Cycling is cheaper than therapy—but only if you pick the right bike. With so many 2025 models hitting the streets and trails, finding “the one” can feel like swiping through a dating app where everyone claims to love long rides and sunsets. Expert tests have sifted through the specs, test rides, and marketing BS to bring you a curated list of the best bikes of 2025. From zippy road bikes that make you feel like a Tour de France contender to e-bikes that turn grocery runs into joyrides, this list has something for every kind of rider.
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15. Atherton S.150
This trail beast delivers stable descents and agile handling at a price that won’t force you into a ramen-only diet.
Winning a “Best Buy” award isn’t just a pat on the back—it signals serious trail cred. The Atherton S.150 mountain bike boasts agile handling, meaning you can carve corners like a hot knife through butter. At a price point of €7,200, it’s easier on the wallet than many competitors. This trail beast ensures stable descents, so you won’t feel like you’re riding a jackhammer down a staircase.
Imagine navigating a gnarly trail with ease—every rock and root becomes an opportunity. It’s not just about surviving the ride; it’s about owning it. The Atherton S.150 isn’t just another bike; it’s a trail-conquering machine that makes you question all your previous choices.
14. Aventon Aventure 3
Fat tires and refined geometry make this the Swiss Army knife of e-bikes for mixed terrain adventures.
Wondering if an e-bike can handle both city streets and gravel paths? The Aventon Aventure 3 answers with refined geometry and fat tires, like equipping your ride with all-season radials. These tires aren’t just for show; they provide the grip needed for mixed terrain, ensuring a smooth ride. This versatile e-bike lets you transition from asphalt to gravel without swapping bikes.
For those who need a ride to handle a bit of everything, this could be it. The Aventure 3 may lack the race-ready performance of road bikes or the extreme capability of mountain bikes, but it excels at being adaptable. If your weekend plans involve both a farmers market and a detour down a dirt road, the Aventure 3 gets you there.
13. Bianchi Oltre RC
Racing pedigree meets 130+ years of Italian heritage in this WorldTour-proven speed machine.
The finest Italian designs can be traced back to Leonardo da Vinci. Similarly, the Oltre RC carries forward Bianchi’s racing pedigree, evidenced by WorldTour success meets that few can match. This machine has conquered grand tours, classic one-day races, and everything in between—much like how a great espresso fuels a cyclist, the Oltre RC delivers a potent blend of speed and agility.
Its legacy sparkles with unforgettable victories and podium finishes. Picture the roar of the crowd as a Bianchi rider sprints to victory on the Champs-Élysées, or grinds up a 20% gradient in the Dolomites. Its 130+ year heritage and recent wins give credence to this race-oriented legacy.
12. Boardman SLR 9.0
The decathlete of road bikes—it might not win every sprint, but it’ll crush the overall competition with versatility.
Choosing between bikes is like picking between a Swiss Army knife and a single-purpose blade: the Boardman SLR 9.0 is your all-in-one solution. Unlike hyper-specialized bikes, this model shines as a value all-rounder, ready for anything from daily commutes to weekend adventures. Consider it the decathlete of road bikes; it might not win every sprint, but it’ll crush the overall competition with its versatility.
The SLR 9.0 balances performance and practicality, so you can enjoy a nimble ride without emptying your wallet. It’s the reliable friend who always shows up, ready to tackle whatever the road throws your way.
11. BMC Teammachine R01
Pure race performance meets precision handling in this 2025 test winner that makes every climb feel less like torture.
“Pure race performance” defines the BMC Teammachine R01, according to expert tests. Imagine attacking a climb, the bike responding instantly as you surge ahead. Its precision handling lets you carve through corners, while its low weight makes every climb feel a little less like torture. The aggressive cockpit positions you perfectly for power.
Deep wheels slice through the air, which means your energy goes into speed instead of fighting wind resistance. In 2025 race bike comparisons, it emerged as the test winner, so you’re essentially riding what the pros would pick.
10. Cube Litening Aero
WorldTour success meets aerodynamic precision in this wind-slicing race machine.
Cube Litening Aero has seen WorldTour successes. Visualize a pro cyclist navigating a technical descent on the Cube Litening Aero, its aerodynamic frame slicing through wind resistance like a hot knife through butter. Each pedal stroke propels them forward, inching closer to victory.
The Litening Aero is their trusty steed, responding to every command with precision and grace. Imagine the final sprint, with the cyclist unleashing their raw power, the bike surging ahead like a caffeinated cheetah.
9. Giant Contend SL 1
Your gateway to road biking—solid alloy performance without needing to sell a kidney.
The Giant Contend SL 1 stands out as a budget-friendly option for cyclists eager to hit the road without emptying their wallets. If you’re just starting your road biking journey, this alloy frame might be your gateway drug. Think of it as the reliable tech that still gets the job done without all the bells and whistles.
This road bike has been recognized as a solid, budget alloy road bike. It’s not about winning races, but feeling the wind in your hair. Consider the Contend SL 1 as your dependable first step—solid performance and reliable engineering.
