15 Best Carbon Road Bikes – Under $2000

15. Priority Apollo Gravel – The Priority Apollo Gravel is the best bike for difficult roads and terrains!

Now that the bikes have been listed and described, we can move on to the main reviews!

1. SAVA HERD 6.0 – Editor’s Choice

Price: $1,849

People want the best value for their money and SAVA is known for giving amazing value to its customers. SAVA operates on a direct approach to its customers, that is why they have upheld such impressive brand loyalty. The SAVA Herd 6.0 is one of the best bikes from SAVA yet.

The SAVA road bike series has always been at the top of their game, featuring the best components but at an affordable price tag. You would see that these series also feature amazing 28mm tires, maximizing performance and comfort.

Some of the best features of the bike are:

• Amazing Value For The Price
•  SHIMANO 105 Groupset
• Great Aerodynamic Design

Now, what makes the Herd 6.0 different from others? It comes with the powerful Shimano 105 groupset and is available for both men and women. If you go for the 5.0 version of the bike then it features a lower-end groupset. You can see that the quality is maximized here, even if the cost isn’t that much.

As this is a carbon bike, it weighs around almost 8.7 kgs, not that heavy, you can easily use it on hilly terrains. The carbon seat-post of the bike is shock-proof so you’ll be safe from vibrations and other kinds of shocks.

Drawbacks:

• The only drawback to this bike is that its wheels can’t be trusted during rough winds.

2. GIANT DEFY ADVANCED 3

Price: $2,050

The Giant Defy Advanced 3 is a bike that is going to impress you from the get-go. Featuring an endurance geometry, the bike allows you to be more precise and upright while riding, this makes the bike perfect for long trips and touring. Ergonomic seats are hard to come by in some road bikes, especially in this price category, but the Giant Defy Advanced 3 makes everything easier for the rider.

It is constructed with a full carbon frame that is adept at absorbing all kinds of vibrations and shocks. Furthermore, the 28mm tires on the bike will deliver a delightful mix between comfort and handling.

Some of the best features of the bike are:

• Unique Design
• Strong Carbon Fork and Frame
• Powerful Mechanical Disc Brakes

The main selling point of the Giant Defy Advanced 3 is the Shimano Tiagra groupset, the 11-speed gear options will allow you to conquer any kind of terrain. High-end Shimano components are rare in a bike at this price point, the inclusion makes the bike a very good deal to exploit.

Enjoy a fully aerodynamic bike, the Giant Defy 3 features integrated cable management, this makes the bike lightweight and strong while also enhancing the performance. It is really impressive to see this feature in a budget road bike.

Drawbacks:

• There are no tubeless-ready wheels with the bike
• Mechanical disc brakes aren’t that strong as hydraulic brakes

3. Cinelli Veltrix 105

Price: Here (Subject To Change/Depends On Availability)

In the Cinelli Veltrix Series, the Caliper 105 is the best one to go for! It is a combination of aluminum and carbon, they bring out one of the best products from Cinelli yet. If we compare the Caliper 105 with the other bikes from Cinelli and other series, I think it is equipped way better (In terms of components and construction).

At Cinelli, comfort is one of the upholding values, something that they make sure each of their bikes is. With the Veltrix Caliper 105, comfort is a defining quality, and with the endurance geometry, things just get very impressive. The 28mm tires of the bike can handle any kind of road, may it be dirt or gravel.

Some of the best features of the bike are:

• Strong Carbon Fork and Frame
• Great Customization/Accessories Options
• Partial Internal Cable Routing

If you are planning on long trips for casual or professional purposes then the Veltrix Caliper 105 is going to suit you better. There are a variety of accessories and customization options, there is a top tube mount if you want to stack up extra storage, three water bottle cages, it doesn’t get any better than this.

The Caliper 105 becomes a great adventure bike from an endurance bike if you play your cards right, and adventure bikes at this price range are like the holy grail for cyclists.

If you love tracking your progress, for example like a bike computer, then you would be happy to know that the Cinelli Veltrix Caliper 105 is compatible with DuoTrap S Sensor (Sold Separately). 

