00:00For the last decade, carbon fibre has dominated road bike innovation.
00:04But there's one material that mains ever popular, and solid as a rock, good old aluminium.
00:10As cycling tech continues to evolve, alloy bikes continue to hold their ground,
00:15offering incredible value and, in many cases, a minimal sacrifice to performance.
00:21Competitive weight, enhanced durability, and lower costs are just a few of the reasons
00:26why alloy, for many of us, just makes sense.
00:31Let's start with the iconic Trekker Monda ALR5.
00:35This alloy road bike stands out in a market dominated by carbon,
00:39offering race-focused performance at a more accessible price.
00:43Trek's Mondelein has always been the brand's climbing-orientated category,
00:47and the ALR5 does an admirable job of keeping weight down, tipping the scales at just 8.98kg.
00:55Thanks to Trek's invisible weld technology, the frame is sleek and smooth,
00:59appearing relatively indistinguishable from its carbon counterparts at a glance.
01:04The bike's balanced H2 geometry delivers a blend of comfort and agility,
01:09making it both fun and accessible to riders of all levels.
01:13The Shimano 105 groupset ensures crisp, reliable shifting across all gears,
01:18while the Bontrager Paradigm SL wheels offer some reliability.
01:22Though its 28mm tyre clearance is narrow by modern standards, and it doesn't feature any mudguard mounts,
01:28it's still a competent road bike which can mix it with more expensive rivals.
01:33At $2,299, it's not the cheapest option, but you are getting a high-quality build that punches well above
01:41its weight.
01:41Whether you're attacking climbs or speeding through descents,
01:45the Trekker Mondele ALR5 delivers a sharp, lively ride that will give you serious race-ready performance
01:50at a fraction of the cost of carbon competitors.
01:54The Canyon Endurace AL7 is absolutely aces, balancing performance, comfort and value.
02:01The bike weighs in at just 9.25 kilos, and is once again fitted with Shimano 105 2x12 gearing,
02:09all for just £1,699.
02:12This bike offers exceptional spec for the money.
02:16At the rear, an 11-36 tooth cassette provides a large gearing range for tackling the steepest slopes.
02:21What makes the Endurace AL7 shine is its ride quality.
02:25Fitted with 32mm Shroud 1 tyres, the bike is incredibly capable, absorbing rough terrain with ease.
02:33The 35mm tyre clearance even opens the bike up to some light graveling, should you wish to push the bike's
02:39limits.
02:40Despite its comfort-orientated design, the bike still feels surprisingly lively and responsive,
02:45particularly when climbing or accelerating.
02:48This makes it a great all-rounder.
02:50Adept for long rides, but not lacking in performance for those who enjoy a more spirited day on the pedals.
02:56One downside is the lack of mudguard mounts, which is a drawback in the winter.
03:01The frame itself has a polished aesthetic with clean welds,
03:04although the exposed cables around the cockpit may not appeal to everyone.
03:08Overall, the Canyon Endurace AL7 delivers an excellent balance of comfort and performance.
03:13With its lightweight frame, plush tyres and high-end groupset, it's hard to beat for the price,
03:19especially for those looking for an endurance bike that still offers a fun, responsive ride.
03:25The Van Riesel EDR-AF is a bike that thrives on simplicity,
03:29with a few unique touches that make it stand out in a crowd of modern road bikes.
03:34And yes, rim brake lovers rejoice, because this is the first alloy road bike on our list that features good
03:40old-fashioned calipers.
03:41At first glance, it may seem like a throwback.
03:45After all, rim brakes are becoming a rarity these days.
03:48However, Van Riesel's decision to stick with traditional Shimano 105 rim calipers is no mistake.
03:55The EDR-AF proves that rim brakes, when well executed,
04:00can still deliver sharp stopping power and straightforward maintenance.
04:04The rim brakes help keep weight down too, just 8.8 kilos in this case,
04:09which certainly provides good value for money.
04:12Its stiff frame and Fulcrum Racing 6 wheels deliver snappy acceleration and an engaging ride at higher speeds,
04:20while a compact 50-34 chainset up front and 11-32 cassette offer versatile gearing.
04:26While the EDR-AF may not offer the plushest ride over rough surfaces, it balances speed and comfort well.
04:32The drop seat stays, combined with a well-padded Van Riesel Sport 900 saddle, ensure a ride that isn't overly
04:39harsh.
04:40It might not be the most flash rim brake bikes on our list, but for those looking for a great
04:44value road bike,
04:46the Van Riesel EDR-AF offers an excellent, fun-packed package at a competitive price point.
04:55Now, no list of the best alloy bikes would be remotely complete without a mention of the one that started
05:01it all.
05:02The Specialized Alley.
05:04Specialized has moved away from the Alley's previous aggressive race geometry, making it more approachable and rider-friendly.
05:11The frame is crafted with Specialized E5 Premium Aluminium, paired with a fact-full carbon fork,
05:18which keeps the weight down while maintaining an affordable price point.
05:21The big news with the latest Alley?
05:23It's now disc brake only, allowing for wider 35mm tyres, giving you more grip and comfort on rougher roads.
05:31The addition of rack and fender mounts also makes it a solid option for commuting or light touring.
05:37For those looking to invest in a longer-term option, the Alley Sport model, with its 10-speed Tiago groupset
05:43and hydraulic brakes,
05:44might be worth considering for smoother shifting and better braking.
