| By :
Joe Maldonado
Copyright (c) 2011 Joe Maldonado Road bikes are one of the oldest and most popular types of bike. They are sturdy, lightweight and built ultimately for speed. These bikes have been around for decades. If you browse online, you can find a lot of vintage bikes and even discount bikes which are also starting to gain in popularity. Road bicycles are also known as racing bicycles. Weight and stiffness are their distinguishing characteristics. These two factors greatly determine the efficiency at which the power of the rider's pedal can be transferred to its wheels. Taking this in mind, most road bicycles sacrifice comfort for speed. They have drop handlebars which are positioned lower than the saddle (or bike seat) to create an aerodynamic posture. The gear ratios are also closely spaced, enabling its rider to pedal according to their own rhythm. Road bicycles are fast because they run on thin tires. These tires are kept as thin as possible to keep the drag to a minimum with very little effort. This is also the reason why road bikes are not advised for beginners, because friction is lessened (with thin tires) and thus, the stability of the bike should be very well scanned. They are less steady and unlike mountain bikes, cannot be run on rough terrain. Modern innovations in design and technology for the last decades have involved transformation of road bicycles into very swift bikes. Handlebars used have special curved handles, and are usually lower than the saddle so that the rider's posture will be more aerodynamic. They also have a low and smooth riding stance, thus producing more speed. Modern ones have triple chain rings at the front and 10 rings on the rear wheel. This gearing system permits its rider to bike steep hills and twisting roads with more ease and convenience without sacrificing speed. There have been recent advancements like integrated brake levers and gear shifters allowing bikers to change, shift and pull the brakes at the same time with very minimal movement. The advancements in modern road bicycles have caused their prices to rise. However, thanks to the effort of online retailers, you can find a lot of discount bikes online. These discount road bicycles are authentic, and they come at a very affordable price. Discount bikes are just as fast, sturdy and lightweight as other expensive ones. Choose a bike built from reputable manufacturers like Giant, Specialized, or Trek for example. These bikes will not only come with a guarantee, but will likely have dependable fittings and fixtures. Of course, it does not mean that smaller manufacturers will be inferior; you just want to make sure that if ever something is broken, you'll know where to go to fix it. These bikes can be quite complicated if you allow them to be. There are many additional fittings that you can have for more comfort and stability when riding. As good as this may sound, things can get confusing fast once you encounter problems. For beginners, it is best that you stick to simple designs and minimal "add-ons" to the road bikes in order to avoid dealing with future problems.
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