Drawbacks:

• It is a bit heavier than other bikes in the category (More than 10 kgs)
• Absence of disc brakes

4. SAVADECK Phantom 2.0

Price: $2,199

Beauty is another synonym for road bikes and I think that the SAVADECK Phantom 2.0 is one of the most gorgeous-looking carbon race bikes that I have ever seen. The price that you pay for it is nothing as compared to the value that you get in return for it. This here is a full carbon bike, its fork, frame, and seat posts are all made from carbon.

You will be enjoying a great aerodynamic bike thanks to the carbon 50mm deep wheels. There are a lot of reasons to be excited about this bike, such as the Shimano components.

Some of the best features of the bike are:

• Fully Carbon Aerodynamic Bike
• Powerful Rim Brakes
• Shimano Ultegra 8000 Groupset

I was talking about the great components of the bike and one of them is the Shimano Ultegra 8000 Groupset, if we compare it to the 105, it is more accurate and lighter so you get more value for your money. Ultegra is a pricey component and you won’t see any other bike under the 2K range that uses in its construction.

If you want to ride the bike on hilly trails you can easily do that, thanks to the heavy gears of the bike. May it be the Netherlands or North America, this bike is going to do wonders for you!

Drawbacks:

• It isn’t as fast as the other road bikes in the category

5. Orro Gold Evo 105-FSA R800

Price: $1,999

The Orro Gold Evo is one of the very few carbon bikes that we could find in the market, that uses carbon in all of its construction. We have discussed the Cinelli Veltrix in this guide, if you liked that bike then you are going to love the Orro, they have a similar construction, only the Orro Gold Evo is cheaper than the Veltrix and that is a good thing.

This is an endurance bike, every component of the bike supports that structure. With the Orro, you can easily ride long distances, go to that hilly terrain that you always wanted, and just do about anything.

Some of the best features of the bike are:

• Fully Carbon Bike
• Powerful Mechanical Disc Brakes
• Fulcrum R900 Wheels
• Internal Cable Routing (Partial)

The components of the Orro Gold Evo are amazing, a really good example is the Shimano 150 Groupset, along with that you also have an FSA chainset, both of them combine to give a really good performance boost to the bike. Changing gears will feel faster and smoother!

The Fulcrum R900 DB alloy wheels used in the bike, allow the Orro Gold to deliver and fast and comfortable ride, all of these components in this price range are just a God-send.

Drawbacks:

• The disc brakes could have been better, hydraulic brakes are more preferred

6. Cannondale SuperSix EVO 105

Price: $1,590 (Subject To Change)

If you are a UK citizen then you know that Cannondale and the SuperSix Evo series have been the go-to choice if you want an amazing lightweight performance, they are cheap and offer the best performance for the buck/pound. Cannondale produces a lot of bikes on a yearly basis, but this year’s SuperSix Evo is just different.

Well, the frame of the bike is very lightweight and has a lot of colors than before, it is even more aerodynamic than before and that is what I love about the bikes from Cannondale, they are consistent with their performance, even if the design might be a little different.

Some of the best features of the bike are:

• Amazing Racing Performance
• Mavic Aksium Wheels
• Shimano 105 Groupset

This year’s Cannondale might not be too big with the components or with the construction but the performance is great. You will still enjoy that signature riding experience, you won’t even have to look for another entry-level bike than the SuperSix EVO.

Customization is the key here with this bike, you can actually build upon this bike, improve it however you want. No matter, if you want to use it for regular commutes or racing, the Cannondale SuperSix EVO is not going to disappoint.

Drawbacks:

• The design of the bike might be unattractive to some, well it is definitely not the sexiest

7. Focus Izalco Race

Price: N/A 

The German Bike Giant “Focus” has done it again with their Izalco Race Bike. It is actually available in different frames/builds and the price may differ too, but the performance is definitely not going to differ. The Izalco Race is a well-built machine that deserves praise from everyone.

This is a full carbon bike, with a carbon frame and fork, there are no “mixtures” of any kind.

Some of the best features of the bike are:

• Shimano 105 Groupset
• Full Carbon Bike
• Prologo Kappa 3 Saddle
• Shimano RS010 Wheelset

The Izalco Race is a complete package and you shouldn’t doubt the quality of the build. We get a Prologo Kappa 3 Saddle that is hard to come by in bikes of this category. The only problem that I had was with the brake levers as they were too high, although that was sorted out quickly.