05:48Our pick, though, is the base model Alley, because it impressed across various terrains, from smooth, fast flats to steep
05:56climbs.
05:57The 8-speed Shimano Klarus groupset shifts reliably, though you might find yourself wishing for a few more gears when
06:03tackling steeper inclines.
06:05The Tektro MD550 mechanical disc brakes aren't as strong as hydraulics, but do provide decent stopping power and easier maintenance.
06:14All in all, the Specialized Alley is a versatile, comfortable and fun ride that offers a great balance of performance
06:21and practicality.
06:25Back to rim brakes now, and back to great value, thanks to one of the lesser-talked-about bikes in
06:31the Giant range.
06:32The Giant Contend 2 is the brand's entry-level to the road bike market, priced at £849.
06:39It packs a whole lot of performance into a fairly small price tag.
06:44The Contend 2 features many of the same technologies as seen on Giant's £10,000 race steed,
06:50such as drop-seat stays and a defused seat post, adding some much-needed compliance to the Alley frame set.
06:56The frame itself is manufactured from Giant's own alloy, while the fork is made from full carbon fibre to keep
07:03weight to a minimum.
07:04The Contend, unlike a number of bikes at this price point, still features internal cable routing,
07:09which help to both improve aerodynamics as well as improving the overall look of the bike.
07:14For those looking for a winter steed, or even a bike to tackle some light gravel on,
07:19the lower 28mm tyre clearance and lack of mudguard mounts might be a slight turn-off.
07:24But that doesn't stop the Contend from being a fantastic bike for the money.
07:29A partial 105 groupset takes care of shifting, while stopping duties are handled by tetro calipers.
07:35Overall, it's a simple, traditional bike that provides great value for money and performance to match.
07:44Next up is the Kinesis R2, a no-nonsense alloy road bike that's built for everyday riding, especially in UK
07:52conditions.
07:53The R2 features a 6061 aluminium frame paired with a full, unidirectional carbon fork.
07:59While it's not the lightest bike around, tipping the scales at just over 10 kilos,
08:03it's got a solid build, which makes it both reliable and durable for longer rides.
08:09What sets the Kinesis R2 apart is its versatility.
08:12It's got eyelets for full mudguards and a rear rack,
08:15so it's perfect for commuting, light touring, or just battling through those rainy days.
08:21With tyre clearance for up to 34mm tyres, you get loads of comfort and stability on rougher roads,
08:27especially with the 32mm Continental Grand Sport Race tyres that come fitted as standard.
08:33If you are looking for a reliable, well-built road bike that can handle a variety of conditions with ease,
08:40the Kinesis R2 is a great choice.
08:42It's practical, pacey, and comfortable, a solid companion for year-round adventures.
08:50Cannondale has long prided itself on providing best-in-class ride quality for alloy road bikes,
08:56and its latest is no exception.
09:00The Cannondale Cab 13 is an aluminium road bike that seriously challenges
09:03the idea that only carbon bikes can be fast and comfortable.
09:08Cannondale has revamped the platform with aero, comfort, and practicality in mind,
09:12turning this bike into a true all-rounder.
09:15Visually, the Cab 13 takes cues from Cannondale's top-tier Super 6 Evo Carbon Race bike,
09:21with sleek lines and drop-seat stays for improved aerodynamics and comfort.
09:25The drop-seat stays not only make the rear triangle stiffer,
09:28but also allow for greater flex in the seat post,
09:31giving you a smoother ride than the older Cad 12 model.
09:34It's got room for up to 30mm tyres,
09:37mug guard mounts,
09:38and semi-internal cable routing,
09:40keeping things clean and simple without being overly complicated.
09:44Despite its impressive spec list,
09:46the Cab 13 isn't the lightest,
09:48but you won't be bogged down when riding.
09:50The Shimano 105 groupset shifts smoothly,
09:53however, for the spec,
09:54the £2,250 price tag is pretty steep when compared to other brands.
10:01The Cab 13 makes up for it with performance, though.
10:04It's fast, fun, and ready for anything.
10:06A truly brilliant aluminium road bike.
10:12And so, we come to our final bike on the list,
10:15and we're going to go with something a little bit different.
10:18The Specialized LA Sprint comp proves that aluminium road bikes can hang with the best of them,
10:24carbon included.
10:25With the 2022 version,
10:27Specialized has taken cues from their top-tier tarmac race bike,
10:31incorporating aerodynamic tube shapes and geometry that shout race-ready performance.
10:37Specialized, the Lucio Smartwell technology keeps it light and stiff,
10:41putting weld points where they don't interfere with the bike's structural integrity.
10:45Specialized claims it's 41 seconds faster over 40 kilometres than its predecessor,
10:50thanks to the improved aerodynamics.
10:53And though it might carry a little bit more weight compared to carbon,
10:56you'll hardly notice.
10:58There aren't a whole load of different build options available,
11:01but Specialized does sell the bike as a frameset only,
11:04and we think that's the best option.
11:06Of course, the wheels and tyres aren't the most thrilling components,
11:10and at 8.8 kilos, it's not the lightest bike you can buy for the money either.
11:15But, if you are looking for a bomb-proof race bike that stands out from the rest,
11:20the Alley Sprint is blisteringly fast and pretty unique too.
11:24Alley Sprint is blistering,
