What to look out for on a Road Bike
Road bikes are available across the whole spectrum from racing to relaxing, so we’re sure there’s a road bike for you. Before we start talking about makes and models, here’s the low-down on the crucial components and features of road bikes.
Metal frame carbon forks
Carbon forks are better at soaking up the vibrations from the road than either steel or aluminium, which is why it’s common to see a carbon fork combined with a non-carbon frame. This is because you feel vibrations from the front wheel and front forks through your hands.
Brakes
Previously all road bikes came with traditional rim brakes, but disc brakes are making a breakthrough. Let’s compare the two:
Rim brakes use a calliper mounted to the frame and held near the outside of the wheel. When you pull on the brake lever, the calliper squeezes brake pads onto the rim of the wheel, slowing you down. They’re lightweight, cheap, and easy to maintain, but are less effective in wet weather and over time will wear out your wheel rims.
Disc brakes use a separate brake rotor and mount the callipers near the middle of the wheel. Modern disc brakes perform flawlessly in all conditions, and because they apply pressure to a rotor and not your rim won’t wear out your wheels.
Disc brakes are more powerful than rim brakes, which reduces stopping distances. They are however very slightly heavier.
Disc brakes are an excellent choice if you ride in all weather, or use your bike for commuting. Our range of Carrera road bikes come with disc brakes fitted as standard, delivering superb stopping performance.
Gears
Road bikes come with a wide selection of gears suitable for riding up hills, down them and sprinting through straights. Typically you’ll find either two or three chainrings up front, and 10 or 11 at the back giving a wide variety of gears to choose from. If you’re a city commuter who won’t be hitting the hills anytime soon, then a 23t or 25t rear cog should be fine. If you’re looking to climb mountains, then look for a more generous rear cog of 28t or 30t.
If you’re looking for stripped-back simplicity, our Quella single-speed bikes feature fixed gear for fast city riding.
Pedals
All road bikes will come with standard pedals that allow you to jump and ride, but many prefer to use clip-in pedals with cleats. Specially designed road pedals and cleats provide a more efficient transfer of power from the pedal to the wheel.
Initially, it can feel strange to clip into your pedals, but you’ll appreciate it when you’re trying to put the power down or riding up a hill. If you’ve never used them before, you’ll need to put in some practice before hitting the roads.
Mudguards and panniers
If you’re going to use your road bike for commuting or light touring and need to carry luggage, then look for mounts for mudguards and panniers. Mounts are threaded holes on the frame located near wheel axles that can be used to mount mudguards to your bike. You’ll find them on some metal bike frames.
Mudguards won’t stop the rain from landing on your head, but they will prevent water from splashing you and your clothes – and riders or behind you too. They can also reduce road muck and mud hitting your drivetrain.
Fitting a pannier rack allows you to safely carry panniers – which is more comfortable than carrying a backpack or bag. Load them up with your work clothes, laptop or lunch and hit the road. Panniers are highly practical and are easy to remove when you want to up the speed.
Frame materials
Road bike frames are typically built from metal (steel or aluminium) and carbon. Each material comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s how they compare:
Steel
Steel is the traditional material used for road bike frames. It’s durable and provides a comfortable riding feel as the flame flexes slightly. There are lots of different grades of steel, so you can find cheap steel frames and high-end steel frames. Steel frames are notoriously hardwearing and corrosion-resistant, but the payoff is that they can be heavier than other materials.
Aluminium
Aluminium bike frames are the most common on the market. They’re good value, light, and stiff. The stiffness of the frame can make the ride feel a little harsh, as the lumps and bumps of the road are transferred to the rider. Modern aluminium frames can be engineered to ride beautifully, so don’t be put off.
Carbon
Lightweight, durable and flexible – carbon bike frames are loved by racers and riders. Bike designers use intelligent manufacturing techniques to manipulate the material, creating a super-light frame that’s stiff in one direction and flexes in another. This means carbon bike frames are the most comfortable around.
Historically only available on higher-end bikes, you can now pick up a carbon bike for a reasonable price. So what’s the downside? Carbon fibre can be fragile, and if the frame cracks anywhere, then it’s unsafe and either needs to be professionally repaired or replaced.