Specialized's entry-level road bike features an all-carbon frame and internal cable routing. However, the Axis Sport wheels are a little heavy, and the Tektro rim brakes aren't the best. The Shimano Claris 8-speed groupset provides ample gear range for tackling hills, as well as room for mudguards and a rack. Overall, the Allez offers a good value for money, making it competitive with the other top inexpensive road bikes they have tested.

In the entry-level road bike market, corners are sometimes taken to match price points, but the Specialized Allez redefines what it means to be "entry-level." The Allez is the first to make these technologies available to everyone, focusing on weight, refinement, and reliability like nothing else in its class. The Allez is as adaptable as it is performance-packed, whether you're new to road riding, commuting, or looking for a new bike.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame: Specialized E5 Premium alloy
• Groupset: Shimano Claris
• Wheels: Axis Sport alloy
• Weight: 9.4kg / 20.7lbs

REASONS TO BUY

• Quality aluminium frame
• Full carbon fork
• Stable & assured ride

REASONS TO AVOID

• Big jumps between gears
• Budget brakes

BUY NOW: tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Allez-E5-2022-Road-Bike_244977.htm

The Boardman SLR 8.9 offers a lot of bike for the money at £1,100. Shimano's 11-speed 105 groupset is included, as well as a carbon frame and forks (albeit with a FSA crankset). As a result, the bike is lighter than its competitors. The size small weighted 8.75kg throughout the test. The ride is fantastic; responsive with just the right amount of compliance. It's also a frame that will stand up to a few tweaks over time, making the SLR 8.9 a bike that will grow with you.

For good reason, the original Boardman SLR 8.9 Carbon was the most popular carbon road bike. The testers concluded that the light, rigid, and comfortable carbon frame with aerodynamic tube shapes and features is an excellent base for all-around road riding. Most bike brands would be happy with 4.5 out of 5 reviews and remarks like "Blimey, what a corker!"

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame: SLR 8.9 carbon
• Groupset: Shimano 105
• Wheels: Boardman SLR tubeless-ready
• Weight: 8.9kg

REASONS TO BUY

• Lightweight - under 9kg
• Carbon frameset that's worthy of upgrades
• Well-specced at this price point
• Beautifully balanced ride quality

REASONS TO AVOID

• Narrow tyre clearance

BUY NOW: tredz.co.uk/.Boardman-SLR-8-9-105-2022-Road-Bike_228750.htm

The Contend has a compact frame with a sloping top tube, D-Fuse seatpost, and carbon fork, similar to Giant's more expensive bikes. This provides excellent comfort and handling, allowing you to ride for extended periods of time and encouraging confidence. To tackle uphills, there's plenty of low gearing, down to 1:1, and Shimano 105 provides decent shifting, though the relatively heavy weight doesn't make for zippy riding.

Are you ready to up your road riding mileage? This light, smooth-riding bike will provide all the motivation you require. Its lightweight aluminum frame and high-quality components increase efficiency, allowing you to log more kilometers every day. Contend SL has a balanced geometry and a lightweight ALUXX SL aluminium frame for adaptable all-rounder characteristics. The rear triangle is built for rapid acceleration, while the front end places the rider in a comfortable and controlled position. Its innovative technology, like as a D-Fuse composite seatpost and tubeless Giant WheelSystem, provide a smooth ride that's capable of handling any road surface. Contend SL can do it all, from slopes to flats, smooth roads to bumpy.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame: ALUXX SL-Grade alloy
• Groupset: Shimano 105
• Wheels: Giant P-R2 alloy
• Weight: 9.0kg / 19.9lbs

REASONS TO BUY

• Full carbon fork
• Great ride quality, offering comfort over long distances
• Assured yet nimble handling

REASONS TO AVOID

• Heavy - a tad over 9kg for a size small

BUY NOW: tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Contend-SL-1-2021-Road-Bike_229868.htm

The CAAD13 from Cannondale is quicker, more comfortable, more capable than almost any other aluminum-framed bike ever made. It has managed to improve on the already outstanding CAAD12, which was awarded an Editor's Choice award, and thus deserves to be included in this year's honors list. Traditionalists may bemoan the loss of the much-loved CAAD12 in all its traditional, round-tubed splendor, but Cannondale has gone back to the drawing board to design the CAAD13, which is its replacement.

