency. One crucial element that should be the leading pointer is the material quality for the frame. As far as comfort is concerned, the bike should provide an excellent grip on the handlebars.
Comfort goes as far as testing the height of the seat if the handlebars are adjustable and the height between you and the top bar of the bike. Therefore, the size of the bike is another critical factor to keep in mind. Most importantly, you should ensure the brake system is capable since it is the primary feature for the functionality of the bike.
As always, be sure to visit bikingtoronto.com to have reviews for all your best road bikes reviews for your new purchase and some cycling magazine recommendations!
