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Best carbon road bikes under £2,000 for runners
Upgrade your cross-training or gear up for a triathlon with one of these road bikes
Finding the best carbon road bike under £2,000 is a lot less straightforward than it used to be. Supply chain issues have seen prices rise in recent times, while any bikes that do make it into a shop or online get snapped up instantly with demand for new road bikes still high.
That said, it’s not impossible to get your hands on a carbon road bike for under £2000 if you know where to look. It’s a substantial sum, though, so you'll want to spend your cash wisely...
What to look for in a carbon bike for under £2000
At this price point, you will get a solid bit of kit that is perfect if you’re looking to add road cycling to your cross-training routine or are thinking of signing up for a triathlon but don’t want to fork out for a specialist (and expensive) TT bike.
- Carbon frame – Most of your money on a £2,000 carbon fibre road bike is going on the frame. Pound-for-pound, the material is significantly more expensive than aluminium, and for good reasons. Lighter, stronger and with higher levels of comfort and responsiveness, it is regarded as the superior material to create a frame from. A carbon fibre frame does have its downsides, though. You could find an aluminium bike that has better components for the same money, and the £2,000 mark is the entry-level point for most brands’ carbon models.
- Endurance-focused geometry – The majority of frame builds will have an endurance-focused geometry. In essence, this means that the frame’s angles allow for a more comfortable, upright riding position when compared to the harsh, pancake-flat dimensions of an aero or triathlon bike.
- Wide tyres – As these are entry-level options, most wheelsets will be stock aluminium affairs that aren’t available after market. Wheels are generally one of the first components you’d upgrade on a road bike when looking for weight savings further down the line, so at least you’re not splashing the cash on a component you might eventually change anyway. But if you haven’t bought a new bike for a while, you’ll notice that skinny tyres (between 19mm-23mm) are out in favour of wider ones (up to 35mm). Wider tyres have been made possible because of the shift from rim to disc brakes, meaning the only limits to a tyre's width are the clearance of the fork and frame. Although there is a slight aerodynamic downside to going wider, the upside is that they are more comfortable and have lower rolling resistance. Aim for a minimum of 25mm, with between 28mm-30mm the sweet spot.
- Shimano 105 groupset – There’s a real mixed bag of groupsets (the components that make up the drivetrain and braking systems) at this price point. The majority come with Shimano’s 105 groupset (or, in the case of the Tifosi, its Campagnolo Centaur equivalent). This tier of componentry is a reliable, trusted range aimed at cycling enthusiasts, and has the added bonus of being relatively cheap to replace once parts get worn. That said, some models feature the tier below (Shimano Tiagra) and the more premium Shimano Ultegra – something of a steal on a carbon fibre road bike at this price point. The notable differences between Tiagra and 105 are weight and gear choice; the 105 is roughly 300g lighter despite having two more gears than the former. Ultegra takes this one step further and shaves even more weight from the 105.
- Disc brakes – Finally, disc brakes and their increased braking capabilities are standard inclusions on new road bikes, but it is still possible to opt for rim brakes (and save yourself some money in the process) on certain models.
What are the best carbon road bikes under £2,000?
We've been testing a range of carbon road bikes under £2000 to select our top picks for runners looking to dip their toe in triathlon or road cycling for the first time. We tested the majority of models, while others came highly recommended.
The cheapest carbon fibre road bike in our round-up, the Scalare from UK-based bike designer Tifosi provides premium products at pocket friendly prices. While it might not be able to compete with the likes of Specialized and Giant for brand recognition, it can certainly rival them for performance. Its Scalare is something of a do-it-all and is aimed at everyone from summer sportive riders to year-round triathletes.
Laced with a smattering of Campagnolo components (groupset, wheels), and with the ability to be upgraded to electronic shifting further down the line, you aren’t likely to outgrow the Scalare.
While this is a disc brake build, you can also pick up a rim brake model and shave an extra £100 off the asking price.
