Best Road Bike Frame Options Depending on Your Needs
Cycling is a fun way to stay in shape, enjoy the outdoors, and even to get from point A to point B. There are many different types of bicycles and cycling, from road cycling to mountain biking that are best suited for certain personalities and that require a particular set of skills. No matter what type of biking you choose, cycling is a varied, exciting, and versatile activity. Many people who get into cycling, really get into cycling. It can be said that cycling gets into people's blood and becomes a way of life.
As a result, a lot of people who get into cycling buy a complete bicycle as their first bike. This makes sense as it comes with everything you need to be included, often already put together. But these are going to be very standard bikes that are not customized to your needs and body type, and that are not necessarily designed with performance or the type of biking you are doing in mind.
Mountain bikers have long advocated building a bike from separate, quality, professional parts, but more and more frequently, people who are road bikers are doing the same. Road biking is a broad spectrum of riding activities that all take place on paved surfaces. This can be biking to and from a job, biking on paved bike paths, speed biking, etc. As road biking has increased in popularity, so too have the options for high-end, professional-quality bike frames and parts increased in availability.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Bike Frame
First of all, you will want to know the difference between the two main types of road bike: racing road bikes and sportive road bikes. A racing road bike will be long and low for faster overall top-speed. A sportive bike will have a higher front end, which provides enhanced comfort but at a cost to top speed.
There are now also what are called cyclocross bikes, which are a relatively new style of bike intended for more casual rides and that are also suitable for going off-road.
One of the biggest things you need to take into account when choosing a road bike frame is the frame height. You can easily find sizing charts on the Internet that show you what the ideal sized bike frame is for your height. As you might expect, the shorter you are, the smaller the frame, the taller you are, the larger the frame.
You also need to consider the frame material. Are you looking for a cost-effective aluminum frame or a high-end carbon frame with carbon forks to add strength and save on weight? Another key thing to look for is a frame that allows for a lot of adjustment. This will help ensure that you can adjust the seat, saddle, and other features for the type of biking you are doing, as well as your particular body type.
Once you have considered all of these aspects and determined what is most important to you, it is time to start to consider particular frame options. What follows is a brief review of three different, high quality, and well-recommended bike frames:
Schwinn Phocus 1600 Men's Road Bike Frame
Almost everyone has heard of Schwinn bikes. They are a time-honored and trusted maker of road bikes of all shapes and sizes. They are known for making some of the highest quality bikes available on the market and their road bikes are no exception. Their Phocus 1600 Road Bike is an excellent value at less than $400. It is a top-of-the-line, professional-quality road bike frame that is perfectly suited for riders of all shapes and sizes.
It is constructed from an aluminum road frame with a sturdy, tough carbon fiber road fork. The bike features a Shimano Claris 16-speed dérailleur with a micro shift integrated brake and lever combo.
The bike also features Promax alloy dual-pivot caliper road brakes which provide enhanced braking power. The frame also features an allow crank, which allows for a wide gear range depending on the rider's needs.
Vilano R2 Commuter Aluminum Road Bike
Vilano is another trusted name when it comes to high-quality bikes and related accessories. Their R2 Commuter Road Bike is an excellent blend of comfort and performance, available for less than $400.
It features a 6061 double butted lightweight aluminum frame. It also boasts Shimano A050 21-speed shifter, making it a great performing bike under a wide range of different grades of incline.
The bike also features a 700c double-walled wheel set and quick release skewers for optimal performance. The frame comes with free pedals.
Vilano Aluminum Road Bike Commuter
Another great option from Vilano is their basic Road Bike Commuter. This is an excellent option for some just starting out with road biking or who simply wants a quality bike for basic commuting needs. It is an excellent value at less than $300 and is available in two color choices.
The bike features a lightweight 6061 double-butted aluminum frame, as well as a Shimano 21 speed thumb shifters. The bike features 21 speeds, allowing you to easily handle hills and flat spaces with a few clicks. The frame also comes with free pedals included.
The bike frame is the skeleton or body of the entire bike. Naturally, this is one of the most important parts of a road bike and choosing the right frame for you is important to performance and comfort. Knowing the basic differences between the different types of road bike frames available will help you determine what type of road bike frame you are even looking for. You will also want to take into account your height, as this will ultimately decide the size of bike frame you need. It is also important to look for frames that allow for a lot of adjustments, as this will make it easy tailor the bike to your needs.
We then briefly reviewed three different potential road bike frames that are a great combination of value and performance. Whether you choose one of the models we describe here or use this guide as a starting point for further research, we're sure that if you do your homework and know what to look for, you will find the perfect road bike frame for your body type, budget, and needs.
