Bikes designed for road use only. Could be any road-only bike, but typically means bikes optimized for speed / racing / club rides with drop handlebars, narrow tires and a crouched-forward rider position.
9
votes
3answers
9k views
Upgrading straight handlebars to drop handlebars
I have a two-and-a-half year old Giant FCR 3 (with a road-bike-like frame and thin tires; it's somewhere in the loosely-defined "hybrid" range) that I use to commute to work, twenty-five miles ...
9
votes
2answers
267 views
Ladies and cycling
I just started cycling with a racebike. I still have some questions concerning ladies biking and personal health issues.
I do find very little information about ladies and biking. I kind of want to ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
Can I convert a road frame to a mountain bike?
Some years ago, I picked up a Cannondale R3000 and moved all the components to my current bike as an exercise in bike building, never repeated (in fairness, the Cannondale fit me a little better but ...
8
votes
4answers
323 views
Would the seating position of a road bike cause issues with prescription glasses
I currently use a mountain bike to commute to work but I am keen to switch to a bike more suited to commuting. I have been looking at road and cyclecross bikes but I am concerned the more horizontal ...
8
votes
5answers
649 views
What to do about hypothermia on a long ride?
Recently, I had a long ride in winter, about 100km (62 miles) and was about 5-8 degree c (41-46F). I was wearing a windstopper jacket and basic cycling pants.
At later stage of the ride I felt legs ...
8
votes
3answers
428 views
What cleaner and oil should I use on my bike chain
Hope everyone is well. I need to clean and oil my chain as its getting a little clunky when I’m changing gears. I have no idea what I should be cleaning it with and then what I should oil with. Any ...
8
votes
3answers
301 views
Why should I not coast while training (even after intervals)?
A comment in this answer about building up stamina for a commute says not to coast, even after intervals.
Why not? How is coasting different from light pedaling with minimal load (which I'm assuming ...
8
votes
4answers
4k views
Are road-bike suspension forks still manufactured, if so, where?
For a few years, road bike suspension forks were used at Paris-Roubaix, but now they seem to have disappeared. Are they still being manufactured? If not, why (aside from UCI regulation) did they not ...
8
votes
4answers
2k views
How can I tell a bike is safe after a crash?
I was recently in an accident where a car pulled out on me. I hit the car around the front wheel and me and the bike went over the bonnet and landed on the road, the other side of the car. I was ...
8
votes
4answers
7k views
How do I replace road bike hoods?
I commute daily on a road bike with Shimano Tiagra STI shifter/brake levers. The rubber hoods are pretty grimy and getting sticky, torn up and unpleasant these days. Repair and replacement of pretty ...
8
votes
2answers
3k views
Spokes loose on a new wheel, is this expected or a bad build?
So a couple of months ago, I bought a new front wheel from the local bike shop. It's a 28 spoke wheel, rims are the DT Swiss RR465 and the hub is a 240s.
I put 500-600 km on it and noticed a rattle ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Is it a good idea to get a narrower front tire and a wider rear tire on a road bike?
I am currently running Continental Grand Prix S 4000 in 23-622 / 700x23C front and rear. I am about to buy a new set of tires for my road bike and am fancying a smaller tire for the front and a wider ...
8
votes
2answers
756 views
Is it worth it to reverse the wrap direction of handlebar tape at the brake levers?
The Park Tool Handlebar Tape Installation guide suggests that the direction of wrapping can be either self tightening or prone to loosening. Its basic instructions make the tape self-tightening on the ...
8
votes
1answer
737 views
How often should I strip my bike down?
How often should I give my bike a full service? Strip the bottom bracket, clean and grease it. Strip the groupset and freewheel.
And what products (or type of) should be used for each process?
It's ...
7
votes
6answers
940 views
Is it possible to estimate road grade while riding?
It would be nice to be able to estimate the grade of a road while riding, even if the estimate is not completely accurate. With a GPS, in theory it should be possible in theory to ride a short ...
7
votes
4answers
2k views
What should a big guy look for when buying a road bike?
I'm 6ft 4" (1.8m) and 22st (139kg). I do a fair bit of cycling, mainly spinning and mountain biking.