The Shimano RS010N Wheelset does a really good job, you will be able to traverse the road quite quickly without any kind of problems.

Drawbacks:

• The bike isn’t that fast as compared to others from the brand

8. Brilliant L Train Road Bike

Price: $730

How about an affordable road bike that isn’t just stylish but performs great too? The Brilliant L Train Road Bike is the one that you are looking for. With the L Train road bike, you just won’t be conquering the roads but also be looking extremely stylish while doing that.

Some of the best features of the bike are:

• Powerful Disc Brakes
• Gates Carbon Drivetrain (Grease-Free)
• Lightweight Double-Butted Carbon Frame

The powerful groupset and drivetrain allow the rider to traverse any kind of hill and terrain, there are no restrictions when it comes to amazing performance. 

These bikes may not have the highest specifications but they are lightweight carbon and of good quality too. If you are looking for a good entry-level carbon bike then definitely try this out.

Drawbacks:

• Assembly requires a lot of time

9. Emonda ALR 5

Price: $2,149

Trek has helped make carbon bikes look sexy again, you just have to go with the looks of this amazing bike. It is a genius blend of both aluminum and carbon, we thought it wouldn’t be possible but here we are. Having a pitch-black construct, this bike is going to spin some heads and hearts!

Deemed as the “Lightweight Aluminum Perfection” it combines the best elements from both aluminum and carbon frame to construct something truly special.

Some of the best features of the bike are:

• Shimano 105 Groupset
• Powerful Hydraulic Disc Brakes
• Strong Blend of Aluminum and Carbon

Let me tell you this, if you are thinking that this is just an ordinary aluminum bike then you are mistaken, it is a bike that feels more carbon than aluminum and that is a really good thing.

With the best frame and components, you can ride this bike to your heart’s desire and still not get tired from it. This is a bike that you absolutely have to try to believe.

Drawbacks:

• The handling could have been better

10. Ribble R872 Disc

Price: Starting From £1,199

The Ribble R872 definitely came as a surprise, we were hoping for less but got far more than expected. Many of the bikes that you see online or in the market offer that same factory-build but the Ribble allows you almost endless customization from the get-go. You just need to go to the official website and add the modifications that you want.

With that being said, it is recommended that you actually go for the upgrades that are available rather than just opting for the factory version.

Some of the best features of the bike are:

• Mavic Wheels
• Shimano 105 Hydraulic Groupset
• Amazing Design and Performance

There used to alloy seat posts in the past but now they have been replaced with carbon seat posts and they feel a lot better. You can now actually go for longer rides without any kind of problems or disturbances. As I said, the bike builder option lets you choose a variety of upgrades and you should definitely use that.

You can’t change the groupset of the bike but I guess that is fine, you will still get that amazing standard performance. It features the 11-32 cassette, you would be able to change gears quite quickly without any kind of problems. The handlebar also feels good, it is ergonomically placed just as you wanted it to be.

Drawbacks: 

• Brand-Conscious people might have to stay away from the Ribble R872

Read more about Ribble Bikes here.

11. SAVADECK Warwinds 3

Price: $1,399

If you are a fan of Tron or Star Wars then you are going to love the SAVADECK Warwinds 3, it definitely looks like a bike straight out of those movies. Although the Warwinds 3 is one of the expensive entry-level options to go for, the value that you get for this bike is unmatched, it feels extremely lightweight and accurate.

The bike’s frame is made from carbon fiber so that it can extend the performance to new levels, if you are looking for a really good road bike for easy transport and commutes then the Warwinds 3 is going to impress you.

Some of the best features of the bike are:

• Full Carbon Bike
• Shimano 6800 Gear System
• Sava Warwind Hutchinson Tires
• Sava Warwind Shimano 6800 Derailleur Brakes

Carbon is actually smoother than all the other materials and it can absorb almost all kinds of shocks and vibrations. This is a really good advantage over the other bikes because it allows the rider to fully focus on the ride rather than bumping on stuff.

