Road Bike Buyer's Guide

Do you like road cycling? Want to buy a new road bike? In this article you will find lots of information on how to choose your road bike that fits your needs.

Probably the first and most important question is how much do you want to spend and how much cycling will you do? The answer to the first question is a difficult one. Remember that you often get what you pay for. Many cyclists can not afford to spend much on their bicycles, so it's better to buy quality bikes when they are on sale.

Bicycles For Low Level Riders

If you go to the larger sports shops or bike stores, they will have complete bicycles for sale, usually an alloy frame with Shimano Tiagra or Campagnolo Mirage or a mixture of less expensive components. These bikes will ride quite well although they can be heaver - but they can be a good place to start.

To get something better, you might start with a good alloy frame and if you can afford it, carbon forks. Then with what money you have left chose your group-set of either Campagnolo or Shimano, and then you can pick your handlebars, saddle, wheel rims and tires. If you are working to a budget, however, it can get tricky.

Bicycles For Touring And Possibly Racing Mid Level Riders

You can buy a complete bike in this category in the bike store, sport shop or on the Internet. However, you can choose to buy the components for your frame separately and have more control over how much you want to spend.

At this level you would probably be looking at Campagnolo Centaur or probably Shimano 105 road bike parts and you could possibly buy some built up wheels from Mavic, Shimano or Campagnolo. But you should first consider the frame.

There are many frames out there to choose from, so start looking on the web to find what you want. It will probably be alloy again with carbon forks. You'll also need to shop for an alloy seat pin, handlebars and stem and a comfortable saddle.

Bike For Racing And Pleasure Designed For Top Level Riders

At this range of bikes it gets more difficult. Probably your components would be Shimano Ultegra or Campagnolo Chorus, unless you can afford the top components of both manufacturers.

Wheels will be probably Shimano, Mavic or Campagnolo, deep carbon rims look fantastic and have a smooth ride, but will probably be too expensive. If you stick to alloy rims for high pressure tires as tubulars, even though they ride wonderfully, they will be expensive and can be a lot of trouble.

Handle bars, stem and seat pin could be alloy or carbon, if you have the money. The frame is the heart of your bike, and you will want a good one. At this price range alloy is going to be the first choice with carbon forks and possibly a carbon rear triangle.

If you look around, you might manage to find an all-carbon frame at this price. Giant makes a very well priced carbon frame in a compact, sloping design There are others, but you will have to spend a lot more money.

Pro Bikes For Pro Level Riders.

You're looking at a lot of money here, if you want to buy a professional road bike. The frame will be all carbon or titanium with carbon forks and maybe a carbon rear triangle or alloy main tubes with carbon front or rear end.

The nicest ones on the market at the moment, in my opinion, are Colnago, De Rosa, Pinarello, Battaglin, Time, Scott, Cervelo and many more. All are available in different colors and sizes. Check different websites for information and try to make up your mind. It can be a difficult job.

This is a professional road bike so it will have to have the best components. Shimano Dura.Ace or Campagnolo Record are your only choice at this level. Same with the wheels, Dura-Ace or Campagnolo Bora, these can be for high pressure clincher tires or tubulars, tubulars are more trouble but do ride well, but clincher tires are very nearly as nice and much more practical. Handle bars, stem and seat pin will be carbon, and your saddle will have a carbon base with a leather cover and sometimes with gel for a little extra comfort.

The Best Bicycle You Can Afford.

That's true "You do only get what you pay for, so get the best bike you can afford". A good idea might be look around the magazines and the internet manufacturers' sites and don't forget your local bike shop until you get that little treasure, but be careful not to make your partner too jealous!

Andrew Caxton runs a cycling site which can be found at http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com. Withing his website he publish reviews and comparisons on heart rate monitors and bike accessories

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