Why choose a road bike?
Road bikes are built for speed and efficiency on tarmac and smooth road surfaces. They’re ideal for hard fitness training, traffic beating commutes and competitive racing.
What type of road bike do I need?
- Road Race
Road race bikes are light, stiff and responsive. They’re quick accelerating and have a narrower range of gears that compliments good fitness levels.
- Endurance/Sportive
These bikes are designed for long distance riding, comfort and leisure. With a wider range of gears these versatile bikes are the ideal starting point for budding roadies.
- Aero
Aero bikes are ultra-stiff and prioritise performance over comfort. They’re designed for amateur racers and speed freaks but require enhanced fitness levels to maximise results.
What are the frames made of?
Aluminium | Under £1,000
Aluminium is stiff, strong and can be very light for all round road cycling performance.
Carbon Composite | £1,000 upwards
Composite is the lightest material. It can be very stiff for efficiency or compliant for comfort depending on how the frame is designed.
Is carbon always better than aluminium?
A high-end aluminium frame can be lighter than an entry level composite frame. Advances in aluminium shaping and welding means alloy frames can be as low as 1kg.
Aluminium when used with advanced engineering techniques, a carbon fork, wider tyres and a composite seatpost improves compliance to feel more like a composite frame.
Nothing competes with a high-end composite frame for weight, stiffness and compliance.
Disc brakes on road bikes
Taken from the MTB world disc brakes offer consistent and controlled braking in wet and dry conditions.
Traditional rim brakes are still the standard, they are lighter, can be positioned to aid aerodynamics and are easier to maintain.
