Outdoors

There are many reasons for riding on the road and there are lots of different kinds of bikes. The four main types of bikes for road bike cycling are road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes and folding bikes. All of these kinds of bikes vary from design to design so selecting the best one for you can be a big decision.

What type of bike you choose to ride on the road depends on how often you will use it, the purpose and distance of the journeys you make, as well as which type of bike you feel most comfortable riding, as they all have different riding positions.

Generally road bikes have drop handlebars and thin tyres, and they are relatively lightweight. They are mainly designed for speed so the riding position is low down and aerodynamic. This design of bike is by far the fastest choice for road bike cycling and experienced road cyclists always choose this type.

Road bikes can be split into two main types – racing bikes and touring bikes. Touring bikes are ideal for riding long distances while racing bikes are designed for speed.

Touring bikes have lower gear proportions so they are suitable for carrying equipment with you on a long ride. Race bikes are extremely light and have very rigid frames to maximise the transfer of power from the rider to the wheels, in order to offer a smooth ride.

Hybrid bikes are an excellent choice for travelling to work, getting around the city, keeping fit and cycling for leisure. These are essentially a mixture of a mountain bike and a road bike, and they are growing in popularity all the time. They have fast turning wheels like a road bike, but a more upright riding position, like that of a mountain bike, because they have flat handlebars.

Mountain bikes have tyres with tread for riding off-road, but they they can also be adapted to road cycling use if you already have a mountain bike and don’t want to fork out on another bike. To adapt a mountain bike it is possible to change the tyres for narrower, smooth road tyres. This will reduce resistance and make cycling on the road more efficient and easier.

If part of your journey to work involves cycling on the road an excellent sort of bike to use is a folding bike. They are perfect if you use buses or trains as part of your journey, or if storage is a problem at work or home. Instead of thinking about where to secure your bike you can just fold it up and take it indoors with you.

Whichever style you choose, when road bike cycling always think about making yourself obvious to other road users by wearing reflective items and using lights. This is crucial for safety on the road, whatever type of bike you choose.