As the name suggests, road bikes are designed to ride on the road. Can't all bikes ride on the road, you wonder? They absolutely can. But road bikes are optimised to make road cycling as efficient as possible, and because of that they'd perform terribly on a mountain dirt track
Instead, road bikes are designed to help cyclists get the most out of the road, including the particular geometry (i.e. frame shape) of the bike, the width of the tyres, and the weight of the components. And just in case you were wondering; You won't be able to buy a road bike with skinny tyres and transform it into an offroad bike by putting big, knobbly tyres on. Mountain tyres just won't fit on, full stop.
Defining characteristics: Road bikes generally come with lightweight frames, skinny tyres, drop bar bikes (those are handlebars which curve back down underneath themselves), a high gear ratio (i.e. The gears are set up to favour the ones that help you go really fast, if your legs and lungs are up to it.) and a more aerodynamic riding position.
Sub-Types of Road Bikes:
- Aero: With wing-shape frame tubes and wheels, these bikes reduce drag to a bare minimum. Intended for racing or time-trialing, they often feature more aggressive rider positions; the emphasis is speed over rider comfort.
- Ultralight: Made for long climbs, these bikes strip weight by using the lightest materials, but may not be as good for all-around use.
- Endurance: The right pick for most riders, these models feature a more upright rider position for comfort, slightly wider tires and gearing ranges and, sometimes, vibration-absorbing technologies in the frame and/or fork.
- Touring: These lightweight roadsters are built for all-day comfort and carrying capacity. Long wheelbases and stable steering make for confident handling, while accessory mounts for racks and bags let you gear up for long-distance, self-supported rides.
- All-Road: A bridge between pure road and gravel bikes, this style (sometimes called road-plus or pavement-plus) combines clearance for moderately bigger tires (up to around 38mm wide) with a more-traditional road bike geometry that features quicker steering and an aerodynamically efficient rider position.
What It’s For:
If you’re staying on pavement, it’s hard to beat the fast-rolling efficiency of a good road bike. From racing to group rides to solo spins, a road bike can handle a wide range of recreational rides.
Get a road bike if: You want fast, efficient cycling on tarmac roads for commuting, competing, or for fun.
Don’t get a road bike if: You want to take it off the road. Skinny tyres means you won't really be able to use a road bike on anything other than tarmac. Icy roads can also be a problem for road bikes.