The CAAD13 is once again a force to be reckoned with, with a totally modern design that owes nearly its whole existence to the newly designed Supersix EVO. This Cannondale CAAD13 Disc Force eTap AXS model is the pinnacle of Cannondale's aluminum-framed CAAD lineup.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame: SmartForm C1 Premium Alloy
• Groupset: Shimano 105
• Wheels: RD 2.0 alloy
• Weight: 9.0 KG / 19.9 LBS

REASONS TO BUY

• Fast and agile
• Frame ride quality - stiff yet comfortable
• Well-specced at this price point
• A frameset worthy of component upgrades

REASONS TO AVOID

• There is no reason not to buy!

BUY NOW: sunhotsell.com/?product_id=248880976_34

The Shimano 105-equipped Ultra CF from Decathlon's Van Rysel brand delivers outstanding value. You have a carbon frame and excellent alloy wheels with in-series rim brakes that provide steady handling and good braking. Although a wheel update would improve performance and save weight, it isn't especially light. The VanRysel Ultra RCR with Evo Dynamic fibers is the most sophisticated frame for conquering mountain climbs and winning the toughest classic events.

The best weight-to-speed ratio on the market is achieved by combining HM and IM carbon fibres (850 g without accessories in size M). The shape of this bike frame was created with the most demanding climbers and racers in mind. For increased chassis stiffness, the bottom bracket is a standard PressFit 86. Frame with Di2 compatibility.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame: Ultra Evo Dynamic carbon
• Groupset: Shimano 105
• Wheels: Aero 700 2024 BTWIN alloy
• Weight: 8.3kg / 18.3lbs

REASONS TO BUY

• Great value with carbon frameset and 10
• Comfortable ride
• Striking looks

REASONS TO AVOID

• Rim brake only

BUY NOW: decathlon.co.uk/p/ultra-cf-ultegra-carbon-road-bike-black/_/R-p-301058

Liv is the first major bike brand to construct women's-specific bikes from the ground up, using data from women's bike fits to alter geometry and outfitting the frames with finishing gear tailored particularly for female riders, from handlebars to saddles. Liv makes three road bikes: the aero EnviLiv, the endurance-focused Avail, and the Langma, a lightweight race bike that is the female equivalent of the popular Giant TCR.

The Langma is available in seven different configurations, including two different carbon composite chassis grades. The Advanced 1+ Disc, which comes with 11-speed Shimano Ultegra, hydraulic disc brakes, and Giant SLR-2 carbon fiber wheels, puts the WorldTour-winning platform ridden by Liv Racing Xstra and Team BikeExchange-Jayco within reach of everyday riders and competitors. Although some aero aspects, including as the frame shaping and Giant Variant carbon seatpost, are present, other elements, such as the round-profile Liv Contact handlebar and classic stem, remain more traditional. I was keen to see how this mid-range product compared to the range-topping Langma Advanced SL Disc in 2021, which retails for £9,999 and is made from Liv's Advanced SL-Grade carbon fiber and comes with SRAM's RED eTap AXS group and Cadex 36 carbon wheels.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame: Advanced-Grade carbon composite
• Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 8000
• Wheels: Giant SLR-2

REASONS TO BUY

• Exceptional ride - stiff front end yet compliant
• Lighter than many of its rivals
  Crank-based power meter included

REASONS TO AVOID

• Wide spread on gearing for a race bike
• Could benefit from deeper section rims

BUY NOW: tredz.co.uk/.Liv-Langma-Advanced-Pro-1-Disc-2022-Road-Bike_242484.htm

The Trek Emonda ALR has entered for the second year in a straight. It still performs admirably for the price and looks fantastic, particularly for an aluminum bike. Trek has done an outstanding job with its welds, ride, and price, which is why it is once again Editor's Choice. Thanks to its 28mm tires, carbon seatpost, and comfort-oriented ride posture, the lightweight Emonda provides excellent braking and plenty of comfort. The sub-8kg (17.6lbs) weight is impressive for an aluminum disc brake bike at this price point, outperforming many carbon cycles, and Trek's Invisible Weld Technology produces seamless welds that appear to be carbon.

