There are loads of reasons for cycling on the road and there are many variations of road bikes. The four main types of bikes for road bike cycling are road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes and folding bikes. All of these kinds of bikes vary from design to design so selecting the best one for you can be a big decision.
What type of bike you choose to ride on the road depends on how often you will use it, the purpose and distance of the journeys you make, as well as which type of bike you feel most comfortable riding, as they all have different riding positions.
Generally road bikes have drop handlebars and thin tyres, and they are relatively lightweight. As they are mainly designed for speed the riding position is aerodynamic by being low down, not upright. This kind of bike is the fastest kind for road bike cycling and is chosen for racing by experienced road cyclists.
Road bikes can be split into two main types – racing bikes and touring bikes. Touring bikes are perfect for long distances and cycling holidays, but race bikes are designed for speed and acceleration.
Touring bikes have lower gear ratios so they are appropriate for carrying gear with you on a long ride or tour. Racing bikes are very light but have rigid frames to make sure the maximum amount of power is transfered from rider to wheels, to give a smooth ride.
A great choice of road bike for commuting to work, keeping fit and cycling for fun are hybrid bikes. They are a combination of a road bike and a mountain bike, and they are becoming more and more popular. They have fast turning wheels like a road bike, but a more upright riding position, like that of a mountain bike, 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. A mountain bike can be adapted by changing the tyres for narrower road tyres. This will reduce resistance and make cycling on the road quicker and easier.
If you cycle on the road as part of your journey to work a convenient sort of bike to use is a folding bike. These are superb if you use any public transport on your journey, or if you have any storage issues at home or work. Instead of thinking about where to secure your bike you can just fold it up and take it indoors with you.
Whatever bike you choose, when you are road bike cycling always make sure you are visible to other traffic by wearing reflective clothing and using lights on your bike. This is imperative for your safety on the road, regardless of the type of bike you choose.
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