Road Cycling—Explore the Classics
Road bikes are simple machines. They require little maintenance, are relatively affordable, and yet can carry us across the city, the country, and beyond with nothing more than human power. Whether you’re into cross-country touring, commuting to work, or racing in your local club, you can find just the bike you need at your local bike shop.
Choosing the right road bike requires a little knowledge about various frame styles and their intended usage. For example, the Trek 520 touring bike is built with extra strength to carry everything you need while traveling, whereas racing bikes like the Specialized Venge Pro feature lightweight materials that enable you to move as quickly as possible. A racing bike wouldn’t make a great touring rig, nor would a touring bike make a great race machine. There are many options to consider when buying a bike, but in general it comes down to how and where you want to ride.
Performance/Race
Have the need for speed? A performance road bike is the one for you. Built from aluminum, carbon fiber, titanium, or even steel, these are the bikes that have carried countless pro’s to the podiums of cycling’s biggest events. Performance road bikes are fitted with the best components available to make the bike ultra-responsive to rider input, providing instant acceleration and speed with minimal effort. But like a sports car, top-level performance doesn't come cheap.
Sport/Endurance
This is a broad category that includes bikes that prioritize comfort over speed. The majority of bikes in this category are built from aluminum or carbon fiber, with fewer made from steel and titanium. While sport and endurance bikes aren’t typically as high-tech as those found in the performance/race category, you still get many features that make the bikes rewarding to ride. Perhaps the biggest difference, though, is the increased level of comfort provided by the relaxed riding position when compared to performance road bikes.
Gravel
The popularity of this sub-category has evolved a whole new species of bike worthy of its own mention. But while gravel bikes are all the rage, they still share a lot of commonalities with their between-the-lines brethren, such as lightweight carbon frames and road-focused components. The biggest difference lies in tire clearance—gravel bikes will clear a much wider tire to soften bumpy roads while providing more traction, and extra mounts on the frame let you carry additional gear on long, remote rides where supplies are limited. For some riders, a gravel bike is a great one-bike solution that allows them to ride pavement and dirt with a simple tire and/or wheel swap.
Triathlon/Time Trial
When speed is the ultimate goal, these ultra-aero road machines slice through headwinds are primarily ridden in timed races and during training. It’s unlikely you’ll want Trek Speed Concept for your daily rides due to the aggressive pedaling position and stiff ride characteristics, but for all-out efforts against the clock no bike is better.