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How to choose a road bike? Generally, a road bike is a type of bike that is designed to run on smooth pavement. But when biking, of course, you will not only face a smooth road all the time. Particularly when you love touring or exploring new places, there must be many types of terrains to handle. That’s why you must make sure that the road bike to buy is strong enough to cross even coarse areas.

It is very important for you before going to the bike shop to learn about the specifications and details of a road bike. Well, for beginners, here are several things to know about this manual transportation device.

1. Understanding Types of the Road Bike

The first tip to recommend to you when choosing a road bike is by picking one of them based on your necessities. Well, the road bike itself has many types anyway. On this page, the author will not explain all of them but some types that are often used by bikers.

a. Versatile Bike

This type of bike is named the versatile type as you can ride it well on the pavement of the city and off-road. Interestingly, versatile bikes are still divided into 3 categories, they are gravel-road bikes, cyclocross, and flat-bar-road bikes.

The gravel-road and cyclocross bikes have the type of drop bar handlebars to let your body lean forward so that the bike can run at a higher speed and more aerodynamically. The wheels tend to be thick making them suitable for off-road.

Meanwhile, there is also the flat-bar-road bike that is better to use only on the pavement. Well, it is still okay off-road though. The bike is designed to be very comfortable as your body position can be normally above the saddle. The control is easier so that you can use it even if there are many vehicles around.

b. Endurance Bike

Versatile bikes are good for on and off-road. However, they are not really recommended for distance touring. So, if touring is indeed your hobby, you can choose the endurance bike instead as it enables you to reach even more than 100 km.

The endurance bike is also designed in such a way as to relax your body’s position. This way, you will not be easily tired when riding for many miles.

c. Competitive Bike

If joining races is your hobby, here is a special bike for you. It is namely the competitive bike. The main characteristics of the bike are being lightweight and having a very accurate control system.

The bike’s frame is designed to make your body lean forward. It functions to minimize wind resistance. This is how you can ride the bike even at an extremely high speed without being afraid of falling.

2. Getting To Know Your Bike’s Materials

Some factors make a road bike durable and strong. Aside from the design and the assembly, the materials also play essential roles. Some materials commonly used for the road bike’s frame are aluminum, chrome or steel, and carbon. Each of those materials has its own benefits and lacks.

a. Aluminum

This material is well-known to be affordable and lightweight. Aluminum is also naturally anti-corrosion so maintenance tends to be easier. However, compared with other materials, aluminum is fragile enough particularly if considering the bike may be crashed or flipped on the road.

b. Chrome

Chrome or steel is recommended for a road bike if comfort and durability are your priorities. Yes, the chrome frame is superior in muffling shocks. It is also not easily broken or scratched. In case there is damage to it, the repairing process is also easier than others.

c. Carbon

Carbon is the lightest material for the bike frame. More than that, it is also very strong and not easily corroded. It is not exaggerating to say that all the pros owned by aluminum and Chrome are available in carbon. However, you must pay more for a road bike made from a carbon frame. Yes, the price is generally the most expensive of all.

3. Considering Size Of Bike That You Need

The size of a road bike has been absolutely so you may not have too many options. However, they are commonly divided into some types based on age and sex. Brands also tend to offer products in different sizes from one another.

That’s why, when buying a bike, you should not always depend on your favorite brand. It is okay to choose a product from other brands even if you may not be really fond of them. You should also do the bike fitting to make sure that the one you finally buy is suitable for your posture.

Consider also the body’s growth if you are still a teenager or when the bike to buy is for your kids. Yes, below 18 years old, there are still many chances to grow taller.

4. Preparing The Budget That You Had

Okay, let’s assume that you have found a type of road bike that meets your needs. The next step to do is to efficiently check the quality: paying attention to the price. Undeniably, the price tends to give a description of whether or not a thing to buy has a good quality.

Surprisingly, the price range for road bikes is quite large, it is $500 to $6,500. However, although there are indeed some products with relatively cheap prices, it seems you should not avoid them. Moreover, it is if the quality and longevity are what you are looking for.

For a road bike, you should save up your money and try to choose one starting from $2,000. That number is considered moderate for this type of vehicle. In case you want to go for a bike from famous brands, you can prepare money starting from $3,000.

Alternatively you can browse M3 Bikeshop’s catalogue, we have best road bikes product from infamous manufactures.

There are no specific rules choosing bike for newbie, if you are ready to get serious in this hobby then bmc roadmachine six road surely worth your $1900 right away.

Need help from bike specialist?

Come ask us, M3 Bikeshop gladly answer your problem and give our best recommendation according your needs.