I would like to get into road riding so I'm looking to buy a road bike. I want to spend between ...
7
votes
3answers
973 views
Restoring an old xUSSR bicycle for commuting… Feasible? Silly?
I've got a very old bicycle from the xUSSR days in my garage (outside UK atm). I'm not sure what year / model it is, to be honest...
I've been commuting to work (8.5 miles each way) almost every day ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
What purpose do the rubber 'hairs' have on new tyres?
Up close you can see at least three 'hairs' of rubber from this picture from the side of my tyre:
Why do they exist? I've heard they are just a bi-product of the manufacturing process.
7
votes
4answers
7k views
What is the point of pedal straps?
What is the reason for pedal straps? They look as if they are more awkward and I can't see what the benefits are.
I can't remember the last time my feet slipped off my mountain bike, so why would ...
7
votes
4answers
414 views
Flying with your bike
I am going away on a cycling holiday to the Alps and need to take my bike on the plane with me. Has anyone had experience taking bikes on planes and how did you protect your bike?
Can anyone ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
What are the positions on drop bars called?
I've heard the different places to put your hands on drop bars given different names, like "hoods" which I think is the flat part on top or maybe the brake levers, or "drops", referring to the lowest ...
7
votes
4answers
525 views
Wheel rigidity, is it noticeable and should I care about it?
I have a friend who shopped for Aero wheels recently and I heard a lot of talk about how this wheel was more rigid than that wheel and so on.
While I understand that a more rigid wheel should have ...
7
votes
3answers
286 views
Good Quality Road Platform Pedals?
I am trying to find good quality but not exorbitantly expensive platform pedals for a road bike. I tried Shimano SPD, but ended up concluding that for me it was more of a deathtrap. I did end up ...
7
votes
2answers
166 views
Who has right of way at a staggered crossroad
I live in Manchester, United Kingdom.
I cycle to and from work everyday. On my route there is a staggered crossroad where I have to go straight on.
Above is the traffic lighted junction I have to ...
7
votes
1answer
362 views
Older Carbon Bike Safety
I have an older Trek 2100 that has carbon fiber tubes with aluminum stays (The frame is used early 90's 2100/2150/2200/2300 road bikes)
After a recent accident with a car (going down hill, guy pulls ...
6
votes
6answers
387 views
What is the most efficient way to ride up or down hills, and into or away from wind?
I'm trying to work out how hard I should push myself when riding up or down a hill. Similarly, how hard should I push myself when riding into, or away from, or perpendicular to wind?
My aim is to ...
6
votes
11answers
5k views
What is considered the maximum safe downhill speed on a road bike?
I've heard between 30-40mph, but I am pretty sure I have hit 45 and felt safe and in solid control of my bike. If you look down and see you are above XXmph, you decide it is time to put on the ...
6
votes
6answers
570 views
What's the purpose of soft pedaling?
Is there any advantage to soft pedaling over coasting? Does it provide any power to moving forward? Is there any aid it gives to your leg muscles recovering?
6
votes
4answers
2k views
How can I tell if a bike is too big for me?
Today I disassembled my current fixed-gear, and reassembled all the parts in another frame, which I am considering to purchase.
The current owner of the frame warned me that it might be too big for ...
6
votes
3answers
533 views
Looking for orange tyres
I'm looking for a pair of folding, orange training tires, size should be 700x23C.
I'd like to have only an orange stripe, not the whole tire.
Can you recommend some model?
6
votes
3answers
7k views
Difference between road pedals and MTB pedals
I am interested in buying some pedals I can clip into for my bike. I currently ride a mountain bike/hybrid but I ma looking to get a road bike next year some time.
What are the differences between ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
What are good bicycle review and comparison sites?
I'm thinking of buying a new road bike on the new year but I'm unsure which model to go for.
Are there any websites that maintain comparisons of currently available models?
6
votes
4answers
1k views
What should I look for in a cycling jersey?
Time has come to refresh the wardrobe a little, and the old woollen cycling jerseys need some young blood to compete against. What should I be looking for in a modern cycling top? Is lycra used ...
6
votes
2answers
620 views
What should I consider when choosing a bike frame?
