| Millions of people worldwide are riding bikes, from the | | | | then you would be better off buying a mid-range road |
| casual rider to the competitive athlete. So the question | | | | bike. The mid-range road bikes will cost you anywhere |
| most will face is what is the best road bicycle for me? | | | | from $500 - $1,000 once again depending on the bike |
| If you are thinking about buying a road bike then there | | | | and where you buy it. If you are planning on making |
| are some things you must ask yourself to help | | | | cycling an integral part of an exercise program or you |
| determine the best choice for you. | | | | would like to even compete at your local events then |
| Why do I want to ride? | | | | you should consider a bike that will stand up to the |
| How much should I pay for a road bicycle? | | | | stress you will be placing on it. The higher-range road |
| What is the difference between the low priced bikes | | | | bikes can range dramatically in price and can reach |
| and the higher priced bikes? | | | | prices in the $7000 dollar range with the lower end of |
| 1. Why do I want to ride | | | | the spectrum at around $1200 - $2000. |
| Determining the reason why you want to ride a bicycle | | | | 3. What is the difference between the low priced |
| is very important and the reason why it is the first | | | | bikes and the higher priced bikes? |
| question we must ask ourselves. If you want to ride | | | | The difference between the low priced, mid-range |
| just as a casual once in a while thing then you may be | | | | price and the higher-range priced road bicycles are |
| able to get away with buying a low priced bicycle. You | | | | basically in the quality of the components of the bike. A |
| won't be putting a lot of miles on the bike so there will | | | | novice may not notice that his low priced bicycle |
| be less need for maintenance. There will, however still | | | | weighs 20 pounds and he has trouble shifting when |
| be a certain amount of maintenance that will need to | | | | traversing a steep incline, while the more experienced |
| be done on the bicycle. You won't need the designer | | | | rider sails by him on his 14-pound carbon fiber frame |
| components that the higher priced bicycles have | | | | road bicycle that seems to shift effortlessly without |
| because there will be no need to shave a few | | | | missing a single tooth with his upgraded crank and |
| seconds off your time. The only caveat to this is that | | | | derailleur. The novice may not even notice that he has |
| the lower priced bike with their lower quality | | | | to slow way down when he comes to the bend in the |
| components will likely wear out quicker and therefore | | | | road at the bottom of the incline while the |
| need to be changed or repaired sooner. | | | | higher-ranged bike seems to glide effortlessly through |
| 2. How much should I pay for a road bicycle? | | | | the turn with speed and confidence. |
| The price of the bike will also be a determining factor | | | | These are just several examples aimed at giving you |
| for many people when deciding the best road bicycle | | | | some insight when choosing the best road bicycle for |
| for them. Generally speaking an entry-level road bike | | | | yourself. The key is knowledge and picking the bike |
| will cost anywhere from $200 - $ 400 depending on | | | | that will meet not only your short-range goals but your |
| what bike you buy and where you buy it. This bike will | | | | long-range goals also. Choose wisely and go with a |
| be ok for you if you are a casual rider and don't plan | | | | bike and a manufacturer that has proven over time to |
| on logging a lot of miles on the bike. If you were | | | | produce a quality bike in the three different price |
| planning on riding more than just once or twice a week | | | | ranges. |