The best road bikes under £3,000 or $3,000 can offer a great ride and high-quality spec. We rate some of them among the best road bikes we've tested.
While you can spend a great deal more, road bikes under £3,000 / $3,000 come at a sweet spot, where you'll usually get a quality frameset and a decent spec, including a 12-speed groupset. Wheels, tyres and other components may be less basic and a bike at this price will almost always include hydraulic disc brakes.
Here at BikeRadar, our small, expert team of reviewers have tested many of the best road bikes, from the most expensive to budget entries, putting in the miles to see how they perform. We know road bikes inside-out and understand what you can expect at different prices and what makes a great road bike.
Below, you'll find our pick of the best road bikes we've reviewed in the last few years costing under £3,000 / $3,000. All are still available as of October 2024.
All have the same frameset as when we reviewed the bikes, although the specs may have changed. Often, that's an upgrade from 11-speed to the latest 12-speed Shimano groupsets and there may have been other changes too. Sadly, the price has often increased, although the bike has stayed below the £3,000 / $3,000 limit for it to be included here.
Want to know what to expect in a road bike costing under £3,000 / $3,000? You can skip to our buying advice lower down the page.
Editor's note: We updated our pick of the best road bikes under £3,000 on 16 October 2024. We added the latest road bikes under £3,000 that we've reviewed and scored 4 or more stars. We also added a new buyer's guide.
The best road bikes under £3,000 or $3,000, as rated by our expert testers
Merida Scultura Endurance 4000
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- £2,250 / €2,499 / AU$3,199 (as tested)
- Pros: Good value; plenty of clearance for mudguards and wider tyres
- Cons: Would benefit from more compliant tyres
The Merida Scultura Endurance 4000 offers a great ride for its affordable price. The frame includes compliance zones and has the space to fit mudguards alongside 32mm tyres, making for a good all-year riding option. It's fitted with Shimano 105 12-speed and includes cooling fins in the frame for the disc brakes.
We loved the Scultura Endurance's looks and the steep angles make for lively handling. The ride is comfortable even with the less supple Maxxis Refuse tyres fitted. A swap-out to better tyres could make things even better.
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Cannondale CAAD13 Disc 105
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- £2,250 / $2,300 / AU$3,499 / €2,299 as tested
- Pros: Thrilling ride
- Cons: Questionable value
The Cannondale CAAD13 incorporates enhancements from the brand's premium SuperSix EVO carbon racer. Seatstays are dropped, tyre clearance increased to 30mm and aerodynamics are improved.
The groupset is Shimano 105 with Cannondale cranks, and the brand supplies the finishing kit and wheels too. Mudguard mounts are a practical bonus.
Once you start riding, the CAAD13's assured handling, decent climbing and zingy ride assuage concerns about value. Still, it's £500 less than the carbon-framed and equivalent-specced SuperSix EVO and a better bet than other carbon bikes.
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Canyon Endurace CF 7 AXS
- £2,849 / $3,999 / AU$4,649 / €2,999 as tested
- Pros: Comfortable ride; plenty of tyre clearance
- Cons: Great shifting from the SRAM 12-speed wireless groupset
Canyon updated the Endurace frameset in 2022 and the mix of light weight and comfort, a quality spec and the SRAM Rival AXS wireless shifting make it a compelling choice. Rival gives 12 speeds with a sub-1:1 lowest ratio of 33x36t and a top end that's slightly higher than a 50x11t.
There's clearance for 35mm tyres, although we were disappointed that the 30mm rubber fitted wasn't tubeless-compatible. There are no mudguard mounts either.
However, the ride is first-rate: speedy with great handling, while the combination of a quality Fizik saddle and Canyon's VCLR carbon seatpost make for great comfort. The current spec is fitted with Canyon's one-piece carbon bar/stem in place of the two-piece alloy design when we tested the bike. The Endurace is available in eight sizes too, so it should fit a wide range of riders.
Merida Reacto 4000
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- £2,250 / AU$3,499 as tested
- Pros: Aero looks and performance
- Cons: Wheels and tyres need an upgrade
The Merida Reacto 4000 gives you aero bike performance without the price tag. The cheapest Reacto in the range, it's equipped with Shimano 105 (now 12-speed) and uses lower-spec carbon than the pro-level models.
The frame weighs around 200g more than those more expensive bikes, but Merida says it has exactly the same ride characteristics and aerodynamics.
There's hidden cabling from the cockpit and room for 30mm tyres. Nice touches include a built-in rear light in the seatpost and a multi-tool concealed under the saddle. You should aim to upgrade the shallow wheels and low-spec tyres to bring out the bike's potential though.
