A carbon road bike for under €800??

For people new to the sport it is a daunting market and forking out a big wedge of cash on the first bike is always a big step. Thanks to the new year sales there are great bargains to be had if you don’t mind riding a 2015 model. Grabbing a bargain means newbies get twice the bang for their buck with much lighter bikes and better parts which will without fail make covering those first miles much easier.

We’ve found two bikes below which will do just that for any beginner or even a seasoned rider who is looking for a good second training bike. One is aluminium and the other is carbon and both come with Shimano Sora groupsets

Raleigh SP Elite Carbon Road Bike
RRP – €1552.99
Sale Price – €762.99
Saving: 51%
Retailer: probikekit.co.uk

The SP Elite is Raleigh’s lowest priced and most affordable all carbon bike, equipped with Shimano’s impressive Sora groupset and Raleigh’s own RSP wheels this bike is a great introduction to carbon with a frame that won’t let you down.

Constructed with a High Stiffness structure using Raleigh’s Multi Directional Layering technology, these frames are engineered to give the best balance of weight, stiffness and compliance achievable at this level.The carbon monocoque fork and tapered headtube ensures front end stability for sharp cornering and confidence in rapid descents.

Material: Carbon.
Weight: 9.2kg.
Wheel size: 700c.
Frame: Raleigh SP monocoque high modulus carbon frame with internal cable routing.
See the full spec

Mekk Pinerolo AL 1.5 2015
RRP – €1,113.55
Sale Price – €612.45
Saving: 45%
Retailer: wiggle.co.uk

Entry into the Mekk world comes in the form of the lightweight aluminium Pinerolo. Mekk believe that just because a bike has a budget price tag it shouldn’t have a budget ride.

The Pinerolo’s frame is designed for all-round performance and comfort. A good selection of spacers allow for plenty of adjustment between an upright position, for endurance riding and a lower more performance position, for shorter faster rides.

Material: aluminium.
Weight: not listed.
Wheel size: 700c.
Frame: Tripple butted, heat treated aluminium.
See the full spec