- Men's/women's: Unisex
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Groupset: Campagnolo Centaur
- Brakes: Rim
- Tyre width: 28mm
- In stock currently: Yes
British brand Ribble has made a name for itself for producing amazing bikes at affordable prices. It’s able to do this because customers buy direct – cutting out the middleman and reducing the markups on every purchase.
The R872 is the company’s ‘sportive’ platform and ranges from the £1,399 ‘Sport’ up to the £2,299 ‘Pro’. In the middle lies the R872 Disc, which comes totting the Shimano 105 groupset. All three have exactly the same full carbon frame – it's the components where you can spot the differences.
The 105 is the pick of the R872 Disc bunch for those looking for carbon road bikes under £2000. The 105 groupset is responsive and reliable enough even for semi-serious cyclists and has a great range in its 22-gears.
The bike is finished with Ribble’s own-branded Level alunminium wheels and handlebars and a comfortable Prologo saddle.
- Men's/women's: Unisex
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Groupset: Shimano 105
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc
- Tyre width: 25mm
- In stock currently: Yes
Chris Boardman knows a thing or two about going fast. The former Olympic gold medalist and time trial specialist spent his cycling career searching for the marginal gains that could give him the edge. So when he’s put his name to an aero-focused carbon fibre road bike, you can trust it will provide a welcome speed boost every time you saddle up for a spin.
Centred around an updated frame, the SLR 8.9 features hydraulic disc brakes for the first time – a welcome addition that leaves you with confidence-inspiring control, even in wet conditions.
Shimano’s 105 22-speed gearing can lay down the power on the flat and gobble up the toughest climbs in Britain. Vittoria’s puncture-resistant Rubino pro tyres complete the build and remove some of the stress of a mid-ride mechanical.
- Men's/women's: Men's
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Groupset: Shimano 105
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc
- Tyre width: 28mm
- In stock currently: Yes
It’s rare to see Shimano’s Ultegra groupset on an aluminium bike below £2,000, let alone a carbon fibre one. So the fact that you’re able to tick both high-performance boxes – and still have change left over – makes the Vitus Zenium CRS a bike worth taking notice of.
As mentioned, Ultegra is Shimano’s ‘high-end’ groupset. A rung above 105, it’s closer in design, function and weight to the pro-level (and eye-wateringly expensive) Dura Ace.
This bike is much more than its groupset, though. Vitus is Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycles’ in-house brand. And if it’s anything like stable mates Dhb or Föhn, you can trust that you’re going to get something high in quality without paying through the nose for a big brand name. The carbon frame and fork are lightweight, internal routing keeps cables running smoothly and clear of dirt and water, and it has space for 32mm tyres, if you’re looking for a plush and plump ride feel. Wheels by Prime, laced in Schwalbe’s quality One Performance tyres complete the build.
- Men's/women's: Unisex
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc
- Tyre width: 28mm
- In stock currently: No
The second sub-2K carbon fibre bike from Ribble, the Endurance SL Sport’s carbon fibre appeal doesn’t stop at its frame and fork...
It is the only carbon bike we could find under £2,000 that also comes with carbon fibre wheels – and ones that RRP for £599 at that. The RB56 wheels have a 56mm rim profile (or depth in laymen’s terms), which makes them more aerodynamic in a straight line – and ideal for racing.
Marginally more aggressive than the R872 in terms of geometry, it’s still an endurance-focused bike at heart and will stay comfortable regardless of the length of your ride.
Like the R872, the Endurance SL Sport comes with a mechanical Shimano 105 groupset, although you will have to settle for rim rather than disc brakes.
- Men's/women's: Unisex
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Groupset: Shimano 105
- Brakes: Rim
- Tyre width: 25mm
- In stock currently: Yes, but in limited sizes
Carbon bikes slightly over £2000
If you’re scratching your head at why we’ve included the £2,049 Cube Attain GTC (and the following three models) in our round-up of the best carbon road bikes under 2000, we’ll level with you. You’re already looking at spending a hefty amount of money on a road bike, so if you can stretch yourself a bit further, there’s a lot more available on the market...
