After taking a look at the bikes you can get on a budget of £300 and £500-750, we now take a look at what you can get on a budget of £1000. For the money you can expect to pick up an excellent lightweight frame (maybe even a carbon one), good components and potentially a pretty fast bike.
Generally when building a bike for a specific price range, manufacturers will pick one of two things. Either a cheaper frame with some higher quality components, or a better frame and down-spec some of the components. So you’re left with the choice of a pretty good bike at a good price with limited potential for upgrading. Or, a higher quality frame which you can upgrade around as you go, to build a better bike. There are still great offers to be found however, enabling you to get the best of both worlds, especially from the bigger retailers and manufacturers.
Boardman Team Carbon - £950
The Boardman Team Carbon available a Halfords for £949.99, is a really good place to start. As the name gives away the bike does feature a full carbon fibre frame and fork, which is impressive at this price, and saves a couple of extra kilo’s. The bike boasts 20 speed Shimano 105 gearing with Tiagra shifting, Tektro R540 dual pivot calliper brakes, and also features internal cable routing and mudguards eyelets. Although some of the components are of a lower spec in favour of the carbon frame, there’s nothing here to be concerned about. Plus with this good quality frame, it offers you really good upgrade potential.
Giant Defy Disc 1 - £999
Next up is the Giant Defy 1 Disc available right on budget at £999. The Defy range has introduced disc brake technology to several models this year, for added control, durability and performance. The bike features Giants ALUXX SL alloy frame, Shimano 105 22 speed transmission and D-Fuse seatpost to smooth out your ride.
Cannondale Synapse Alloy 105 - £999
The Cannondale Synapse Alloy 105 5 Disc 2016 is also available at £999. The Synapse is the US Manufacturer’s endurance bike, designed to be comfortable, featuring a 6061 aluminium frame. It’s built with Shimano 105 transmission, FSA Goosamer chainset and Promax Render R mechanical disc brakes. It comes with Schwalbe Lugano 25mm tyres, and the Synapse also allows bigger tyres to be fitted than in most regular race bikes, up to 28mm.
Whyte Dorset - £999
The Whyte Dorset available for £999, is another of the new breed of disc braked road bikes, developed by Cotswold based Manufacturers Whyte. Originally focusing on the design of mountain bikes led by ex F-1 design engineer Jon Whyte, the company has produced a range of event and award winning bikes. The Whyte Dorset is a truly performance road bike, with a well designed aluminium frame at the heart of it. It features a carbon fibre fork to smooth out the road, Shimano Tiagra groupset, TRP HyRd disc brakes and 28mm Maxxis Rouleur tyres.
Raleigh Mustang Elite - £950
Our final bike featured, and something a bit different, is the Raleigh Mustang Elite. It’s part of Raleigh’s expanded range of gravel/adventure bikes for 2016, and lives on a diet of tarmac, pot holes, mud and gravel. Its 6061 double butted aluminium frame is designed for both on and off road riding, and with a carbon fork it absorbs vibrations while keeping the front end light and stiff. The bike features TRP HY-RD Semi Hydraulic disc brakes and SRAM 11 speed groupset – offering simple reliable and silent shifting It also boasts Schwalbe’s premium Gravel 1 tyres, developed to roll fast on tarmac and offer top level grip and puncture protection off road. This bike is a great all rounder, and if you don’t always fancy sticking to the road its a great alternative with an all round package.
