| Riding road is growing in popularity but that doesn't | | | | willing to sacrifice comfort for speed then the sport |
| mean you need a road racing bike. You can ride on | | | | touring bike will be for you. |
| road with just about any bike but having one that is | | | | Cyclocross Bike |
| optimized for hard surfaces and your riding style will | | | | This is the jack-of-all-trades of the bike world. A |
| give you a more enjoyable riding experience. | | | | cyclocross bike looks like a road bike from a distance |
| Depending on the qualities that are important to you, | | | | but up close you will see it has mountain bike brakes |
| the best bike for riding road may be any of the | | | | and more tire clearance. You can run fatter tires and |
| following: Road Race Bike, Triathlon Bike, Sport Touring | | | | fenders making it an ideal commuting bike as well as a |
| Bikes, Cyclocross Bike, Loaded Touring Bikes, | | | | fast bike for recreational riding. Cyclocross is an actual |
| Performance Hybrid or Comfort Hybrid. Read on to | | | | type of racing that is offroad with a mix of grass, trails |
| find what is best for you. | | | | and mud. Tires are available for various conditions |
| Road Race Bike | | | | including smooth asphalt, dirt roads and studded tires |
| These are the sports cars of the bicycle world. | | | | for ice. |
| Modern road race bikes are light, stiff and | | | | Loaded Touring Bike |
| aerodynamic. The position is bent forward at the waist | | | | This is the RV of the bike world. Pack all of your |
| to minimize wind drag and activate the glute muscles. If | | | | camping gear for over night or crossing the country. |
| you have the conditioning, a road race bike can be | | | | Loaded touring bikes have a longer wheel base for |
| comfortable for long rides, but you do tend to get | | | | stability while loaded and a very rugged build to stand |
| rattled on rougher roads due to the high pressure tires | | | | up to heavy loads. They are available with both |
| and stiff frames. Road race bikes are characterized | | | | road-style drop handlebars and flat bars. |
| by the skinny tires (23-25 mm), drop handlebars and | | | | Performance Hybrid |
| streamlined appearance. Multiple hand positions that | | | | Think of this as a flat bar road bike. Light and fast like |
| allow access to the brakes make this perfect for riding | | | | a road race bike but with a more upright bar like a |
| in groups. | | | | mountain bike. Rigid fork and light parts make these |
| Triathlon Bike | | | | very efficient compared to mountain bikes. Great for |
| The cousin of the road race bike, the triathlon bike is all | | | | commuting and fitness rides. Long rides can be hard |
| about speed as well but are designed to let you go as | | | | on the hands as there are fewer hand positions than a |
| fast as possible on your own. The frame geometry is | | | | road bar. |
| steeper to optimize power output and comfort in the | | | | Comfort Hybrid |
| aerobars while being as aerodynamic as possible. The | | | | If you want comfort but more efficiency than a |
| longer you can stay in the aerobars the faster you will | | | | mountain bike, the comfort hybrid can be the answer. |
| be. The look is sleek with shifters at the end of the | | | | Higher bar position than any of the other bikes |
| aerobars. The triathlon bike is frowned upon in group | | | | mentioned making for a more upright torso position. |
| rides as the only position you can access your brakes | | | | These are at home on the park trails as well as the |
| is the bull horns. | | | | road. Comfort hybrids often have suspension forks, |
| Sport Touring Bike | | | | wide saddles and wider but still efficient rolling tires. |
| Think of this as the comfortable road racing bike. The | | | | Overview |
| bar position is higher compared to the road race bike, | | | | Riding on road can be fun and a great workout. Get |
| usually with slightly wider tires for comfort. If you want | | | | the bike that is right for your goals and fitness level |
| to do longer road rides and charity events but aren't | | | | and riding will be a lot more enjoyable. |