Tag: good gears

1. What is a road Bike?

2.Outstanding features of a road bike

2.Advantages and disadvantages

3.Note before buying a road bike.

4.Special note when using.

5.Know how to change gear shifts .

What is a road bike?

Road bikes are bikes specially designed for speed. Materials used to make the bikes are light and durable in order to reduce wind resistance. Help riders to achieve maximum speed. Not like mountain bikes which have a strong and thick frame. Road bikes  have a more thin frame with a neat and elegant design. Tires are thin, with few spikes or no spikes. 

The purpose of this design is for flat roads, not concave or many potholes, specialized for professional racers.

 Outstanding features of a road bike.

 1.Frame 

Made from lightweight materials such as aluminum alloy, Carbon or Titanium. Slim and neat design. The frame is usually designed horizontally in accordance with aerodynamic standards, helping the bike balance well and be able to achieve the highest speed.

2.Saddle

Always placed higher than the handlebars, the riders tend to be bending forward, as also their weight .This design reduces wind resistance helping the Road bikes move faster.

3.Tires

Tires are thin and much lighter than Mountain Bike or Hybrid Bike tires. The width of the tires is 18mm and maximum 25mm They have less spikes or no spikes at all. This is to reduce contact with the road surface, reducing friction force.

The disadvantage of this design is that it is easy to slip on slippery roads, difficult to control on rough roads.  

4. Wheel

Wheels are slender, the number of spokes is less than a Mountain Bike. The rim is narrower and deeper concave than a Mountain bike.

5Handlebar

Different from the horizontal handlebar design in Mountain bikes.

 Road Bike handlebars are curved down like a goat’s horn or up like a butterfly’s wings, helping the rider to ride comfortably  in long races.

6.Brake

Road bikes can come with Rim brakes but mostly are mechanical disc breaks or hydraulic disc brakes. For racers disc breaks provide the ability to stop bikes immediately incase of necessary

7. Gears  

The Road bike has an optimal design gearshift. The gearshift can be changed  up to 21 gears. The riders can easily change the speed to suit for different terrains.

Advantages and disadvantages of Road bikes

Light, fast-moving Road Bikes are only suitable for flat or paved roads. Not suitable for ruddy and bumpy roads with many obstacles.

 Notes before buying a Road Bike

1. Please read the specifications carefully, this helps you understand the vehicle’s features and understand if it is suitable for your needs.
2. Choose the right size for your height.
3. Choose the model, colour you like.
4. Considering the price of  a Road bike that suits your budget
5. Find accessories that are synchronised with this sport such as clothes, shoes, and helmets.

Sportswear for Road bikes is necessary and is a must be condition. Choosing correct clothes for racing will help your body regulate temperature. not be influenced by outside weather conditions.

You should also choose for yourself a suitable pair of shoes, helmet, gloves, water bottle. Because all these factors are to ensure you the necessary safety, help you fully enjoy the fun of this road sport.

Road Bike, Hybrid Bike size

Road bikes  have a slim frame, made from durable lightweight materials, and thin tires. Because the uses are different compared to Mountain bikes .The road bikes have a different frame size, this is in order to create comfort for the driver. The design of frame is for directing and putting the rider’s weight forward , pushing the bike to run faster at the highest speeds.

Frame size = Inseam x 0.70.

Driver’s height (centimetres)	Inseam x 0.70 (centimetres)	Frame size (centimetres)	Dimensions
148 – 152 cm	61 – 68 cm	43 – 47 cm	XS
152 – 160 cm	69 – 75 cm	48 – 52 cm	S
160 – 168 cm	76 – 78 cm	53 – 55 cm	M
168 – 175 cm	79 – 81 cm	55 – 57 cm	L
175 – 183 cm	82 – 85 cm	57 – 60 cm	XL
183 – 198 cm	86 – 90 cm	60 – 63 cm	XXL

Special notes when using a Road bike

Due to its special design to move the driver’s weight forward. The seat post is usually higher than the handlebars . That is why you should not adjust the saddle too low.

Please keep in mind to adjust the saddle to suit your body height. The tips of your toes must be sure to touch the ground, so you can keep your balance always

In addition, when driving, you have to push your body forward, because this helps body weight fall to the front, reducing wind resistance. help the bike move faster .

Leaning forward helps you keep your balance as well and you can rest your hands on the handlebars.

Know how to use the gear shifts properly

You should learn how to master  using the gearshift  and apply it in practice flexibly. This will help you quickly handle problems that arise related to speed on the road.

Adjusting the speed quickly or slowly to suit the terrain will help you ensure your safety.

The bottom line

Knowing some specific features of a road bike will help you to have a general idea before going further to any buying decisions.

You may want to know further articles of road bikes for more details about materials, price ..and so on