Bike Buyer’s Guide: What type of road bike should I buy?
Purchasing a road bike can be challenging if you don’t know what to look for. With so many options available, the selection process can be overwhelming.
At Swinnerton Cyles, we can help pair you with the perfect new road bike, whether you want to improve your split times or enjoy exploring new areas on cycling adventures.
Join us as we discuss the different types of road bikes, including the materials and components to look out for to suit your riding style and budget!
Table of contents
What is a road bike?
A road bike is a bicycle built for speed on tarmac roads, with performance features that aid this.
Road bikes typically have distinctive features like drop bar handles, no suspension and 700c wheels with narrow tyres. Their design is lightweight and aerodynamic to eat up miles on the road with ease, meaning they’re perfect for road racing, fitness training, club rides and commuting.
Types of road bikes
Here is a list of different types of road bikes available to you. The best bike for you will depend on your riding style and discipline.
Road racing bikes
The road racing bike is the most common type of road bike, and it is what people most commonly associate with road bikes.
The frame is lightweight and aerodynamic, typically made of carbon fibre or high-end alloy. You can find a few made of titanium if you want a more durable frame and comfortable ride.
The geometry of road racing bikes is quite aggressive to get the rider’s torso into a lower position, making their posture more aerodynamic, easier handling and providing better power transfer.
Sportive/ Endurance bikes
Sportive or endurance road bikes have a more relaxed geometry to improve comfort on longer endurance races. The frame allows more flexibility in certain areas, providing the rider additional comfort by reducing road vibrations.
As these bikes are for riding over longer distances for prolonged periods of time, the rider’s comfort is crucial to this design. Most sportive and endurance bike frames are carbon fibre or alloy. However, titanium is also very popular for its natural compliance characteristics and road-smoothing effect. Furthermore, the geometry is slightly more upright and relaxed to improve comfort for day-long rides and increased stability.
Most modern sportive bikes will have disc brakes for better braking in various weather conditions.
These types of road bikes are popular with many riders because they offer speed and comfort while remaining lightweight. They can also accept mudguards for racing in various weathers and a luggage rack mount to improve the versatility of this bike and make it the perfect commuter bike.
Touring, Gravel and Cyclocross bikes
Although moving away from the classic “road bike look” with certain modifications, touring, gravel, and cyclocross bikes work just as well on the road as on gravel tracks and bridal ways and are a viable option if you want to cycle on and off-road trails.
These types of road bikes have wider tyre clearances and handlebars, although they are still low and curved. These modifications allow more versatility with where you can go. Explore bridal paths and gravel tracks without compromising speed on the road.
Touring, gravel and cyclocross bikes tend to be more upright than classic road bike geometry because of the longer head tubes, giving a shorter reach. A geometry like this can provide better comfort for longer day rides. You can also more easily shift your weight to tackle obstacles on off-road tracks and descents.
Time trial/ Triathlon bikes
Time trial or triathlon bikes have extremely accentuated aerodynamic frame designs. They also feature aerodynamic wheels with a deep-section rim and extended handlebars that reach out to the front so the rider can lean further forward for a more aerodynamic position to maximise straight-line speed.
These types of road bikes have extremely aggressive positioning for maximising speed on shorter rides.
E-road bike
If you’re new to cycling or finding hills increasingly challenging, you might benefit from an extra push.
E-road bikes offer everything you typically get on a standard road bike, but the integrated motor will give you a helping hand on longer, more challenging rides. From long adventures when your legs tire of pedalling or speedy commutes, these are the perfect bikes for touring adventures or as your commuting companion.
What road bike should I buy?
If you’re still unsure which road bike to choose, narrow your options based on these considerations.
Purpose
Ask yourself, what do you want to use your road bike for? Do you intend to race competitively, which involves fast-paced bunch riding? Or will you use your bike for recreational riding, like fitness or fun weekend rides? Are you excited about touring the UK or worldwide cycling adventures? Or do you need a reliable bike for commuting?
The answers to these questions will determine which type of road bike you choose and how much you spend. For example, if you ride more competitively, you’ll need a bike with more aggressive geometry and a lightweight frame.
If you intend to use your bike for fitness, leisure, commuting or touring, you can afford to invest in a road bike with less aggressive geometry for additional comfort.
Material
Road bikes come in various materials, aluminium, carbon fibre and titanium, all offering different advantages.
Aluminium bikes
Aluminium bikes are robust, lightweight and provide value for money. However, there are differing levels of quality, which go up in price with more technical features. The more premium the aluminium road bike is, the better compliance and smoother the ride.
Carbon fibre
Carbon fibre offers a lightweight yet stiff frame to provide maximum power transfer, making it the number one choice for competitive riders. Manufacturers can easily manipulate carbon fibre into the most aerodynamic shapes possible while keeping the weight down and maintaining power efficiency. The more premium the bike frame, the better compliance and smoother the ride you will get.
Titanium
Titanium offers the smoothest ride out of all the materials. Due to its natural compliance and road-smoothing effect, you can stay in the saddle longer. Some manufacturers can provide premium models with extra stiffness in certain areas, providing better power transfer efficiency while maintaining comfort.
Gearing system
There are also different levels of gear sophistication you can opt for when choosing a road bike. We recommend getting the best gear shifters in your budget for the best feeling and ride. Top-end gearing offers faster shifting, a broader selection in gear range, and a lighter weight.
Modern technology can also offer electronic gear shifting, automatic calibration, shifting assistance and more for even smoother gear shifting.
Rim vs Disc brakes
You can also choose between two different brake types, rim and disc. Rim or caliper brakes are the most common and affordable. They are also the lighter of the two.
However, disc brakes are becoming an increasingly popular option for their increased stopping power, better modulation and versatility. Furthermore, rim brakes also lose performance in wetter conditions.
Be aware that road bikes built with one type of brake usually can’t swap between the two.
Wheels and tyres
Wheels and tyres also significantly affect how a road bike feels. The lighter, thinner and more aerodynamic the wheels and tyres are, the easier it is to climb hills and go faster. Furthermore, the more spokes you have, the stronger and more durable the wheel is.
However, there has been a recent leap forward in bike tyre technology development, offering wider tyres without increasing road drag. Professional and cycling enthusiasts can change to wider tyres for increased comfort and freedom to ride on various terrains without losing speed.
Furthermore, many modern bikes come with tubless-ready tyres that offer better puncture protection and ride for longer without the risk of getting flat tyres.
Road bikes at Swinnerton Cycles
At Swinnerton Cycles, we want to help you find the perfect road bike. Whether you’re a competitive sportive racer or planning for your next open-road adventure, we have the road bike to suit you within your budget.
To browse our complete range of road bikes, visit our road bike collection. Or, for women’s specific sizes, browse our women’s road bike selection and keep the above considerations in mind when browsing.
Or, visit us in-store, and we can help pair you with the perfect road bike for your riding style and budget!
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