Out of all the varieties of bikes available, the road bike is one of the oldest and most popular. You’ll want to invest in one of this kind if you are mostly going to be riding on pavement, and distance or speed are important priorities for you. These bicycles have lightweight frames meant to allow aerodynamic posture without causing discomfort, and are meant for racing in most instances. Using a road bike is highly recommended, and among the highest quality are the Colnago Bicycles and the Fuji Road Bikes.
Road bikes don’t have the knobbly surface most people associate with mountain bike tires – they typically have narrow tires that are kept at a high pressure, and which are smooth surfaced. These reduce road contact, giving you the smallest amount of rolling resistance. However, they allow you to feel more when it comes to bumps and stones – that is why they’re best used on pavement that is in good condition.
You’ll need to pay attention to the frame, too. Road bike frames are made from many different materials, and the costs vary depending on the material and the way they’re made. Lighter frames normally cost more – better suited to climbing. Heavier bikes lead to slower times for competition riders. This may or may not be important for you.
Virtually all basic level bikes have frames made either from aluminum or steel, with aluminum little by little taking over more and more of the market. Neither is a bad choice, but each has its pluses and minuses. For example, aluminum frames are crafted to be especially rigid, resulting in a slightly rougher ride. Steel frames are heavier, but offer more flexibility, and can handle bumps a little more. How do you find out which one is the right choice for you? Test as many as you are able to and make your mind up which one feels the best.
You’ll start to see bicycle frames made from different materials as bike prices climb. For example, the front fork may be made of carbon fiber – a light, but strong material. High end bikes may have an entire frame made of carbon fiber, offering great lightness and strength. Other high end bikes are made of titanium and other specialist materials. Most of these bikes are purchased only by serious cyclists, because they are not cheap to buy.
Another important factor are handlebars. On road bikes, they typically project straight from the base, then curl under so that riders who want the least wind resistance can hunch over. Riders are also able to sit in a position that is more erect and keep their hands at a higher position on the bars. Brake levers and gear shift are often mounted on the handle bar on road bikes, giving more control.
Pay attention to riding position, too. Most modern road bikes are meant to allow riders to bend over, allowing them to put the most power from the hips and legs into the pedals, and lessening their wind resistance. This aerodynamic position is good for short term speed, but can cause discomfort in the long term, causing pain in the hands and arms.
Road bikes typically come with lots of gear speeds – two or three chain rings and eight or nine gears – affording anything from 16 to 27 different gear combinations. You’ll also usually get platform pedals which come with toe pedals, but clipless pedals are also available. They give you the option of pedaling the cycle on the downstroke as well as the upstroke.