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Cycling Weekly’s review of State Bicycle Company’s Carbon Road found a performance-focused carbon bike priced at $2,800 complete. The tested build rode with SRAM Rival AXS shifting and weighed 8.5 kg, but the reviewer reported setup challenges, noisy internal brake lines and a finicky seatpost clamp.
Cycling Weekly has reviewed State Bicycle Company’s Carbon Road, a carbon performance road bike sold as a complete build for $2,800. The review found modern road-bike features and capable SRAM Rival AXS shifting, while also documenting assembly and component issues that buyers may need to weigh against the lower price.
The Arizona-based company is better known for affordable fixed-gear and city bikes, and has recently expanded into carbon bikes for road and gravel riding. The Carbon Road is its dedicated model for performance riding and racing. State lists features including a T47 bottom bracket, UDH compatibility and clearance for tyres up to 32 mm.
The review bike used State’s standard carbon layup, a SRAM Rival AXS two-by drivetrain, DT Swiss aluminium wheels and 28 mm Vittoria Corsa tyres. With bottle cages and pedals, it weighed 8.5 kg. The reviewer said the gearing—48/35-tooth chainrings with a 10-36 cassette—worked without issue, while noting the groupset is heavier than more expensive options.
During assembly, the reviewer had difficulty getting the headset to turn smoothly and said the brake mounts needed facing to align the brakes. The frame has no internal guides for the hydraulic brake lines, which moved and rattled inside; padding added by the reviewer reduced the issue. The wedge-style seatpost clamp also tended to pop out of place during saddle-height adjustments.
What the Price Trade-Off Includes
At $2,800 for a complete build, the Carbon Road sits below the prices of many high-end race bikes, which the review says commonly exceed $5,000. Its listed standards and race-oriented geometry give shoppers a lower-cost route into a modern carbon road-bike format, but the review makes clear that purchase price is not the only consideration.
The reported assembly difficulties may matter particularly to riders who expect a straightforward build or plan to make frequent adjustments. The reviewer said the issues were manageable, but brake-line movement and headset setup are practical considerations, not merely cosmetic differences. Buyers comparing builds should also check the supplied cockpit dimensions: the tested size Large came with 170 mm cranks and 40 mm bars, and the company does not offer those dimensions as à la carte choices for each size.
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State’s Move Into Carbon Road Bikes
State Bicycle Company has built its reputation around more affordable fixed-gear, steel and aluminium bicycles. Its newer carbon range extends that catalogue to road and gravel riding. The Carbon Road is designed to look and fit like a current performance road bike, with a relatively race-focused geometry; the review’s size Large had a 399 mm reach and 559 mm stack.
State offers the bike with a two-piece cockpit or a one-piece bar-and-stem option that conceals the brake lines. The review bike had a two-piece setup, with the lines routed under the stem and into the headset. State also sells a Super Light carbon option, a frameset-only version, a SRAM 1x build and upgrades such as higher-end wheels and cockpit parts. The tested build used the company’s standard carbon layup.
“The Rival AXS groupset … worked without issue, and continues to set the standard for affordable wireless shifting.”
— Cycling Weekly reviewer
Questions Beyond the Test Bike
The supplied review material does not establish how consistently other Carbon Road frames will present the same headset, brake-mount or seatpost issues. The reviewer noted that the headset problem could relate to the bearing or the setup process, and allowed that their own mechanic experience may have contributed. It is also unclear from the source whether State has changed the frame or assembly guidance since the test.
The reported 8.5 kg weight applies to this specific build with its listed parts, bottle cages and pedals; it should not be treated as the weight of every available configuration. The source also does not provide long-term durability findings, a measured comparison with a named competitor, or full details on warranty and availability.
Check the Build Before Buying
Prospective buyers can compare State’s complete-build, frameset and upgrade options, and confirm that the supplied crank and handlebar dimensions suit them. The review’s findings also make it sensible to ask a retailer or mechanic about headset adjustment, brake-line routing and brake-mount alignment before riding. The source material does not identify a follow-up test or a company response to the reported issues, so any product changes or broader reliability findings remain unreported.
Key Questions
How much does the State Carbon Road cost?
The review lists the complete bike at $2,800. State also offers a frameset-only option and upgrades, but the supplied source does not give prices for each configuration.
What parts were on Cycling Weekly’s test bike?
The tested build had State’s standard carbon layup, SRAM Rival AXS 2x, DT Swiss aluminium wheels and 28 mm Vittoria Corsa tyres. It weighed 8.5 kg with bottle cages and pedals.
What problems did the reviewer report?
The reviewer described difficulty setting up the headset, brake mounts that needed facing for alignment, brake lines that rattled inside the frame and a seatpost clamp that could pop out during adjustments.
Does the bike have room for wider tyres?
State lists clearance for tyres up to 32 mm. The tested bike was supplied with 28 mm tyres.
Source: cyclingweekly.com
