Road bikes around 1000 euros on test

Getting into the world of road bikes is actually simple. Once you have discovered the joy of sporty riding, you still need the suitable vehicle - and the first kilometres can begin. However, a visit to the bike shop can raise a lot of questions that cannot be answered quickly: What is actually the "right" road bike to get started with the sport? What are the differences? Should the bike have a carbon or aluminium frame? How many gears should the gears have? Is it better to choose a bike with rim brakes or one with disc brakes? And when the price tag on the chic professional racer at the front of the exhibition reads "12,000 euros", laypeople are bound to ask themselves: How much can or should this fun actually cost?

ThereforeOur comparison test clarifies what you can expect from a road bike in the 1000 euro price range - and delivers a thoroughly surprising test winner.

Our tested racing bikes

Hidden details

Not for the first time in recent months, the supply problems in the bicycle industry are also reflected in this test field. Only six manufacturers were able to find suitable Models around 1000 euros with rim brakes (four) or disc brakes (two) - we asked for almost five times as many. To 1049 Euro is that Giant the cheapest bike, Radon and Stevens are with 1199 Euro each the most expensive bikes. The low price range already gives you an idea: The technical values of the candidates are at a similar level, but the bikes differ clearly in some details.

It starts with the weight, which all models is nine kilograms or more. There are 1,200 grams between the lightest and the heaviest wheel in this comparison - an indication that despite the identical 6061 alloy material, it is the construction that makes the difference. lightest frame (Giant) separate around 450 grams from the heaviest (Stevens). One explanation for the considerable difference is the hydroforming process: Giant presses the tubes into shape under high pressure and thus achieves thinner wall thicknesses. The framesets - consisting of frame, fork and headset - of the six candidates range between 1,908 (Giant) and 2,360 grams (Stevens). Sometimes the differences are hidden in the details: although the Van Rysel has one of the lighter frames, the carbon fork is around 250 grams heavier than its competitors, whose forks are made entirely of the fibre material, due to its aluminium steerer tube.

A 1000-euro road bike is not a lightweight wonder

Even the Frame base puts a lot of pressure on the scales, and there is hardly any room for high-quality, i.e. lighter components in this tight price range. Exception: the Van Rysel. With Shimano's 105 equipment and a comparatively light Fulcrum wheelset the bike from the French sporting goods discounter Decathlon is the best equipped in the comparison and with 9,030 grammes consequently also the lightest bike in the test.

Rim brakes dominate - still

The three other rim brake models from Cannondale, Giant and Stevens weigh up to 670 grams more. With Cannondale and Giant this is mainly due to the comparatively heavy wheels, each weighing around 3,700 grams per set. The wheels with disc brakes from Cube and Radon weigh almost a whole kilogramme more. That doesn't just sound like a lot, you can also feel it in the saddle. Fast sprints, nimble cornering or steep ramps: None of the other bikes can follow the Van Rysel.

This also applies to circuit technology. The Van Rysel carries Shimano 105 groupsetall other bikes in the test brake and shift with Shimano components from the simpler Tiagra or Sora model series. In terms of function, the inexpensive components hardly differ from those of the higher-quality groupsets - however, with one (Tiagra) or two sprockets (Sora) fewer on the rear wheel, they are already relatively far behind the current state of the art with eleven sprockets. This means that there are fewer gears available, but thanks to the compact cranks with 50/34 teeth fitted throughout, the bikes are still well equipped for steeper climbs.

We liked that a lot

Parts not unmixed

One of the manufacturers' favourite tricks for equipping bikes cheaply should also not go unmentioned: With the exception of Radon and Stevens, the models are not equipped in the same way; where the customer's gaze does not immediately fall, simpler parts from third-party suppliers are fitted. This is not to be criticised if the parts, such as the KMC chains on Cannondale, Cube, Giant and Van Rysel are hardly inferior to the original from Shimano. Disadvantages become apparent when manufacturers such as Cannondale and Cube replace the original Shimano brakes with cheaper ones. Promax rim brakes or TRP disc brakes replace them. They brake worse and are significantly less maintenance and installation-friendly.

