The Lowdown on Road Bikes and Frames
The road bike is one of the oldest and most popular of all kinds of bike out there. If you’re mainly going to be riding on pavement, and speed or distance are important priorities for you, you will want to invest in one of this kind. These bicycles are built for racing in most instances, and have lightweight frames built to allow good cycling posture without causing discomfort. Using a road bike is seriously recommended, and among the best are the Colnago Bikes and the Fuji Road Bikes.
Road bikes do not have the knobbly surface you might expect from mountain bike tires – they generally have narrow tires that are kept at a high pressure, and which have smooth surfaces. These minimize contact with the road, giving you the lowest amount of possible rolling resistance. However, when it comes to bumps and stones they allow you to feel more – that is why they are best used on pavement that is in good state of repair.
You’ll need to look closely at the frame, also. Road bike frames are made from many different materials, and the costs vary based on the material and the way they are made. Heavier bikes result in slower times for competition riders. Lighter frames are usually more expensive – better for climbing. This may or may not be a consideration for you.
Most basic level bikes have frames of either aluminum or steel, with aluminum slowly and gradually taking over more and more of the market. Neither is a bad choice, but each has its pluses and minuses. For instance, steel frames are heavier, but offer more flexibility, and can cushion bumps a little more. Aluminum frames are created to be particularly inflexible, which results in a slightly harder ride. How do you decide which one’s the right bike for you? The only way is to choose which one feels best after testing as many bikes as possible.
As bike prices go up, you will start to see frames made from different materials. For instance, the front fork may be made from carbon fiber – a light, but strong material. Higher end bikes may have an entire frame made from carbon fiber, delivering great lightness and strength. Even more sophisticated bikes are made from titanium and other specialist materials. Most of these bikes are owned only by serious cyclists, since they cost so much.
Handle bars are another very important component. On road bikes, they generally project straight from the stem, then curl under so that riders who want the least resistance to the wind can hunch over. Riders can also sit in a position that is more erect and hold their hands at a higher position on the bars. On road bikes, brake levers and gear shift are often handle bar mounted, giving better control.
Give thought to riding position, also. Most modern road bikes are built to allow riders to bend over, allowing them to put the most power from the legs and hips into the pedals, and lowering their wind resistance. This good cycling position is good for short term speed, but can be unpleasant in the long term, causing pain in the arms and hands.
Road bikes usually come with many gear speeds – eight or nine gears and two or three chain rings – affording anywhere from sixteen to twenty seven different combinations of gear speed. You’ll also usually get platform pedals equipped with toe pedals, but clipless pedals are also to be found. They allow you to pedal the bike on the downstroke as well as the upstroke.
Tags: Bike, colnago road bikes, cycling, Exercise, fuji road bikes, road bikes
