How to choose your road bike
Road biking: sport and leisure for all
Road biking is a discipline that combines sport and the pleasure of travelling. Your bike will take you far away during your outings, whether it's for training or just for fun.
Choosing your road bike is therefore essential to finding a performing and comfortable model. Amongst an increasingly large offer, several criteria must be taken into account, starting with your personal use and your allowed budget.
Choosing your road bike
You'll have to determine your type of practice to find the bike that best meets your expectations, whether you want to ride for leisure or for competition, on flat terrain or in the mountains, and how often you will be out and the distance travelled.
For leisure and occasional practice
Priority is given to comfort. An aluminum frame is a good compromise between solidity and lightness, an ergonomic saddle, a good stem length and a flat handlebar for a comfortable position.
For competition and/or regular use
Priority is given to lightness and aerodynamics . You can choose between an aluminum or carbon frame knowing that if you are looking for performance, a carbon frame will be the most suitable, but also more expensive. Carbon is a lightweight, rigid and comfortable material that alleviates road vibrations and provides you with a good steering feel. It will give you good performances and improved speed. Quality wheels, light and strong, are essential if you are going to ride often. It's even recommended to have wheels for training and wheels for competition. Transmission is an important element to consider in order to have precise and reactive gear-shifting and a high performance bike with efficient relauch. For competition only, there are aerodynamic bicycle models with tubes profiled on the frame for better aerodynamism which is designed to have a very leaning position.
For rolling on flat terrain
A traditional or compact pedalboard is sufficient. When you ride on more undulating grounds, you can change the cogset.
For riding in the mountains
A double or triple-chain ring with a large cogset on the rear is recomended to have a large number of gears and climb passes more easily.
Once you have chosen your bike, think of the rest of the equipment you'll have to acquire to ride comfortably and safely: pedals, shoes, helmet, gloves and outfit!
All road practices
Cyclocross
Triathlon
Track
Trekking/Travel
