There’s nothing quite like the feeling of going out on a new bike for the first time, but when it comes to searching for your next ride, it can sometimes feel like the number of options out there is a little overwhelming. Choosing which bike is going to take you on your adventures is a big decision – it’s a hefty investment that will hopefully last a long time. There are plenty of considerations: a carbon, aluminium or steel frame? Comfortable, endurance geometry or an aerodynamic, low shape? How important is weight? Tubeless-ready wheels? Electronic gears? Tyre clearance? There’s a lot to think about.
As cycling has evolved, so have the options when it comes to road bikes. There are brands creating high-performance machines that we can see ridden in races like the Tour de France and Paris-Roubaix, but there are also those making models more suited to the everyday rider. Some of us might not need a bike to carry us up and down mountains, but instead could be looking for something more versatile to take us through mucky local lanes or on long all-day challenges. There’s also aesthetics to consider, while the deep tubing of aero road bikes takes the fancy of some, classic looks, straight tubes and traditional materials are preferable for others.
With this in mind, we’ve narrowed down the best road bikes reviewed by the Rouleur team. From superbikes ridden in the WorldTour to all-endurance steel frames, these are the brands we think you should be considering when looking for your new bicycle.
In some of our articles you will find links to buy products from various external retailers. These links contain an affiliate code, and it means that Rouleur may receive a small percentage of the money you spend if you choose to buy that product via the link. This does not affect the amount you pay. All products are independently reviewed and selected on our judgement of them, not on whether they offer us affiliate revenue.
Van Rysel RCR Pro Team Bike Replica
A great all-rounder that can do WorldTour racing, Strava PR-smashing and Gran Fondo equally well
The Van Rysel RCR Pro is the new bike from French sports megastore Decathlon that the AG2R La Mondiale team have been riding with a great deal of success. It garnered lots of attention as ‘the WorldTour’s most affordable bike’ with a price of £9,000 in the Shimano Dura-Ace pro team spec when it launched. It was developed with some of the industry’s leading aerodynamicists and manufacturers including Swiss Side, Deda and Onera, the French aerospace lab. The Van Rysel RCR is a great all-rounder for any distance at any pace, because the ride quality is impressively plush. It’s stiff and lightweight and though it is designed for racing and has that aggressive stack/reach ratio, the saddle-bar drop isn't too extreme if you're after a road bike for endurance riding only.
Pros
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Plush ride quality
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All-round performance
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High level of stiffness
Cons
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Still close in price to other competitors
Read Simon Smythe’s full review
Pinarello Dogma F
A light, nimble and responsive bike that has been a part of the furniture in the WorldTour peloton for decades, the latest Dogma F is the fastest yet
The Pinarello Dogma F has helped WorldTour team Ineos Grenadiers to countless victories, regarded as one of the best-performing race bikes on the current market. The latest version is said to be stiffer, lighter, and more aerodynamic due to a reshaping of the downtube, headtube and bottom bracket, as well as redesigned integrated handlebars. The frame is one of the stiffest on the market, but this impressively doesn’t lead to more road buzz or chattering. It feels superb on a long climb in the saddle with consistent power through the pedals and though it’s not exceptional in fast accelerations out of the saddle, it's no slouch either. There could be more responsive bikes out there for short, steep climbs, though it may be a sacrifice of some of that straight line speed the Dogma offers to get it.
Pros
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Stiffness
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Superb handling on descents
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Princeton wheels make it extremely fast
Cons
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Could be more responsive
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Slight flex in the drops of the new handlebars
Read Richard Windsor’s full review
Factor Ostro Vam Gen 2
Though perhaps not for those who ride at a more leisurely pace, the Ostro Vam is a pure race bike that is light, fast and stable
The second-generation Ostro VAM is just over 10% – or seven watts – faster than its predecessor. According to Factor the frame is also 10g lighter at 820g for size 54. A standout feature is the ultra-narrow (15mm) seatpost, which although works well for the bike’s aero qualities, doesn’t supply much of the ‘vertical compliance’ that endurance/all-road bikes are designed around. The Factor Ostro Vam Gen 2 is a pure race bike – wonderfully light for an aero all-rounder but also incredibly fast on the flat and super stable on high-speed descents. Its stunning aesthetics will get plenty of glances at the cafe, but it might not be the most comfortable option for those who aren’t looking to consistently ride and race fast.
