Best Road Bike For Beginners – Best Entry Level Road Bike Reviews

Some say that the first road bike you have plays a big factor on how you will progress in this sport. Shopping for entry-level road bikes can be overwhelming with all the introduction to technical terms. This is the reason why we’ve put up a short but comprehensive review of the best road bikes for beginners that are available in the market. 

Whether you’re looking for a road bike for the trail, or everyday commute, these top 5 road bikes for beginners can help you get started in your journey as a cyclist. Selected from top reviews and bestsellers from online suppliers, these are the most recommended among bikers.

If you’ve consulted a biker’s forums or your local bike store, chances are, you’ve heard some brand names and buzz words within personal recommendations. There are people who stick by the brand name because of the unrivaled reputation of quality and performance. Although there are several new brands that enter the market from time to time, it would be wise to start with the best names for entry-level road bikes.

Schwinn

Everyone knows the Schwinn brand. They’ve been here in the world before you were born and most likely even before your grandfather. The German bike manufacturer was founded in 1895 and dominated the American market around the late 1950s. However, after issues on production and worker satisfaction, the company declared bankruptcy and was sold to and acquired by Dorel Industries. So far that’s the only downside. The name Schwinn among bikers is still legendary.

Vilano

Vilano focuses on two terms – entry-level bikes and affordability. If you’re looking for that tandem, Vilano is the brand to start with. Then you’ll find that they have all the buzz words you’re all looking to tick OFF on your list. They have a wide selection of bike designs, sizes plus added features. You’ll also find that most of their designs are lightweight, and has strong and solid frames. 

GMC

The GMC Denali Road Bike is among the top bestsellers and most recommended models on the market today. That will probably tell you more about the brand. They bring the best design that won’t cost you the whole bank! But you’ll be surprised how they can put together good quality parts and sturdy frame on a bike that’s extremely lightweight. 

No matter how much we want to believe that there is a standard frame size followed by bike manufacturers, it’s always best to rely on frame measurements and your judgment. This will ensure that you’ll get the right fit based on your height and body frame.

Although GMC Denali, Schwinn Phocus and Volare road bikes are only available in one size, some bikers can still ride comfortably by adjusting the seat level. Here are some pointers for biked with fixed frame size options.

• Schwinn Phocus 56cm frame size is just perfect for those who are around 5’10”-6’2″ in height.
• Just an inch or two shorter? The Schwinn Volare medium size just gives enough clearance even for those who are around 5’9″ when the seat is set at the lowest position.

Some manufacturers can ship their bikes fully assembled or ready-to-ride. However, most models come in partially assembled. You’ll need some basic tools to screw in the bolts on wheels, handlebars, and bike seat.

All the packages of these five bikes come with all the necessary gears and parts for a complete bike. Inside the box, you should be able to find the instructions on how to attach and assemble everything. For fine tuning derailleurs and other gears, we recommend taking time in watching online tutorial videos for those who want to go DIY, or visit a local bike store for assistance.

The best road bikes for beginners doesn’t mean you have to spend thousands of dollars from your budget. It’s a balance of basic features plus added investments that make it a road bike purchase a great feature. Let’s face it; you don’t need a basic one, and that’s the reason why you want to invest on a road bike.

GMC Denali Road Bike is the best option for those on a very tight budget but doesn’t want to buy a cheapskate beginner bike. It’s super affordable, but you’ll get more than a basic road bike.

However, it’s quite hard to beat Schwinn brand. While all these five bikes are all amazing, the final verdict for the best road bike for beginners goes to Schwinn Phocus 1600 Men’s Road Bike with 700c Wheels. Price-wise and compared to the rest, it can be a bit expensive if you’re on a tight budget. Besides that, the high-quality gears and carbon fiber parts make it fall into mid-level road bike category, which means more value for your hard earned cash. Some even say that this is synonymous to having a Corvette sports car – it’s sleek, fast and a perfect road warrior investment.