Buying a new road bike in 2018 is truly a minefield. Do I go aero? Do I go lightweight? Do I need disc brakes? Should I consider tubeless-ready wheels?
So many questions make this an extremely important decision especially as a new bike purchase, for many, is as big a commitment to buying a new car or going on a big holiday. It has to be right.
To make it easier you should break down this process into some simple steps. Firstly, how much money am I willing to spend on my new bike and secondly what do I want from this bike.
Once you have decided on this you should be able to narrow down your options considerably. Then you will be left with the smaller decisions like ascetics and brand heritage to make your final decision.
Below Cyclist has chosen some of the best road bikes on the market from under £1000 to over £10,000 that you should consider when looking for a new bike in 2018.
Let us know in the comments below which other bikes you'd like to see included
Best road bikes under £1,000
Cannondale Synapse Disc Tiagra - £1,000
If you can afford to stretch your budget to four figures, then you should seriously consider the Cannondale Synapse Disc Tiagra.
This alloy frame has received trickle-down technology from its carbon sibling meaning the frame is extremely comfortable and effective for commuting or endurance rides.
It may only be fitted with a Shimano Tiagra groupset yet its Promax mechanical disc brakes and provisions for 28mm tyres make this a bike that will last you a long time.
Read our review of the Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod Disc.
For more on this bike click here.
Canyon Endurace AL 7.0 - £1,000
Like the aforementioned Cannondale, this Canyon Endurace AL 7.0 is still at the upper ends of the £1,000 limit but that comes with good reason.
Fitted with a carbon fork, this endurance frame from the direct-to-market giants is pretty lightweight at a claimed 8.4kg.
What makes this bike a real gem is that it is fitted with a full Shimano 105 groupset and the bombproof Mavic Askium wheelset not to mention Canyon's own ergofit handlebars.
Read our review of the Canyon Endurace CF SLX 9.0 SL.
For more on this bike click here.
Btwin Triban 540 - £679
Bargain hunters of the world unite, the Btwin Triban 540 is a truly revolutionary machine and at £320 under budget is the cheapest bike on this list.
It really is quite amazing how French sports store giants Decathlon get so much bang for their buck under the Btwin name. For under £700, the Triban 540 delivers a carbon fork, a mixed Shimano 105 groupset and those ever trusty Mavic Askium wheels.
The real gem is that this frame has full front and rear rack and mudguard mounts making this bike prime for commuting into work all year round.
For more on this bike click here.
Boardman Road Team Carbon - £900
I often wonder, if Chris Boardman had a sexier surname, say Merckx or Pinarello, would his bikes be more desired? I think so.
Fact has it that Boardman produces some pretty good bikes like the Road Team Carbon. While it may not have the same component spec of its competition its does have one thing, it is fully carbon.
This helps keep weights down and produce a stiffer and more responsive frame, something that is rare at such a budget.
For more on this bike click here.
Best road bikes under £2,500
Ribble R872 Zipp Limited Edition - £2,499
Coming in at a quid under budget, the Ribble R872 makes the cut thanks to its choice of components .
The British brand has fitted this bike with a set Zipp 302 carbon clincher wheels with Continental GP 4000s, a Zipp bar and stem as well as a Zipp seatpost, pretty impressive for a bike under £2,500.
What makes this more impressive is that the bike is built with the new Shimano Ultegra R8000 groupset which is arguably just as good as Dura Ace.
For more on this bike click here.
Rose Xeon CW Ultegra Di2 - £2,086.49
Like Ribble, Rose allows its customers to customise their setup whether that be choosing your preferred set of wheels or plucking for a different bar tape.
For a touch over £2,000 Rose will fit its aerodynamic Xeon frame with Ultegra Di2 meaning this is one of the cheapest bikes to come fitted with electronic gearing.
This bike has truly been developed for those looking to race on a budget.
For more on this bike click here.
Trek Emonda SL 6 - £2,250
The Trek Emonda is the US bike giant's lightweight frame and has been one of the most coveted climbers' bikes on the market.
This particular Emonda comes in at a very respectable 7.37kg considering the wheelset thanks to its Ultralight 500 Series OCLV Carbon frame. Trek has also fitted new Shimano Ultergra and direct mount brakes.
To top it all off, Trek has helped out the believers by fitting it with a set of Bontrager Paradigm tubeless ready wheels.
Read our test of the Trek Emonda on the mythical Mont Ventoux.
For more on this bike click here.
Giant Defy Advanced 1 - £1,849
The spec on this Giant Defy Advanced 1 is a little lower than its competitors but then again so is its price with it retailing for less than £1,900.
The Defy has long been a trusted frame for the masses and this latest incarnation is bang on trend with tubeless wheels, hydraulic disc brakes and a 11-34 cassette.
