Buying a road bike should be a joyful process. Whether you are an experienced off-roader coming to the road for the first time, a commuter looking for that extra performance, or even a seasoned road cyclist looking for a new ride, there are several vital steps to follow when buying a road bike.
This article looks at the essential things you should consider and share some of our best tips. You are undoubtedly looking to invest a reasonable sum of money, so you need to take your time and consider what is important to you. So let’s get stuck in and get you on your way.
What Is A Road Bike?
The term road bike describes those racing bikes which are designed for tarmac riding. One of the most easily identifiable characteristics of any road bike is the classic drop handlebars. Road bikes (or racers as they were once called) have a long heritage. The drop handlebar dates back to the 1920s and first appeared on the penny farthing. As the design of road bikes changed, the drop handlebar stuck around.
It is true that some of the boundaries are blurring nowadays, what with the advent of gravel bikes and cyclocross bikes which also have drop handlebars; however, for the purpose of this article, we are sticking with bikes that are used exclusively on the tarmac. Most modern bike brands have racing in their DNA. Legendary races such as the Tour De France have influenced road bike frames, gearing, and saddle designs.
Not all road bikes are race-focused, though. Dedicated touring bikes and commuting bikes exist, and these may be more appropriate to your riding style. If you are looking for comfort and the ability to carry luggage, you will be much better off with a road bike with a more relaxed geometry.
What types of road bikes are there?
Road racing bikes
These are competitive road bikes suitable for club rides, amateur racing and professional racing alike (depending on your budget). Expect lightweight materials, high-performance components and a sharp and focused ride on the top-end machines. On cheaper look-alike models, things can get a bit tacky, so budget wisely.
- Expect to pay £650 to £800 for entry-level bikes
- Expect to pay £850 to £1500 for mid-range bikes
- Expect to pay £2000 + for premium quality road bikes.
- High-end machines can be as much as £15K.
Pros:
Lightweight, fast and aggressive handling for competitive road racers and triathletes.
Cons:
Road racing frames are not the most comfortable for the average rider over long distances.
Sportive/Audax bikes
The sportive/audax design is one of the most popular classes of road bike and for good reason. Frame geometry is the main difference here, with Sportive frames offering a much more relaxed geometry than their thoroughbred racer cousins.
Most sportive and audax bikes have a great choice of components and are more than capable of competitive use for amateur road racers and triathletes, but with the added advantage of comfort. Some frame designers, such as Enigma, even offer lugs for bike racks to allow flexibility when touring over distance.
- Expect to pay £500 to £750 for entry-level bikes
- Expect to pay £800 to £1200 for mid-range bikes
- Expect to pay £1500 + for premium quality sportive bikes.
- High-end machines can be as much as £8K
Touring bikes
Classic Road Touring bikes are a thing of beauty. Manufacturers such as Dawes, Peugeot and Raleigh developed mass-produced tourers in the 70s and eighties, but long-distance touring goes back to the late 1800s.
For a touring bike, comfort and luggage capability are the main criteria. Frames are designed for space and comfort, with a raked fork for greater stability and ease of turning. Gearing will also be different, with many tourers offering three cogs up front to provide a broader range of ratios. It is one thing to grind up a 10% gradient on a racer, but add panniers and weekends camping gear, and you really start to feel it.
Modern touring bikes are just as high-tech as racing bikes, and luggage carrier companies are going all out to design maximum carry capability with a minimum of weight. As a result, performance touring is a growing trend among road riders.
- Expect to pay £800 to £950 for entry-level touring bikes
- Expect to pay £1100 to £1600 for mid-range touring bikes
- Expect to pay £2000 + for premium quality touring bikes.
Pros:
Great for munching the miles and carrying your gear on unsupported rides.
Cons:
Heavier and slower due to touring gear ratios.
Aero Sprint bikes
In the late eighties, US riders began experimenting with aerodynamics. In the following decades, a whole new approach to road racing came into being. Road bikes with low drag and “aero bars” started making an appearance in competitions worldwide. Popular with time trialists and team sprinters, these road bikes are highly specialised and highly focused.