8. Giant Defy Advanced SL 0
Comfort and compliance that absorbs road vibrations instead of sending them straight to your spine.
Conventional wisdom says racing bikes can’t also be comfy, but Giant said “hold my beer.” The Defy Advanced SL 0 emerges as an endurance road bike designed for comfort over those long rides. You know, the kind where your posterior starts staging a coup against your sit bones.
It’s designed for compliance, which in bike-speak means it absorbs road vibrations rather than sending them straight to your spine. Its enhanced comfort features mean you’re less likely to feel beaten up after a century ride.
7. Lapierre Xelius DRS 9.0
Value-oriented climbing prowess that turns every pedal stroke into uphill progress.
More than one expert praised the Lapierre Xelius DRS 9.0 as value-oriented. This bike offers something that isn’t just another flashy frame; it’s got legit climbing chops and stiffness that turns every pedal stroke into uphill progress. If you’re navigating switchbacks, you’ll appreciate the responsiveness.
Think of it as that one friend who always knows the best local spots. The Xelius may not boast the flashiest name, but it delivers where it counts: translating climbing prowess into tangible performance while keeping your wallet relatively happy.
6. Lectric XP4
Folds quicker than origami on Adderall and hits 28 MPH for riders from 4’10” to 6’3″.
Think e-bikes are just for boomers? The Lectric XP4 folds down so compact, you can practically sneak it onto a plane. Clocking in with a top speed of 28 MPH, it’s zippy enough for any city slicker trying to dodge traffic. The real kicker? This bike fits riders from 4’10” to 6’3″.
Imagine trying to cram a regular bike into the overhead bin; this bad boy folds quicker than origami on Adderall. The best feature by far is its compact design—perfect for stashing under your desk or in a tiny apartment.
5. Ride1Up Vorsa
750W motor and 95 Nm of torque make this the grocery-getting beast that laughs at steep inclines.
Ever tried hauling a week’s worth of groceries up a hill that feels like Everest? The Ride1Up Vorsa is designed for that exact grind. With a 750W motor and 95 Nm of torque, this e-bike laughs in the face of steep inclines and heavy loads. It’s like having Popeye legs without the spinach mustache.
That high torque rating means you can load up on avocados, baguettes, and artisanal cheeses without turning your commute into a Tour de Suffering. For anyone who needs an e-bike that doubles as a cargo hauler, the Vorsa ensures you can conquer any hill, any time.
4. Specialized Tarmac SL8
The lightest in its class with balanced geometry that welcomes beginners while making pros feel like Tour champions.
Think of the Specialized Tarmac SL8 as the Swiss Army knife of road bikes—but way sleeker. As the lightest bike in its class during testing, you’ll feel like you’re cheating as you effortlessly glide up hills. It’s efficient with balanced geometry and intuitive handling.
The comfort level on this bike is so high, you’ll want to trade your couch for its saddle. Ideal for beginners to pros, the Tarmac SL8 welcomes new riders and still makes seasoned cyclists feel like they’re starring in their own Tour de France montage.
3. Trek Madone SLR 9
Top-tier comfort meets aerodynamic climbing prowess in this stylish speed demon.
Imagine gliding up alpine climbs with the ease of a Tour de France champion—this is what that feels like. Trek’s Madone SLR 9 offers top-tier comfort while its aero design lets you slice through headwinds like a hot knife through butter, keeping your watts where they belong: on the road.
This stylish ride doesn’t just look fast—it is fast. The Madone SLR 9 smoothly blends aerodynamics and climbing prowess. While other cyclists might be grimacing up hills, you’ll be stylishly floating past them, conserving energy for the final sprint.
2. Velotric Breeze 1
Lightweight at 42-50 lbs with step-thru convenience that transforms urban commutes into effortless glides.
Tired of feeling like you’re wrestling a rhino every time you navigate city streets? The 42–50 lbs Velotric Breeze 1 offers a smooth solution, making those urban commutes and quick market runs feel less like a chore. Its lightweight design transforms your ride into an effortless glide.
The step-thru frame design allows for easy mounting and dismounting. This thoughtful touch ensures that every ride, whether you’re in casual clothes or lugging groceries, remains convenient. Plus, it’s tech-packed like the Swiss Army knife of e-bikes.
1. YT Jeffsy Core 5
Fun, agile trail handling with value upgrades that’ll have you dancing through the woods like a caffeinated squirrel.
The YT Jeffsy Core 5 delivers “fun, agile, value upgrades,” according to Enduro Mountainbike Magazine. This MTB is all about ripping trails with a grin. It’s the Goldilocks of mountain bikes: not too hardcore, not too tame, but just right for serious fun.
Imagine carving through berms and catching air on flow trails. The Jeffsy Core 5 promises agile handling that’ll have you dancing through the woods. It’s like a caffeinated squirrel: quick, nimble, and always looking for the next adventure—plus you get value upgrades without paying the premium price.
