Road Bike Cycling Tips

There are loads of reasons for riding on the road and there are many types of bikes suitable for this. There are four main categories, which are road, mountain, hybrid and folding bikes. Within each of these categories there are numerous sub-categories so deciding which bike you need can be a minefield.

Which kind of bike you decide on depends on several factors. How frequently you will ride it, the length of your journeys, the reason for your journeys, and which kind of bike you feel most comfortable riding.

Usually road bikes are lightweight as they are designed primarily for speed, and they have drop handlebars so the riding is position is low and aerodynamic. They also have skinny tyres, and they are the common choice for racing and experienced road bike cyclists.

Road bikes can basically be split into two groups, touring bikes and racing bikes. Touring bikes are suitable for long distances and racing bikes are made for speed and acceleration.

Touring bikes have got lower gear ratios to make them suitable for carrying equipment with you on long distances. Racing bikes are very light with rigid frames to make sure the most amount of power is transferred from the cyclist to the wheels.

A good choice of road bike for commuters, keeping fit and cycling for leisure are hybrid bikes. These are essentially a mixture of a mountain bike and a road bike, and they are growing in popularity all the time. They have fast spinning wheels like a road bike, but the riding position is more upright and similar to a mountain bike position, because they have flat handlebars.

Mountain bikes have tyres with substantial tread as they are designed for off-road riding, but they can also be changed to road cycling if you already have one and want to cycle on the road without another huge cost. To adapt a mountain bike you can just swap the tyres for narrower, smoother tyres. This will decrease resistance and make cycling on the road easier and faster.

If you use the road as part of your commute to work a really good bike to use is a folding bike. They are perfect for taking on public transport and for storing at home and work, as you never have to worry about where to leave your bike securely. Instead you can simply fold it up and take it with you.

Whatever style of bike you decide on make sure you are clearly visible at all times when road bike cycling. It is crucial for your safety to wear reflective clothing and use lights, on any bike you choose to ride.