As an expert-level biker, you’re ready for high-end components, performance geometry, lighter frames and better aerodynamics.
A bike that meets your growing needs should be suited for cross-country tours, long commutes, triathlons and road bike racing. Your budget just got bigger and so did your demands; you’re ready to check out road bikes in a higher range.
If you’re an intermediate-level biker, we recommend that you seek a road bike priced less than $2000. When your skills have advanced, you’ll be ready for a bigger upgrade.
If you’re just starting out on your road biking adventure, look for a good entry-level bike priced less than $1000. Don’t worry; you’ll be riding like a pro before you know it.
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5 Top Rated Road Bikes Under 2500 & 3000 dollars: Quick Comparison
| Product | Rating | Speed | Frame | Shifters | Derailleur | Cassette | Tires | Brakes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tommaso Superleggera | 22 | Carbon | Shimano | Shimano | 11 Speed | 700c x 23c | Caliper | |
| Diamondback Serios S | 22 | Carbon | Shimano | Shimano | 11 Speed | 700c x 23c | Direct Mount | |
| Kestrel RT-1000 | 22 | Carbon | Shimano | Shimano | 11 Speed | 700c x 25c | Dual Pivot | |
| PZ Racing | 11 | Carbon | Shimano | Shimano | 11 Speed | 700c x 25c | - | |
| Kestrel 4000 Pro SL | 22 | Carbon | Shimano | Shimano | 11 Speed | 700c x 25c | Center Pull |
Reviews of 5 Best Road Bikes Under $2500 & $3000 in 2017
If you’re confident in your abilities and ready for your next big bike-shopping adventure, we’ve made your search easier by sharing our picks for the best expert-level road bikes priced less than $3000.
Tommaso Superleggera Carbon Road Bike Shimano Dura Ace 9000
- Lightweight monocoque carbon compact frame
- A Mavic Aksium race wheelset
- Shimano Dura Ace 9000 derailluers and shifters
- All-carbon fork make from Toray carbon
- All-carbon seat post
- Professional assembly required
Tommaso’s 11-speed Italian racing bike was recently redesigned and is now even better. The company is known for its craftsmanship and attention to detail, and this race-friendly road bike model is a perfect example.
It has the highest grade Shimano components and is optimized for hill-climbing, competitive racing and any number of other adventures.
Bike aficionados rave about its speed and handling, and prospective buyers view it as an opportunity to own an Italian-bred bike of exceptional quality for a relatively modest price.
If you’re ready for an elite experience and quality that will spoil you, the Superleggera is a great choice. You can customize its components, but you probably won’t.
It has everything on-board to create the ultimate riding experience.
Diamondback Bicycles Serios S Ready Ride Complete Carbon Triathlon/Time Trial Bike
- Full carbon Serios frame
- Diamondback Serios Aero fork
- HED Flanders C2+ wheelset
- Full full Shimano 105 components
- Designed in collaboration with KQ Studio
Made with unidirectional carbon for lightness and exceptional responsiveness, the Serios S is a product of wind tunnel testing and leading-edge design. With the same carbon fork and frame as its well-known cousins, the popular triathlon-ready bike has the look and feel of a professional level bike that costs twice as much.
Great components and a focus on comfort make the ride as comfortable as it is light and fast. Some owners aren’t as thrilled with the wheels, but with a new set, this bike can deliver some serious speed.
As a bonus, the Serios S arrives mostly assembled, so you won’t have to spend hours putting it together. All you have to handle are the front wheel, the pedals and the seat. The brakes and derailleurs are ready to go.
Kestrel RT-1000 Flat Bar Shimano Ultegra Bicycle
- Made from Kestrel’s Enhanced Modulus Hybrid (EMH) carbon
- Endurance geometry
- Ergonomic grips
- Prologo saddle
- Available with Shimano Ultegra or Shimano 105
If you’re looking for a high-end bike that makes comfort a priority, the RT-1000 Flat Bar Shimano Ultegra from Kestrel could be made just for you.
It’s designed with endurance geometry rather than racing geometry; this means that it’s ideal for riders who tour or ride for long stretches at a time. The bike’s design puts its rider in a more upright position to reduce fatigue in the back and shoulders.
The longer wheelbase helps increase stability, and the sloping top tube allows easier mounting and dismounting.
