Easily the Best Value Road Bike You Can Build in 2025!
Trace Velo
December 19, 2025
Using parts from AliExpress & other direct to consumer Chinese brands, I’ve put together what I think is one of the best value carbon road bikes of 2025!!!
Bear in mind some of these are affiliate links. It won’t cost you any extra, but I get a small amount of commission, which really helps out 😊
AliExpress bike parts - (see - 2025 Value Build):
https://linktr.ee/tracevelo
Frame and wheelset - (use code TRACEVELO for 10% off):
https://ogevkinbike.com
I build A LOT of cheap road bikes, mainly using parts that I've sourced from places like AliExpress. So in this episode, I’ve cherry picked some of the best parts from various builds i’ve done this year, and combined them together into what I think is one of the best value road bikes of this year!
It has a full carbon frame, tubeless ready carbon wheels, a 2x11 speed groupset with hydraulic disc brakes, and some other incredibly lightweight parts. Everything has gone through EXTENSIVE testing, and I’ve managed to build it for just over £1,600.
So in this episode I'll discuss the bike in detail, cover each part that I used (while also providing some alternative options), cover the total cost and the total weight, and finally compare it to some other name brand bikes on the market, so you can decide for yourself if my approach is worth it!
OG-Evkin bar issue (starts at 36:37):
https://youtu.be/p9KBaZQh1-o?si=k6AENNWy2-4fp2jZ&t=2197
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
00:55 – Context
01:30 – Carbon frame
02:54 – Carbon wheelset
04:13 – OG-Evkin partnership
05:13 – 2x11 groupset
06:30 – Lightweight cassette
07:26 – Disc rotors
08:16 – Chain
08:57 – Tyres
09:43 – Saddle
11:05 – Pedals
11:57 – Bottom bracket
12:27 – Crankset
14:11 – Bar tape & bottle cage
14:38 – Weight & cost
15:08 – Comparison to other bikes
16450 – Warranty etc.
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - http://www.go2dev.co.uk
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/tracevelo/
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
Keywords: best value road bike 2025,budget road bike build,cheap road bike,aliexpress road bike,best budget bike build,lightweight budget road bike,DIY road bike build,carbon road bike,OG Evkin frame,OG Evkin wheels,RYET wheels,LTWOO R9,budget hydraulic groupset,ZTTO cassette,budget carbon wheels,trace velo,luke trace velo,canyon endurace alternative,7.6kg road bike,budget cycling upgrades
Parts Mentioned
Sunshine Savings/Seasonal Savings
GroupsetLTWOO RX / R9 Disc 2x12s / 2x11s Road Hydraulic Disc Brake Groupset, 6 kit, Benchmark R7170 R8170
Created: September 20, 2024The reviewer states that the LTWOO R9 Disc groupset is a fantastic option for its unrivaled value. They have used it for well over a year and thousands of miles with zero problems, praising its ergonomics, hydraulic disc brakes, and spot-on shifting.
AI-Summary
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Ergonomics are nice
- Hydraulic disc brakes are great
- Shifting is spot-on
- Has proven durable over thousands of miles and well over a year of use
- Overall build quality is good
Cons
- Not quite as good as mechanical Shimano 105
- Initial concern about the plastic shift lever potentially snapping (though this did not happen)
MyBikeParts
LTWOO RX / R9 Disc 2x12s / 2x11s Road Hydraulic Disc Brake Groupset, 6 kit, Benchmark R7170 R8170
CassetteZTTO Ultimate 11/12 Speed Road Bike Cassette 11s 12s 11-28/30/32/34/36T ULT Sprocket Freewheel 112g~141g Road Gravel K7 HG
Created: September 12, 2025The reviewer states that the ZTTO SLR Gen 3 cassettes are a great choice, highlighting their low weight, low price, and availability in many colors. They note that durability depends heavily on usage, with lower mileage expected if frequently using the aluminum climbing gears.
AI-Summary
Pros
- Incredibly lightweight (117g for the model mentioned, compared to 193g for a Shimano Dura-Ace equivalent)
- Great value for money (costs around 60-70 quid)
- Available in loads of different colors
- Uses a two-piece aluminum and steel design
Cons
- Lower durability in the aluminum climbing gears (you'll be lucky to get 2,000 miles out of these if used frequently in mountainous terrain)
Creator Links
ZTTO Ultimate 11/12 Speed Rennrad Kassette 11s 12s 11-28/30/32/34/36T ULT Kettenrad Freilauf 112g~141g Road Gravel K7 HG - AliExpress 18
Disc-BrakesVXM Road Bicycle Center lock Disc Brake Rotor Pads CNC Lighweight Aluminum Alloy MTB Bike Rotors 140mm 160mm Cycling Discs Parts
Created: July 10, 2025The reviewer recommends VXM centerlock disc rotors as a great budget option, having used them extensively over the year. They praise the design, construction, and performance.