In thinking about building a road bike from scratch, what should I consider when choosing a frame?
I'll be building from all new components and plan on just doing day rides of a few hours a piece, ...
6
votes
4answers
305 views
Is it worth time to rebuild an old steel frame?
I found an old Favorit racing bike. I didn't weigh it without all the parts but I find it pretty light, and it has a nice classic look. It is however really rusty (superficial damage only). Right now ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
Drop handlebars with drops that don't fit. Replace or adjust?
I bought a Surly Long Haul Trucker a couple years ago, and it has the stock handlebars. My hands don't really fit in the drops, and I sometimes would like a lower handlebar position where I can still ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Proper Posture on a flat bar road bike
I've been commuting on a flat bar road bike for a couple of years now. The ride feels comfortable but whenever I see myself riding I always think my posture is wonky.
Is there a guide somewhere or ...
6
votes
2answers
548 views
Why choose a traditional frame over an aerodynamically streamlined frame?
I'm not talking specifically about triathlon frames, just frames which have aerodynamically shaped tubes. As I understand it, both types of frame are legal for road-racing under UCI rules.
So, why ...
6
votes
2answers
157 views
Improving metabolic efficiency
I'm doing road cycling, on hills, over long distances.
Typically at the moment, I'll do two 30-40 mile evening rides in just under 2 hours. Generally either 50ft per mile climb or 100ft per mile ...
5
votes
5answers
1k views
Why would a manufacturer change chainring sizes drastically between years?
A friend was just showing me the 2010 Cervélo S2 specs, as well as the 2011 S2 specs, and the Ultegra line, at least, changes from a 53/39 chainring set in 2010 to a 50/34 set in 2011. This seems like ...
5
votes
5answers
415 views
Hybrid or Road Bike?
I was given a Raleigh Venture comfort bike as a gift a few months ago, and took to riding very well. I am overweight, but dropping quickly. I started at 275 and sit around 250 now after two months of ...
5
votes
5answers
250 views
Can fresh hot asphalt damage slicks?
Today I was riding with my road bike when I suddenly hit a patch of hot asphalt. The day before the one side of the road was already filled with a hard first load, so I didn't think much of riding ...
5
votes
2answers
953 views
How long should I expect handlebar tape to last?
I assume that if handlebar tape is grimy, torn, or peeling, it should be replaced. How long should I expect handlebar tape to last before it needs to be replaced? How often do most cyclists replace ...
5
votes
5answers
6k views
What is the downside to me purchasing a road bike instead of a hybrid?
I'm about to move to a place closer to my work where I'll be able to ride to and from the office (9km ride each way).
I'm not super fit but I occasionally ride to work from where I'm living now ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
How to select an inexpensive road bike for a heavier rider?
I want to start riding a bike from home to work so I need to buy a bike. I don't want to spend a lot on the bike and also I'm not interested in bikes that Target and Walmart sells. I want something ...
5
votes
5answers
7k views
What road bike tire pressure is best for speed?
Is the maximum tire pressure always the fastest on a road bike? I've seen the Michelin chart on tire pressure from another question ("What pressure should I run my Road Bike tyres at?"), but they ...
5
votes
2answers
492 views
Are road bikes durable for use on roads full of cracks and potholes?
I live in Reading UK and commute between home and workplace 5-6 days a week (round trip about 6-7 miles). I know that hybrids are good enough for pretty much anything, but I find road bikes really ...
5
votes
4answers
730 views
Choosing lights for my bike
I recently bought a bike and I'm looking at getting some lights for riding at night. I live pretty well lit city so I would just want them to make me more visible to drivers. What kind of things ...
5
votes
5answers
2k views
Is my dream of finding a light/commuter/hauling bike a pipe dream?
For a while now I have been trying to find the perfect bike. One that is fast and allows me to ride 20 mph for 50 mi. One that I can load stuff on and has braze-ons for racks, fenders, etc. A bike ...
5
votes
5answers
7k views
“Proper” cycling posture on a road bike with drop bars?
Sometimes I feel a little pain in my lower back after cycling (nothing too long, mainly cycling around London for general commuting...5-10Km). It could be due to a number of reasons (I have a bad back ...
