Road Bike FAQs
For what purpose are road bikes best suited?
Why do road bikes have drop bars?
Why do road bikes have such narrow seats?
Why do road bikes have such narrow tires?
Are road bike tires more susceptible to flats?
Why do road bikes cost so much more?
For what purpose are road bikes best suited?
Road bikes are best suited for longer distance rides. These are light, efficient bikes, which means you can go farther, faster, while expending less energy. Of course road bikes are ideal for competition, whether it's for bike racing or triathlons, but more often, people use them as an alternative, supplement, or replacement for other types of exercise. It's a great workout bike.
Why do road bikes have drop bars?
One reason road bikes have drop bars is to allow the rider to get into a more aerodynamic position for going faster. However, the more practical reason for this type bar is that they offer multiple hand positions. The various grips enable you to change your body position on the bike, which is important on longer rides.
Why do road bikes have such narrow seats?
The main reason that road bikes have narrow seats is because they don't rub the inside of your legs when you're leaned over on the bars like wider seats do. They also allow more freedom of movement, which is important when you're in and out of the saddle a lot. A narrow saddle can be quite uncomfortable. However, you'll be surprised how comfortable one can be when you find one shaped just right for your particular anatomy.
Why do road bikes have such narrow tires?
Road bikes have skinny tires because they are fast. The narrow profile creates less contact with the road and thus less rolling resistance. Moreover, the lighter weight wheels require a lot less energy to drive and accelerate.
Are road bike tires more susceptible to flats?
Unfortunately, yes. As a rule, the more narrow the tire, the more likely you are to have a flat. Narrower tires have thinner tread AND require higher air pressures to carry the weight of the rider. The combination of these two factors result in a higher risk of flat tires. There's always a tradeoff between performance and reliability.
Why do road bikes cost so much more?
Road bikes cost more because manufacturers gear them toward the enthusiast, who are more likely to ride this kind of bike. In the seventies and eighties, before the advent of hybrids and mountain bikes, all of the entry-level bikes were road bikes. Even for more casual bikers, that was about all there was to buy. Now casual bikers have more of a choice and tend to prefer more comfortable, less expensive, kinds of bikes.
Road bikes are measured in centimeters by their seat tube length. (frame diagram) They come in two centimeter increments. Some manufacturers make odd numbered sizes, some even. However, the size of the bike varies from brand to brand, depending on how the maker measures the seat tube length. All frame measurement start at the bottom bracket and end at the intersection of the seat and top tube, however, some manufacturers measure to the top of the top tube, and some to the center of the top tube. Thus, two bikes that are nominally the same size, may actually not be the same size.
How do I determine what size bike I need?
You determine what size bike you need by standing over it. On a road bike, you should clear the top bar by an inch to an inch and a half with your shoes on. You may ride a different size bike in a different brand, given that manufacturers measure their bikes differently, but that's OK. The other critical dimension to be aware of is the reach from the seat to bars. This distance greatly effects your fit, and thus your comfort on the bike. It too will vary from brand to brand.
How do I know if I have a good fit?
Basically, you know you have a good fit when you're comfortable on the bike. Many bike shops have elaborate fitting machines and computer programs to access your fit. These systems certainly have their place. However, a few rules of thumb and an experienced eye will go a long way in getting a proper fit. That's where we come in.
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