AI-Summary
Pros
- They look really slick with vibrant colors.
- They are solidly made with well-constructed rivets, which is often a weak point on cheaper rotors.
- The bite and brake performance have been fantastic.
- They are very inexpensive, costing less than a tenner (ten pounds) on AliExpress.
MyBikeParts
VXM Rennrad Center Lock Scheibenbremsscheibe Pads CNC Leichte Aluminiumlegierung MTB Fahrradrotoren 140mm 160mm Fahrradscheiben Teile - AliExpress 18
TubesRideNow Ultralight Bike Inner Tube 700 X18 32 Road MTB Bicycle TPU Material Tire 65mm Length French Valve Super Light
Created: April 27, 2023The reviewer briefly mentions the RideNow Ultralight Bike Inner Tube 700 X18 32 Road MTB Bicycle TPU Material Tire 65mm Length French Valve Super Light but does not provide detailed analysis.
AI-Summary
MyBikeParts
RideNow Ultralight Bike Inner Tube 24g*6
SaddleRYET Aircode
Created: August 19, 2024The reviewer discusses the RYET 3D Printed Bicycle Saddle, noting it is a recent release from the brand RYET (also referred to as 'Riot' in the transcript). They state it is very similar to a more expensive saddle they previously recommended, featuring a carbon base and a 3D printed rubber cushion. They have used it extensively over the year.
AI-Summary
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Excellent value for money (cost less than half the price of a similar saddle)
- Features a carbon base and 3D printed rubber cushion
MyBikeParts
RYET 3D-gedruckter Fahrradsattel, ultraleichte Kohlefaser, hohl, bequem, atmungsaktiv, MTB, Kies, Rennrad, Radfahren, Sitzteile - AliExpress 18
PedalsONIRII PD-06 Road Bike Carbon Lock Pedals Bicycle SPD Self-Locking Steel/Titanium 6 Degree Pedal with Locking Plate for Road NEW
Created: September 06, 2024The reviewer states they covered these pedals in a previous video. They report having used them for over a year with positive results, noting they are lightweight, compatible with SPD-SL, and have held up well.
AI-Summary
Pros
- Very low price (40 quid on AliExpress)
- Lightweight (200g per pair)
- SPD-SL compatible
- Wide, stable pedal platform
- Good durability with little visible wear after over a year of use
- Serviceable
Cons
- No explicit rider weight limit found, but a caution that riders over 100kg should consider the steel axle version
Creator Links
ONIRII PD-06 Rennrad Carbon Lock Pedale Fahrrad SPD Selbstsichernder Stahl/Titan 6-Grad-Pedal mit Verriegelungsplatte für StraÃe NEU - AliExpress 18
ChainringRIRO Carbon Fiber Crank 29MM Road Bike 11/12 Speed 50-34/52-36/53-39T MS Direct Mount/110/130BCD Bicycle Crankset Chainring
Created: June 23, 2025The reviewer briefly mentions the RIRO Carbon Fiber Crank 29MM Road Bike 11/12 Speed 50-34/52-36/53-39T MS Direct Mount/110/130BCD Bicycle Crankset Chainring but does not provide detailed analysis.
AI-Summary
Creator Links
RIRO Carbon Fiber Kurbel 29MM Rennrad 11/12 Geschwindigkeit 50-34/52-36/53-39T MS Direct Mount/110/130BCD Fahrrad Kurbelgarnitur Kettenblatt - AliExpress 18
RIRO Carbon Fiber Crank Road Bike 11/12 Speed 50-34/53-39T Direct Mount Bicycle Crankset 170mm 46/48/50/52T Chainring Bike Parts
Created: December 01, 2024The reviewer briefly mentions the RIRO Carbon Fiber Crank Road Bike 11/12 Speed 50-34/53-39T Direct Mount Bicycle Crankset 170mm 46/48/50/52T Chainring Bike Parts but does not provide detailed analysis.
AI-Summary
MyBikeParts
RIRO Carbon Faser Kurbel Rennrad 11/12 Geschwindigkeit 50-34/53-39T Direkt Montieren Fahrrad Kurbelgarnitur 170mm 46/48/50/52T Kettenblatt Fahrrad Teile - AliExpress 18
BottlesBicycle Bottle Holder 2PCS Full 3K Carbon Fiber Super Light Road Mountain Bike Cycling Water Bottles Cage Holder Matte18g XXX
Created: June 23, 2025The reviewer briefly mentions the Bicycle Bottle Holder 2PCS Full 3K Carbon Fiber Super Light Road Mountain Bike Cycling Water Bottles Cage Holder Matte18g XXX but does not provide detailed analysis.
AI-Summary
Pros
- They are available for under a tenner (less than £10).
Creator Links
Fahrrad flaschen halter 2 Stück voll 3k Kohle faser super leichte StraÃe Mountainbike Radfahren Wasser flaschen Käfig halter matte18g xxx - AliExpress 18