As for the gear system, the Warwinds bike features a Shimano 6800 Gear System which is great for traversal of every kind of terrain. No matter what your destination is, with the Warwinds 3 bike, you will be able to reach there in a zap and without any kind of problems.

The Hutchison tires do a great job of boosting the potential of the bike, you will always have the ultimate grip on the road. 

Drawbacks:

• People would not be too happy with the generic pedals of the Warwinds Bike

12. Schwinn Fastback Carbon 105

Price: $2,199

Schwinn is adept at making amazing bikes and accessories, they have been doing that for ages now and when the brand comes up, you better believe that it is going to be one amazing product. With the Fastback Carbon Road Bike, they have done it again.

The Fastback is one of Schwinn’s most impressive bikes yet, it just makes you feel superior at all times.

Some of the best features of the bike are:

• Full Carbon Bike
• Shimano 105 Groupset
• 105 Dual-Pivot Caliper Brakes

As I mentioned, this is a full carbon bike, everything from the frame to the seat post is made from carbon, this is done to make sure that the bike delivers amazing performance while being extremely lightweight. With the Shimano 105 Groupset, you would be able to change gears almost instantly and with that be able to conquer any kind of terrain.

The powerful dual-pivot caliper brakes give you amazing stopping power whenever you need it, there is never a delay in that, we checked it ourselves. Another great benefit of the Schwinn Fastback bike is that you get a lifetime warranty, this gives you the ease of mind whenever you are riding the bike. 

Drawbacks:

• You will need to assemble the bike yourself and that will probably take a lot of time
• Bike pedals have to be bought separately

13. Vitus Zenium CR

Price: $1682

Vitus is one of the biggest brands to make amazing road bikes, and the Zenium CR is one of their best bikes yet. The Zenium actually comes in two models, the CR is for men and the CRW is for women, everyone gets to enjoy this amazing carbon road bike.

You must be wondering about the construction and the specifications of the bike now, right? Due to the economies of scale, Vitus has allowed themselves to build this amazing bike and at an affordable price tag too.

Some of the best features of the bike are:

• Shimano 105 Groupset
• Shimano 105 Brakes
• Vittoria Zaffiro 28c Tires
• Amazing Durability

The Zenium is one of those few bikes from Vitus to be made fully from Carbon Fiber, and that is one of the most special things about the bike. When you think about the price tag, the structure of the bikes becomes a stand-out feature, especially if you combine the hydraulic brakes in it too.

When the brakes of the bike work so well with the Vittoria Zaffiro tires, you know that you invested in the perfect bike for yourself. There will never be a delay in the stopping power, you just need to try the bike to believe it. The frame and fork of the bike are made with true dedication, Toray T700 carbon fiber cloth was used to construct them and you can see the quality from there.

Drawbacks:

• The design could have been better

Read more about Vitus Zenium Bikes here.

14. Trek Checkpoint ALR 5

Price: $2,199

If you are looking for an amazing gravel-oriented road bike, then the Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 is going to do wonders for you. No matter what you throw at the ALR 5, it is going to handle everything like a professional bike. No matter if it is craggy trails, hills, or even smooth pavements, you are just going to be impressed by the quality of the ALR 5.

You can even customize the tires of the bike because of the clearance, the modification options are virtually endless.

Some of the best features of the bike are:

• Comes in Different Colors
• Great Customization Options
• Shimano 11-Speed Drivetrain

If you want to customize or mod your bike, with the Checkpoint ALR 5, you have all the options. There are extra mounts on the frame of the bike that allow you to attach whatever you want, say if you wanted to have 3 water bottles with you, you easily have that with your gorgeous carbon steed.

With the powerful disc brakes of the ALR 5, you will be able to control your descents with more precision. If you love your bike to be in different colors then you are in luck, the Checkpoint ALR 5 comes in different colors, although I personally love the golden aesthetics of the bike.

Drawbacks:

• Could use bigger tires from the start

15. Priority Apollo Gravel

Price: $1,699

The Light and Versatile Priority Apollo Gravel bike are going to spin a lot of heads, this is a bike that you definitely have to try out. We have come through a lot of bikes, people were loving cross-country bikes first, fat bikes, even e-bikes but today it is time to give the spotlight to the amazing Priority Apollo Gravel.

