Category Archives for Road Bikes

Why Road Bikes are the Best Method of Daily Commuting

Cycling is arguably the most efficient and fun way to commute. There are mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrid bikes, cyclocross bikes, and entry-level road bikes to consider. Then there is what goes on the bike. Are you looking for steel frames, aluminum frames, or carbon fiber? Do you require disc brakes? The options are endless and can be a little confusing. However, once you have the right bike for your needs, the cost of upkeep for a bicycle is negligible when compared to maintenance costs of a car—not to mention the initial price for the vehicle's purchase. On top of that, for those who have a soft spot in their soul, for the problems of global warming caused by burning fossil fuels, the bike commuter can sleep easily, knowing that their vehicle is a state-of-the-art, zero-carbon-footprint machine (regardless of make or model). The best road bikes of 2017 can transform the way you live day-to-day and you don't have to break the bank. If you want to become a healthier, happier human, keep reading to see the 5 best road bikes with a price range of under $500 for 2017 that you can easily find online or down at your local bike shop.

The only question for those reading is: Are you ready to upgrade your lifestyle and integrate bike commuting as part of your daily habit? Perhaps, you remember biking as a child and feeling as though it was difficult or embarrassing. However, keep in mind that all bikes are not created equal. The effort which you expend in riding your bike is determined by the type of bike it is, the weight, and, most importantly, on what kind of tires that you are riding.

Why Ride a Road Bike?

Out of the many differences that road bikes exhibit—in terms of shape, material, aerodynamic design, and mechanical gear shifting differentiations—the main design feature of road bikes, which makes them the best bike type for commuters, is the tire size. Road bike tires are thin and sleek. They are meant to be ridden on the road and, therefore, do not require the surface area and treading, which is favorable for mountain bikes. This substantially cuts down on the tire’s mass.

Since road bike tires are thinner than others, they hold a lower volume of air and are designed to be filled to a much higher presser. The increased pounds of pressure per square inch of the road bike tire, combined with the decreased resistance of the tires surface area is the design feature, which provides road bikes with the benefit of pedaling effort efficiency. It takes less effort to pedal when there is higher air pressure and less physical resistance.

Road Bike Types

The road bike types that are designed with the best use in mind for riders are racing road bikes, endurance road bikes, cyclocross road bikes, and touring road bikes.

These bikes are built for speed. They are sleek and slender, designed for racing. The gears are closely set in ratio and the tires generally measure between 23 mm and 25 mm. The slim tires and drop-down handlebars make cutting through the streets a breeze. However, they are great bikes for commuting too. The speed design makes these road bikes great for commuters who like to get where they are going—fast. Racing road bikes are meant for the rider to bring the bike up to a cruising speed and to continually shift between accelerating and drifting. The positioning of the rider on the bike can be less comfortable for those with any kind of physical limitation. Racing road bikes are designed for flexible athletes, but for anyone who is in shape or is dedicated to getting fit, racing road bikes are the easiest to pedal and the fastest type to ride.

Endurance road bikes are, perhaps, the best road bike for full-time bike commuting beginners and those who commute on rougher terrain. They combine a mixture of comfort and high-performance features for the rider who is in it for the long haul. The frames are designed to handle rougher terrain and the bike can accommodate a range of tire dimensions and sizes, based on the terrain’s dictation.

These road bikes are designed for a specific style of racing, in which the contestants race each other in a circle, over many laps—similar to a horse race or Nascar. These bikes are extremely lightweight and require the most hunched over riding position of any type. The wheels have an identifiable solid plate inside the wheel hub, which increases their aerodynamic attributes.

Made for the open road, touring bikes are the best overall road bike model type for those who rely on biking as their primary means of transportation. The feature most identified with touring bikes is the rear pannier rack, which is designed to carry bags, boxes, crates, or packages of any kind. Though the tires are slightly thicker than those of road tires, usually around 32 mm wide, the added mass helps to bear the load of extra travel gear. This results in the frame being slightly longer than racing road bikes and more suited to a sustainable biking posture, resulting in a riding position which is more naturally upright.

The 5 Best Road Bikes Under $500 in 2017

Bicycles are a mechanical, physical, man-powered machine and every detail of the design, engineering, manufacturing, and construction of the bike, determines the overall quality of the unit. That being said, road bikes with high price tags are, in all likelihood, justified in their asking price. However, just because it doesn't come with all the bells and whistles, as a $3000 bike, doesn't mean that you have to mortgage your house to get a great road bike. To give you a hand, here is a list of the 5 best road bikes for under $500 dollars on the market in 2017.

