Road Bikes

When you're choosing a bike, give some serious thought to what kind of riding you'll be doing on it. For those people who don't want to ride off-road, a mountain bike is not, in fact, a smart purchase. Mountain bikes feature fat tires that make for a lot of resistance on pavement. If you're looking for speed and plan to ride exclusively on pavement, then consider a road bike.With its characteristic drop handlebars and skinny tires, a road bike is the name of the game for speed and those who are considering entering road races at some point. Hybrid bikes are combinations of road and mountain bikes--lighter frames than mountain bikes and wider tires than road bikes--but a potential 'roadie' may outgrow them quickly. Hybrid bikes are often best used for commuting.Once you've decided on a road bike, the inevitable next question is, 'Which one?' For many people, price is the dictating factor. Assuming you're putting a moderate number of miles on your road bike, most weekend warriors can find a solid model that's strong and reliable for between 500 and 800 dollars. The next price break comes at around 1,000, which often will gain you a lighter weight frame and better, lighter components.Several big names dominate both the road and mountain bike markets, but it's best to make a decision not on popularity, but on what feels right for your body. The very best way to find the right bike for you is to ride, ride, ride. Test ride any bike you can and get online to a good review site before making that final purchase.