With frames, wheels, and handlebars being computer-designed for maximum efficiency and materials chosen for extreme lightweight performance, aero bikes are rarely the right choice for weekend riders.
- Expect to pay £4000 to £7000 for entry-level Aero bikes
- Expect to pay £10K plus for mid to high-end aero bikes
Road Bike Buying Guide – How to size a frame
The most important thing you can do when buying a road bike is get measured! Although bike size charts are handy, you can still end up with the wrong size frame if you mail order without measuring first. So our top tip for buying a road bike is to go to your local bike fitter and get measured up.
One of the Cyclxr.com crew had their first road bike for less than ten hours because they mail-ordered the wrong size. Unfortunately, buying the wrong size bike can be a costly mistake to make.
Many size charts are for guidance only. Your body shape, arm length, inside leg, and torso length are not off the shelf, so it is doubtful that simply guessing your bike size will result in a comfortable ride. Even when you have purchased the right size bike, many variables will need setting up. Getting a professional bike fit is one of the best things you can do to ensure a comfortable ride. Budget £150 to £200 for a pro bike fit, and you will not regret it.
Buying A Road Bike – Frame materials
Depending on your riding style, frame materials will make a massive difference in performance and budget. Here is our lowdown on what you can expect from popular frame materials.
Steel
Although steel is the heaviest of the bunch, it is often the most comfortable. High-end chromium steels were the choice of many racers in the early days of the Tour. Reynolds Chromoly tubing in various grades is still a popular choice today. In addition, boutique brands such as Genesis offer a selection of steel grades for many of their frames.
Good quality steel will soak up road vibration and offer incredible durability for a touring frame or all-around commuter. Genesis raced steel frames until recently, and for those who are not performance-oriented, steel is an excellent choice.
Aluminium
Aluminium is a great deal lighter than steel and started appearing on road bikes in the mid-1940s. Although aluminium is more lightweight, the ride can be harsher, with road vibration buzzing back through the frame on cheaper models. Aircraft-grade aluminium is the best, with Cinelli’s Columbus aeroplane aluminium being one of the best variants we have ridden.
Aluminium is ideal as a winter bike material as it is less prone to corrosion than steel and can handle the kind of punishment a harsh winter can throw at a bike.
Carbon
When it comes to modern road bikes, carbon is king, at least from a marketing perspective. While many competitive riders use carbon for its extreme strength V ultra-lightweight, most of us mere mortals do not benefit from the use of such exotic materials. There is little point in saving 1KG in weight if you are two stone overweight.,
Cheap carbon can be problematic, especially if you are unfortunate enough to crash, so despite popular trends, think hard before committing to a carbon frame. We know many riders who have had to bin a £3K bike after one hard impact.
If carbon is still your choice, then there is a wealth of frames to choose from. Spend as much as your budget will allow as cheap carbon can be brittle and suffer from the same buzziness as cheaper materials. Vibration can lead to rider fatigue, and so cheap carbon is often a false economy.
Titanium
Titanium is a relatively new material when it comes to popular frame choices. But, for our money, it is one of the best choices you can make. Titanium is virtually indestructible, lightweight, and incredibly comfortable to ride over long distances. A titanium frame is a formidable contender to high-end steel or carbon frames when coupled with a high-quality carbon fork.
A brushed titanium frame looks sexy too. Buy the right titanium frame, and you have a bike for life.
In conclusion, your choice of road bike will be heavily influenced by your budget and riding style. For example, if you aim to race at a club or pro level, you will consider a road racing bike or Aero bike. On the other hand, if you are mixing amateur triathlon, sportives and weekend ride-outs with a bit of commuting, then a Sportive frame is likely the right choice for you. Finally, if your idea of road cycling involves long days in the saddle, camping, and the wonder of the open road, you need to consider a touring bike.
Whatever you go for, get measured up properly before committing and think carefully before choosing your frame material. We love steel and titanium for their longevity and comfort, but weight is a primary factor; budget for the best carbon you can buy. The right road bike will give you decades of enjoyment.
Enjoy the ride!
Team Cyclxr
