Bikes in this price band come with at least 10-speed, often 11-speed, drivetrains – and if you want disc brakes, you’ll get hydraulic ones that perform better than the mechanical (cable-operated) alternatives you’ll find on cheaper bikes.
Bikes tend to be built with decent parts,
cheap cycling jerseys often from standalone brands, and there are fewer compromises on spec sheets. Most bikes at this level get complete groupsets from Shimano and SRAM, rather than most of a groupset with a couple of cheaper components sneakily substituted in.
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What frame material can I expect on a road bike for under £3,000?
You get your pick of frame materials at this price level. Carbon fibre is common and you’re looking at advanced high-quality carbon frames that benefit from the technological trickle-down effect from the very top end. Brands spend a lot of money on R&D for their top-of-the-range models, and the know-how and design features eventually find their way onto bikes that more of us can afford.
