As the new 2020 bikes are already out there in the shops, there are some great bikes to be had at bargain prices.
Sometimes the difference between a new bike and the previous year’s version can be marginal, like a small spec changes or available in different colours.
I often get asked for bike recommendations by people I know and customers at Delucci Retreat, so I thought now is the perfect time to put out a top 5 bargain bikes under £2700 – but snap these up quickly as the deals won’t last for long!
5. Specialized Tarmac SL6
Specialized Tarmac SL6
Specialized have been around forever (OK, since 1974) and the Tarmac is one of their most popular models in recent times. It offers great handling and is, to be honest, more of a race bike with a notably lower front end than say the Roubaix, but it still provides a great all-round biking experience. It is fair to say the Tarmac has always been a flag ship model for Specialized, it is a very stable bike, perfect for descending and a great bike for climbing.
| Model name | Specialized Tarmac SL6 Comp Disc Road Bike 2019 |
| Frame | Specialized Tarmac SL6, FACT 9r Carbon |
| Fork | Specialized Tarmac Fact 10r Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano threaded |
| Handlebars | Specialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clamp |
| Shift levers | Shimano Ultegra Disc R8020 |
| Cassette | Shimano Ultegra R8000, 11-speed, 11-30t |
| Front brake | Shimano Ultegra R8070, hydraulic disc |
| Rear brake | Shimano Ultegra R8070, hydraulic disc |
| Crank set | Shimano Ultegra R8000, HollowTech 2, 11-speed 52/36 |
| Front derailleur | Shimano Ultegra R8000, braze-on |
| Rear mech | Shimano Ultegra R8000-GS, medium cage |
| Front wheel | DT Swiss R470 Disc, 24-hole sealed cartridge hubs, 14-gram spokes |
| Rear wheel | DT Swiss R470 Disc, 24-hole sealed cartridge hubs, 14g spokes |
| Tyres | Speciliazed Turbo Pro, 60 TPI, folding bead, BlackBelt protection, 700x26mm |
| Chain | Shimano Ultegra, 11-speed |
| Saddle | Specialized Toupe Comp Gel, 143mm, hollow Cro-Mo rails, Adaptive Edge |
| Price | Price £2,300 was £2,900 |
| Find it here: | Sigmasports |
As you can see this is the only bike, I have featured without Di2 (electric gears) but you just can’t get a Specialized in this price range with Di2 I can see.
It does have Ultegra and nice components, a great price in the sale £2300 from £2900.
4. Boardman SLR 9.4
Boardman SLR 9.4
In at four we have the Boardman SLR 9.4 - a light and pretty fast bike, again a great all-rounder, this one is in bright yellow so a positive for those fearful of not being seen!
With Di2 and other top components this is another bike where you get so much for your money compared to other brands, you just wouldn’t get this high level of components - and at a great sale price £2,199, it is just amazing how much you get for this low price.
| Model name | Boardman SLR 9.4 |
| Frame | Boardman SLR - C10 Carbon - Approx 7.6kg - based on a Medium |
| Fork | Boardman SLR - C10 Carbon |
| Bottom Bracket | FSA PF30 with 24mm adaper |
| Handlebars | Boardman Elite Alloy |
| Shift levers | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8050 2x11 |
| Cassette | Shimano Ultegra R8000 - 11-30 |
| Front brake | Shimano Ultegra R8000 |
| Rear brake | Shimano Ultegra R8000 |
| Crank set | Shimano Ultegra R8000 34/50T |
| Front derailleur | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8050 |
| Rear mech | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8050 |
| Front wheel | Boardman SLR Elite Seven - Tubeless Compatible 1650 grams |
| Rear wheel | Boardman SLR Elite Seven - Tubeless Compatible 1650 grams |
| Tyres | Vittoria Corsa G+ 25mm |
| Chain | Shimano CN-HG701 |
| Saddle | Fizik Antares R7 |
| Price | £2,199 was £2,900 |
| Find it here: | www.boardmanbikes.com |
If you are not fussed about top brand names and the fact Halfords sell them, this is a bike to seriously consider, as it is good for all aspects of riding. All the reviews say it’s a great handling bike and an easy ride.
3. Vitus ZX1 CRi Disc Road Bike (Ultegra Di2)
Vitus ZX1 CRi Disc
The Vitus Zx1 is a race bike and a serious bit of kit! Thankfully for all this spec it won’t set you back an eye watering amounts of money either. This is a bike for someone who wants to get the best out of rider and machine. To get this level of bike, it would normally cost so much more especially when you compare it against similar level machines from competitor brands.
