Spend around a thousand pounds on a women’s road bike and you can expect a fast and nimble charge that not only looks the part, but rides like it too. What else should you expect for your money? Generally speaking you’ll be getting relaxed handling, suitable for all round road riding, from long commutes, weekend training and even the odd foray into racing. Most 2013 bikes at this price have aluminium frames; not featherweight like the carbon fibre frames you find if you spend more, but still light enough for easy acceleration and climbing. You do usually get some carbon fibre in the front fork though, which saves weight and absorbs the sting of uneven roads. The components will usually be from Japanese manufacturer Shimano’s Tiagra range, which is reliable and provides good quality gear changes and braking.  Do look out for the odd smattering of 105 components, the next level up from Tiagra. If any of these bikes in our best women’s road bikes guide take your fancy and you’re looking to buy, why not see whether your employer is part of the Cycle to Work scheme. You won’t have to outlay the whole cost of the bike upfront then!