Road Bike Cycling – Choosing a Bike
There are many reasons for riding on the road and there are lots of different kinds of bikes. The four main types of bikes for road bike cycling are road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes and folding bikes. All these kinds of bikes have numerous different designs so choosing the most suitable bike for your needs can be a tricky decision.
What kind of bike yo decide to get to ride on the road varies depening on your use, the length of your journeys, and which kind of bike you feel comfortable riding as they all have different riding positions and intended usages.
Usually road bikes have dropped handlebars and skinny tyres, and they are very light. They are mostly designed for speed so the riding position is low down rather than upright, as this is the most aerodynamic position. This kind of bike is the fastest kind for road bike cycling and is chosen for racing by experienced road cyclists.
Road bikes can then be spilt into two sub-categories, of touring bikes and racing bikes. Touring bikes are perfect for long distances and cycling holidays, but race bikes are designed for speed and acceleration.
Touring bikes have lower gear ratios so they are appropriate for carrying gear with you on a long ride or tour. Race bikes are very lightweight with rigid frames that enable the maximum transfer of power from the rider to the wheels, and offer a smooth ride.
A good choice of road bike for commuters, keeping fit and cycling for leisure are hybrid bikes. These are essentially a mixture of a mountain bike and a road bike, and they are growing in popularity all the time. They have quick spinning wheels like a road bike has, but they have flat handlebars so the riding position is upright like a mountain bike.
Mountain bikes have tyres with substantial tread as they are designed for off-road riding, but they can also be changed to road cycling if you already have one and want to cycle on the road without another huge cost. To adapt a mountain bike you can just swap the tyres for narrower, smoother tyres. This will decrease resistance and make cycling on the road easier and faster.
If you cycle on the road as part of your commute a great bike to use is a folding bike. These are superb if you use any public transport on your journey, or if you have any storage issues at home or work. Instead of thinking about where to secure your bike you can just fold it up and take it indoors with you.
Whichever style you choose, when road bike cycling always think about making yourself obvious to other road users by wearing reflective items and using lights. This is imperative for your safety on the road, regardless of the type of bike you choose.