Choosing and buying a road bike

Road bikes, is indispensable for long trips on the hard pavement. It is this type of bike are choosing many - from amateurs to professional athletes.

What are road bikes, what advantages they have, and in what cases they are not suitable.

 

Road bike, first of all - it's speed and maneuverability.

The main features are a road bike:

- A special form of vehicles, resembling horns. It is found, though less frequently, direct steering wheel;

- A narrow rim of the wheel and tire width. Because of this, these bikes are different from conventional about as well as sports cars from small cars;

- Lightweight frame and components, such as front fork of carbon fiber.

 

What are the main limitations and drawbacks road bike:

- No shock absorbers and suspension on one or both wheels making it impossible for normal driving on uneven surfaces;

- No boot and bindings for the goods, which is quite limiting their use for tourism purposes.

 

If we talk about buying a road bike for non-professional athlete, it is necessary to stop the choice on the "Endurance" models that are as comfortable as possible and make it easy to overcome the distance of a few hundred kilometers "at one go".

 

If you're planning a career, then you should buy a special racing model road bike, to which also need special equipment. These models are more expensive and take into account not only questions of aerodynamics, but also a number of other factors such as the rigidity and weight.

 

For Triathlon there is a separate subspecies, the so-called time trial bike. The geometry and shape of the TT bike is designed for minimum cost of endurance and speed when driving long distances. Therefore, the emphasis in Designing placed on aerodynamics, a reproach of rigidity and weight.

Flat handlebar in racing bicycles gives a more upright and comfortable fit, so that cyclist can better survey the neighborhood, these bikes are called fitness bikes or hybrids. These bicycles are becoming increasingly popular for high-speed around the city.

 

Basically road bike frames are made of aluminum and carbon fiber (carbon fiber). The last are much more expensive, and in addition to low weight, carbon fiber frames provide an order of magnitude better cushioning. Most beginners lovers chooses combination options that are installed on an aluminum frame carbon fork that gives the best combination of price, comfort and ease of a bicycle.

Buying a road bike should be a deliberate step, and to make it a short-term momentum, for example, after watching Olympic competitions, it is not necessary. After all, in this case, you will quickly have thrown my bike and lose interest in this kind of outdoor activities in general.