Versatile Starter
If you’re looking for an affordable bike that can handle commutes and get you going on your first fitness or group rides, the Grand Sport is worth a look. If, like our testers, you’re already accustomed to riding light and stiff (and much pricier) bikes, you won’t be impressed with the Grand Sport’s heft and flex—especially when climbing. But that’s not what this or any sub-$1,000 bike is about. The Grand Sport delivers solid performance at a fair price. The carbon front fork helps damp some of the aluminum frame’s sting, and the geometry delivers predictable, newbie-friendly handling. “Confident cornering on the descents,” said one tester. Bonus: Mounts for racks and fenders let you transform it into a beast of burden. 21.4 lbs (56 cm);
Handling: 3.1
Responsiveness: 3.5