5 Rim Brake Road Bikes Still In Production

Cycling Weekly

Rim brakes on road bikes ain't dead yet! There's still a vast swathe of brands that still produce rim brake road bikes in 2025, and the best part is, many of them are very affordable. We have also included options for people that want to spend a little bit more, but it has to be said, if you want to throw it back to bike tech of yesteryear, then here are the best rim brake road bikes you can still buy.

Transcript

00:00Don't count rim brakes out just yet. Though the days of rim brake Tour de France wins is long gone,

00:06it doesn't stop them from winning the hearts of many, and in many cases, providing brilliant value

00:11too. So, here are 7 of the best rim brake bikes on the market in every price category.

00:18Cannondale has long been celebrated as a leader in aluminium frame design,

00:22and the CAD Optimo range firmly upholds that legacy. Drawing on decades of expertise since

00:28the original CAD bikes were first launched in 1997, the Optimo offers an accessible entry into

00:34the world of road cycling. The range starts at an approachable price point of £900 and features

00:40Cannondale SmartForm C2 alloy frames. These are paired with carbon forks for a combination of stiffness,

00:46responsiveness and modest comfort. While aluminium bikes can be less forgiving than their carbon

00:52counterparts, the Optimo's drop seat stays and quality frame design help to add comfort.

00:56The Optimo is Cannondale's entry-level road bike, so features more relaxed geometry,

01:01providing stable and predictable handling. All models are built to last too, with sturdy aluminium

01:07wheels. The compact gearing offers sufficient range for casual outings, though steep climbs

01:12may feel challenging due to weight and gear gaps. If you're looking for a dependable,

01:17budget-friendly road bike with a dash of Cannondale's iconic expertise, the CAD Optimo is worth a spin.

01:24The Merida Sculptura Rimbrake range is a standout choice for riders seeking a lightweight,

01:31race-ready road bike with an emphasis on versatility and value. Built around the Sculptura

01:36light aluminium frame, the range showcases Merida's quality manufacturing and racing pedigree.

01:42With smooth-welded Hydroform 6066 aluminium tubing and a tapered carbon fork, these bikes deliver precise

01:49steering and a responsive ride that excels in both climbs and sprints.

01:55The Sculptura 400 at £1,335 is equipped with Shimano's 105 groupset. It's a full groupset too,

02:04with Shimano 105 brake calipers which offer more reliable stopping power than aftermarket brakes.

02:09The Maxxis Pursuer 700x25c tyres might not be a household name choice, but they certainly get

02:16the job done. Designed with racing geometry, the Sculptura range caters to performance-focused

02:22riders while maintaining enough comfort for endurance efforts. With a claimed weight of just

02:279.7 kilos for the Sculptura Rim 400, the bike offers enough performance for leisure rides,

02:33amateur racing or spirited group outings. The Trek Domane AL2 stands out as the only

02:42rim brake option in Trek's Domane line-up, offering a budget-friendly gateway into endurance road cycling.

02:48The 100 Series Alpha aluminium frame is coupled with an isospeed carbon fork,

02:53aiding the bike's comfort and compliance while not breaking the bank. Though the frame lacks the

02:59advanced compliance features of higher tier Domane's, its geometry balances stability and sporty

03:04responsiveness, making it approachable for a wide range of riders. The Domane AL2 is equipped with

03:11Shimano's 8-speed Claris groupset, which, while not the most flashy groupset on the market, does deliver

03:17reliable shifting. Though the non-series RS200 chainset and unbranded rim brakes reveal some cost-saving

03:23compromises compared to the competition. Despite these, the Domane AL2 shines with great handling

03:29and confident cornering, amplified by its Bontrager R1 hard case light 25mm tyres, which perform admirably

03:37for their size and will help protect you from punctures. This bike excels as a budget-friendly endurance

03:44model that could double as a winter trainer or commuter thanks to rack and mudguard mounts. With thoughtful

03:50upgrades, such as better brake pads or a wheelset overhaul, it could easily punch above its price

03:56point. The Boardman SLR 8.6 is a commendable aluminium road bike that punches well above its weight in terms

04:04of performance to cost ratio. Its triple-butted 6061X7 aluminium frame boasts near-invisible welds,

04:12giving it a sleek carbon-like appearance, while a C7 carbon fibre fork helps reduce weight and absorb

04:18road vibrations. Riding impressions are solid, with geometry that leans slightly toward performance

04:25while maintaining accessibility. In our testing, we found the frame to be stiff under most conditions,

04:31though some flex is noticeable during hard sprints. Component-wise, Shimano Klaris shines in front

04:37shifting, rivaling higher-end group sets, but the rear mech feels a little less precise. Tektro rim brakes

04:44lack stopping power on descents, while the 8-speaker set's wide gear range comes with awkward jumps.

04:50At £650, the SLR 8.6 undercuts premium brands like Trek and Specialized,

04:55so for winter training or all-round use, it's a reliable and stylish choice.

05:03Now, for something a little bit different, one for the purists. The Villiers Superleggera is a

05:09masterpiece that seamlessly blends vintage charm with modern craftsmanship, delivering a bike that

05:14is as elegant as it is functional. Paying homage to Villiers' storied history, the Lugsteel frame

05:21celebrates the brand's Italian heritage with its stunning copper colourway, a nod to the iconic

05:27finishes of the 1940s. Beyond its aesthetic allure, the Superleggera benefits from Steel's natural

05:33vibration-dampening properties, helping to make the bike far more comfortable than some of the others on our

05:38list. Three drivetrain options are available, including Campagnolo Record and Chorus 12-speed

05:44setups paired with Campagnolo Zonda wheels. If 12-speed is too modern for you though, there is a

05:51Centaur 11-speed version that maintains the same classic elegance at a more accessible price point.

05:57With quality craftsmanship and timeless allure, the Villiers Superleggera is not just a bike,

06:03it's a statement. It's a celebration of cycling's rich past, imbued with the spirit of Italian

06:09artistry and innovation. Colnago's C series of bikes has long been hailed a frame for the purists.

06:18Though the latest frameset doesn't feature the traditional lugged manufacturing techniques of old,

06:23it does still cater to the die-hard enthusiasts of rim brakes. Known for its Italian heritage and top

06:29level craftsmanship, Colnago still includes a rim brake version of its hand-assembled carbon fiber

06:34race bike. Key adaptations for rim brakes include a re-engineered fork and seat stays designed to

06:40accommodate direct mount calipers, which help deliver the best of rim brake stopping power.

06:45The frameset retains modern features like a T47 bottom bracket and compatibility with electronic

06:51groupsets, making it a perfect base for ultra-high-end custom builds with a touch of nostalgia to boot.

06:57At an unpainted frame weight of 925g, the C68 rim brake still sits a little way away from the

07:04lightest bikes on the market, but it more than makes up for that with its class.

07:09Priced at £6,299.99, the C68 rim brake offers an exclusive nod to cycling history while ensuring

07:17riders experience Colnago's hallmark quality and performance.

07:21So there we have it, out of all of the rim brake bikes that are still available to buy in 2025,

07:29which would you buy?

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