The Attain GTC ticks the Shimano 105 and hydraulic disc brakes boxes, but it is worth pointing out that the whole drivetrain isn't part of the 105 family, with the non-series crankset saving you money albeit adding weight in the process.
Other features worth noting are the aero-optimised wheels and the ability to mount mudguards – handy for wet-weather training.
- Men's/women's: Unisex
- Sizes: 50cm, 53cm, 56cm, 58cm, 60cm, 62cm
- Groupset: Shimano 105
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc
- Tyre width: 28mm
- In stock currently: Yes
Liv is the sister brand of Taiwanese brand Giant, and its focus is on producing great female-specific bikes.
Its Avail Advanced Disc mimics the Giant TCR Advanced Disc, although has geometry and componentery specifically attuned with the female anatomy – a slightly shorter top tube and slacker headtube produces a more upright ride position, the stem and crank legs are shorter and touch points like handlebar tape and saddle aim to increase comfort.
The Advanced Disc 3 is the entry-level model and comes with a 20-speed Tiagra groupset, which while a solid inclusion, can be bettered elsewhere. If you’re looking for a female-specific carbon road bike under £2,000m though, it’s tough to beat.
- Men's/women's: Unisex
- Sizes: XS, S, M
- Groupset: Shimano Tiagra
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc
- Tyre width: 32mm
- In stock currently: Yes, but in limited sizes
Similar to Ribble, German bike manufacturer Canyon is renowned for being a direct-to-customer brand. Over the years, it’s built a reputation for being able to produce pioneering products without the prototype price tag, and its Endurace line-up is a case in point.
Starting at the £1,149 Endurace AL 6 and rising all the way to the £7,749 CF SLX 9 Di2, each model has been designed to remain comfortable from the first mile to the last – whether that’s a short, pre-work blast or a multi-day epic.
The Endurace CF 8 is a touch over the £2,000 mark, but when you look at its componentry, you soon realise it’s worth splashing the cash on. A full Ultegra groupset, complete with hydraulic disc brakes, and a set of quality wheels from Fulcrum create a carbon fibre road bike worth pushing the boat out for. You've also got a Canyon cockpit and Selle Italia saddle, with central cut-out and flexible wings for maximum comfort.
Thick tyres (30mm wide on the front and 32mm on rear) ensure optimum comfort during long days out in the saddle, while there's also clearance for even chunkier 35mm tyres, for more grip and comfort if taking the bike off road.
A shock-absorbing VCLS seatpost, teamed with the wide tyres, leads to comfortable days out – although it does mean it loses the 'racy' feel of some other pure road bikes (if that's what you're going for). The frame also has top tube rivets to allow for extra storage, again making it ideal for long days out.
Don't be put off by Canyon's direct-to-customer approach. They have a very useful size guide (known as the Perfect Positioning System) which, after entering your height and leg inseam, gives you recommended frame sizes, and the pros and cons of going larger or smaller if you're between sizes.
- Men's/women's: Unisex
- Sizes: 3XS, 2XS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc
- Tyre width: 32mm
- In stock currently: No (coming in January 2023)
Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Disc 2023
Owning multiple bikes for various different uses (whether that’s winter training, mid-summer racing or year-round commuting), is something of a luxury that not everyone can afford – and most have to settle for one do-it-all bike. If this is you, the new Cannondale Synapse 4 might just be a worthwhile investment.
Its lightweight, carbon fibre frame is the same as that found on the range-topping, £9,000 Synapse 1 RLE – it’s just the components where money has been saved and shaved. For a fraction of the cost, you still get the same unrivalled comfort, mile-munching capabilities and, thanks to space for 35mm tyres, the opportunity to head off piste if the mood takes you.
The 20-speed Tiagra groupset is the same as that found on the Liv offering above (and two rungs below the Canyon Endurace CF 8’s Ultegra). Its wheelset isn’t worth writing home about. But the Synapse is a perfect example of putting all your money into a solid, race-worthy frame and upgrading the rest as you go
- Men's/women's: Unisex
- Sizes: 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61
- Groupset: Shimano Tiagra
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc
- Tyre width: 30mm
- In stock currently: Yes
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