We've also reviewed the slightly more expensive Merida Reacto 6000, if you fancy a spec upgrade. It now includes electronic Shimano 105 Di2 and deeper section carbon wheels from Vision.
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Scott Contessa Addict 25
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- £2,499 / $2,800 / €2,800 as tested
- Pros: Racy performance at a great price
- Cons: Non-tubeless tyres
The Scott Contessa Addict is the women's version of the Scott Addict – we've previously reviewed the men's Scott Addict 30 – and won our Women's Road Bike of the Year title in 2023.
The Contessa Addict 25 includes disc brakes, wide tyres, hidden mudguard mounts and semi-integrated cabling at an affordable price. It's made of Scott's slightly heavier but lower-priced HMF carbon fibre. The geometry is quite racy for an endurance-focused bike, with a short wheelbase leading to lively handling. It feels light and responsive to ride.
The bike is fitted with 32mm Schwalbe One Fold tyres, which add both confidence and cushioning for longer rides. They're not tubeless-compatible though.
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Specialized Roubaix SL8 Sport 105
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- £3,000 / $3,500 / €3,800 / AU$5,400 (as tested)
- Pros: Superb ride comfort; 20mm front-end travel
- Cons: Although tubeless-ready, the wheels would benefit from an upgrade
The Roubaix Sport gets the latest incarnation of Specialized's Future Shock front suspension, although it's the undamped version. At the rear, a lowered seatpost clamp adds compliance.
There's clearance for 40mm tyres, making light gravel riding an option, and Specialized offers bosses for a third bottle and a top tube box.
There's comfort in spades, particularly at the handlebar, but not at the expense of the Roubaix's handling, even over rougher surfaces. The Roubaix is fast too, with the smoother ride reducing fatigue on longer outings.
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Basso Vento R 105
- £2,999 / $3,399 / €2,849 / AU$4,250 (as tested)
- Pros: Racy ride; 35mm tyre clearance
- Cons: Wheels and tyres would benefit from an upgrade
Although billed as an endurance bike, the Basso Vento R has a racy edge, aero profiles and a rear-wheel cut-out in the seat tube to decrease the wheelbase.
This spec is equipped with Shimano 105 mechanical shifting, and wheels and finishing kit from Basso's in-house Microtech brand, including a bar with a slight flare, so you're a little more aero on the tops.
We found the ride firm, rather than uncomfortable, and the handling is direct with plenty of road feedback, although this could be dulled by a swap from the 28mm tyres, using the 35mm frame clearance.
There's a bit of extra mass to the Microtech wheels, which hampers acceleration somewhat and contributes to the 9.3kg overall weight.
Bombtrack Audax
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- £2,750 / $3,415 / AU$4,400 / €2,850 as tested
- Pros: Superb comfort; grip over sketchy surfaces
- Cons: Stock saddle is a little hard
A steel frame and 650b wheels with 47mm tyres make the Audax something different from most endurance road bikes. It's not a gravel bike though and feels fast and lively on tarmac, coping well with typical rough road surfaces and hurtling down descents.
We rated the drivetrain, which is a mix of Shimano 105, with a 48/32t chainset and an 11-34t cassette, paired with an Ultegra RX clutched rear derailleur.
The saddle was a bit hard and narrow for our tastes though.
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Dolan ADX Titanium
- £3,100 (as tested)
- Pros: Great value; stiff titanium road bike
- Cons: Non-tubeless tyres as standard
If you're looking for a titanium road bike, the Dolan ADX fits the bill. Although the spec tested is priced a little over the target price range, the base model 12-speed Shimano 105 Di2 build, fitted with lower-priced alloy Mavic wheels, sits just below the threshold.
There's scope to fit mudguards and a rack for all-year commuting or light touring.
We enjoyed the responsive ride feel from the stiff frameset and the quick steering, with the bike having the ride feel of a steel frame, rather than the softer spring usually found from titanium.
The ride position is comfortable, and there's a good spread of gear ratios and impressive braking. The 28mm Continental GP5000S tyres aren't tubeless though.
Specialized Allez Sprint Comp
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- £2,650 / $3,000 / €3,500 / AU$4,200 as tested
- Pros: Classy aluminium frame; quality finishing kit
- Cons: Mediocre wheels and tyres
The Specialized Allez Sprint Comp shows a superbike can still be alloy. Geometry and tube shapes are identical to the Tarmac SL7, the brand's do-it-all road bike. The frame's responsiveness could lead you to believe you're riding a carbon bike, albeit a heavy one.