| Model name | Vitrus ZX1 CRi Disc Road Bike (Ultegra Di2) 2019 |
| Frame | Carbon T700-HM UD - 8.08kg |
| Fork | UD Full Carbon Tapered |
| Bottom Bracket | FSA 386 EVO |
| Handlebars | Prime Doyenne Alloy Aero with bar end Di2 |
| Shift levers | Shimano Ultegra R8070 Di2 |
| Cassette | C-S-R8000 11-30T |
| Front brake | Shimano Ultegra BR-RS8020 Hydraulic Flat Mount 160/140mm Rotors |
| Rear brake | Shimano Ultegra BR-RS8020 Hydraulic Flat Mount 160/140mm Rotors |
| Crank set | Ultegra FC-R8000 52-36T |
| Front derailleur | Shimano Ultegra FD-R8050 |
| Rear mech | Shimano Ultegra FD-R8050 GS |
| Front wheel | Prime BlackEdition 50mm Full Carbon Clincher Tubeless Ready Vitus Switch Bolt-Thru 12mm |
| Rear wheel | Prime BlackEdition 50mm Full Carbon Clincher Tubeless Ready Vitus Switch Bolt-Thru 12mm |
| Tyres | Schwalbe Pro One Microskin Tubeless 25c Folding |
| Chain | Shimano Ultegra R8000 |
| Saddle | Prologo Dimension |
| Price | £2,719.99 was £3.399.99 |
| Find it here: | Chain Reaction Cycles |
So, you want to be a bit of a racer, not just in events but when you are out with fellow riders, but you want to do so without spending the earth! Well the Vitus really does put itself in the shop window as a true bargain. It’s a lovely looking bike with those deep section wheels that help complete the look.
Remember this is a race bike and will be a hard ride. With those deep section wheels, you will feel cross winds.
The Vitus ZX1 really isn’t an entry level all-round bike, it offers far more than that.
2. Canyon Ultimate WMN CF SL Disc 8.0 Di2
Canyon Ultimate WMN CF SL
Canyon is always one of those brands hard to beat on price, here is a prime example, for under £2,700 at £2,649 so much bike for your money, now is the time of year to get these kinds of bargains as new models coming out for 2020. With D12 as well and top group set, a lovely bike, comes in some nice colours.
| Model name | Canyon Ultimate WMN CF SL Disc 8.0 Di2 |
| Frame | Canyon Ultimate WMN CF SL Disc-Carbon - 7.60kg |
| Fork | Canyon FK0051 CF SL Disc - Carbon |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano Pressfit BB72 |
| Handlebars | Canyon CP10 Aerocockpit - Carbon |
| Shift levers | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8070 |
| Cassette | Shimano Ultegra R8000 11-32 11s |
| Front brake | Shimano RT800 Disc Mount: Centerlock |
| Rear brake | Shimano RT800 Disc Mount: Centerlock |
| Crank set | Shimano Ultegra R8000 |
| Front derailleur | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8050 |
| Rear mech | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8050 |
| Front wheel | DT Swiss P 1800 Spline db- Rim Material: Aluminium Thru Axle |
| Rear wheel | DT Swiss P 1800 Spline db- Rim Material: Aluminium Thru Axle |
| Tyres | Schwalbe Pro One 25mm Tubeless Easy |
| Chain | Shimano CN-HG701 11s |
| Saddle | San Marco Aspide |
| Price | £2,649 was £2,999 |
| Find it here: | Direct from Canyon - www.cayon.com |
Canyon has a reputation of being a brand of high quality and this bike is a bike for the racer who takes their riding seriously or for some one who wants to go up a level with out spending crazy money, everything you need is here. This is definitely a bike which will be a keeper and admired by your fellow cyclist who won’t believe how much you paid.
1. Cannondale Synapse Carbon SE 105 Disc Road
Cannondale Synapse Carbon SE 105
So in at number one we have this entry from Cannondale, the Synapse Carbon SE 105 Disc Road.
Well if you are looking for bargain, here is one! I spotted this gem in the sale, as you would expect being in this list it is a great all-rounder and is a lot of bike for your money. The Cannondale Synapse is ideal for sportives, training and well to be honest just about everything! You can rest assured you are getting a bike with premium components and is very comfortable even on rough roads.
| Model name | Cannondale Synapse Carbon SE 105 Disc Road Bike 2019 |
| Frame | Cannondale Synapse Disc, BallisTec Carbon, Di2 ready, Save Plus, BB30a, flat mount, 12mm thru axle |
| Fork | Cannondale Synapse Disc Asymmetric, Save, BallisTec Carbon, Integrated crown race, 12x100mm thru-axle |
| Bottom Bracket | Cannondale Alloy PressFit30 |
| Handlebars | Cannondale C3 6061 Alloy, compact |
| Shift levers | Shimano 105 7020 Hyrdo Disc |
| Cassette | Shimano 105, 11-34, 11-speed |
| Front brake | Shimano 105 7070 hydraulic disc, flat mount, 160mm, RT56 rotor |
| Rear brake | Shimano 105 7070 hydraulic disc, flat mount, 160mm, RT56 rotor |
| Crank set | Cannondale Si, BB30a, w/ FSA rings, 50/34 |
| Front derailleur | Shimano 105, braze-on |
| Rear mech | Shimano 105 GS |
| Front wheel | WTB STP i19 TCS 28-hole tubeless ready rims, stainless teel 14-gram spokes, Formula RX-512 12x100 hub |
| Rear wheel | WTB STP i19 TCS 28-hole tubeless ready rims, stainless teel 14-gram spokes, Formula RX-142 12x142 hub |
| Tyres | Exposure TCS, 700x30mm tubeless ready clincher |
| Chain | Shimano HG601, 11-speed |
| Saddle | Fabric Scoop Radius Sport, steel rails |
| Price | £1,700 was £2,229 |
| Find it here: | Sigmasports |
A good all-rounder with quality components including the rather impressive groupset. As well as being a good all-rounder the Synapse will provide a comfortable ride too. When it comes to use the Cannondale would be great for training and sportives, and it will do so without breaking the bank! It is a bike that fellow bike riders would think you spent more pennies on than you actually did. I spotted this in a sale at just £1,700 – an absolute bargain!
