Racing Bikes in Review
Racing bikes are often the crème-de-la crème in technology and design, but are far different from regular comfort bicycles or mountain bikes. Racing bikes are designed for road and street cycling, generally in high speeds. They are usually built to the rules and regulations of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
Racing bicycles are extremely light weight and very good in aerodynamic properties through the bicyclists position. Handlebars a dropped, most often curved downward and positioned below the saddle height. The bicycle is a very fast and easy handling on the road through its very close together located wheels. There are very closely located gears on the back of the bicycle to optimize and utilize the rider’s properties. Racing bicycles also separated in a few different versions for different competitions and training, such as streets races, mountain races, speed trial races, velodrome races and much more. Most racing bicycles are more expensive than regular comfort or commuter bikes, but there are a few quality ones that are affordable for the occasional weekend racer.
Most racing bicycles are made up from different manufacturer’s high quality components, but a few of the very prominent, well known manufacturers also offer whole racing bikes. These famous manufacturers are for example Shimano, Campagnolo, Bianchi and, newer on the bicycle market in the United States, Cadillac. You might have seen Shimano break systems on many bicycle, since they are know for their high quality breaks and break systems. Shimano also produces great gearing components.
For a racing bike, wheels and tires are very important. A professional racer will have several different sets of rims and tires with him when racing. Rim weight and balancing of the weight for different race parts such as hill climbs or long fast stretches need to be different. Also important is the profile of the tire, sticky and good grip in wet situations as well as fast smooth surfaces on dry days for fast races.
Racing bikes are designed to get you up to speed and if you have ever followed such races as the “Tour de France” or the “Giro d’Italia” either on TV or at the racing site you know how fast such bikes can go. A crash with a racing bike a high speed is just as much or more dangerous than a motorcycle crash. Speeds are very high, but besides the helmet, bicyclists do not wear as much protection as a motorcycle driver and therefore are much more vulnerable when flying or falling of the bicycle.
Due to the popularity and mass production of mountain bikes, a beginner’s racing bike is more expensive than a beginner’s mountain bike. The difference is so significant, that an entry-level racing biker is twice as much as an entry-level MTB. If you are just trying to do some bicycling, any other type of bicycle will do. But for speed, very long distances and semi professional as well as professional training and racing, a racing bike is the perfect choice and a good investment you will surely not regret.
If a racing bike is what you desire, it is recommended that you visit one of your local specialized bicycling shops, not one of the bigger department stores. Department stores do not have quite the choice in different bicycle styles and often do not even have any racing bikes in their selection. Also important when buying a racing bike for the first time is a good knowledgeable staff that can give you proper advice on any and all important facts and questions. Sometimes there are opportunities to try out racing bicycles and this is a great possibility to choose one that is to your liking.