In another detail of road bike development, most 1000-euro racers are also lagging behind. State-of-the-art racing bikes leave room for at least 30 to 32 millimetre wide tyres, which roll more smoothly and have better suspension. The low-cost bikes with rim brakes, on the other hand maximum 28 millimetres wide tyres, but these can only be found on the Giant in the test field; all the others roll on 25-millimetre tyres. The Cube and Radon disc brake bikes are fitted with 28 millimetre wide tyres ex works, but the frame and fork still leave room for slightly wider tyres.

In terms of suspension comfort, this would be a sensible tuning option, as the Cube and Radon, like all six Aluminium racercomparatively hard. Especially on the emphasised sporty The San Remo from Stevens is designed so that the vibrations from the road are transmitted almost unfiltered to your bum and hands. The Giant does better; in addition to the comparatively wide tyres, the Contend 1 benefits from its flattened seat post, which noticeably dampens vibrations.

That works better

Nevertheless, Decathlon delivers the most harmonious overall package with the Van Rysel. It is comparatively light and has high-quality features, which secured it the test victory. Incidentally, the name means "from Lille" in Flemish; Decathlon's headquarters are located in the French city. More performance for less money, as the 1,099 Euro cheap discounter bike is hardly possible. Even Cannondale, once a pioneer and benchmark in the construction of aluminium frames, and the Taiwanese industry giant Giant, can, somewhat surprisingly, not keep up. Stevens, on the other hand, sets the standard in terms of workmanship. With meticulously polished weld seams, the San Remo almost looks like a carbon frame at first glance.

The bottom line is this: All the bikes work very well and are robust sports companions, but none of them are completely convincing.

Their biggest disadvantageAll of them already lag behind the current state of the art to a greater or lesser extent. Unfortunately, this also makes it difficult or even impossible to upgrade them with modern parts at a reasonable cost because they are not compatible. The wheels offer the most tuning potential. The Cannondale, Giant and Radon models in particular would make a huge leap forward with lighter wheels.

Test summary in a nutshell

The aluminium racers score points above all with their price: at around 1,000 euros, they cost around half as much as technically comparable carbon bikes. However, you have to accept compromises in return. The bikes in the test all weigh more than nine kilograms, ride quite hard and are simply equipped. The Van Rysel is the best bike thanks to its high-quality components.

Facts about the road bikes tested

Cannondale CAAD Optimo 3

• Price 1,099 Euro >> available here
• Weight 9.7 kilos
• Info www.cannondale.com

Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1.552/429/77 Gram frame sizes** 48, 51, 54, 56, 58 Seat/top tube/head tube 520/565/165 millimetres Stack/Reach/STR*** 595/382 millimetres/1.56 Wheelbase/caster 1,010/55 millimetres

Equipment

Drive FSA Vero Alloy (2x9, 50/34, 11-30 t.) Shimano Sora gears Brakes Promax RC-452 Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Maddux RS 3.0/Vittoria Zaffiro Pro 25 mm (f./h. 1,559/2,155 g)

Thanks to almost 40 years of expertise in aluminium frame construction, Cannondale is sending a high-quality bike into the race with the CAAD Optimo 3; the visual relationship to the top model CAAD 13 or the carbon racer SuperSix is unmistakable. A skilful move by the Americans, but one that cannot detract from the rather high overall weight. While the frameset is still one of the lightest in the comparison, the wheelset (Maddux) is heavier than average for a bike with rim brakes. The simple equipment is also reflected in the Promax brakes, which weaken under full braking and already reach their limits in dry conditions. Shimano's nine-speed Sora drivetrain works perfectly with the heavy FSA cranks, but the jumps between gears are quite large, which prevents smooth pedalling. The very upright riding position and neutral steering behaviour are beginner-friendly, the comfort is decent despite the narrow 25 mm tyres. Mounts for mudguards and pannier rack offer the option of transforming the Optimo 3 into a randonneur - a homage to Cannondale's first aluminium road bike, the ST-500.

