Alternatives to Planet X
Seven brands UK riders shortlist instead of Planet X, what each one gives you, and what you give up to get it.
The closest alternatives to Planet X are Ribble, Vitus and Canyon, all of which sell direct and skip the shop margin in the same way. Ribble is the better-finished British option and holds value more reliably. Vitus goes just as cheap with a tidier buying experience. Canyon is the biggest of them with the deepest range. If you would rather see the bike before buying, Boardman and Carrera put you in a shop. Planet X is chosen on price alone, so the real question is how much polish you are buying back.
What to know before you drop Planet X
- Ribble is the better-finished British direct bike and holds value far better.
- Vitus matches the price with a more predictable range.
- Canyon is the step up in engineering and range, at a real cost.
- Boardman and Triban give you a shop to walk into for similar money.
- Planet X sells cheaply used, which favours buyers rather than owners.
- Check the frame number before paying for any used bike.
What Planet X is known for
Planet X is a British company based in South Yorkshire that sells direct online, and built its name on aggressive pricing for carbon frames and complete builds. Stock is deal-led rather than a stable catalogue, so what is available changes, and the same bike can appear at very different prices through the year.
Why riders look past Planet X
None of these mean Planet X builds a bad bike. They are the reasons people actually type this search.
Stock is unpredictable
The range moves around and popular sizes disappear. If you have decided on a specific bike in a specific size, there is no guarantee it will be there when you are ready to buy.
Resale is weak
Cheap to buy means cheap to sell. Planet X bikes sit at low used prices, which is excellent news buying secondhand and disappointing when it is your turn to move one on.
The finish is functional
Paint, detailing and finishing kit are where the money has been saved. The frames ride well for the price, but the bike looks what it cost in a way that a Ribble does not.
There is no shop to fall back on
Buying direct means no local dealer for sizing, assembly or warranty. If something goes wrong you are posting the bike back, which is a real cost in both money and time.
The alternatives to Planet X, ranked by how close they are
Strongest like-for-like swap first. Every entry lists what you give up as well as what you get.
- 1
Ribble
UKDirect onlineRoad, Gravel, Adventure, E-bikesThe other British direct seller, better finished and with a configurator so you choose the build.
- What you gain
- A tidier bike, genuine build choice, and noticeably better value retention when you sell.
- What you give up
- Costs more up front, and configurator upgrades add up quickly past the headline price.
- 2
Vitus
UKDirect onlineRoad, Mountain, GravelMatches Planet X on price with a more predictable range and a more polished buying experience.
- What you gain
- Similar specification per pound, but easier to actually buy the bike you decided on.
- What you give up
- No build choice, and the range tops out well below where the pricier brands go.
- 3
Canyon
GermanyDirect onlineRoad, Mountain, Gravel, E-bikesThe largest direct brand, with proper engineering behind the frames and a range that runs to professional level.
- What you gain
- Far deeper range, better frames, and a bike that is straightforward to sell later.
- What you give up
- Considerably more expensive, and support is handled from overseas rather than the UK.
- 4
Boardman
UKHalfordsRoad, Mountain, HybridThe obvious move if what you actually want is a cheap carbon road bike you can see before buying.
- What you gain
- A high street shop for fitting, servicing and returns, and eligibility for Cycle to Work.
- What you give up
- Assembly quality varies by store, and there is no build choice at all.
- 5
Dolan
UKDirect onlineRoad, TrackAnother British direct seller, and the stronger choice if any of your riding happens on a track.
- What you gain
- A serious track and fixed-wheel range that Planet X does not really compete with.
- What you give up
- A narrower road range and a smaller company, so less choice and slower resale.
- 6
Carrera
UKHalfordsRoad, Mountain, HybridThe cheapest way onto a decent bike if the Planet X budget was already stretched.
- What you gain
- Very low prices, immediate availability, and a shop on most high streets.
- What you give up
- Aluminium rather than carbon at this money, heavier, and it sells for very little used.
- 7
Triban
FranceDecathlonRoad, GravelDecathlon undercuts almost everyone on entry road bikes while giving you a shop to walk into.
- What you gain
- Outstanding value at the bottom of the market, and stores across the UK.
- What you give up
- No carbon at the Planet X level, and the badge carries little weight secondhand.
How they compare on the things that decide it
| Brand | From | Bought through | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ribble | UK | Direct online | Road, Gravel, Adventure, E-bikes |
| Vitus | UK | Direct online | Road, Mountain, Gravel |
| Canyon | Germany | Direct online | Road, Mountain, Gravel, E-bikes |
| Boardman | UK | Halfords | Road, Mountain, Hybrid |
| Dolan | UK | Direct online | Road, Track |
| Carrera | UK | Halfords | Road, Mountain, Hybrid |
| Triban | France | Decathlon | Road, Gravel |
Planet X alternatives, questions answered
Are Planet X bikes any good?
For the money, yes. The frames ride well and the specification is usually generous for the price. What you give up is finish, consistency of stock and resale value. Judge one on the build sheet in front of you rather than on the brand, because the range varies a lot.
What is the closest brand to Planet X?
Vitus, which sits at a similar price with a more predictable range. Ribble is the closer match on being British and direct, but it is a better-finished and more expensive bike aimed slightly higher up the market.
Why are used Planet X bikes so cheap?
Because they were cheap new, and because the brand does not carry the recognition that props up secondhand prices for the bigger names. That makes them one of the better used buys in British cycling, and a poor bike to own if you expect to get your money back.
Is it worth buying carbon at this price?
A cheap carbon frame is not automatically better than a good aluminium one. Below roughly the Planet X price point, a well-made aluminium bike with better wheels and a better groupset will usually be the faster, nicer bike. Compare the whole build rather than the frame material.
Is it safe to buy a used Planet X or one of these alternatives?
Yes, with the usual care. Inspect any used carbon frame closely for cracks and impact damage, particularly around the down tube, the chainstays and anywhere the paint looks disturbed. Cyclesite checks every listing carrying a frame number against a stolen-bike registry and rider-filed theft reports, and the free stolen bike check is open to anyone on any bike.
Alternatives to other brands
The same breakdown, written for the brand you are actually weighing up.
Last reviewed 15 August 2026 by the Cyclesite editorial team.