Priority has made its first gravel bike, the Apollo is one special bike let me tell you that. It is still a road bike but beefier, they have the drop-bar handlebars and leaning frames that kind of make them look like mountain bikes.

Some of the best features of the bike are:

• Can Handle Difficult Roads
• Strong Carbon-Fiber Fork
• Internal Gear Hub

The Priority Apollo Gravel is best suited for both smooth pavements and jagged trails, the choice is yours where you want to use it. With the internal gear hub, you spend less time and money whenever there is trouble, you certainly won’t have to deal with chains.

If you are planning on long tours or something like that then the forward-leaning frame will make sure that you have a really comfortable ride. Did I forget to mention that the bike is extremely fast and durable too? There is never a delay with brakes, absolute stopping power in your hands.

Drawbacks:

• Some people may not like the blend of aluminum and carbon fiber

Road Bike Size Chart

Note: You can easily find the perfect-sized carbon fiber road bike for yourself by simply following the size chart.

Why Choose Carbon Fiber Rather Than Other Materials?

Long before the technological advancement, carbon fiber was used in bikes that were super expensive or in superbikes you would say. Now that there the manufacturing processes have been changed, there is more access to technology than before, it is much easier to get your hands on a carbon fiber bike. You wouldn’t need to break the bank in order to afford a great carbon fiber bike now and we will discuss why they are better than bikes made from Aluminum or Steel.

They Are Extremely Light

Let’s start with the most basic thing, weight! Yes, carbon fiber bikes are extremely lightweight, strong, and durable. No matter if it is the whole frame or just the fork of the bike, they are certainly going to boost the performance and feel of your bike. Using carbon fiber, manufacturers can modify the stiffness of their bikes in different ways, the carbon layers are aligned differently.

If it is a bike that is fully made of carbon then the head tube and bracket will ensure maximum power delivery while there will be unmatched comfort from the seat tube.

Always A Comfortable Ride

It does not matter if you are a professional rider or not, you are going to love the comfort of carbon road bikes. Aluminum is not able to handle shocks and vibrations, that is where carbon fiber shines, they are adept at withstanding and not transmitting vibrations/shocks that result in a smoother and comfy ride.

You can always customize, if you don’t want to commit to a full carbon bike, you can always install a carbon fork that will give you the same great comfort.

Carbon Is Stronger

Carbon Fiber is the type of material that gives the manufacturer more power and freedom to build whatever they want. A lot of technical improvements can be made and that results in a durable and strong bike frame. According to the tests and experiments, carbon outperforms every other kind of bike material.

Stability Is Guaranteed

We all know that carbon fiber used to be damaged by UV rays and that was a big problem for riders. That problem has been solved now, almost all the new bike frames that are made with carbon fiber have UV stabilizers in them, so there is no chance of damages.

If you want to use bike wash on a carbon bike, you can do that too without any kind of problems. Carbon is not susceptible to any kind of damage from these bike maintenance lubricants.

How To Choose The Perfect Road Bike?

The world of biking starts with road bikes, they are the means to enjoyment, exercise, and adventures. Road Bikes allow you to move here and there without any kind of worries, you meet new people along the way and life gets slower than a raging automobile, it is all for the good though!

Now reading that would have you excited, even that much that you would want to go ahead and shop for a road bike but we encourage you to wait and plan out everything ahead. Getting a road bike is easy but getting the best one, especially for you is going to be really tricky.

Research is going to be a game-changer here, you need to know what makes or breaks a bike, and in order to get a really good road bike, what things are there that you need to focus on. So let us get started!

Frame Geometry Is Different And They Matter

You may be thinking that all bikes look the same and that is true to some extent but many of them differ. One road bike is very different from the other one. Each one of them has a different frame geometry that makes them unique, and if you figure that out then you would be able to understand almost 90% of their structure.

Most of the road bikes that you are going to come across will have sports geometry, this is best suited for those bikes that will be used within 3-4 times a week, stretching up to almost 150 miles/week. These are recommended for casual users.

After that, there comes road bikes with a race/performance geometry. These are for the professional/competitive riders, they enhance the skills while asking the riders to be more flexible with themselves. These professional bikes are going to be lighter, have a strong frame, premium components, and an expensive price tag.

