Road Bike Buyers Guide

Aero bikes can be identified as frames with elongated tubes that allow air to flow more stable over them reducing the drag coefficiency of the bike and so doing making the effort required to move it forward, less. This is a factor to consider when you are cycling at relative speeds. This makes it a very fast bike, a typical sprinters bicycle. Positive characteristics of these bikes are the reduced effort to maintain speeds, high stiffness and efficiency. Negative characteristics of these bikes are usually a slight weight gained to their climbing counterparts and less comfort. However, some brands have a great balance aero bike like Scott's Foil.

These bikes are generally used in the cobbled classics or for people who want to use their bikes for longer distances. They are also great bikes for someone who is starting out with riding. The frames are specifically designed to have an inherent flex in the frame on calculated areas that allow the vibrations and impacts of the road surface to dissipate. This allows the rider to ride longer. Even the Pro's like using these!Positive characteristics of these bikes are the increased comfort, versatility where it can be used.Negative characteristic is that they are not as aerodynamic but could be improved with some aero wheels.

These bikes are usually the weight weenies dream. If you want a bike that can go under the UCI legal limit of 6.85kg then a climbers bike will do that. These bikes are serious performers and a lot of times have characteristics of both endurance and aero bikes. For instance the Cervelo R5, this bike was designed with both aero and some comfort characteristics in mind. However, they generally have a lower stack in the front that will mean you will have a lower riding position compared to the comfort bikes. Positive characteristics of a climber's bikes are the lightness, we all know less weight up a hill means less effort. now imagine having to carry as little as possible weight over a great distance, this greatly reduces fatigue. Aero wheel upgrades are also popular with these bikes to make them greatly rounded bicycles.Negative Characteristics is generally a lower stack making them not as comfortable as the endurance bike with a little stiffer frame design layup to increase climbing efficiency.