How to Choose a Road Bicycle

Are you competing in your first triathlon or looking to complete a century (100-mile ride) for the first time? If you're interested in competition or riding on pavement for exercise, a road bike is what you're after. A road bike has thin tires, drop handle bars and is built for speed. The materials the bicycle is made of, its weight and how well it fits you will all factor into your decision, as will your price range. A road bicycle is made for speed. Other bicycles like cruisers and and mountain bikes are built for different reasons. When picking a road bike, think about the difference between a mini-van and a race car.

Instructions

1. Go to a local bike shop to choose a road bicycle. It is not a good idea to buy a new bicycle from a large big-box retailer. Those bikes are often not as well-made as the bikes you might find at a local bike shop. Before you start shopping for your new road bike make sure the shop allows customers to test ride the bikes. If they won't let you test ride the bike simply go to a new shop. It is also a good idea to buy your bike at a shop where the employees do not work on commission and where you feel that someone will take the time to help you rather than rushing you.

2. 

   Familiarize yourself with the benefits and drawbacks of different materials that road bikes are made of: steel, aluminum, carbon and titanium. Steel bikes are generally affordable, offering a smooth ride and a nice look. But they can be heavier than the other types and can rust if they're not cared for properly. Aluminum bikes are lighter than steel bikes, absorb less of the road shock, are also affordable, and resist corrosion. Carbon-fiber bicycles are usually more expensive that aluminum and steel, absorb much of the shock of the road, often come with nicer components and are very light. Some bikes will have a have some carbon parts like chain stays, seat stays or fork. Titanium bikes are usually the most expensive and the lightest, they provide a nice ride which can be less deadened to the road than a carbon bike.

3. Choose a frame that is the right size for you. Do not base the size only on measurements. Test ride the bicycle. You may feel that you're in between two sizes. In that case, test ride them both. You should feel comfortable on the bike. Take into account your reach to the handle bars, the heights of your saddle and the reach your legs make to pedal.

4. Choose a bike that is appropriate to your level. Most companies that make bicycles offer bicycles with a range of components. The higher-end the bike is the nicer components it will have. This might mean stronger wheels, nicer derailleur, better gearing or more carbon parts which will lighten the bicycle. It is a good idea to test ride a few bikes in that series so you can feel the difference which will help you determine if those components are something you'd like. If you're a casual rider you don't need the highest-end bike available even if you can afford it.

5. 

   Think about how you will use your bike. If you're a serious cyclist and only use your bicycle for training and racing you may not be concerned whether it will allow a rack on the back. If you want to use your bike for multiple purposes, it will matter if your bike allows a rack or a child seat on the back. Not all road bicycles can do this, like the higher-end ones. If you want a more multi-purpose bike you may want something less expensive, especially if you're going to lock it up outside often and don't want to worry about it being stolen.