Road Bikes

The principal look of a road bike has not changed for many years. However, just as a car still has 4 wheels and a steering wheel, road bikes still have two wheels and handlebars but are technologically as different today compared with 1970's models as are cars.

Types of bikes -

General Road Racing Bikes - These bikes come in 2 different frame styles. There is a more modern style with a sloping top tube, which by reducing the area of the triangle created, in theory provides greater stiffness in comparison with the more traditional style of frame with a straight top tube.

Cyclo Cross - These bikes bring together the light attributes of a road bike, but with tyres and mud clearance around the frame/wheels. A longer top tube and lower saddle set up all allow for greater control.

Sportive Bikes - designed for many hours in the racing saddle, they generally have a longer head tube with a less severe angle. A longer wheel base makes for a more predictable ride.

Gears and Brakes are one of the main areas of development over the last few years. This is often called the Group Set and compromises of Drivetrain (front and rear gears), Chain, Brakes, Brake leavers (which also house the gear changing mechanisms). This area comes with a whole lot of jargon, mainly because it is catered for by 2 main manufactures (latterly 3, as SRAM is now a player from the USA) each one of which has it's followers; These manufacturers are Shimano of Japan and Campagnolo of Italy, I will attempt to explain the difference below.

Campagnolo and Shimano make a similar product, and yet are as different as Ferrari and Porsche (I know Porsche is German). Each brand has it's own followers. Campagnolo (being like the Ferrari) is the thoroughbred (temperamental some say) but  purists don't mind the alleged setting up and tweaking. Shimano, like Porsche, is brilliantly designed and built and can be used and used without too much fuss. The choice is yours.

Gearing varies the cadence (or number of turns) of your pedals according to how far you move. The Bigger (more teeth) or Smaller (fewer teeth) your front gears, the higher top speed or lower speed you can achieve according to your cadence. (I will give much more detail on this in the jargon section so as not to confuse at this stage.) This works conversely on the rear cassette.

Purists don't believe in three gears at the front (this compromises of a small gear which was originally developed on mountain bikes for steep hill - in fact it is know in the trade as a granny gear). My opinion has always been that if I ever need it - it's there and keeps me moving - great for when you first get started on the road!!!! 

Frames have come a long way and are the main area of development and fashion over the last few years.
 
Originally in steel, which was thinner and heavier, this is still a great material. It's flexible nature, acts as a natural spring/shock absorber of the road. Clearly fashion has moved on, but some very good bikes are still made from steel.

Light weight ALLOY has really made it's mark over the last few year. More brittle and therefore harder to ride (perhaps more bouncy/harder), at one time, it was considered that with excessive use an alloy frame would only last 5 years, but with the technology being poured into the industry like it has been - these frames have much of the longevity of steel.

You will notice on many alloy frames, the specific shapes of some of the forks and arms, which flex to give a more comfortable ride. Light and strong these frames make for a very good introduction to road riding.

CARBON is what everyone wants. It's flexible and very light. A good carbon bike with carbon wheels can cost £5000, and can be lifted with one finger. This material is coming into its own, but beware, it's fragile and needs TLC. Be careful with any maintenance and look after the frame and wheels - over tighten anything and it can be disastrous! 

Wheels have followed an almost identical evolution to frames; steel (chromed) > alloy > carbon. The latest alloy wheels are amazing - stiff and responsive, I believe that an extra 2 mph average can be gained by a good set of wheel. Carbon is of course very light, but I fear the delicate nature of the material - riding is great, but maintaining can be costly.

The principal look of a road bike has not changed for many years. However, just as a car still has 4 wheels and a steering wheel, road bikes still have two wheels and handlebars but are technologically as different today compared with 1970's models as are cars.

Types of bikes -

General Road Racing Bikes - These bikes come in 2 different frame styles. There is a more modern style with a sloping top tube, which by reducing the area of the triangle created, in theory provides greater stiffness in comparison with the more traditional style of frame with a straight top tube.

Cyclo Cross - These bikes bring together the light attributes of a road bike, but with tyres and mud clearance around the frame/wheels. A longer top tube and lower saddle set up all allow for greater control.

Sportive Bikes - designed for many hours in the racing saddle, they generally have a longer head tube with a less severe angle. A longer wheel base makes for a more predictable ride.

Gears and Brakes are one of the main areas of development over the last few years. This is often called the Group Set and compromises of Drivetrain (front and rear gears), Chain, Brakes, Brake leavers (which also house the gear changing mechanisms). This area comes with a whole lot of jargon, mainly because it is catered for by 2 main manufactures (latterly 3, as SRAM is now a player from the USA) each one of which has it's followers; These manufacturers are Shimano of Japan and Campagnolo of Italy, I will attempt to explain the difference below.

Campagnolo and Shimano make a similar product, and yet are as different as Ferrari and Porsche (I know Porsche is German). Each brand has it's own followers. Campagnolo (being like the Ferrari) is the thoroughbred (temperamental some say) but  purists don't mind the alleged setting up and tweaking. Shimano, like Porsche, is brilliantly designed and built and can be used and used without too much fuss. The choice is yours.

Gearing varies the cadence (or number of turns) of your pedals according to how far you move. The Bigger (more teeth) or Smaller (fewer teeth) your front gears, the higher top speed or lower speed you can achieve according to your cadence. (I will give much more detail on this in the jargon section so as not to confuse at this stage.) This works conversely on the rear cassette.

Purists don't believe in three gears at the front (this compromises of a small gear which was originally developed on mountain bikes for steep hill - in fact it is know in the trade as a granny gear). My opinion has always been that if I ever need it - it's there and keeps me moving - great for when you first get started on the road!!!! 

Frames have come a long way and are the main area of development and fashion over the last few years.
 
Originally in steel, which was thinner and heavier, this is still a great material. It's flexible nature, acts as a natural spring/shock absorber of the road. Clearly fashion has moved on, but some very good bikes are still made from steel.

Light weight ALLOY has really made it's mark over the last few year. More brittle and therefore harder to ride (perhaps more bouncy/harder), at one time, it was considered that with excessive use an alloy frame would only last 5 years, but with the technology being poured into the industry like it has been - these frames have much of the longevity of steel.

You will notice on many alloy frames, the specific shapes of some of the forks and arms, which flex to give a more comfortable ride. Light and strong these frames make for a very good introduction to road riding.

CARBON is what everyone wants. It's flexible and very light. A good carbon bike with carbon wheels can cost £5000, and can be lifted with one finger. This material is coming into its own, but beware, it's fragile and needs TLC. Be careful with any maintenance and look after the frame and wheels - over tighten anything and it can be disastrous! 

Wheels have followed an almost identical evolution to frames; steel (chromed) > alloy > carbon. The latest alloy wheels are amazing - stiff and responsive, I believe that an extra 2 mph average can be gained by a good set of wheel. Carbon is of course very light, but I fear the delicate nature of the material - riding is great, but maintaining can be costly.

© The Green Bike Company Ltd 2008 | Registered Office - The Richard Sandy Partnership, 6 Edgar Street, Worcester, WR1 2LR | Company registered in England and Wales no. 6540657
Privacy | West Midlands Internet Marketing by WSI