Road Bikes and Frames for Sale, New and Used
Out of all the types of bikes in use, the road bike is one of the oldest and most popular. If you're mostly going to be riding on pavement, and speed or distance are priorities, you'll want to invest in one of this type. These bicycles are designed for racing in most cases, and have lightweight frames designed to allow aerodynamic posture without discomfort.
Road bikes generally have narrow tires that are kept at a high pressure, and which are smooth surfaced - they don't have the knobbly surface you might expect from mountain bike tires. These minimize contact with the road, giving you the smallest amount of possible rolling resistance. However, they allow you to feel more when it comes to bumps and stones - that's why they're best used on pavement that's in good repair. (Continue reading below)
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 NEW 2009 ALUMINUM ROAD RACING BIKE SHIMANO WARRANTY US $388.00Ends In 1h 47m |
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More About Road Bikes and Frames
You'll need to pay attention to the frame, too. Road bike frames are made from many different materials, and the costs vary depending on the material and the way they're made. More expensive frames are usually lighter - better for climbing. Heavier bikes result in slower times for competition riders. This may or may not be important for you.
The majority of entry level bikes have frames made either from steel or aluminum, with aluminum gradually taking up more and more of the market. Neither is a bad choice, but each has its pluses and minuses. For instance, aluminum frames are made to be particularly stiff, resulting in a slightly rougher ride. Steel frames are heavier, but offer more flex, and can cushion bumps a little more. How do you find out which one's the bike for you? Test as many as you can and decide which one feels better.
As bike prices go up, you'll start to see frame components made from different materials. The front fork, for instance, may be made from carbon fiber - a light, but strong material. Higher end bikes may have an entire frame made from carbon fiber, offering great strength and lightness. Even more sophisticated bikes are made from titanium and other high end materials. Since these are such expensive bikes, the majority of them are owned only by serious cyclists.
Handle bars are another important factor. On road bikes, they generally project straight from the stem, then curl under so that riders who want the least wind resistance can hunch over. Riders are also able to sit in a position that's more upright and keep their hands higher up on the bars. Gear shift and brake levers are usually handle bar mounted on road bikes, offering greater control.
Pay attention to riding position, too. Most modern road bikes are designed to allow riders to bend over forward, reducing their wind resistance and allowing them to put the most power from the hips and legs into the pedals. This aerodynamic position is good for short term speed, but can be unpleasant in the long term, causing arm and hand problems.
Road bikes usually come with many speeds in the gearing - two or three chain rings and eight or nine gears - allowing anywhere from sixteen to twenty seven different gear combinations. You'll also usually get platform pedals equipped with toe pedals, but clipless pedals are also available. They give you the ability to pedal the cycle on the upstroke as well as the downstroke.
