Category Archives for Road Bikes

Triathlon Bikes vs. Road Bikes

If you are new to the triathlon sports, your first question might be, “What type of bicycle do I need?”

There are many types of bicycles that serve different purposes. There are mountain bikes designed for riding off road trails, cruiser bikes for casual riding, hybrid bikes which have the capabilities of both road bikes and mountain bikes, city bikes which are ideal for commuting or riding in a city, tandem bikes which are built for two, and more.

But in the world of triathlons, the question is “which type of bike is suitable?”

To answer this question, let us take a look at the properties of each bike and their advantages. Let us take a look at their differences, too.

Triathlon Bikes

Triathlon bikes are road racing bicycles designed to optimize aerodynamics to lessen air resistance. They have an aggressive geometry which means that the seat tube angle is steeper.

Typically, the seat tube angle is 76-78 degrees. This geometry puts the biker’s hips over the cranksetto engage their quadriceps more to increase power.

This puts the biker in a more forward position with their upper body weight supported by the skeletal rather than muscular system to lessen fatigue. It might look like a forceful position but it is comfortable and more aerodynamic with more efficiency and less exhaustion.

Triathlon Bikes Advantages

• It is the fastest type of bike
• It puts the rider in a more aerodynamic position, making them much faster and more efficient
• It is easier to run after transitioning from triathlon bikes

Road Bikes

Road bikes are ideal for climbing, cornering, sprinting, or biking with a group. They have a more traditional geometry and the biker is bent forward less than on triathlon bikes.

They have drop handlebars and integrated brake/ shift levers. With road bikes, the cyclist has more confidence with his/her hands on the brakes while allowing for more multiple positions on the handlebars.

Road bikes are known to be lightweight and offer comfort and versatility from commuting and recreational biking to road racing.

Advantages of Road Bikes

• They are lightweight
• They are easy and comfortable to ride
• Suitable for many types of riding
• Shifts smoothly even on a busy street and narrow alleys

Comparison of Triathlon Bikes and Road Bikes

The major difference between triathlon bikes and road bikes is the geometry of the bicycle frame, specifically the seat tube angle. This is the angle of the long tube that extends towards the seat from the bottom bracket.

The triathlon bike has a seat tube angle of 76-78 degrees while the road bike has 72 degrees. The steeper angle places the biker in a further forward position.

The biker in a triathlon bike is almost directly over the bottom bracket which is much easier to be powerful and comfortable when aiming for more aerodynamics and a much faster speed.

On the other hand, the biker on a road bike has a more laid back position which is ideal for a more efficient transfer of energy when going up a hill, pedaling at a higher cadence, cornering, and riding along a variety of terrain.

Which Is Better?

The question “Which is better: a triathlon bike or a road bike?” can only be answered by you. Are you training for racing triathlons? Do you want a bike that can be used for group biking?   Will you be doing a variety of biking activities such as commuting, sprinting, or transferring loads? Will you be competitive at racing?

These guide questions will help you answer which type of bicycle is better for your needs and purpose. There’s no better type of bike, only bikes more suitable for different purposes.

Schwinn Men’s Phocus Road Bicycle

Road bikes are built to increase agility, speed and performance to endure concrete pavement, hilly terrains, or grassy trails and even extended hours of cycling.

But among these performances, comfort should not be compromised. Comfortable road bikes reduce or totally eliminate injuries or body pains especially after long hours of cycling.

The good thing is, you can choose from a wide variety of road bikes thanks to bike manufacturers that spend their time building high quality, durable, and comfortable road bikes.

One of the most efficient, durable, and comfortable road bikes that they have come upwith is the Schwinn Men’s Phocus Road Bicycle.

It is made of an aluminum road frame with rigid fork, Shimano 14 speed rear derailleur with Shimano A050 shifters, alloy rims with paired spokes, alloy caliper road brakes, and SR Suntour alloy crank. All these components work together for a smooth and fast performance.

Schwinn Men’s Phocus Road Bicycle is designed to be lightweight but strong and will go a long way over long hours of cycling.

Its front rim is quick release for more convenient use and maintenance. Its brakes have great breaking power and its crank is designed for wide gear range.

With an affordable price, Schwinn Men’s Phocus Road Bicycle is one of the most cost effective road bikes today. What is another good thing about it is its good appearance including its wheels that have a nice design. 