1. Vilano Shadow Road Bike

The Vilano Shadow Road Bike starts around $300 and tops out around $450. If you want a great road bike for a great price, the Vilano Shadow Road Bike is overall the best road bike for under $500 in 2017. With a smooth aesthetic design, the Vilano Shadow is the tuxedo of high quality, economical road bikes. The lightweight aluminum frame makes carrying the bike easily manageable and the model comes in a simple assembly format. The 700c tires and 7-gear Shimano shifters are perfect for riding on the road, with low to medium altitude differentiation.

2. GMC Denali Road Bike

For those with the need for speed, (and frugality) the GMC Denali is the best road bike under $500 in 2017, for racing and getting where you’re going, fast. The 21-speed Shimano Revo shifters make for progressively easy hill climbing and are located conveniently on the handlebars to allow the rider to maintain control between shifts while riding at high speeds. The GMC Denali is constructed out of lightweight aluminum and comes in weighing under 35 pounds for easy transportation, handling, and low-resistance, high-speed riding.

3. Vilano Aluminum Road Bike 21-Speed Shimano

Another great option for the speed demons is the Vilano Aluminum Road Bike. It features 21-speed gear shifters and the frame is constructed of lightweight 6061 aluminum. Handlebar mounted shifters make for safe, effortless shifting while going through tight turns and steep hills. In total, this bike weighs less than 25 pounds, which makes it the best lightweight road bike under $500 in 2017.

4. SE Bikes Royal 14-Speed Road Bicycle

With a 14-speed Shimano gear derailleur and shifter, an alloy road caliper brake set, and an SE 1 alloy main frame the SE Bikes Royale 14-speed Road Bike is the best road bike for anyone worried about their bike breaking. Sturdy, solid, and safe this bike will get you from A to B without constant maintenance. Priced in the range of $500 to $700 and weighing over 30 pounds, it is not the first choice on this list; however, it is a high-quality, economical commuter bike.

5. Giordano Libero 1.6 Men's Road Bike - 700c

The trailblazer’s dream. The Giordano Libero 1.6 Men’s Road Bike is a high-quality endurance/touring bike, suitable for the multi-day excursion. A hand-crafted, lightweight aluminum frame, weighing only 26 pounds, securely, and effortlessly carries the 16-speed Shimano Claris STI shifters and derailleurs, which makes climbing steep hills an invigoratingly manageable task. Coming in around $400, the Giordano Libero is the best road bike under $500 in 2017 for the biker who wants the ability to adventure freely.

Biking is a fantastic way to stay healthy, help the world, and just get around. Always obey the rules of the road—after all, bicycles are equivalent vehicles to cars on the road. And, always, always, always, wear a helmet whenever you go for a ride. There are plenty of super cool helmets on the market, so be safe and have a blast!

The Best Benefits of Buying an E-Bike

Increasing your life longevity means living an active lifestyle. This entails not only making in-the-moment healthy decisions but also to structure the routine of your life in a fashion that is conducive to and incorporates steady physical activity. One of the best ways to incorporate constant, habitual physical wellness into your daily routine is to consider supplementing or completely switching your daily transit method to cycling. Biking is a zero-carbon footprint transportation method, which benefits the rider's pocketbook, as well as their body. However, many of those who would willingly transform their transportation method to biking have physical, occupational, or personal limitations to the amount of energy that they can exert. Fear not, for there is more than one way to build a bike and we have compiled the 10 best reasons why you should consider motorized bicycles.

Electrically Motorized Bicycles

Bicycles like mountain bikes and road bikes are wonderfully simple, mechanical vehicles. The only energy input comes from the cyclists' effort and thus they are inexpensive, reliable, and versatile as compared to all other forms of transportation. Electrically motorized bikes (also known as electric bikes, e-bikes, motor-assisted bicycles, and power-assisted bicycles) are built to be street legal as a bicycle and do not require a vehicle registration in the way that electric scooters and motorcycles do. Motorized bikes are, just that—a bicycle with a motor to help in accelerating the bike. E-bikes, which are legal bicycles, will feature motors designed to tap out around 20 miles per hour.

E-Bikes use rechargeable batteries, which come in many varieties. Lightweight motorized bikes will reach speeds around 16 to 20 miles per hour. Some higher-powered bikes, which still fall into the category of motorized electric bicycle, can reach speeds upwards of 30 miles per hour. Motorized bikes are designed to use a wide range of different motors. Some motorized bikes are under the classification of pedal assist. These bikes will create up to 25% motorized thrust assistance, whereas other models, which fall into the classification of power-on-demand motorized bikes, will create up to 200% acceleration from the rider's pedaling. What separates motorized bikes from mopeds and motorcycles is the ability of the bike to be propelled by the rider's pedaling power. Motorized bikes are classified into the following two types:

Pedal-Assist Motorized Bikes

A pedal-assist motorized bike is regulated directly by the rider's leg power. The motor is designed to provide a supplementary power source, in addition to the rider’s pedaling effort. For example, you will still need to pedal on the uphill ride; however, the job will be much, much easier. Pedal-assist e-bikes are street legal and are not classified differently than a bicycle.