+ Smooth running, eyelets for mudguards and pannier rack

- cheap brakes, very heavy wheels

Cube Attain Race

• Price 1,099 Euro >> available here
• Weight 10.0 kilos
• Info www.cube.eu

Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1,718/449/87 grammes Frame sizes** 50, 53, 56, 58, 60, 62 Seat/top tube/head tube 520/560/184 millimetres Stack/Reach/STR*** 615/376 millimetres/1.64 Wheelbase/caster 1,010/53 millimetres

Equipment

Drive Shimano Tiagra (2x10, 50/34, 11-34 t.) Circuit Shimano Tiagra brakes TRP Spyre MD-C610C (160/160 mm) Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Cube RA 1.9 Aero/Continental Ultra Sport 28 mm (f./h. 1,647/2,203 g)

Cube describes the Attain as a "versatile training partner" and - despite the model suffix "Race" - puts the aluminium racer on its wheels with flawless marathon geometry. No other road bike measured by TOUR to date allows a more upright riding position, and thanks to the long wheelbase, the torsion-resistant Attain runs unwaveringly straight ahead. However, as soon as the bike computer indicates a few per cent incline, the big bike from the Upper Palatinate noticeably contributes to driving beads of sweat onto cyclists' foreheads - at ten kilograms, it has too much on its hips even for an inexpensive entry-level bike. The disc wheelset, which alone accounts for more than a third of the total weight, is the main source of tuning potential. The mechanical disc brakes from TRP offer no advantage over an equivalent rim brake, but also make the bike heavier. Shimano's Tiagra, on the other hand, performs flawlessly, and thanks to the ten-speed cassette, the jumps between gears are not quite as large as on the Sora models. The Attain Race is neatly finished, only the internally routed brake hose, which rattles in the frame on bumpy roads, detracts from the otherwise well-rounded picture.

+ Extremely comfortable seating position, very smooth running

- Very high overall weight, low-cost disc brakes

Giant Contend 1

• Price 1,049 Euro >> available here
• Weight 9.6 kilos
• Info www.giant-bicycles.com

Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1,405/430/73 grammes Frame sizes** S, M, ML, L, XL Seat/top tube/head tube 535/555/178 millimetres Stack/Reach/STR*** 594/376 millimetres/1.58 Wheelbase/caster 1,000/53 millimetres

Equipment

Drive Shimano Sora (2x9, 50/34, 11-34 t.) Circuit Shimano Sora Brakes Tektro TK-B177 Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Giant S-R3/Giant S-R3 AC 28 mm (f/w 1,565/2,207 g)

The Contend 1 is supposed to be "smooth, fast and fun" - Giant doesn't promise too much, especially when it comes to suspension comfort. Thanks to the flattened carbon seat post, the aluminium racer irons out bumps with ease - even much more expensive models can hardly do better. The special Tektro rim brakes allow tyres up to 32 millimetres wide, which would provide even more suspension comfort. Less trained cyclists will enjoy the upright riding position and neutral handling. The relatively light frameset is an eye-catcher, but the Giant cancels out this weight advantage with very heavy wheels. It feels downright sluggish when pedalling. The cheapest bike in the comparison comes with Shimano's Sora gears. Its gear range is limited, but sufficient, and thanks to the 1:1 mountain gear ratio, even steep ramps can be mastered. The favourable brakes (Tektro) and the chain (KMC) give no cause for criticism when new - in contrast to the modern design of the frame: On our test bike, the seat stays were not welded at the same height as the seat tube.

+ High spring comfort, lightweight frame set

- Very heavy wheels, poor workmanship

Radon R1 Disc Tiagra

• Price 1,199 Euro
• Weight 10.2 kilos
• Info www.radon-bikes.de

Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1,694/450/62 grammes Frame sizes** 50, 53, 56, 58, 60, 63 Seat/top tube/head tube 530/550/160 millimetres Stack/Reach/STR*** 563/387 millimetres/1.45 Wheelbase/caster 1,000/62 millimetres

Equipment

Drive Shimano Tiagra (2x10, 50/34, 11-34 t.) Circuit Shimano Tiagra Brakes Shimano Tiagra (160/160 mm) Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Alex Rims ATD 560/Continental Ultra Sport 28 mm (f./h. 1,756/2,360 g)

According to the manufacturer, the most affordable model in the R1 series is one of the "most popular racers in the portfolio". Why? One reason could be that the bike is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, which seems unusually generous in this price range. It does indeed stand out from the rest of the test field, even if the simple Shimano brakes are not quite as powerful as more expensive models. Shimano's Tiagra gears work flawlessly. The extremely stable bike sits firmly on the road and is easy to control even on bumpy terrain thanks to its extremely smooth ride. The geometry of the frame results in a relatively stretched riding position, and the torsion-resistant frame set does not allow for any significant suspension comfort. The biggest drawback, however, is the extremely high total weight of more than ten kilograms. It is therefore better not to get involved in local sign sprints with the Radon. The extra pounds are the result of the lead-heavy wheelset, which at more than four kilograms (!) practically serves up the tuning tip on a silver platter. An interesting and somewhat lighter alternative to the Tiagra version shown is the model with Shimano's 105 components, which is only 200 euros more expensive.

