Road bikes are known for their comfortable ride on asphalt and cobblestone, incredible load-caring ability, and on-road racing. These lighter and environment-friendly means of transportation keep you in shape.
The key materials that distinguish road bikes from other bicycles are their lightweight frames and skinny tires that don’t go above 0.9 – 1.1 inches. Two cogs on the front crankset and a cassette deliver up to 22 speeds. Thus, they are fast, comfortable and do not require suspension.
However, choosing a perfect bike isn’t as easy as it sounds: It’s like walking into an electronics store and have all these smartphones staring at you. Tons of features, design technologies, and price ranges are enough to confuse you. So doing a little research can go a long way.
Price Range
Usually, a convenient road bike costs less than $1,000. In fact, you can find such products on Craigslist for as little as $250. However, you need to take the claims on unspecialized sites with a grain of salt, as later you might find yourself spending more money on repairs.
Experts at BestOnTwoWheels (a site that reviews bikes and accessories) recommend the Tommaso Forcella Endurance Aluminum Road Bike that retails for around $750. Because of its premium handlebars, compact fame geometry, and better comfort, it has been awarded the top position on the list of most affordable road bikes. And yes, you can use it for both training and endurance riding.
Tommaso Forcella Endurance Aluminum Road Bike
Experts don’t recommend bikes cheaper than $500, because of lack of reliability factor. It’s better to spend a few more dollars instead of the buying a cheap product that requires repairs too frequently and could cost you more in the long term.
You can adjust your budget based on following two additional major factors:
- Rider accessories that include helmet, shoes, light and riding clothes.
- Maintenance accessories that include a spare tube, floor pump, patch kit, and chain tube.
Overall, these accessories could cost you up to $250.
If you already have an old road bike, you can buy some dedicated parts separately, such as front or rear breaks, bottom bracket, crankset, gear lever, chain, and cassette. If you want full performance for the long run, don’t go for entry-level components.
Your Riding Style Matters
In order to refine your search, you need to ask yourself the following questions:
- Are your purchasing for short or long rides?
- Does your cycling hobby revolve around leisure or speed?
- Are you training for events or interested in touring, road racing, a triathlon?
- Do you plan to commute to work on the bike?
This will help you decide which type of road bike will suit you best. For instance, aero bikes are built for speed riding, saving watts and cheating the wind. They have large tube profiles, components integration, and deep section wheels.
Endurance bikes, on the other hand, have a relaxed geometry. They mainly focus on comfort and ensure a stable plus speedy ride. If you are a bike lover, you might have noticed their long headtube, disc brakes, and long wheelbase.
Their frame is either made of aluminum or carbon fiber. Aluminum fibers are quite cheaper while carbon fiber frames absorb more vibration, and are more comfortable.
Fitness bikes feature flat pedals, wide tires and they are easy to handle, whereas flat bar road bikes come with unique shifting mechanisms that make them even more versatile. Moreover, gravel bikes are built with a higher bottom bracket to tackle road obstacles.
And don’t forget the advantages of cycling to work: It improves your physique while lowering the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Testing Before Purchasing
Before making any purchase, at least take a 15-minute test ride. The ideal road bike should feel like a natural extension of you. Learn each particularity during the ride, and take a time to analyze how you feel once you get off the bike.
Read: 15 Most Expensive Bikes In the World with their Price Tag
Make sure the bike comes with a service warranty, and there is a service center nearby. You wouldn’t want to carry your bike halfway through the city. After all, if you want to get into road riding, you’re probably rather serious about your fitness and budget, and will likely be putting some miles on your steed every year.
This is a Sponsored Post submitted by BestOnTwoWheels.
