If you haven’t already got them, don’t forget the usual kit and accessories, such as road cycling shoes, a road bike helmet, bike lights for road cycling and a bike lock.Key maintenance items will keep your bike running sweetly, so apart from the usual spare inner tubes and tyre levers, a good-quality track pump, some bike cleaner and chain lube should be on your list.Road bikes are supplied with either no pedals or basic flat pedals, so keep some money back for a decent set of the best road bike pedals or best gravel bike pedals.Whatever bike you go for, there are a few things you should consider: Road bikes vary massively in price, from several hundred pounds/dollars for entry-level bikes through to five-figure sums for a carbon-framed pro-level race machine. The budget you have is going to be the biggest influencing factor when it comes to deciding which bike to go for. What road or gravel bike can you afford? As the quality of road bikes climbs, inevitably the price does too. Touring bikes are almost a category on their own, crossing over into flat-handlebar hybrid bike territory and even towards the mountain bike end of the spectrum. Their gearing will make climbing with heavy loads less strenuous. Lugs enable pannier racks and mudguards to be fitted. Tourers will usually have a sturdy frame and a comfortable upright riding position. The touring and adventure category can cross over with gravel bikes, and vice versa. Touring and adventure bikes Touring bikes can be loaded for the open road. Popular for bikepacking and multi-day adventures, they’ll usually have plenty of lugs to enable luggage to be fitted to the bike, such as panniers and frame bags. The extra space also reduces the chance of mud clogging up the wheels. In addition, more clearance is necessary around the fork, seat tube and seatstays to fit the best gravel tyres, which are wider and grippier than on purely road-focused bikes. The frame should be tough, yet comfortable and cushion the rider from the worst of off-road knocks and bumps – some even include suspension. Gravel, adventure and cyclocross bikes could best be described as road bikes that are comfortable off-tarmac. Gravel, all-road and cyclocross bikes The Canyon Grail AL 6 WMN is a gravel bike built for women. Their typically more upright position favours comfort and efficiency over out-and-out speed, but they will often be light and fast too. Russell Burton / Our MediaĮndurance bikes are designed for long rides and big distances. On the flip side, they can feel uncomfortable for longer rides.Įndurance bikes Clearance for tyres up to 32mm wide is increasingly common. They often incorporate aerodynamic features, such as deep-section wheels, from the best aero road bikes. The frame geometry places you in an aggressive position to enable you to push out plenty of power. Their stiff frame optimises power transfer from pedal-stroke to drivetrain and the gearing facilitates high-speed sprints. What type of road bike do I need? Race bikes The Scott Contessa Addict RC 15 is ridden in the women's pro peloton. Narrow tyres and stiff frames without suspension, bar a few exceptions, give an efficient and fast riding experience. This allows you to place your hands in a range of positions for comfort and efficiency. Handlebars tend to curve around and down, which is known as a ‘drop handlebar’. They’re ideal for covering large distances, or for just pure sprinting speed. Road bikes, as the name suggests, are designed first and foremost to be really efficient at riding on hard surfaces such as tarmac and concrete. What is a road bike? The trend towards comfort hasn't stopped road bikes being fast. If you’re not sure what kind of road bike to go for, this buyer’s guide will help you choose the best women's road bike for you based on what kind of riding you’ll be doing on it and what your budget is. If you’re looking to clock up the miles, fly up climbs or race, the right road bike can make all the difference to your comfort and performance.Įven if you want to venture onto rougher surfaces or are looking for a bike that can handle off-road riding, the latest gravel bikes will help you transition smoothly between on- and off-road adventures. Buyer’s guide to women’s road and adventure bikes
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