Features

• Aluminum road frame
• 14 speed rear derailleur
• Shimano A050 shifters
• High profile alloy rims
• Lightweight
• Strong
• Front rim quick release
• SR Suntour alloy crank
• Great stopping power
• Lifetime warranty

Pros

• Quick, agile riding
• Durable
• Comfortable
• Convenient
• Easy maintenance
• Easy adjustable height
• Affordable 

Cons

• Requires assembly

Verdict

Schwinn Men’s Phocus Road Bicycle is truly one of the most affordable and strongest road bikes today. It’s loved by a lot of cyclists and other biking enthusiasts because of its materials and design.

It puts you in a comfortable position to help you bike faster without pain. It also lasts for years of continuous biking and cycling along different kinds of pavement.

Comparison

It is important to take into consideration the other best-selling road bikes today. There are many high quality road bikes equipped with practical parts that work in coordination with each other.

It is also important to remember the features that every good quality road bike should have: stability, strength, and comfort. Without these, you won’t be able to keep up with the fun and challenges of road biking.

So it is important to examine every road bike that you want. To help you further in choosing the best road bike for you, here are some good quality options.

One of these road bikes is the TommasoSentiero Adventure Road Bike. It has an aluminum compact frame combined with SST Steel Frame for strength, Shimano Claris Derailluers and shifters for smooth and convenient shifts and brakes, and Shimano Claris triple crankset in front partnered with 12 x 25 cassette at the back.

It has compact frame geometry for extra comfort and power. And it needs professional assembly to get all these parts fixed and working together.

Another good road bike is the Vilano Aluminum Road Bike. It is lightweight made of 6061 double butted aluminum frame, Shimano A050 thumb shifter, 21 speeds, and 700c double walled CNC machine sides. Its handlebar and seatpost are both made of alloy for more comfort.

It’s great for commuting or just going around the town faster. Plus it comes in three colors that you can choose from: white, silver and black. It is very affordable so if you have a very limited budget for road bikes, this is a good option.

All of these three road bikes are made of sturdy materials such as the aluminum frame. But when it comes to comparing Schwinn Men’s Phocus Road Bicycle to the other two road bike, the TommasoSentiero Adventure Road Bike and the Vilano Aluminum Road Bike, the difference is obvious.

Schwinn Men’s Phocus Road Bicycle stands out because it is the most cost effective road bike, has an easy, adjustable height to accommodate the different sizes and height of bikers, and can be conveniently maintained with its quick release wheels. No wonder it is the best among most road bike models.

Verdict

When it comes to comfort and performance, you won’t go wrong with Schwinn Men’s Phocus Road Bicycle. Priced reasonably, it gives you everything you need in a good road bike.

While its parts need to be assembled, this is a small drawback compared to all its other advantages. Once you set it up, you can ride it with ease, efficiency, and comfort. It is sturdy enough too to last long hours of cycling.

Road Bikes Under 300

Road bikes are known to have a sturdy and lightweight frame that is equipped to be faster and durable on pavements, challenging terrains and long hours of cycling. Therefore it is important to have a road bike that is made of high quality materials.

However, most road bikes have high costs compared to other types of bikes. Expensive road bikes are made of high quality materials that improve biking performance and experience.

But do they really need to be expensive to have these indispensable qualities? If you love cycling but you have a limited budget, there are road bikes available for under $300. However, sometimes cheap road bikes have lower qualities.

Say no to cheap road bikes with inferior qualities. Here are some road bikes under $300 that top the market.

Vittesse Sprint

Vittesse Sprint gives you everything you need for road biking. It is built with an aluminum frame, 18 speed gears, and a triple chainset. It is ideal for beginners who also aim to win a race. It can also keep you going along hills and other challenging terrain, thanks to its triple chainset that give you low gears.

Wiggle Road Bike

This Wiggle Road Bike comes in five sizes that will fit well for people of all heights, unless you are very short or very tall. It is an entry level road bike that works decently.

It is made of an aluminum alloy frame, 14 speed Shimano gearing, and brake/ gear levers for easy shifting. For a reasonable amount you will be able to be on your own way to road biking.

B’TwinTriban 500

If your budget goes up to $300, you can get a good quality road bike with B’TwinTriban 500. It is built with an aluminum alloy frame with lightweight components.

You will have a smooth drive and shifting capabilities with its really wide range of gears, triple chainset, and eight rear sprockets. Its frame comes in eight sizes with two additional sizes for 2016 – the XXXS and XXS for petite body frames.

