Road bikes have been increasing in popularity for the last 10 years due to high profile racing, road touring clubs and Charity rides. These bikes are designed to be efficient, nimble and lightweight. Like hybrids they come in 4 flavors , road racing , epic ride, flat bar road bike and adventure road/cyclocross. Below is a guide to help in your decision making process.
Epic ride bikes
The most popular road category due to its user friendly geometry and comfortable composed yet fast ride. With little compromise this is effectively a race ready bike designed to sit more upright and with its longer wheel base handle bumps and road imperfections well. The wheel and tire packages reflect the real world appeal with more robust wheels to deal with urban bumps and the tires are sized up to 700x25-28c for a less vibey ride. The frames are designed to have a slightly longer wheelbase , shorter top tube and taller head tube to draw the bars closer to the rider allowing for less neck and back pain associated with racing road bikes.
Materials available are aluminum, steel, and of course Carbon fiber which allows the best of both the steel/aluminum ride qualities. Stiff and light like aluminum but forgiving and plush like steel minus the fear of rust and oxidation. This is an ideal bike for Urban road biking which means uneven less than perfect roads as well as the ability to do long miles with little wear and tear on the rider.
Adventure & cyclocross bikes
Fast becoming the do it all bike! The most exciting of the categories in that they allow for all kinds of terrain use depending on tire selection. A stock Adv bike will come with an intermediate tire that runs 700x28-32c with a smooth center ridge but grippy shoulders allowing for more traction in uneven loose terrain plus the higher air volume protects rider and wheels from sneaky potholes from ruining your day. If you want to change the ride characteristics just change the tire, narrower 700x25c tire for a faster less dull road bike feel, wanna hit the local trail change out the tire to a knobby 700x40c tire and you’ve got an off roadable bike. Another option is studded tires that allow for traction for the most intrepid commuter plus the ability to mount full fenders.
Adv/Cross bikes typically have a more upright seating position which allow for a longer more comfortable vantage point to see any oncoming obstacles as well as more control. Most new models are now also coming with Disc brakes that give better braking performance in all weather conditions, longer brake pad life and best of all the ability to let the wheel roll unencumbered even if it’s bent since the brake doesn’t contact the rim surface.
Materials available are Aluminum, steel and Carbon fiber all of which do a great job with comfort due to the longer wheelbase of these bikes. Adv/Cross bikes are ideal for someone looking to own one bike that can do it all with limited storage space, long rides and even packed down touring is possible.
Flat bar road bikes
Flat bar road bikes can be seen as either a mega hybrid or a road bike with more upright controls due to its mountain bike style flat handlebar. These bikes blur the line between road and hybrid making for an aggressive ride position with easier to reach controls, it is however hampered by the limited handlebar positions. You can however install bar ends to give you a more forward position and different hand position. Also a popular style but often a baby step on the way to a full-fledged road bike, if your flexibility will allow just cut to the chase and get an Epic ride or Adventure road bike. Flat bar road bikes can kick around urban streets or do long rides with friends who have road bikes too!
Road race bikes
The Ferrari’s of the biking world these bikes are blistering fast and super agile. They do however require a certain level of bike handling skills and physical flexibility of the rider. They climb efficiently, accelerate with explosive ferocity and are feather weights often below the 16lb. range. They can do long rides, do club races and often lead into technical debates after the ride. Definitely a second bike for a lot of cyclists who embrace a full cycling lifestyle since they are limited by their temperamental nature. Quick, fierce and just like owning a rocket ship on two wheels.