Expensive road bikes may be better, but it depends on your demands. If you aren’t riding the bike competitively then there might be no point whatsoever in buying an expensive bike just because it is more lightweight, or has better brakes that you don’t even make use of because you aren’t at the competitive level. There truly are some fantastic options out there without having to spend too much money at all. If you want to compete in road races and become a professional, you’ll have to spend a little more on an upgrade eventually, but a bike under $500 can get you started, or just provide an accomplice to get to and from your workplace or get some exercise.