Facts Concerning Road Bikes and Frames
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010The road bike is one of the most popular and oldest of all different types of bike available. You will want to invest in one of this type if you are primarily going to be riding on pavement, and speed or distance are important to you. These bicycles are produced for racing usually, and have lightweight frames produced to allow good cycling posture without causing discomfort. Riding a road bike is highly recommended, and among the preferred are the Colnago Bikes and the Fuji Bikes.
Road bikes commonly have narrow tires that are kept at a high pressure, and which are smooth surfaced - they do not have the knobbly surface you might associate with mountain bike tires. These minimize road contact, giving you the lowest amount of rolling resistance. However, they allow you to feel more when it comes to bumps and stones - that’s why they’re best suited for pavement that’s well maintained.
You will need to look closely at the frame, also. Road bike frames are made from many different materials, and the cost varies based on the way they’re made and the material. More expensive frames are usually lighter - better for climbing. Heavier bikes result in slower times for competition riders. This may or may not be a factor for you.
Nearly all entry level bikes have frames of either aluminum or steel, with aluminum slowly and gradually taking up more and more of the market. Neither is a bad choice, but each has its pluses and minuses. For instance, steel frames weigh more, but offer more flexibility, and can handle bumps a little better. Aluminum frames are designed to be particularly stiff, which results in a slightly harder ride. How do you know which one is the right choice for you? Test as many as possible and determine which one feels better.
As bike prices increase, you will start to see cycle frames made from different materials. The front fork, for instance, may be made of carbon fiber - a strong, but light material. High end bikes may have an entire frame made of carbon fiber, offering great strength and lightness. Even more sophisticated bikes are made of titanium and other specialist materials. Because these are such expensive bikes, most of them are owned and operated only by serious cycling enthusiasts.
Handle bars are another important element. On road bikes, they commonly project straight out from the base, then curl under so that riders who want the least resistance to the wind can lean forward. Riders can also sit in a position that’s more erect and keep their hands at a higher position on the bars. Gear shift and brake levers are commonly mounted on the handlebars on road bikes, affording more control.
Pay attention to riding position, also. Most modern road bikes are produced to let riders bend over, decreasing their wind resistance and making it possible for them to direct the maximum power from the hips and legs into the pedals. This good cycling position is good for short term speed, but can cause discomfort in the long term, causing pain in the hands and arms.
Road bikes generally come with lots of speeds in the gearing - eight or nine gears and two or three chain rings - affording anything from 16 to 27 different combinations of gear speed. You will also usually get platform pedals which come with toe pedals, but pedals without clips are also to be found. They give you the ability to pedal the bike on the upstroke as well as the downstroke.