Value is iffy though. The stock wheels and tyres don't harness the frameset, one of the best of its material type.
A host of lighter and better-specced carbon road bikes are similarly priced or cheaper.
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Trek Emonda ALR 5
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- £2,325 / $2,300 / €2,499 / AU$3,500 as tested
- Pros: Low weight for an alloy bike
- Cons: Would benefit from an upgrade of the low-spec wheels and (especially) tyres
The alloy Emonda ALR features a mix of round and aero-shaped tube profiles with hidden welds, along with a carbon fork. At a 1,257g claimed weight, the frameset is only 34g heavier than Trek's equivalent carbon Emonda, now replaced by the Gen 8 Madone.
There's semi-integrated cabling through the stem upper bearing. Eight sizes are available.
We liked the Emonda ALR's relaxed personality and ride quality, although it still feels responsive.
As with some other bikes here, there are no mudguard mounts and the finishing kit is workmanlike rather than standing out. That includes the alloy seatpost, alloy Bontrager wheels and sluggish 25mm tyres, although on the wide rims these measure over 28mm.
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Finding the right bike for you
What type of road bike can I expect for under £3,000 / $3,000?
The best bikes in this category tend to be all-rounders that can take a decent stab at everything. Think lightweight frames that offer all-day comfort for those sportive riders chasing fast times, but that will also hold their own on your local chain gang.
These are bikes targeted at the sweet spot between stiffness, comfort and weight, while keeping prices affordable for the enthusiast.
More specialist models, such as some of the best climbing bikes or best aero road bikes feature, although many of these performance-focused bikes are way more expensive. Often, a specialist bike in this category will feature the entry-level spec. Don't let that put you off though, as you may get a high quality frame with entry-level components that you can upgrade later to enhance your ride.
What will the frame be made of in a bike costing under £3,000 / $3,000?
You'll usually get a carbon frameset. Brands usually make their carbon frames in multiple grades of carbon and a bike at this price is likely to be made of a lower carbon grade than the higher priced models.
Don't let that put you off though. Although the frame will be a couple of hundred grams heavier than a more premium high modulus carbon one, it will usually come out of the same mould and offer near-identical rode characteristics.
You'll also find some of the best aluminium road bikes in this price range. The best steel road bikes and best titanium road bikes are also options if you're looking for a different frame material, while some of the best women's road bikes, specifically engineered for women riders are also available at this price.
What components can I expect?
At this price, you should expect a 2x12-speed groupset. It's most likely to use mechanical shifting, although some road bikes under £3,000 / $3,000 will offer electronic shifting. This will offer a wide range for efficient and lower stress climbing, while still retaining speed on the flat.
You now have to hunt around if you want rim brakes – almost all bikes in this price range will be fitted with hydraulic disc brakes and the wheels will be held in place by thru-axles.
Wheels may be higher-quality too. Some bikes may be fitted with carbon wheels, although this is often an area where brands economise to meet a price point, so you may get mid-spec alloy wheels.
Tyres, too, may benefit from a swap-out to better quality road bike tyres. Again, it's an easy area for bike makers to make a saving, when higher-quality tyres might improve the ride. Modern road bikes often have clearance for tyres that are significantly wider than those fitted, so wider tyres run at lower pressure may be faster as well as more comfortable.
Other components, such as the bar and saddle, are usually, although not always, own-brand.
Should I choose a gravel bike or a road bike?
The type of riding the term ‘all-rounder’ encompasses is widening because the best gravel bikes are so versatile and there are some great gravel bikes costing under £2,000 / $3,000. A gravel bike will give you more off-road capability, although you will probably lose some on-road speed.
If you're not sure, read our article on gravel bike vs road bike: what are the differences?
Whichever bike you choose, the good news is if you’re spending this sort of money you’re unlikely to be disappointed with your purchase.
You could certainly spend a lot more on a bike if the urge takes you, but over £3,000 or $3,000 the margins for improvement get smaller, while the prices get a lot higher.
So-called 'halo' bikes from the major manufacturers now routinely exceed £10,000 / $10,000 but, unless you absolutely have to have the latest top-spec model, that kind of outlay is very hard to justify.
There are plenty of the best road bikes available for a more modest price. If you're looking to spend less than £3,000 / $3,000, take a look at our round-up of the best road bikes under £2,000 and best road bikes under £1,000 – or browse our full library of road bike reviews if you're looking for something else.
