What is a Road Bike?
Road bicycles are designed with speed and fitness in their design. They are easily identified by their skinny tyres and dropped down handlebars. Most cyclists choosing to start with a road bike do so for 2 reasons, Speed and Efficiency.
Road bikes are varied in their use, prior to the popularity of electric bikes most cycling couriers used a road bike to get around cities faster. Though they were primarily designed for cyclists riding consistently on regular pavement and for individuals who really enjoy taking the longer bike rides, road bikes are a popular choice for commuters in cities and flat urban settings.
Features of a Road Bike.
Features
- Very lightweight frame, wheels and components.
- A drop (curled) handlebar, though some have a flat bar like a mountain bike.
- Narrow wheels and tires.
- No front or rear suspension.
- Available in men's and women's styles and a wide range of sizes.
Function
- Intended for fitness enthusiasts, event riders and competitive riders.
- Designed for paved surfaces (roads, bike paths); not recommended for rough or unpaved surfaces.
- Allows riders to go farther and faster than most other types of bikes.
- Suitable for fitness training and good for commuting on flat surfaces.
Now for the Pros and Cons
Pros:
- The speed and manoeuvrability that came with the lightness of a road bike make them a popular bike for commuting and bike delivery couriers in cities where road surfaces are flat and smooth.
- Designed for speed, road bikes will get you there faster.
- Generally made of more lightweight materials.
- Rigid cycling position.
- Road bike tyres are adapting to tubeless tyre technology. Converting your tyres to run on a tubeless set will help prevent nicks and punctures from all those small, sharp objects that litter city roads
Cons:
- Many road bikes do not have rack attachment points which are found on urban, touring and commuter bikes. This is not to say you can't use a road bike for commuting; it just means that you may need to carry your gear in a backpack or messenger bag instead of panniers.
- lower riding position may reduce your field of vision.
- Reduced comfort and flexibility.
Best For:
A road bike will no doubt get you to your destination faster and will reduce the time of your average commute when compared to a hybrid bike. You will also use less energy for the same speed due to its relative lightness.
A hybrid bike with flat handlebars will improve your vision and comfort
Originally designed for speed and fitness training, choosing a Road Bike for your daily commute means you can get extra fitness training in during the week if your route to work is relatively flat and smooth.
Buying tip: It usually costs less money in the long run to buy a higher quality bike now than it does to buy a less expensive bike and upgrade the components later.
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