The road bike is one of the oldest and most popular of all varieties of bike out there. You’ll want to invest in one of this kind if you are mostly going to be riding on pavement, and speed or distance are important for you. These bicycles have lightweight frames built to allow aerodynamic posture without discomfort, and are built for racing usually. Using a road bike is certainly seriously recommended, and among the highest quality are the Colnago Road Bikes and the Fuji Bicycles.

Road bikes don’t have the uneven surface you might associate with mountain bike tires - they typically have narrow tires that are kept at a high pressure, and which have smooth surfaces. These minimize road contact, giving you the lowest amount of rolling resistance. However, when it comes to bumps and stones they allow you to feel more - that is why they’re best used on pavement that is in good repair.

You’ll need to look at the frame, too. Road bike frames are made from a variety of materials, and the cost varies according to the way they’re made and the material. Bikes which weigh more lead to slower times for competition riders. Lighter frames usually cost more - they are better suited to climbing. This may or may not be important for you.

Almost all basic level bikes have frames of either aluminum or steel, with aluminum bit by bit taking up more and more of the market. Each has its pluses and minuses - neither is a bad choice.. For example, steel frames are heavier, but offer more flex, and can handle bumps a little better. Aluminum frames are crafted to be particularly stiff, leading to a slightly rougher ride. How do you find out which one’s the best choice for you? Test as many as you can and choose which one feels the best.

You’ll start to see cycle frames made from different materials as bike prices rise. For example, the front fork may be made of carbon fiber - a light, but strong material. High end bikes may have an entire frame made of carbon fiber, endowed with great lightness and strength. Even more exclusive bikes are made of titanium and other specialist materials. Seeing that these bikes are so expensive, most of them are owned only by serious cyclists.

Handle bars are another important factor. On road bikes, they typically project straight out from the base, then curl under so that riders who want the least wind drag can bend forward. Riders are also able to sit in a position that is more erect and keep their hands higher up on the bars. Gear shift and brake levers are commonly handle bar mounted on road bikes, offering better control.

Take note of riding position, too. Most modern road bikes are built to allow cyclists to bend forward, allowing them to put the most power from the hips and legs into the pedals, and cutting down their wind resistance. This aerodynamic position is good for short term speed, but can cause discomfort in the long term, inducing pain in the arms and hands.

Road bikes as a rule come with lots of gear speeds - two or three chain rings and eight or nine gears - affording anywhere from sixteen to twenty seven different combinations of gear speed. You’ll also usually get platform pedals equipped with toe pedals, but clipless pedals are also available. They give you the ability to pedal the cycle on the downstroke as well as the upstroke.