Part of the weight savings comes from Trek's "most optimized structure ever," which allows Trek engineers to twist, stretch, and construct intricate shapes from 300 series Alpha aluminum using hydroforming. This is touted to have excellent ride quality, a robust structure, and a carbon-like appearance. It also means that each tube can exactly match its neighbor, requiring less material surrounding the welds, conserving weight without sacrificing strength at the joints. This is where its 7.8kg weight comes into play.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame: Ultralight 300 Series Alpha Aluminium
• Groupset: Shimano 105
• Wheels: Bontrager Affinity Disc alloy
• Weight: 7.8kg / 17.2lbs (52cm)
  

REASONS TO BUY

• Great looks, similar to a carbon frame
• Low weight for an aluminium bike, under 8kg
• Comfortable ride suited to long hilly days in the saddle

REASONS TO AVOID

• Handling not the sharpest
  

BUY NOW: trekbikes.com/p/24166/

Ribble's naming standards can be perplexing. While the term "endurance" is frequently associated with a more relaxed fit, the Endurance bikes from Preston are race-ready road bikes. The Endurance SL R is the lighter of the two siblings, with the Endurance SL being the other half of the pair. The 'Ultra' is the'most aerodynamically advanced bike in the world,' according to Ribble, a bold claim that we have yet to verify (without a wind tunnel, it will be a tough job).

Ribble has a bike builder that allows you to customize all of the components as well as the color. The SRAM Red eTap AXS groupset, integrated Ribble Level 5 carbon integrated bar and stem, and Mavic Cosmic Pro Carbon disc wheelset were all included in the version we tested. This model costs £6,519, but you can get it for £3,699/$4,939.19 (Shimano Ultegra mechanical) to £6,999 (Shimano Dura-Ace) or $6,317.89 (Shimano Dura-Ace) (SRAM Force AXS). When compared to the large brand competition, this is undeniably good value.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame: Ribble T1000/T800 Carbon Monocoque
• Groupset: SRAM Red eTap AXS
• Wheels: Mavic Cosmic Carbon
• Weight: 7.6kg (54cm)

REASONS TO BUY

• Fantastic spec for the price
• Great 'all-rounder' blending aero properties with comfort
• Sharp looks with plenty of colour options

REASONS TO AVOID

• Heavier than some of its rivals at 7.6kg

BUY NOW: ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-endurance-sl-disc-red-rival22/

A few changes have been made to the Merida Scultura Team road bike for 2022. It now comes in its fifth version, with aerodynamic features including boxy tubing, lowered seatstays, and a fully integrated cockpit borrowed from the brand's Reacto aero bike. According to Merida, this saves a few watts. However, as a high-end all-rounder, it's also very comfortable, with a 30mm tyre clearance.

As a bike that started out as a climbing machine, it's still light - in fact, it's about 50 grams lighter than the previous generation. It combines the advantages of an aero bike and a lightweight climbing bike to create a bike that is both responsive and assured. The new Dura-Ace is also worth mentioning, featuring better braking to go along with the reliability and performance that this top-tier electronic groupset is known for.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frameset: Scultura CF5 V
• Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200
• Wheels: Metron 45 SL Clincher TL disc

REASONS TO BUY

• Great all-rounder
• Good value for a World Tour spec bike - RRP of £7,750 / US$10,700

REASONS TO AVOID

• Wheels feel a bit twitchy in crosswinds

BUY NOW: merida-bikes.com/en/bike/archive/2027/scultura-team-e

Cervélo's race-ready climbing bike is the R5. In fact, it was the bike that enabled Primoz Roglic win the Vuelta for the third time in a row in 2021. It's lightweight and climbs like a dream, as you'd expect. However, it has a wonderful blend of stiffness and compliance, making it swift, agile, and quite comfortable. It descends remarkably well for a bike designed to ride upwards, delivering plenty of confidence at speed. The R5 is available in a variety of high-end build options, including Dura-Ace Di2 and Red eTap AXS electronic groupsets from Shimano and SRAM, respectively.

However, in the age of "aero is everything," such belief has weakened. There are plenty of watt counters these days espousing the merits of spreadsheets over feelings. That's not to imply the R5 completely disregards aerodynamics. The fork crown flows beautifully into the down tube to assist ease the airflow on the bike's vital leading edge. According to Flo Cycling, hiding the cables has also reduced aero drag by 25g, which translates to about 3 watts at 48kph. On a bike like this, though, this feature is likely worth more in terms of looks than pure performance.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame: Cervélo R5 carbon
• Groupset: SRAM Force eTap AXS
• Wheels: Reserve 34/37 tubeless ready
• Weight: 7.4kg

REASONS TO BUY

• Perfectly balanced handling
• Plush ride, especially at the rear
• Traditional looks

REASONS TO AVOID

• High cost - £8,999/US$8,400

BUY NOW: sigmasports.com/item/Cervelo/R5-Force-eTap-AXS-Disc-Road-Bike/VV5L