Road bikes are common for someone seeking a bike that is lightweight and designed for riding on pavement.2 When purchasing a road bike for the first time, it is important to determine the purpose for riding so the decision on the type of road bike to purchase is easier.
Common reasons to begin biking are to improve fitness, develop friendships by joining a team or club, purely enjoying the ride and sightseeing the countryside, and the convenience of parking and saving gas money for commuters.
There are two main categories based on the shape of the handlebar, the drop-bar and flat-bar.1,2 The drop-bar bikes come in a standard design that are for fast riding on smooth pavement. These standard drop-bar road bikes are the basic version and are a good option for beginners but are not designed for unpaved trails and carrying heavy loads.1
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| Images from centurycycles.com |
Cyclocross road bikes are similar to the basic road bikes; only the tires are wider and have more traction for off-road trails. These bikes are popular for commuters who might need to ride on grass or through gravel on their ride.1
Touring road bikes are designed for more long distance rides and are capable of mounting cargo racks and fenders. These bikes feature a more relaxed design so the rider can sit more upright, while still having the drop-bar handlebars.1
Triathlon road bikes, or commonly called “Tri bikes”, are specialized for Triathletes and are designed to be aerodynamic while riders are in a crouched forward position.1 Tri bikes are designed exclusively for racing and Triathletes who are concerned with speed.
The flat-bar road bike is still lightweight and with narrow tires, but the flat-bar provides a more relaxed riding position for someone who does not want a drop-bar bike. These bikes typically are capable of mounting cargo racks and fenders, similar to the touring road bike, and are common with commuters.1
So anyone interested in competitions might consider spending more money on a Tri bike. Commuters who travel long distances and need the cargo space might consider the Touring or flat-bar road bikes. Commuters who might have some issue with terrain on the way to work might need a Cyclocross road bike for the wider tires. Or for general use of riding and fitness, the standard road bike is a great option for the weekend back road rider.
Sources
1Bicycle types: How to pick the best bike for you. (n.d.). CenturyCycles. Retrieved November 9, 2014, from http://centurycycles.com/buyers-guides/bicycle-types-how-to-pick-the-best-bike-for-you-pg9.htm
2Carkonen, S. (2014). Bicycles: How to choose. REI. Retrieved November 9, 2014 from http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bicycle.html
How much do the triathlon bikes run for?
ReplyDeleteI personally think we should develop a system for on campus free bikes. Stand out TSU bikes which must stay on campus, and can be left anywhere. What do you think?
Tri bikes start out at around 1200. That would be nice for TSU to do something like that. They need to repave the roads as they are kind of tough on the skinny tires. Go to performance bicycle website and you can get a cheap road bike fro there to get you into the sport.
DeleteI really want a road bike! This article was right down my alley. However, due to mixed terrain I'm thinking more in investing in a hybrid bike. I agree with peter that it would be an excellent idea for on campus rentable bikes! Also a great method to incorporate on campus physical activity awareness and cut down on a few parking spots!
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ReplyDeletePeter: Tri Bikes are hard to find for under $1,000 on the low end and can go for as much as $10,000 and higher. These are not for leisure riders and consequently require customization and cost quite a bit more.
ReplyDeleteIssac: I have a standard road bike that I ride around town and campus. Some of the roads around are quite rugged, but you quickly learn how to navigate them. The big difference between road bikes and mountain bikes is that road bikes are more efficient and comfortable for longer rides. However, hybrid bikes are right in the middle and have some good qualities of both bikes. It just depends on the rider's preference.
I have a standard TREK road bike and I always enjoy riding to school or to the gym. It brings a little cardio workout to your whole day. It also helps you work out the soreness and gives you that extra 15 minutes of cardio on your way home from the gym! It can definitely be dangerous though. It would be nice if we had more bike lanes.
ReplyDeleteSome of these bikes can be very expensive. A standard road bike is the most conventional for a student. I never realized just how necessary a bike can be and especially now seeing the variety.
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