As a follow up to the Women’s Road Bikes Under $1000, here’s one for the fellas. With road bike sales climbing daily, men everywhere are giving up their mid-life crisis sports car purchases in favor of the greener and more fitness-conscious choice of a sleek road bike. We all want to be Lance Armstrong ripping up those hills, developing some mean quads, and enjoying the fresh air. However, if you do not possess the funds it requires to purchase the same bike Lance rides and you’re not actually training to ride in the Tour de France, then there are plenty of choices out there for a high quality, efficient road bike without having to remortgage the house.
Most of the road bikes in this price range have either a light-weight aluminum frame with carbon fork, important for reducing road vibrations, or you can opt for the tried and true steel frame. Components, such as your rear and front derailleurs, shifters, and brake levers will be decent, though not top of the line. If that’s important to you, they can always be upgraded. All of these bikes feature varying Shimano components for precision and ease of use. Most importantly, weight matters, and all the road bikes we’ve chosen here are under 25 lbs. So as you’re barreling down those steeps, you can at least pretend for a moment you’re racing Mr. Armstrong…. and smoking him.
Cannondale Caad8 6
Cannondale, an innovator in producing superior aluminum frames offers up the Caad8 6 as their entry-level road bike. The geometry on this bike frame is a fine balance between an aggressive, yet comfortable seated position. Features include hour-glass shaped seat stays to provide support for all-day riding comfort, a Shimano Sora triple crank to tackle the hills, Shimano Tiagra shifter levers and rear derailleur, and a carbon fork. The Cannondale Caad8 6 has receieved a 5.0 rating from 2 customers on REI.
The 2010 Cannondale Caad8 6 can be purchased at REI for a reduced price of $839.93.
Scott Speedster S50
Scott Bicycles are a powerhouse in the world of bicycle racing. The frame geometry of their Speedster line rivals that of their racing bikes used by the pros. Weighing in at 20.88 pounds, the Scott Speeedster S50 offers dual shifter/brake levers, a TruVativ triple crankset, Shimano Sora rear derailleur, and carbon fork with an alloy steering stem. Reviewers on REI have given this model an average rating of 4.0 out of 5, with the biggest complaint being the components, but the biggest raves being the responsiveness and comfort of the frame. Overall, avid cyclists and commuters alike rated this bike well.
You can get the Scott Speedster S50 at REI for a currently reduced price of $609.93.
Specialized Allez Sport Compact
Another prestigious name in bike racing is of course Specialized. The newest version of the Specialized Allez Sport advertises a 20% stiffer frame over past models providing the same torsional stiffness as their pro racing bike. Specs include a Shimano Tiagra/Sora drivetrain with a double TruVativ Isoflow crankset. However, if you prefer the triple crank, that is available also. You can read reviews of past Allez models at roadbikereview.com. Overall, the Specialized Allez is ready to go whether you’re looking for some recreational riding or wanting to enter your first bike race.
You can read the full description at Specialized.
Schwinn Fastback Road Bike
This isn’t your father’s Schwinn. At just a hair over 20 pounds, the Schwinn Fastback will turn the heads of even the most discriminating bike enthusiasts. The Fastback Sport was chosen by the editors of Bicycling Magazine as “one of our favorites”. With Shimano Sora/Tiagra components and carbon/alloy fork, the Schwinn Fastback can hold it’s own against the other contenders. Reviewers on roadbikereview.com loved it for the value and light, but firm frame. Schwinn offers a replaceable derailleur hanger for a long life.
The Schwinn Fastback Road Bike can be purchased on Amazon for $472.15.
Tommaso Imola with Carbon Fork Road Bike
Tommaso is an Italian Bicycle company making a name for itself in the states by building distinctive road bikes and priding itself on customer satisfaction. This model is different from the standard Tommaso Imola as it comes with the carbon fork to increase comfort and reduce road vibrations. The Tommaso Imola exhibits an attractive paint scheme. The triple chainring and 8 speed cassette offer up 24 speeds to give you lots of options on the flats or up the hills. Other specs include a Shimano drivetrain, aluminum ergo handlebars, San Marco saddle, and Kenda tires. The Tommaso Imola Road Bike received an average 4.25 rating out of 5 on roadbikereview.com.
The MSRP on Tommaso Imola is $999, but you can get it on Amazon for $529.95.
Raleigh Clubman Bike
This one’s for the gentlemen out there. The Raleigh Clubman has a retro-look without the retro-weight. It weighs in at 24.5 pounds, with a steel frame and chromoly fork. One of the more versatile bikes on the market, you could use this for recreational riding, racing, commuting, or as touring bike. The Raleigh Clubman uses Shimano Tiagra components and come with a classic Brooks Swift leather saddle. The Raleigh Clubman has received an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 on Buzzillions. So if you like to don your tweed clothing and ride around with the other chaps, you’ll fit right in with the Raleigh Clubman.
The Raleigh Clubman Bike can be purchased at REI for $929.93. Last year’s model is still available as well here.
Surly Cross Check Bike
The Surly Cross Check Bike is 49 bucks shy of reaching the under $1000 criteria, but it had to be included. Why? Well, because this is one cool bike. Surly is a company based out of Minnesota who design functional bikes that appeal to a variety of cyclists. The Surly Cross Check is the bike that can do it all- commute with it, get groceries in it, race it, tour the countryside, turn it into a cyclo-cross, turn it into a fixed gear, or hang it as a decorative piece in your living room. The Surly Cross Check’s frame is made of steel, which the Surly people describe as “takes a lot of crap, and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg“. Specs include a Shimano Tiagra drivetrain, granny ring compatible double crankset, and FFF (Fatties Fit Fine) stays and slope-crowned fork to provide space for tires up to 700 x 45 with fender clearance.
The Surly Cross Check Bike is sold at REI for $1049.00.
…or you could buy a second hand bike for peanuts and not worry about locking it outside your office. What was top of the line 10 years ago is now considered old hat but that’s just the industry’s strategy to make you throw out what is still perfectly good and spend more money on the new hype, on what they say is now hip.
just like computers right?
I have been looking fro a road bike for ages but unfortunately even these prices are too expensive. Oh well.
Just wanted to say that I have just started a blog and would love to get some feedback on it. You can visit it at
http://edconway88.wordpress.com/
Besides the fact that the last bike on the list is not priced under $1000, there’s no need to spend $1000 on a bike to get to and from work.