A bike enthusiast knows how a good bike can transform a cruise around the city. However, sometimes the selection turns into a rabbit hole when several models, features, and different types of bikes are out there.
If you think a salesperson will be helpful at a store, sadly, you’re wrong. They will bombard you with various other options and ask hundreds of questions. So, it’s best to prepare yourself beforehand and enter the store to buy the one model you’ve settled for yourself. For that, we’ve got your back.
Things To Consider When Choosing a Road Bike
Those new to this sport might not be familiar enough with the factors that make a good road bike. Among everything else, the most important thing is that the bike fits your preferences and needs. To help you out, here are the essential things you must consider when purchasing a good road bike.
Your Budget
The one thing that matters the most is your budget. You can think of buying any good road bike out there, but all your planning will go to waste if you don’t have the budget to buy it.
The best cheap road bikes must still be reliable, versatile, and hard-wearing. These budget-friendly options should offer you a smoother ride than what you had expected on a low budget. Go for something like the Vilano 2021 or the GMC Denali if you are super tight on budget and need a bike with all the essentials. Such cycles have a lot to offer at a lower price.
The Frame
There are multiple frame options for road bikes. However, if you prefer a lightweight road bike you can carry up to your apartment, there is nothing better than an aluminum frame.
The problem is, an aluminum frame might require you to compromise a high level of stability when you ride. If you don’t want that, run towards a more oversized steel frame instead. Although these bikes are considerably heavier than aluminum, you can cruise on the road feeling safer due to their improved stability. Even bumpy terrain won’t get in the way of your quick speedy ride around town.
The Saddle
Comfort comes before anything else when you’re a person who is about to cycle for the next two hours. All the excitement and joy will flush down the drain if you can’t sit properly on the saddle and are in excruciating pain.
Obviously, no one likes to end a road bike ride after just 15 minutes. The most satisfactory solution to this lies in going for a road bike with a comfortable saddle.
A more generalized solution to saddle discomfort is to opt for a bike with a wider saddle and proper cushioning. With one, you can expect that sitting in an upright position won’t crack your bones too much. Instead, you will have enough optimal support, and the width of the saddle will allow for ease of movement as you cycle.
The Wheel Size
A complete comparison of models and bike types is impossible if you don’t have the wheel size in mind. In the case of road bikes, the wheel size is particularly crucial because it also determines the size of the frame.
There are about four standard industry sizes to choose from, which are 16, 20, 24, and 26 inches. The first two sit very well with children or shorter individuals; 26-inch tires are the perfect choice for an adult.
Another unique option is the availability of 29-inch tires for people taller than average. With this, taller people don’t have to sit uncomfortably during a bike ride any longer.
Speed
Along with comfort and frame, maneuverability and speed matter a lot in a good road bike. For this, you’ll want to find tires that specialize in gripping paved roads. More than anything, this ensures a safer ride, especially for speedy bikes. Besides road bikes, this is also the case with mountain bikes.
Another thing is that a road bike rarely comes with additional safety features, like safety lights or fenders. Instead, it only has one purpose—high speed. There are one-speed, three-speed, and seven-speed models available.
Go for the level of speed you have been dreaming about whenever you consider a bike ride. Moreover, make sure these speedy bikes come with solid brakes like coaster ones to ensure you don’t lose control of the bike. The brakes have to be good if the speed is too high.
Bottom Line
You can pick a well-suited bike for yourself within your budget if you stick to these essential criteria. Of course, you can consider some other nitty-gritty details, but never neglect these main concerns if you want a good road bike.
Once you have the ideal bike with you, your biking experience will be seamless, and you will be satisfied with your bike ride of the cityscape!
So, it’s best to prepare yourself beforehand by reading the Biking Bro blog and enter the store to buy the one model you’ve settled for yourself. For that, we’ve got your back.