Pros
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Stable even at high speeds
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Stunning aesthetics
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Nuanced, responsive ride feel
Cons
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Not as comfortable as endurance/all-road bikes
Read Simon Smythe’s full review
Specialized Tarmac SL8
With the latest Tarmac, Specialized has combined the best aspects of the Venge and Aethos to make this the fastest-ever model – a great option if you’re looking for an all-round superbike
The Specialized Tarmac is a bike that is synonymous with success at the highest level of the sport. In the latest SL8, a clear focus has been placed on aerodynamics, weight and ride quality, with Specialized aiming to strike a balance where one is not sacrificed for another. Where this bike stands out from the crowd with its supreme ride feel and the added confidence it gives the rider. For racing and riding fast on all terrain and in all conditions, you’d be hard pressed to find a better option than the Tarmac SL8. It’s a big investment, but it’s certainly the only bike you’d need for road riding in your collection.
Pros
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Incredibly lightweight
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Impressive weight-to-stiffness
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Steady ride feel despite the low weight
Cons
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Wide bar/stem measurements can’t be adjusted from new
Read Rachel Jary’s full review
Canyon Aeroad CFR
Packed full of user-friendly features for the everyday rider – the new Canyon Aeroad CFR is fast yet sensible
The new Canyon Aeroad is a claimed 1.5-2 watts faster than the previous Aeroad, as well as fractionally lighter, plus tyre clearance has increased to 32mm. Importantly for both team mechanics and Canyon’s paying customers, it’s also more user-friendly. The front end is one of the highlights – pin-sharp steering yet a damped, stable feel that gives confidence even over bad roads. The low weight makes it fly up the hills and when doing a turn on the flat on the aero hoods it feels super efficient. Although it’s designated an ‘aero’ bike since Canyon still has the Ultimate in its lineup, the Aeroad really is good for everything.
Pros
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An all-rounder despite being an ‘aero’ bike
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Great stability
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Responsive handling
Cons
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Aero drops cost extra
Read Simon Smythe’s full review
Standert Pfadfinder
A bike that appeals to people who love classic looks, straight tubes and traditional materials but want modern components, integration and contemporary paint jobs
Starting as hip Berlin scenesters, Standert now has fans and devotees globally who see them as the standard bearers for a new generation of metal bikes. The Pfadfinder is Standert’s all-road endurance bike with 38mm tyre clearance making it suitable for tarmac and the rougher stuff. With 3D-printed dropouts, a device that powder coats the chainstays from the inside to make them corrosion-resistant and each bike being built to order, no stone has been left unturned. The Pfadfinder is an incredibly versatile bike that’s exciting yet reliable, traditional yet modern. While realistically, steel probably has had its day as a material for race bikes, for endurance bikes, it’s as relevant as ever and, when it’s made into a modern bike like the Pfadfinder, is unbeatable. Standert says the Pfadfinder is its definition of the endurance bike and we’d have to agree.
Pros
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Tyre clearance
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Stunning aesthetics
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Great option for an endurance bike
Cons
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Not the lightest option
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Not very aerodynamic
Read Simon Smythe’s full review
Pearson Forge Road Bike
Pearson aims to create a more comfortable ride for its customers without compromising on performance with the Forge
British brand Pearson prioritises rider comfort in the Forge road bike, with a focus on offering extensive bike fitting sessions for prospective customers. While the bike has slender tubes and an aerodynamic profile reminiscent of a pure racing machine, extra comfort is achieved through a shorter reach and a taller stack height. Pearson also aims to infuse the Forge with speed – a quality that becomes evident as the bike effortlessly accelerates on flat terrain. Despite not being the lightest frame on the market at 980g (size 3), the Forge feels agile on climbs, handling the undulating terrain well. It occupies a niche between an aero-road racing bike and an endurance bike, offering a blend of speed and versatility.
Pros
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Comfortable
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Versatile for all-weather riding
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Affordability
Cons
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Heavier than other options
Read India Paine’s full review