Power-on-Demand

The motor is designed to match or exceed the rider's leg power. With a power-on-demand motorized bike, the motor is engaged by a handlebar throttle, which resembles that of a moped. On uphill climbs, the rider can use the motor power as a pedaling supplementation or they can stop pedaling altogether. However, at the end of the day, the bike can operate under its own pedal power and is not 100% reliant on the motor for propulsion.

Best 10 Reasons to Consider Motorized E-Bicycles

1. Speed Demon

With a motorized bicycle, you don't have to worry about getting worn out and slowing down. The motorized bike is designed to kick in when the going gets tough, so you aren't late to get where you're going. Motorized bikes can accelerate to over 20 miles per hour, which is the speed of a biker at a pretty quick pace. It does make it a little bit unfair for the other bikers when you are cruising past them at 20 mph and you haven't even broken into a sweat.

2. Elevation Changes (Hills)

The motorized bicycle specializes on hills. On motor assist e-bike models, riders can ascend hills easily, with only a steady pedaling force, which is supplemented by 25%. On power-on-demand models, a rider can more or less sit back and let the motor do the hard work on uphill climbs.

3. Professional Appearance

For those who live in areas with large elevation changes, biking can be a challenge. This is especially true if you are considering making a bike your main form of transportation, but you work in a professional industry. It is one thing to get all sweaty on a bike before you shower but it's another thing to show up to the boardroom looking like you just stepped out of a 5k in the desert. Motorized bikes excel on hills and keep the rider from working up a sweat on uphill slopes and super hot days. The motor allows a rider to cruise along at their leisure, with variable low energy expended in pedaling.

4. Frugality

Motorized bicycles are the cheapest form of transportation. The benefit gained from the bikes motor only adds to its value, fulfilling the main basic function of an automobile and still outweighs the long-term expense of using a car tenfold. E-bikes can be found in a range from around $300 to around $3000 and their upkeep costs are negligible when compared to cars. Best of all, no fuel is required. On a motorized bike, the rider powers the motor while pedaling.

5. Safety

In a car crash, vehicles are traveling at very high speeds when compared to bicycles. Car crashes can result in long-term injury and even death and the frequency of these occurrences are seen all too often. The worst case scenario cases are generally the same for bikers; however, the chance of this scenario taking place is negligible. Bikes are usually not traveling over 25 miles per hour at full speed. A rider wearing a helmet has exponentially lower odds of experiencing a life-threatening crash on a bicycle compared to a car crash. Less mass and less momentum results in less risk.

6. Ecological

Climate change is in full swing, everyone knows it (well, mostly) and there's nothing we can do about it! Wait. Yes, there is. Converting your main method of transportation into a motorized bike is one of the biggest things that anyone can do single-handedly to reduce their own personal carbon footprint. Imagine if everyone in the country decided to bike to work. Peace on earth would happen.

7. Health and Wellness

The hardest thing about working out is establishing a new habit, in terms of using a gym or creating some space in your life where you perform a useless task for the purpose of your health. People don't have time to add a thing into their lives. That is why bike commuting is the perfect way to get your physical exercise every day. Instead of adding a new habit, change an existing habit. The habit of driving to work is bad. It gets you there at 40 mph and that is it. The habit of biking to work is good. It gets you there at 20 mph and you never have to think about making specific time to exercise. Bike commuting will become the healthiest and most efficient thing you do in your day.

8. Mobility

It’s hard to drive your car up a flight of stairs, between two lanes of traffic or take it on an elevator. Bikes are inherently mobile and allow the user virtually as much freedom as if they were on foot, except bikers get where they are going up to 6 times as quickly.

9. Versatility

Many people have packages and things to carry in their vehicles, which makes it difficult to convert to bike commuting. However, it's all about the gear. Getting an extension built on your car is difficult and expensive. Bikes are made to accommodate extensions and additional storage space and the cost is once again negligible when compared to any work on a car.

10. The Fun Factor

You don't know what you’re missing until you try it. Biking is invigorating, meditative, peaceful, exciting—it's just fun. It introduces you to a new face of the landscape, which you talk to through your tires. Instead of separating you from the environment, like cars, bikes bring you into the environment. Bikers surf on the waved hills of the earth, feeling the ever changing terrain, landscape, and elements of their environment. Take off the top, turn off the engine and throttle up for the ride of your life. Just remember, always wear a helmet.