This bike has been designed for long days in the saddle and while it is not the lightest, it is a definite contender for those looking to ride in the mountains for the first time on a budget.
Read our review of the Giant Defy Advanced 1.
For more on this bike click here.
Best road bikes under £5,000
Orbea Orca M20 LTD-D - £4,799
Firstly, sold as seen this Orbea Orca in grey and black is a true Basque beauty. Secondly, Orbea now give you the option of a custom paint job on your bike to make it the bit more personal.
Besides that, the Orca is a truly stunning frame that is light yet aero while being comfortable and compliant.
This particular model comes with the impressive Fulcrum Racing Quattro disc wheels, Shimano Ultegra R8000 and the very comfortable Selle Italia SLR kit Carbonio saddle.
Read our review of the Orbea Orca.
For more on this bike click here.
Cervelo R3 Dura Ace 9100 - £3,999
£3,999 for a road bike that comes with a set of Mavic Askiums may sound a little strange but it's not when you consider what bike and groupset it comes with.
A touch under £4,000 for a Cervelo R3 is practically a bargain in any form such is the refined performance of this Canadian brand.
Not to mention, the bike also comes fitted with Shimano Dura Ace 9100 which is about as reliable and dependable as Japanese public transport.
Read our review of the Cervelo R5.
For more on this bike click here.
Scott Foil 10 disc - £4,299
The Scott Foil has won Milan-San Remo, Liege Bastogne-Liege and Paris-Roubaix while also winning stages at all three Grand Tours. Now if that's not a frame for every occasion, I'm not sure what is?
Shimano Ultegra Di2 and Shimano disc brakes make this very much en vogue while the 28mm Continental Grand Sport tyres will keep you comfortable yet fast.
The paint scheme of the 2018 model is also very IAM Cycling so is perfect for anybody who misses the old Swiss WorldTour team.
Read our review of the Scott Foil disc.
For more on the this bike click here.
BMC Roadmachine 02 One - £4,300
Greg Van Avermaet rode the BMC Teammachine to glory at Paris-Roubaix, Omloop Het Neiuwsbad, E3 Harelbeke and Gent-Wevelgem in 2017. If he would have ridden the Roadmachine he probably would have still won and just been a bit more comfortable.
You will benefit from the integrated technology and comfortable 28mm Vittoria Rubino tyres, and Shimano Ultegra Di2 will ensure a smooth yet fast ride.
While we are not sold on the red and green paint job we still think this is a smart buy.
Check out Greg Van Avermaet's custom BMC bike for the classics.
For more on this bike click here.
Best road bikes under £10,000
Specialized S-Works Venge Vias Disc Di2 - £9,000
We all love going fast and you cannot get much faster on a bike than the Specialized S-Works Venge Vias Disc Di2. Rumour has it you can get from 0-60 faster than you can say the bike's full name.
From its Roval CLX 64 disc wheelset to its S-Works Aerofly ViAS handlebars, everything on this bike is designed to make you go as fast as you can.
To top it off, the frame colour is beautiful and the bike comes with a set of tan wall Specialized Turbo Cotton tyres.
Read our review of the S-Works Venge Vias.
For more on this bike click here.
Look 785 Huez RS - £8,199
While the S-Works Venge Vias keeps you aerodynamic, the Look 785 Huez RS keeps you insanely lightweight.
The complete bike comes in at 5.9kg which is as light as any bike off of the peg. This helped by the quirky Corima Winium+ tubular wheelset.
If money is no object and you love climbing, the Look 785 Huez RS is the perfect bike. It also helps that it looks cool.
Read our review of the Look 785 Huez Rs.
For more on this bike click here.
Colnago C64 Art Decor Super Record EPS - £10,299
Yes, I know, this is over the £10,000 budget but if you have 10 grand chances are you will be able to spare an extra £300, especially for this piece of art.
The new Colnago C64 promises to be Colnago's best bike yet and this special Art Decor frame is truly a piece of art.
Built correctly with Campagnolo Super Record EPS and Campagnolo Bora Ultra wheels, if you buy this you will probably not regret it.
Plus you would probably also need to pick up a bike to ride for all those days of the year when it isn't wall to wall sunshine.
To read our review of the Colnago C64.
For more on this bike click here.
Bianchi Specialissima Marco Pantani Edition - £TBC
Some bike brands become synonymous with a particular rider. Indurain and Pinarello, Armstrong and Trek and most importantly Pantani and Bianchi.
To mark this special relationship, the Italian master builder released its Specialissima in a special yellow and celeste green to commemorate the late rider.
With Campagnolo Super Record and Bora wheels this will be a super expensive bike when fully built but utterly worth it whatever the price.
Read our review of the Bianchi Specialissima.
For more on this bike click here.