Road Bikes
If you’re thinking about buying a road bike, chances are, you’re already a cyclist. Road bikes may not be an ideal fit for new riders, but you will want to invest in one if you’re thinking about riding competitively in road racing events like El Tour de Tucson. Ajo Bikes is your source for road bikes for all types of riders, and it’s the bike repair shop Tucson riders depend on.
When should you upgrade to a road bike?
Road bikes are designed to go far and go fast. Therefore, they’re ideal for racing and long-distance road or paved trail riding. You might also consider a road bike if you frequently commute by bike. Though these bikes are not typically equipped for saddle bags, you can easily adapt one to your daily commute.
Selecting Your Road Bike
Road bikes feature very lightweight frames, and they have the rider seated in a more forward position than cruiser or hybrid bikes. By bending forward, you can catch more speed. The tires and wheels are very narrow, which means that you will only want to ride your road bike on paved surfaces. In addition, road bikes have no front or rear suspension. This can make it tricky to plan your commute in some areas where the road may be rougher, more frequently covered in hazards like gravel, or poorly maintained.
When selecting a road bike, you’ll want to look at all features of the bike, from the drivetrain and wheels to the handlebars and seat. However, your selection may rely most on the following features, which can be much different from what you’d find on a commuter bike.
Frame Style
Pedals
Brakes
Fitting Your Road Bike
As with any bike, the right fit is essential for road bikes. If your bike is too big or too small, you may have an unnatural posture that causes you to work harder than you need to when you pedal. Always head to a bike shop to try out different frame and wheel sizes so you can find the ideal combination for your posture and height. At Ajo Bikes, you can test ride road bikes from leading brands like Masi, Raleigh, Haro, Townie, and Electra.
Ajo Bikes can help you pick out your new road bike or select from a variety of used bikes in our store. We are also the bike repair shop Tucson residents trust, so don’t hesitate to visit us for any and all bike maintenance and repairs. Call us at (520) 294-1434 for more information.