Carrera Zelos

Carrera Zelos is another decently priced road bike. It has an aluminum frame that’s lightweight and durable. Plus it comes with 14 speed Shimano groupset and Tektro dual pivot brakes.

Avenir Aspire

Avenir Aspire is available for purchase through Amazon. Get it at your own convenience but watch out as new models are easily sold out. It is a cost effective road bike especially for beginners.

It has everything you need for a basic road bike. It also comes in different sizes so you can get to pick the right size suited for your body frame and height.

However, if this is your first time, you might need assistance in assembly. It requires setting it up and assembling its parts before you can use it. For its price, though, assembling the bike on your own is worth it.

Features to Look For

Whether you have the money for buying expensive, more advanced road bikes or a limited budget for good quality road bikes, it is important to check the features that a good road bike should have.

• Strength

A good road bike should be able to endure long hours of cycling and go further on challenging terrain. Check the materials on which the parts are made of.

• Comfort

One important component is comfort. Ensure that it allows you to ride in a comfortable position with a little bending forward for better aerodynamics.

• Geometry

When choosing a good road bike, check for the geometry. It should have a shorter wheelbase and sport a long reach to the handlebars for more aerodynamics.

Now that you know some road bike models under $300, you can be aware that there are indeed road bikes under $300 that are of good quality. They have all the basic components you’ll need and are made of a typical aluminum frame for endurance and strength.

Road Bike Weight

Road bikes perform at high speeds and are great for pavement and other challenging terrain including up hills and grass.

They are typically built with a light weight body equipped to endure a full professional racing experience, biking over epic distances or transporting loads to farther places.

Some road bikes are also designed for riding around town or for leisure biking too.

Lightweight Bikes

Having a lightweight frame is the quality that road bikes are most popularly known for. The weightis important in terms of speed and performance of road bikes. A light road bike means a good bicycle without looking to other qualities. But is it good enough to just be lightweight?

Does a Lighter Bike Make You Faster?

Does a road bike with lighter weight make you faster? Not as much as you think. Let us give an instance. Perhaps you have been biking for hours. You encounter a steep hill; it may slow you down because you feel the weight of the bike.

Thus, does buying a lighter bike save you time? Not as much. And a much lighter bike is more expensive. Buying these kinds of high end bikes will just save you few seconds but it is not cost effective or efficient for a slightly faster speed.

Comparison With Different Bike Weights

Top of the line carbon and aluminium road bikes are expensive compared to entry level road bikes or hybrid bikes. And they are about three pound lighter that entry level road bikes. A study that was conducted looked at how a 15- , 16-, 17-, and 18- pound bike performed when climbing up a one mile hill.

The two heaviest bikes took the same amount of time with only a 2.5 second difference. The 15- pound bike reached the hill top at 7.5 seconds faster than the 18- pound bike. Over hours of racing, a few seconds of difference is not a big deal and are only worth it if you are into neck to neck bike racing.

Other Weight on the Bike

A few second difference between road bike weights is not the only reason why weight matters. You can’t say that you are saving 15 percent of the weight if you choose a 15 pound bike over a 20 pound one.

It is important to take into consideration the other weights on the bike. The other weight includes your own body weight, your water bottle, smart watch, and other stuff you have on your bike. 

Decreasing Road Bike Weight

Buying lighter and more expensive road bikes is not always the answer to having a lighter bike. To decrease the weight of your road bike, shedding your own body weight is the most economical and more efficient.

Losing your own weight doesn’t only reduce your overall weight but it will also increase your VO2 max which will eventually give you more energy. Body strength, especially legs, is important to so you can bike at a higher speed.

The Secret of Aerodynamics

Another technique to go faster on a road bike is aerodynamics. Aerodynamics outdoes weight. You can create an aerodynamic position by using an aerodynamic helmet, aerodynamic frame, or shaving your legs.

You can also add aero bars or adjust your seating position to increase your speed. If you lessen your frontal area by 10 percent, you will also lessen the drag by 10 percent.

Little things like positioning your elbow pads and the way you hold your head are effective ways to have more aerodynamic positioning.

Bottom Line – Road Bike Weight

An expensive road bike may have more features or may be made from high quality materials. But road bikes are not all about these components. It’s the weight that is most important.

And expensive bikes don’t mean they are lighter than entry level bikes. The difference of speed between these two kinds of bikes is only a few seconds.

Plus, there are other factors that make up the total weight of the bike such as your body weight, water bottle, and other things you put on your bike.