Fitness Trends Outdoor Fitness Experiences The 5 Best Road Bikes of 2021 Newbies and advanced cyclists alike will love these finds By Rachel Morris Rachel Morris Rachel Morris is a freelance health and wellness writer who previously worked as an editor at Dr. Oz The Good Life, Woman's Day, and Weight Watchers. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 25, 2021 Fact checked by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall on May 09, 2021 LinkedIn Marley Hall is a writer and fact checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Print Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Cycling can be a fun way to get around—not to mention, an effective way to log a little exercise. But in order to get the most out of your cycling experience, you need a comfortable bike that supports your regular cycling activities. Cruisers are great for pleasure rides, and mountain bikes can help you tackle off-road adventures. If you're one to stick to city streets and slick pavement, your probably best served by a road bike. Road bikes are lightweight and designed to pick up speed on city streets, making them great for commuting, urban cycling, and racing. Since they're designed with a purpose in mind, it's imperative that you find one to fit your typical cycling habits. There are a variety of road bike models and brands on the market and you can find everything from budget-friendly options for beginners, to more advanced models at a higher price point. Here are the best road bikes to fit your cycling needs. Our Top Picks Best Overall for Women: HeartsBio Carbon Road Bike Model H at Amazon It boasts a durable-yet-lightweight carbon fiber frame, which should help you stay stable while you pick up some serious speed. Best Overall for Men: Tommaso Fascino Performance Road Bike at Amazon A high-quality aluminum bike with a 21-speed drivetrain, it promises a quick, nimble ride and reliable shifting in all conditions. Best Budget for Women: Hiland Road Bike at Amazon It has classic road tires that promise a smooth, quick ride, and reliable caliper brakes for when you need to come to a stop. Best for Commuters: Vilano R2 Commuter Aluminum Road Bike at Amazon The bike’s ergonomic saddle was designed with commuters in mind, resulting in a comfortable and nimble bike for every day rides. Best for Kids: Co-op Cycles REV 20 Kids' Bike at REI Equipped with two brake options, it gives kids the opportunity to get familiar with both types. In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQs Why Trust Verywell Fit? Best Overall for Women: HeartsBio Carbon Road Bike Model H View On Amazon Pros Available in five frame sizes Accommodates riders of different heights Anti-numbing seat Available in a vibrant shade of aqua Cons Very expensive Ships unassembled If you're an advanced cyclist looking for a new road bike, the HeartsBio Carbon Road Bike Model H is worth the investment. The durable and lightweight carbon fiber frame helps you stabilize while picking up speed, and the road tires are designed for a smooth ride. Featuring an 18-speed drivetrain, the bike allows for adjustment to hills and other obstacles in the road. The ergonomic seat is designed to cut down on numbing—an issue long-distance riders face— and the adjustable handlebar and seat height will help you fight muscle strain during your ride. Height Capacity: 4 feet, 11 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches+ | Frame Size Options: 5 | Weight: 18.7 pounds Best Overall for Men: Tommaso Fascino Sport Performance Aluminum Road Bike View On Amazon Pros Available in five frame sizes Accommodates riders of different heights Ergonomic seat More affordable than most performance bikes Cons Still pretty expensive Ships unassembled Tommaso’s Fascino Performance Road Bike is affordable, high-quality, and a good option for more advanced cyclists. With characteristics like an aluminum frame and compact handlebars, the bike is designed for a smooth and fast ride. The 21-speed drivetrain offers the ability to shift on all road conditions, including flat surfaces and hills, and the dual-pivot breaks can stop on a dime. While it's still an investment, the bike is still affordable in comparison to other quality, high-performance road bikes. Height Capacity: 4 feet, 9 inches to 6 feet, 5 inches | Frame Size Options: 5 | Weight: 23.6 pounds Best Budget for Women: Hiland Road Bike 700c with 21 Speeds View On Amazon Pros Budget-friendly Available in two frame sizes Accommodates riders of different heights Available in several vibrant colors Cons Ships partially unassembled Not as high-performance as pricier bikes If price is a factor, this budget-friendly road bike from Hiland won't disappoint. Boasting a lightweight aluminum frame, it offers sturdy support and the ability to turn quickly