Best winter road bikes 2024 — invest in a bike that is built to thrive in bad weather

The Merida Scultura Endurance 4000 is priced at £2,250 making it a really great value road bike. We found that it offers a comfortable ride, easy handling, and a good spec for the money. Overall, the Scultura is well-balanced for both comfort and performance, with its geometry combining road and off-road elements. It may not be the most thrilling bike, but it provides an enjoyable ride experience especially if you update the tyres. The CF3 frameset is responsive and climbs effectively, and the Shimano 105 hydraulic brakes offer confidence-inspiring stopping power.

With a comfortable and compliant character, good build kit and reasonable price, the Merida Scultura Endurance 4000 is an excellent option for riders looking for a versatile and budget-friendly winter road bike.

The Giant Defy Advanced 1 is a versatile endurance bike that excels on long-distance rides and can take on some dirt roads and trails, too, with its 35mm tyre clearance. The ride feel is stable and ideal for all-day rides. It comes with a 12-speed Shimano 105 Di2 groupset for precise electronic shifting and is set up for tubeless tyres. The high-performance carbon frame offers internal brake hose routing and mudguard mounts, which makes this an even better option for winter miles. 

The Liv Avail Advanced Pro 2 is a fantastic women-specific endurance bike priced at £3,999 - although you can grab it for a lot less because the bike has seen a slight update for 2024. We tested the outgoing 2023 model and found that it offers a very comfortable and stable ride suitable for a range of endurance riders, from beginners to the more experienced. The carbon frame is stiff enough for efforts yet comfortable where it needs to be, and has internal cable routing for a clean appearance. The bike's geometry is based on women-specific fit data, making it a great choice for female riders.

Our test model was equipped with Shimano 105 Di2 electronic groupset, which provides excellent shifting and braking performance, while the Giant SLR2 36 Disc WheelSystem and Giant Gavia Fondo 1 Tubeless tyres offer a stable and smooth ride and come set up tubeless straight from the box. The Liv Avail Advanced Pro 2 is a great value option for winter endurance riding and provides a comfortable and enjoyable experience for riders of all levels of experience.

If you want the ultimate simplicity out of your winter bike, then single-speed (or fixie) is the way to go. We've not reviewed many of them, but the Spa Cycles Audax Mono we tested proved to be a great value companion for long-distance fixed-gear adventures. It's got a comfy ride quality thanks to the Reynolds 725 steel frame. It does have a few minor drawbacks, such as saddle comfort and challenges with rear-wheel removal, but the overall package makes it a fantastic choice for those seeking long-distance cycling adventures without the fear of your shifting jamming (or freezing) mid-ride. 

The Mason Definition Chorus is an exceptional all-road road bike that excels in every aspect and all terrains, and is mudguard-compatible. It offers a remarkable ride quality, thanks to well-crafted aluminium tubing and thoughtful geometry. We found that this bike provides a comfortable yet dynamic riding experience, whether you're cruising or pushing the limits. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are top-notch, and the frame and fork feature high-quality Italian construction. This bike is also the only one in this guide coming with a Campagnolo Chorus groupset that offers precise shifting and is paired with powerful hydraulic disc brakes. Overall, the Mason Definition Chorus is a fantastic example of what an aluminium road bike can achieve, with a ride that feels like an extension of the rider.

The Marin Gestalt XR is a gravel bike with a radical, aggressive geometry that takes inspiration from mountain bike design. If you want your winter rides to be mostly off the beaten tarmac roads, this bike comes with great stability, especially on flats and descents, making it a versatile and confidence-inspiring choice. The rear end of the bike provides excellent compliance for added comfort during long rides, though the front end is somewhat stiff, which can lead to arm fatigue on rough trails.

The Gestalt XR comes with Shimano's gravel-specific GRX groupset and although the gearing is best suited for speed on flat terrain, it's a very smooth and reliable groupset. The bike's Vee tyre Co. tyres offer good grip and speed but best of all, there is a dropper post which enhances the bike's capability on the roughest roads.

The Marin Gestalt XR is an excellent option for riders who want a fast and approachable bike with the capability to handle different riding conditions - mainly off-road. While it has some limitations, it excels in offering stability, speed, and comfort, particularly on flat surfaces and descents. 

The Vitus Venon EVO-GR Rival AXS is a speedy all-road and gravel bike designed for fast rides and efficiency. It is built on a lightweight SL UD carbon-fibre frame, and despite the speed-orientated desing, the frame still offers tyre clearance of 45mm, making it well-suited for a variety of terrains. The bike is running with a 1x Rival AXS groupset, a 40T chainring, and a 12-speed 10-44T cassette, offering a wide range of gears for both gravel and road riding. Our test bike build included a Primavera carbon seatpost, Prime Orra Carbon handlebar, and Primavera 44 Carbon Disc wheels with 40mm Michelin Power tyres, all at a very competitive price.

If you want to ride fast on the gravel roads through the winter - or on the roads with road tyres - this bike is really hard to beat in terms of its performance and value. 

The Ribble Gravel 725 is a steel gravel bike that offers a comfy ride feel and plenty of mounts for longer adventures. The bike boasts excellent tyre clearance (up to 47mm) and offers multiple mounting points for bikepacking adventures. The steel frame is a little heavier, which can affect climbing, but the bike still remains nimble and responsive on the descents and the full carbon fork helps reduce weight. In terms of shifting, the Gravel 725 comes with SRAM Rival XPLR AXS groupset which gives precise electronic shifting without breaking the bank. 

If you are not shunned by the weight and basic look of the bike, Ribble's Gravel 725 is a great budget steel bike option for the winter miles. 

The Orro Terra X GRX400 is another accessible gravel bike that offers a balanced ride quality at a low price tag. Despite being a bit heavy on climbs, its well-matched geometry provides a stable ride. The frame includes mounts for accessories, making it suitable for commuting and touring alike, and you can fit 42mm wide tyres on for extra plushness.

With its versatility, dependable performance, and competitive pricing, this is an excellent winter bike option for those venturing into gravel riding or multi-purpose cycling.