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Many people come to me on an almost daily basis asking for advice on what road bike to buy for a certain budget.
Interestingly I have noticed that I am more often than not recommending them Vilano road bikes such as the Vilano Forza 3.0 – this simply isn’t something that I would have done only a couple of years ago.
I think the biggest selling point for me is that Vilano is set on providing the public with competitive quality road bikes for truly budget prices.
This notion is ever present when considering the Forza 3.0, it is a fantastic bike with specifications that match bikes costing many multiples more than itself.
VILANO FORZA 3.0
Our Rating
PROS
- High-quality build
- Very lightweight aluminum frame
- 24 speed
CONS
- Clunky pedals
OUR VERDICT
“Not just a pretty bike, the Vilano Forza 3.0 packs a punch and is definitely one of the best road bikes that can be found at this price point today.”
Vilano Forza 3.0 Review
”I loved the Vilano Forza 3.0 – it’s one of my favorite road bikes at the moment and it’s hard to look anywhere else when you realize just how little it costs – awesome!”
Folding Bike Guy
The Vilano Forza 3.0 was intended to be used by people looking for an affordable bike for their daily commute and also for those who are looking for a bit of fun on the weekends too.
As a result, it is a bit of a hybrid bike in that it performs exceptionally well on busy streets, but also due to the quality specifications it boasts, it performs equally well on steep countryside hills too.
The bike is equipped with a lightweight 6061 aluminum frame and carbon fiber racing forks to ensure that any supplementary weight is kept to an absolute minimum.
Furthermore, it has a total of 24 gear speeds so it is more than capable of climbing up steep inclines and also flying down hills too. Many people are actually using the Forza 3.0 in road cycling competitions these days due to the accessibility to a premium bike at a low cost.
Performance
The lightweight materials used in the Forza 3.0 enable a very high top speed and rapid acceleration on flat roads too.
When we were testing it out we were effortlessly able to accelerate from being stationary and it was quite the contrast to many of the other budget road bikes at the same price.
The 6061 aluminum frame guarantees that the bike will be durable when being used on a daily basis, similarly it is extremely easy to carry the bike around too – this is an extremely desirable characteristic and is one that many people are always on the lookout for. This, for me, is where Vilano has done an outstanding job.
They have produced a highly damage-resistant bike that isn’t too clunky or heavy, it’s fast and maneuverable on the road and looks fantastic too.
Test Ride
Another crucial feature that the Forza 3.0 has is the fact that it is very, very reliable. So much so that I’ve never actually heard of anybody complaining about it, and I do know a fair few people who have chosen to purchase this road bike.
My wife actually uses this bike to go to and from work on the weekdays, she says that it is a comfortable ride that she feels confident on at all times.
Posture for me is another thing that is often overlooked when people are planning on purchasing a new bike, but it is so important – even more so for those of us on the “wrong side” of 40.
It’s essential that you are always comfortable when using your bike, if you’re not then you are setting yourself up for pain after using it for a while.
What I will say is that the Vilano Forza 3.0 road bike is totally customizable and so it is very easy to get yourself into a position where you are in the perfect posture for long rides on difficult terrain.
Everything from the top down on the Forza 3.0 has been designed with comfort in mind.
The handlebars are very well designed to suit a wide array of hand sizes, and the material used is made to prevent slipping and any sort of injuries on long-distance cycle routes.
The Shimano-based derailleur and STI integrated gear shifting system work seamlessly together, all of the braking levers are out of the way too and it is a very efficient bike when it comes to switching between gears as well.
The caliper brakes are very strong, you will never find yourself in a situation where you are struggling to stop in time, in fact, the brakes on this bike are some of the strongest that I have ever reviewed.
Specifications
| Brake Style | Mechanical Rim |
| Color | White |
| Frame Material Type | Carbon |
| Item Weight | 35 pounds |
| Number Of Speeds | 14 |
| Package Height | 10.4 x 31.5 x 54 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 39.25 pounds |
| Size | 56CM/18′ |
| Wheel Size | 700 |
Conclusion
To top everything off, the Vilano Forza 3.0 comes complete with a 700c wheelset and Kenda 700c tires that are made to last. Without these quality tires, I don’t think it would be possible to get up to the incredible speeds possible on this bike.
I constantly find myself wondering how on earth Vilano managed to cram so much high-specification equipment into one bike – but they have, and they’ve done a wonderful job too.
This bike is definitely up there with the best that can be found at this price range, the only other bikes that are likely to be able to compete are ironically also produced by Vilano – and I think that this speaks volumes about the truly up and coming brand in the road bike industry.
So, if you are a casual rider, daily rider, or competitive rider – make sure to check out the Vilano Forza 3.0, I am sure you will be as surprised as I was when I first got my hands on it.
The Best Road Bikes I’ve Reviewed This Year:
#1 Tommaso Imola: This is my absolute favorite road bike for beginner to intermediate riders who use their bike regularly. It comes with a 24-speed Shimano Claris drivetrain, Corsa TC20 wheels, an aluminum frame, and ultracompact handlebars. Check out what the Tommaso Imola is going for on Amazon right now.
#2 Vilano Shadow 3.0: I really like this road bike for anyone who’s looking for exceptional performance on a tight budget. The Vilano has features, such as integrated shifters, which I would only expect to see at a much higher price point. It performs exceptionally well on the road too even for longer distances. Check out the amazing reviews it’s been getting!
Mark Plummer
Mark Plummer is an experienced bike mechanic who has built, repaired, and customized thousands of bikes over the years. A former mountain biking athlete, his cycling adventures have taken him all over the globe from the mountains of Scotland to the South Island of New Zealand. These days he enjoys the benefits of commuting to work and touring on his Dahon and Brompton folding bikes.This free cheat sheet will help you choose a folding bike by providing quick information on the 7 key considerations when buying a foldable bicycle!