with ease. The tires are situated on double-wall aluminum frames for extra durability and the Shimano gears are designed to last you through years of riding. Whether you're on the road or on an unstable surface, the 21-speed drivetrain will keep you in control. Additional control is provided by the caliper breaks—a reliable system that supports smooth and efficient stops. Height Capacity: 5 feet, 3inches to 6 feet, 4 inches | Frame Size Options: 2 | The 8 Best Bikes Under $500 of 2021 Best for Commuters: Vilano R2 Commuter Aluminum Road Bike View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Sears.com Pros Budget-friendly Available in tjree frame sizes Ergonomic seat Accommodates a relatively large height range Boasts a sleek black frame Cons Pretty heavy for a road bike Ships partially unassembled If you're searching for a nimble ride to take you to and from work, the Vilano R2 Commuter Road Bike is a sound choice. It boasts a lightweight aluminum frame, and its 21-speed drivetrain gives you control while navigating packed roads. Designed with tires that feature minimal traction, the bike is made for quick turns and an effortlessly smooth ride. However, some cyclists complain that the small seat is uncomfortable for long commutes. Height Capacity: 5 feet, 3 inches to 6 feet | Frame Size Options: 3 | Weight: 27 pounds (for the 54cm size) The 6 Best Commuter Bikes of 2021 Best for Kids: Co-op Cycles REV 20 Kids' Bike View On REI Pros Small handlebars and saddle Heavier road bike (good for beginners) No gear shifting required Cons No height range provided Relatively limited weight capacity (80 pounds max) Ships unassembled Weighing in at 20 pounds, the Co-op Cycles’ REV 20 Bike is made to help kids build confidence as they gain cycling experience. While the aluminum frame is crafted for maneuverability, the heavier weight provides additional control for new riders. The bike comes with two break options— a Tektro linear-pull and coaster brake—giving kids the opportunity to choose what break style makes them more comfortable. It also comes with a fun sticker pack for kids who want to customize the style of their road bike. Height Capacity: Not listed (but weight capacity is 80 pounds) | Frame Size Options: 1 | Weight: 20 pounds If you’re looking for a performance road bike at a more accessible price point, Tommaso’s Fascino Performance Road Bike (view at Amazon) is a solid pick. It comes in five sizes and the aluminum frame keeps it lightweight for ultimate maneuverability. Its 21-speed drivetrain is great for tight navigation, and the bike was designed with both beginners and advanced cyclists in mind. What to Look for in a Road Bike Height Capacity Before committing to a bike, you want to know that bike will fit you correctly. Take a close look at the "height capacity" or "recommended height range" online. This will help you determine what size you need for a comfortable ride. Frame Size Options When buying a bike, paying attention to frame size is imperative. Since the frame can't be replaced (unlike wheels) you want to find one that fits your height and weight from the start. Also, check to see if the frame includes an adjustable seat and handlebars. Weight Road bikes are designed to pick up speed, which means they tend to be pretty lightweight. However, some bikes are heavier, making them slower, sturdier, and easier to control. If you're a beginner, a heavier bike may be a good option. FAQs What size road bike do I need? Most retailers specify what size bike you need. For starters, many road bikes come with a "height capacity" or "recommended height range" which is a great place to start. You can also pay attention to metrics like "weight capacity" and "standover height." Combined, these metrics should help you determine what bike size is right for you. How to ride a road bike Riding a road bike is a lot like riding a hybrid bike or a mountain bike, but you can expect a quicker, more nimble ride. Since road bikes tend to be lightweight, you may have to work a little harder to maintain your balance and stay in control of your ride. Road bike tires are also slimmer, taking away some shock absorption that most mountain bikes have. Can you use a mountain bike on the road? Yes, you can ride mountain bikes on multiple terrains—slick city streets, included. They're designed to handle rugged trails, so their frames tend to be heavier and their tires are often on the "plush" side. Though they can comfortably handle city cycling, they are often slower. Why Trust Verywell Fit? As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get exercise tips to make your workouts less work and more fun. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 1 Source Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. City Bikes. Which is the right bike for you?