The road bike is one of the most popular and oldest of all different types of bike out there. If you are primarily going to be riding on pavement, and distance or speed are important to you, you will want to invest in one of this variety. These bicycles have lightweight frames intended to allow streamlined posture without discomfort, and are intended for racing in most instances. Working with a road bike is seriously recommended, and among the preferred are the Colnago Road Bikes and the Fuji Bicycles.

Road bikes do not have the knobbly surface you might associate with mountain bike tires - they normally have narrow tires that are kept at a high pressure, and which have smooth surfaces. These reduce road contact, giving you the least amount of possible rolling resistance. However, they allow you to feel more when it comes to bumps and stones - that’s why they are best used on pavement that’s in good condition.

You will need to pay attention to the frame, as well. Road bike frames are made from a variety of materials, and the price varies based on the way they are made and the material. Bikes which weigh more lead to slower times for competition riders. Lighter frames are usually more expensive - better suited to climbing. This may or may not be of importance to you.

Virtually all entry level bikes have frames of either steel or aluminum, with aluminum slowly taking over more and more of the market. Each has its pluses and minuses - neither is a bad choice.. For instance, aluminum frames are created to be particularly rigid, which results in a slightly rougher ride. Steel frames weigh more, but offer more flex, and can cushion bumps a little better. How do you know which one’s the bicycle for you? Test as many as you are able to and decide which one feels better.

You will start to see cycle frames made from different materials as bike prices go up. The front fork, for instance, may be made from carbon fiber - a strong, but light material. Top quality bikes may have an entire frame made from carbon fiber, delivering great strength and lightness. Even more sophisticated bikes are made from titanium and other specialist materials. Most of these bikes are purchased only by serious cyclists, because they are so expensive.

Handle bars are another significant factor. On road bikes, they normally project straight from the base, then curl under so that riders who want to avoid wind resistance can bend forward. Riders can also sit in a position that’s more erect and keep their hands at a higher position on the bars. Brake levers and gear shift are normally mounted on the handlebars on road bikes, giving more control.

Take note of riding position, as well. Most modern road bikes are intended to allow riders to bend forward, cutting down their wind drag and enabling them to put the most power from the legs and hips into the pedals. This streamlined position is good for short term speed, but can cause discomfort in the long term, causing hand and arm problems.

Road bikes generally come with a lot of speeds in the gearing - eight or nine gears and two or three chain rings - allowing anywhere from sixteen to twenty seven different combinations of gear speed. You will also usually get platform pedals equipped with toe pedals, but pedals without clips are also to be found. They allow you to pedal the bike on the downstroke as well as the upstroke.