+ very smooth running, hydraulic disc brakes

- Very high total weight, lead-heavy wheels

Stevens San Remo

• Price 1,199 Euro
• Weight 9.6 kilos
• Info www.stevensbikes.de

Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1,809/470/81 grammes Frame sizes** 44, 47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 Seat/top tube/head tube 560/560/156 millimetres Stack/Reach/STR*** 561/397 millimetres/1.41 Wheelbase/caster 995/50 millimetres

Equipment

Drive Shimano Tiagra (2x10, 50/34, 11-32 t.) Circuit Shimano Tiagra Brakes Shimano Tiagra Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Oxygen RM-R17, Shimano RS400/Continental Grand Sport Race 25 mm (f./h. 1,382/1,965 g)

Like the Aspin (TOUR 7/2021), Stevens sent the San Remo into the test as a very sporty aluminium road bike. How could it be otherwise with this model name? No other bike in the comparison is more stretched out, even many competition bikes are less sporty. Newcomers in particular should bear this in mind if they are not yet used to the stretched-out riding position on a road bike. The bike also demands a certain amount of suffering from its rider when it comes to suspension comfort. The seat post is clamped relatively high and therefore offers little flex, while the narrow 25-millimetre tyres do not offer much suspension either. On the other hand, the relatively light wheels conceal the lead-heavy frameset. The workmanship of the aluminium frame is impressive, the weld seams under the matt black paintwork are neatly polished, from a distance there is hardly any difference to a carbon frame. The San Remo also scores with its comparatively high-quality equipment with Shimano's Tiagra, especially the rim brake can be precisely controlled. Hobby mechanics will appreciate the externally routed cables. The range of eight frame sizes is remarkable.

+ eight frame sizes, lightweight wheels

- Very heavy frame set, below-average spring comfort

Van Rysel EDR AF 105

• Price 1,099 Euro >> available here
• Weight 9.0 kilos
• Info www.decathlon.de

Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1,562/681/77 grammes Frame sizes** XS, S, M, L, XL Seat/top tube/head tube 540/565/165 millimetres Stack/Reach/STR*** 591/393 millimetres/1.50 Wheelbase/caster 995/57 millimetres

Equipment

Drive Shimano 105 (2x11, 50/34, 11-32 t.) Circuit Shimano 105 Brakes Shimano 105 Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Fulcrum Racing 600/Michelin Lithion 2 25 mm (f./h. 1,290/1,779 g)

We wouldn't have expected Van Rysel, the own brand of the French sporting goods discounter Decathlon, to win the test. However, the EDR AF 105 - the bulky model name is a reference to the endurance geometry of the aluminium frame - scores points with its low overall weight and attractive features. Compared to other rim brake bikes in this comparison, the discounter model is up to 700 grams lighter, thanks in large part to the high-quality wheelset from Fulcrum. However, due to the heavy carbon fork with aluminium steerer tube, the EDR is also just over the nine-kilo mark. However, this does not detract from the riding pleasure. The Van Rysel accelerates relatively quickly and is agile when cornering. The comparatively stretched seating position matches the sporty set-up. The suspension comfort at the rear is sufficient with the 25-millimetre tyres fitted ex works, and there is space for tyres up to 28 millimetres wide. Van Rysel is the only manufacturer in the test to fit Shimano's 105 gears. The inexpensive Microshift cassette and the cheap-looking seat post are worthy of criticism - details that can be changed quickly and inexpensively if necessary.

+ low overall weight, only bike with 105 equipment, easy to maintain

- Relatively heavy fork

You can find all the technical details and individual ratings of the 1000-euro road bikes tested in TOUR issue 6/22 and below for download for 2.99 euros.

download "Road bikes around 1000 euros in the test"