A road bike is a bike with drop handlebars and 700c wheels. It is what many refer to as race bike because it is focused on efficiency and performance. But these days, it has become much more than that. 

What is a road bike?

A road bike is a bike with drop handlebars and 700c wheels. It is what many refer to as race bike because it is focused on efficiency and performance. But these days, it has become much more than that. The road bike category is now a very segmented family in which you’ll find bikes designed for casual riders as much as road racers, and everybody in between.

Why choose a road bike?

In short, the reason you would choose a road bike is for the increased efficiency it offers. The combination of a better fit, lighter weight and better components contributes to optimize the cyclist’s performance.

If you wish to imorove your performance, the time you spend on the bike or the intensity of your rides, the road bike is the better choice. Its sportier fit is more comfortable when you’re riding hard and when the kilometers start to add up.

Also, a road bike is substantially lighter than a hybrid or mountain bike, which makes for serious performance gains when climbing or accelerating. Basically, you’re saving energy.

Since road bikes are usually more expensive, their parts and components are also better quality. This means you get increased durability and shifting performance. Their gearing is also better suited for the faster speeds you reach on the road.

Road bike categories

Endurance

The endurance bike offers a more relaxed fit, a comfortable frame and increased stability. The higher headtube means you can sit in a more upright position and the stable geometry inspires confidence. It’s the perfect option for the recreational rider. The Trek Domane, Cannondale Synapse and Giant Defy are prime examples of endurance bike.

Choose if: Comfort is important for you. You’re not looking for pure performance, but enjoy longer rides and prefer your bike to be confidence inspiring.

Performance

Performance road bikes feature an aggressive geometry and a stiff frame. The shorter headtube puts the rider in a lower riding position for increased performance and aerodynamics. These bikes are often referred to as climber’s bikes because of their light weight and optimal efficiency, but they are also amazing all-rounders. The Trek Émonda, Cannondale Supersix and Giant TCR Advanced are prime examples of performance road bikes.

Choose if: You like performance and want a light and lively bike.

Aero

This is a pure race bike designed to optimize aero performance. On an aero bike, components like brakes and cables are usually integrated in an effort to provide maximum aero gains, while the aggressive geometry puts the rider in a very performance oriented position. This bike is at home on flat roads where speed is crucial and where you want to outsprint your buddies. The Trek Madone, Cannondale SystemSix and Giant Propel  are prime examples of aero bike.

Choose if: Speed is all you’re looking for and you want to push yourself to the limit. 

Gravel bike

Very versatile, the gravel bike is a basically a road bike with bigger tires, disc brakes and a longer wheelbase to allow you to wander off the beaten track. Coupled with an endurance geometry, the gravel bike is perfect for long days in the saddle. It offers great comfort on paved and unpaved roads. The gravel bike is also a great alternative to the endurance bike. The Trek Checkpoint and Giant AnyRoad are prime examples of gravel bikes.

Choose if: You seek a worthy commuter, you often ride on unpaved roads and want ultimate versatility.

Triathlon

A triathlon bike is designed specifically and exclusively for triathlon or time-trialing. Thanks to its aero bars and specific geometry, it puts the rider in a radical position in order to maximise aerodynamics and performance.

Choose if: You’re a triathlete or a racer who needs a time-trial bike.

Cyclo-cross

Often mistaken for a gravel bike, the cyclo-cross is in fact a true race bike intended for cyclo-cross racing. It has a race geometry, specific racing ratios and knobby tires to deal the muddy conditions of cyclo-cross. Its longer wheelbase improves stability. The Giant TCX Advanced Pro 2 is prime example of cyclo-cross bikes.

Choose if: You’re a cyclo-cross racer or a rider in need of a sturdier road bike.

Cyclo-cross

Often mistaken for a gravel bike, the cyclo-cross is in fact a true race bike intended for cyclo-cross racing. It has a race geometry, specific racing ratios and knobby tires to deal the muddy conditions of cyclo-cross. Its longer wheelbase improves stability. The Giant TCX Advanced Pro 2 is prime example of cyclo-cross bikes.

Choose if: You’re a cyclo-cross racer or a rider in need of a sturdier road bike.

Touring

A touring bike is designed specifically for traveling and carrying your stuff around. The long wheelbase allows you to carry quite a lot of weight with stability, while the wide gear ratios let you climb those hills with ease even when the bike is loaded. Steel frames are still very popular in this segment because of their high durability. The Trek 520 is prime example of touring bike.

Choose if: You need a sturdy bike to travel and carry your stuff around.

Kids’ road bikes

Just like a regular road bike, but in a reduced size for younger riders. The Frog Road 67 and Giant TCR Espoir  are prime examples of road bikes for kids.

Choose if: For a youngster who wants to try bike racing or just wants to follow you on your road bike.

The various frame materials

Steel

Rarely used on new bikes these days, steel once was the material of choice for road bikes. While it offers great comfort and sturdiness, its heavier weight and tendency to rust made the industry choose aluminum.

Aluminum

Light, stiff and affordable, aluminium is found on most mid-range road bikes. Its stiffness is great for optimal power transfer, but it transmits more road vibrations than carbon.

Carbon

This is the most common choice for high-end road bikes, because manufacturers can produce very lightweight frames that offer excellent rigidity and great comfort. Carbon is more expensive though and it’s more fragile than steel and aluminum.

Titanium

Titanium frames share the same aesthetics as steel, which explains why some purists choose it over carbon. While its riding characteristics resemble those of steel, its weight is more comparable to aluminum. The very high production costs explain why there aren’t that many titanium frames on the roads.

 

 

Let yourself be tempted by our wide selection of road bikes and come try it in one of our stores located in Blainville, Brossard and Laval.