Don’t assume that it’s a bike built for slower riders; it features the same aerodynamic DNA as Kestrel’s Legend. You still get the same quality components, and you can expect your RT-1000 to get you to your destination with plenty of time to spare.
PZ Racing Road Bike
- Shimano 105 11-speed
- Carbon fiber frame
- Taper steerer carbon 700C aero shape fork
- Alloy handlebar and stem
- Oval shape carbon fiber seat post
Weighing in at a feather light 17.6 pounds, the PZ Racing Road Bike is an aptly named dynamo that is perfect for riders who are ready to upgrade to something with a little more speed. It has great quality Shimano 105 components, but you may want to upgrade the tires and wheels to get the best performance from this bike.
The PZ Racing Road Bike delivers a smooth, fast ride, and it’s ideal for anyone who wants to try out the road racing scene. However, it’s not a bike for novices. To truly benefit from its attributes, you need a little prior experience on a high-end road bike.
The PZ bike is attractive and well-designed, and its essential features won’t let you down. Professional assembly and adjustments are recommended to ensure the best performance.
Kestrel 4000 Pro SL w/105 Complete Bicycle 2012
- Made from 800K high-modulus carbon fiber
- FSA Gossamer crankset
- Tapered EMS Pro TT fork
- Internal cable routing
- Hidden rear brake for maximum aerodynamics
Sleek styling, great geometry and premium features like internal cabling and Ultegra components make the Kestrel’s 4000 Pro SL an attractive option for bikers who are ready for the better aerodynamics and intimidating speed needed for triathlon racing.
Oval wheels make it impervious to wind resistance, and the bar-end shifters provide effortless shifting.
The 4000 first entered the scene in 1987 with the world’s first all-carbon composite bike frame. It’s still one of the most easily recognized triathlon bikes in the industry. Besides being a trusted speed monster and a long-distance performer, it’s also a comfortable bike with customizable features. This is what separates this bicycle from the ones which are less than $1000.
If you’re looking for a bike with a proven winning track record, you can’t go wrong with the Kestrel 4000 Pro SL.
Why Are These Bikes Considered High-End?
Frame material, design and component quality are important factors when buying a high-end road bike, and you’ll find a striking difference in the quality of these things when you start considering bikes that are within the same price range as the ones that we’ve listed above.
It’s also a given that you’re going to pay more money for a high-end, famous brand name. However, there are other reasons that premium road bikes cost so much more, and they’re not always readily apparent. Most people who purchase bikes are hobbyists, casual commuters, amateur racers or people looking to improve their fitness through riding.
In comparison, the number of expert-level riders and professional athletes is small. As the quality of a bike increases, the number of people willing to pay more for it decreases.
When a bike manufacturer produces a professional-quality bike with advanced features, the selling price must cover not only the top-tier materials and components but also the overhead, which includes research and development, design, testing and specialized manufacturing that is required to create and market the bike.
Finishing details and aesthetic features further increase the price. After all, when serious bikers invest a large amount of money into a bike with top-of-the-line features and components, they will also want their vehicle to look the part.
When shopping for a high-end road bike, remember that materials and group sets are only part of the picture. Months and sometimes years of development and testing help to ensure that you’re getting the very best a manufacturer has to offer.
It’s also important to remember that higher-grade materials and components increase the longevity and durability of your bike. While the components on cheaper bikes are falling apart after a few months, bikes designed to tolerate heavy use and extreme conditions won’t be spending as much time in the shop.
In the long run you will pay more for your high-end bike, but as a trade-off, you’ll save yourself trouble and valuable time on repairs, replacements and alterations.
Conclusion: Our Top Pick for the Best Road Bike Under $3000
Based on our research and analysis on the bikes listed above, we’ve chosen the Kestrel RT 1000 as our number one best bike under $3000. It meets all of our expectations for a bike in this distinguished category. We chose the Kestrel RT 1000 because of its well-rounded features, its respectable component sets and its focus on rider comfort.
If you’re going to invest in a serious road bike, you should enjoy riding it. This bike delivers the speed you’re looking for in an expert-level bike, but it partners its performance capacity with greater comfort.
If you’re planning long-distance tours or you have a lengthy commute to work, this is the perfect premium road bike to make it a pleasant and satisfying experience.