"Racing" bicycles are called "road" bikes by manufacturers and shops to distinguish them from "mountain" or other variations. They have skinny tires and down-turned, or "drop" handlebars and closely resemble those used by pros such as Lance Armstrong. Designed to be ridden with speed on paved roads, they provide exhilarating cardiovascular exercise for amateur and recreational riders. Prices range from as little as $250 to as much as $10,000, depending on the material used in the frame and the quality of individual components including the shifting mechanisms, pedals and brakes. The frame may be steel, aluminum, titanium or a composite material such as chrom-moly or carbon fiber. In general, the less expensive the bicycle, the more it weighs. Most racing bikes come equipped with up to 30l gears that the rider changes incrementally using the handlebar levers to make it easier to speed up or slow down. Each model comes in several sizes to fit most adults, with increasing numbers of models made specifically to fit women. Racing bikes often include "clipless" pedals, which require shoes with cleats that snap into pedals for optimum power transfer from legs to wheels. There are also builders who produce custom bicycles designed for a rider's individual measurements.
What to Look for
Most important is how a bike fits the rider's body. A good bicycle sales person introduces buyers to several bikes and adjusts the seat and handlebars to the proper level. Rule of thumb: straddle a bike, shoes flat on the floor, without sitting on its seat; there should be an inch or two, but no more, of space between your crotch and the top bar. Before a test ride, have the seat height adjusted so each leg extends with only a slight bend in the knee when a pedal is rotated to the six o'clock position. Most riding takes place with arms stretched and elbows relaxed but bent to grip the top of the brake and shift levers located on the handlebars. Buy a bike with a wide enough range of gears so that you can climb reasonably steep hills without straining mightily.
Common Pitfalls
Beginners often spend thousands for an unduly stiff or expensive frame and top-of-the-line components that are more suited to pros than amateurs. Beginners can find great choices for well under $2,000. Components (Shimano, SRAM, Campognolo) and bike brands (Giant, Specialized, Fuji, Trek, among others) are less important than how comfortable it feels to pedal, steer and stop on a test ride. Weekend riders may need three rather than two chain rings on the bottom front of the frame, so they can gear down to the smallest ring when approaching tough inclines. Also make sure the seat does not pinch or hurt without the addition of a heavy padded cover. If asked, good shops will swap the production saddle and/or pedals for better-fitting ones for little or no additional charge.
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