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Road Bike Buying Guides

Introduction

Road bikes are designed for riding far and fast on paved roads. They're the type you'll see at big races like the Tour de France. They're usually designed for an aerodynamic riding position, and come with a variety of grip positions and sometimes elbow rests. They usually have a gear range designed for high speeds. Road bikes come in race, endurance, aero, time trial, and gravel flavors.

Who Should Ride a Road Bike?

The essence of road biking is covering long distances, fast. As the name implies, road bikes are optimized for paved roads. While you can ride any bike on pavement, road bikes focus on maximizing speed and efficiency in those conditions.

Road bikes are suitable for

  • Road racers
  • Long-distance endurance riders
  • Fitness enthusiasts with access to paved trail networks or ridable roads
  • Commuters, depending on riding style preference
  • Bikepackers who plan to stick to mostly pavement

Key Features of a Modern Road Bike

  1. Lightweight frame: Road bikes frames typically focus on achieving a light weight and race frames especially are targeted to shave off every possible gram.
  2. Narrow tires: Road bikes are equipped with narrow tires with smooth treads to minimize rolling resistance and maximize speed.
  3. Drop handlebars: The drop handlebars on road bikes offer multiple hand positions, allowing riders to adjust their posture for comfort and aerodynamic efficiency while riding in various conditions.
  4. Wide gear range: Modern road bikes come with a wide range of gears so riders can maximize speed, from uphills to downhills.
  5. Aerodynamic design: Road bike design focuses on aerodynamics as well as light weight and ergonomics. Aerodynamics are improved by modifying the size and shape of rims and frame, minimizing drag from wiring and components, and creating geometry that optimizes the rider's body positioning for the least drag.

Model Guides - Road Bikes

2022 Cipollini Ad.One

2022 Cipollini Ad.One

This Cipollini rewrites history.
2022 Cipollini Bond Evo

2022 Cipollini Bond Evo

Comfort meets riding spirit.
2022 Cipollini Dolomia

2022 Cipollini Dolomia

Everything you need and more in a road bike.
2022 Diamondback Division 1

2022 Diamondback Division 1

Ready to get rad in the city.
2022 Diamondback Division 2

2022 Diamondback Division 2

Get down in the city.
2022 Diamondback Division 24

2022 Diamondback Division 24

For true adventure-seeking kids.
2022 Diamondback Haanjo 1

2022 Diamondback Haanjo 1

A bike that defies definitions and exceeds expectations.
2023 Cipollini The One DB

2023 Cipollini The One DB

Sporty geometries for the fastest rides imagineable.
2024 Santa Cruz Skitch 1

2024 Santa Cruz Skitch 1

Santa Cruz's brand new e-commuter bike.

Key Features of a Modern Road Bike

  1. Lightweight frame: Road bikes frames typically focus on achieving a light weight and race frames especially are targeted to shave off every possible gram.
  2. Narrow tires: Road bikes are equipped with narrow tires with smooth treads to minimize rolling resistance and maximize speed.
  3. Drop handlebars: The drop handlebars on road bikes offer multiple hand positions, allowing riders to adjust their posture for comfort and aerodynamic efficiency while riding in various conditions.
  4. Wide gear range: Modern road bikes come with a wide range of gears so riders can maximize speed, from uphills to downhills.
  5. Aerodynamic design: Road bike design focuses on aerodynamics as well as light weight and ergonomics. Aerodynamics are improved by modifying the size and shape of rims and frame, minimizing drag from wiring and components, and creating geometry that optimizes the rider's body positioning for the least drag.