The handlebar tape and saddle are surprisingly comfortable, and the Hutchinson Nitro II tires are a great value. However, within those types there is a wide range, as well as cross bikes that bridge the gap between the two. How to Choose Road Bikes Frame Materials. Sizing can differ dependent on the type of bike. ... You only need 1 gear. How many gears do you need on a bike? This is where you will find your Specialized Size guide as well as road, hybrid and MTB sizing charts from brands like Liv, Giant, Merida, Orbea and Scott. Road bikes are better for everyday riding with friends, it will be easier to handle, and is often more comfortable. SRAM solved the problem with their Automatix hub range. I have recently gotten back into biking and have been rides on a 2010 GT Transeo 2.0. Everything You Need to Know Before Riding a Road Bike Pro cyclist Allison Tetrick offers tips that make the transition from spin class to tough terrain less terrifying. Even a single speed bike will move you faster with less effort than walking ... and a low gear isn’t any fun when you want to go fast on a flat road. Road Bike Size Calculator Road bikes have light frames and thinner tires, designed for riding on smooth, paved surfaces such as roads, streets, and paths; some can even handle dirt or gravel roads. When do I need a road bike? Some other races are wide open, "run what you brung" style of races that are more oriented towards just having fun than the real competition. Technically, you only need one speed. The effective top tube, shown in the diagram below, concerns bikes that use a sloping top tube (road bikes with a semi-compact or compact geometry). Be sure of the type of bicycle you want: Mountain bike, city bike or road bike. On the other hand, in order to relieve some of the legwork on inclines, you will need more than one gear on your bike. Use these bike size guides instead of a bike sizing calculator to find what frame size you need for bikes from these cycling brands. Don’t assume that just because a bike only has one speed that it can’t get you where you need to go. Hence, the single-speed bike. This refers to all of the parts that are attached to a bicycle frame. How Many Gears Do I Need? Key Bike Components. Most "real" road races will not allow mtn bikes in the competition. Generally speaking, there are two main types of bikes: road bikes and mountain bikes. I have only gone as far as ~20 miles on a single ride so far, and I'm curious as to how far I can take it comfortably. Waiting until the tires are completely worn can be … Your primary frame choices are aluminum or carbon fiber. Road bike tires provide traction on wet roads, handle the impact of bumps and potholes, grip the road so you can corner and resist punctures from debris. It’s not uncommon for road cyclists to have more than one bike, specifically a bike that they use for harsher conditions, but is a winter specific bike … Getting the Correct Frame Size. Some cyclocross races will allow mtn frames but limit suspension travel and tire sizes. With all this abuse, road bike tires frequently need replacing. You can read about the different bike types from here. By Jaclyn Emeric k I recommend that most beginners start on a road bike. Method Two: Calculating the bike size: Take off your shoes and stand with your legs about 15-20 cm(6” – 8”) apart.Measure the height from the ground to your crotch. Available in many different styles, road bikes are commonly used for racing, touring and commuting. This is the first step because different kinds, or types, of bikes are measured and fit differently. As the name suggests, road bikes are all about riding on surfaced roads, often as fast as possible. Do You Need A Winter Bike? In the last post, What Size Bike Do I Need – What Type Questionnaire, we discussed the need to answer what kind of bike should I buy before answering what size bike do I need. The advantage to racing on a triathlon specific bike is that it is faster than a road bike (road bike is the 2nd best choice).