| I remember the first time I walked into a specialty bike | | | | way to build your custom road bike however, it can be |
| store; this would be my first expensive (at least to me) | | | | quite expensive. |
| road bike. My eyes were like saucers and my | | | | So You Want Your Road Bike to Be a Racer |
| emotions soared as I saw every imaginable make and | | | | If you're considering a racing bike, if you have vision of |
| model hanging on the wall. Each of them representing | | | | the Tour 'De France, you'll find these gems in road bike |
| the pinnacle of cycling, how could I possibly choose | | | | magazines, specialty bike stores, and certainly online |
| one from another? | | | | auction sites. When you began looking at these upper |
| That was years ago, and I've owned multiple bikes | | | | level road bikes, chances are you'll be buying it |
| since, but I have realized the most important question | | | | completed or assembled. This simply means that the |
| to ask yourself, how much cycling do you intend to | | | | manufacturer has already put the time and energy into |
| do? If you'll answer this question truthfully, it will guide | | | | ensuring each part integrates perfectly. The foundation |
| you in your choice and you can then almost | | | | of your road bike is of course the frame, and no doubt |
| automatically pick your perfect road bike. Of course | | | | you'll be choosing an alloy frame, with carbon forks. |
| this will need to be tempered with your age, physical | | | | This is the most efficient, high tech way of outfitting |
| condition, and whether you plan to race, or simply | | | | your road bike but not without expense. |
| enjoy a leisurely ride on a beautiful road bike trail. | | | | The Top-Of-The-Line Road Bike |
| Certainly one of the factors will be financial, if you're a | | | | I'll drop a few names here, since we're talking about |
| young and plan to ride consistently, possibly entering a | | | | the creme de la creme of road bikes; Campagnolo |
| contest or two, your perfect bike might be more | | | | Chorus or Shimano Ultegra are recognized |
| expensive than you'd planned for. If you're older and | | | | manufacturers, whose very name invokes, "Ooo oo, |
| established in the business world, perhaps money is | | | | ahh ahh" among road bike enthusiasts. If money is no |
| not the issue, but how much time you have to enjoy | | | | object, (not the case with most of us), you'll probably |
| your road bike. You'll certainly need to justify one | | | | be looking at carbon rims for the tires, however most |
| against the other, and what works for one may be | | | | will use high-pressure tires (such as tubulars) and alloy |
| different for another. | | | | rims. |
| Let's Start with the Basic Road Bike | | | | A top-of-the-line road bike could potentially cost |
| There are specialty bike shops and larger sporting | | | | thousands, and while it would certainly make Lance |
| good stores that will have a variety of selections. The | | | | Armstrong proud, consider these top of the line |
| larger stores will probably offer road bikes with alloy | | | | models, only if you have the money and time to invest. |
| frames, mixed with less expensive components, your | | | | If you're someone like me, a person who simply enjoys |
| bike is probably pre-built and will certainly provide a | | | | riding, feeling the wind in your face, the adrenaline in |
| good ride, but there will be other bikes that are lighter | | | | your soul, choose a road bike that fits your personality, |
| and more expensive, using an alloy frame. | | | | bank account and style. Once you do then pedal for |
| These more expensive road bikes usually allow | | | | life, enjoyment, and simple thrill of meeting the road on |
| customization ofeach individual component, i.e., saddle, | | | | your terms. |
| tires, handlebars, wheel rims, et cetera. That is the ideal | | | | |