Everything You Need To Know About Road Bikes

Road bikes are a great way to work out. You get also the notable advantage of enjoying the scenery. Whether you’re just a beginner, a regular cyclist, or a very experienced one, there is a road bike for you. Here is a guide explaining everything you have to know about road bikes if you’re considering to buy one.

What Are Road Bikes Exactly?

Road bikes are recognizable thanks to their drop handlebars, thin tires, and big 700c wheels. They are typically lighter and faster than the other types, which makes the road bike suited for many kinds of activities. You can divide road bikes into three main types, depending on your cycling level: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. The differences are in terms of the bike’s frame, transmission, and the wheels. You can also divide road bikes into three types of riding: road racing, time trial, and touring bikes.

For Beginners:

This is an entry-level type of road bike. You should go for it if you’re new to road cycling or just returning to using one after a long time. With it you can use it to commute or for workout and fun activities.

Frame: It is generally made out of aluminum or steel. Both are a rather sturdy material, with aluminum being lighter,less expensive, and perfect for power transfer. Steel has more quality as they are more comfortable and durable. It can also easily get repaired should there be a dent or a bend on the frame.

Transmission: A beginner’s road bike is customarily fitted with a compact chainset and an 8, 9 or 10 speed cassette situated on the rear wheel.

Wheels: The wheel are of the non deep section type that allow for a comfortable ride thanks to longer spokes that absorb shock.

For Intermediate Cyclists:

This is for the more regular cyclists out there that are experienced enough with a road bike to go to the next level.

Frame: Such road bikes have a carbon fibre frame that is reputed for its firmness and light weight. Since it is not a metal it can be manipulated to take different shapes, from an aerodynamic one to a more robust one. You can also find occasionally steel, aluminum, and titanium frames.

Transmission: The cassettes are 10 or 11 of speed. There are many groupsets used in intermediate road bikes: Shimano 105, Ultegra, Campagnolo Centaur, Athena, Chorus, Sram Rival, and Force.

Wheels: You can find entry-level as well as intermediate level wheels. The well-reputed wheel brands are notably Campagnolo, Mavic, Shimano, and Fulcrum.

For Advanced Cyclists:

This type of bikes is best reserved for those who take their cycling very seriously, from those who participate in racing and other sportive events or take trips just to enjoy cycling in a picturesque setting, in the mountains for instance.

Frame: It is made of top-notch carbon fibre with the utmost care given to its manufacturing process to make it the ultimate speedy road bike.

Transmission: You can find electronic gear shifting such as the Di2 or the EPS but Shimano’s Ultegra and Dura-Ace, Campagnolo Chorus, Record, and Super Record, And Sram’s Force and Red groupsets are all of the highest quality groupsets.

Wheels: The wheels are as a rule deep-section that are able to defy the strongest winds. They are also pretty light.

The Different Types Of Riding You Can Do With A Road Bike:

Road Racing: Such bikes are designed to be extremely performant on the roads, with an emphasis on aero dynamism and a light weight. They do not have an upright position like a commuter or a mountain bike tends to have.

Time Trial (TT): Also known as Triathlon bikes, since they are built with triathlon races in mind, they are also designed to be very fast but also a little bit heavier since they are seldom used on a difficult terrain. The cyclist’s position on the bike is laid in such a way to make it cut through the air efficiently.

Touring: Touring bikes are not exactly road bikes but they are quite similar to them. They are made to be more comfortable on the expense of performance, which means a geometry design that gives priority to it and the eventual additions of mudguards and panniers.