Look Out For The Materials

Now that frame construction is over and done with, you need to pay attention to the various frame materials. Bike frames usually come in two different forms and they are:

• Carbon-Fiber
• Aluminum

Carbon Fiber Frames are adept at providing comfortable and vibration-free rides. Comparatively, they are expensive because a lot of labor-intensive work is needed to construct them. They are the preferred choice of professional riders.

Aluminum frames also provide a good and comfortable experience but are way less expensive. They can be customized even more so to enhance the experience.

If you want to enjoy the best out of your bike and for professional purposes then it would be suggested that you go for carbon fiber frames. Although if you want the bike for casual and fun purposes then an aluminum frame would be more than good enough!

Other Key Components To Look Out For!

Apart from the frame and the geometry, there are other key components to look out for, choosing the right components for your bike greatly affects the performance.

Groupsets and Drivetrains

Let’s start with Groupsets, they are a set of matching components provided by different component manufacturers for bikes. If a bike comes packed with a groupset, then they are going to have a stylish, and consistent look/design as compared to the bikes that don’t come with these types of groupsets. This shows the utmost quality of a bike and the top-renowned suppliers of Drivetrains/Groupsets are SRAM and Shimano.

Wheels 

Wheels are one of the most important components to consider because they directly affect the performance of the bike, they are the ones between the road and their quality will certainly go a long way. Wheels affect the following:

• The overall weight of the bike
• Acceleration and how well it handles 
• Resistance against the wind

The thing with wheels is that they are pre-built with the bike and you don’t get to choose them except that your bike is custom-built. Although you can always customize your bike when you have already gotten it, upgrading goes a very long way. 

Gears and Cranksets Are Crucial

Gears are an important part of road bikes, they go hand-in-hand. The component that makes the pedal rotate the rear wheel is called a crankset and that is where we will start. Many of the road bikes are coming with different types of cranksets, things start with double and then go to compact. 

Double/Compact Cranksets have two chainrings and 20 gears in total. They also come with a 10-speed cassette, having few gears gives them various benefits.

Triple Cranksets have 3 chainrings and 27 gears in total. They also come with a 9-speed cassette, providing this many gears to the rider comes with its own set of benefits.

You can always upgrade or customize whichever crankset you get with your bike, everyone has their own preference after all. Other than that, if you are a beginner and are just starting out with the bikes then a triple or compact crankset would be the best one for you, if you are a professional then you should go with a double crankset.

Choose Your Pedals!

You may be thinking that what are the pedals going to do and they come built with your bikes, well things have changed a bit! The basic bikes come with normal pedals that have toe cages but then there are the higher-end/premium models that come without pedals. This is because the company thinks that for a better and more personalized experience, you would choose the pedals yourself!

You can actually choose the pedals that go perfectly with your cycling shoes, after that just see that your performance gets better!

Brakes and Shifters

One would think that the brakes and shifters of a bike are different components, that was true at some point but with the newer models, these two components have become integrated.

Different bikes and different brands offer unique experiences and you must try them out before finalizing a choice. Both SRAM and Shimano have amazing shifters and brake sets, choose the one that suits you the most! The most important thing that you need to consider is that you have a good grip on the bike.

Read more:

• Best Budget Road Bikes Under $500
• How Much Faster Are Carbon Road Bike Wheels Really
• Top 10 Best Cyclists Ever – World Renown Legends
• Best Mountain Bikes Under $500
• 15 Best Bikes For Heavy Riders (Updated 2023)
• Best Hybrid Bikes For Women: Find Top Brands Reviewed And Ranked
   

FAQs

Recap

Carbon Bikes are amazing, they are faster, stiffer, and stronger than any other bike material. They are also quite expensive as compared to the other bike so getting them under $2000 is a bit of a challenge. Still, that doesn’t mean that you cannot get lucky sometimes.

If you are looking for a really good carbon road bike then try out the SAVA HERD 6.0, it currently ranks the best among our list. There are other options to try out too tho!

May it be Aluminum or Steel, it cannot get any better than Carbon! These bikes are just amazing to look at, and once you get a taste of that performance, you won’t ever go for any other kind of bike again! Happy Biking!