Road Bikes
Road bikes are currently defined as lightweight, skinny tire, a multi-road bike can retail anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $20,000 or more depending on materials, components, and design. You will want to take into consideration the primary type of riding you will be doing. For most of our customers who want a road bike, the primary use is commuting, riding for 25 miles or less with family or friends, or just getting out for some exercise and sun.
road bike for daily use✓ Touring - Designed for carrying gear and going long✓ Cyclecross - Features created especially for this sportThe Performance Race or Fitness/ATraditional ✓ Performance race - Weight and aerodynamics rule here✓ Endurance race - Must be able to go the distance, but still light and fast✓ Triathlon - Aerodynamics combined with maximum comfort✓ Fitness/sport -
-geared bikes designed for commuting, recreation, or racing on the road only. The road bike is generally designed for speed and distance with comfort being a lesser consideration. On the other hand, technological advances in just the last decade have created amazing comfort on even those bikes where speed is the overriding feature. Road bikes are generally divided into the following groups: level entry sports bikes are the road bikes for that group.
Racing Bikes
You might be planning on entering amateur racing competitions, turning pro, or maybe just want to go faster than your best friend. Either way, we have bikes that will fit your need perfectly
While all three of our primary lines compete at very high levels in international competitions, our shop emphasis for high-end racing is BMC. Their Gran Fondo and Road Machine lines are ready to race off the shelf.
Scott would not agree the BMC is the best for racing, but we have chosen their line as the mid-range. The Solace and Speedster lines will hold their own in most groups of riders.
Fuji, too, has plenty of their riders proudly taking their place on review stands around the world. We have chosen Fuji as our starter brand, offering great bikes at very reasonable prices, starting under $500.
When you visit Gotta Ride Bikes, we will ask you a few simple questions about your goals and plans. Our experienced, professional CSR's will be able to point you to the perfect bike to fit your racing needs.
While we sell to serious cyclists, we are not a stuffy pro shop, so don't worry if you are just starting to ride or returning to the sport after decades away. We are always super excited to introduce new folks to the amazing lifestyle available through cycling.
Ask us for ideas about local places to ride and groups to ride with. We will also provide you with recommendations for clothing and accessories that will enhance your cycling experience.
hybrid Bikes
One of the coolest ideas to emerge in the last decade was combining features that would allow the same bike to ride on roads or trails. These bikes are generally lower priced entry-level bikes.
We like the Fuji Crosstown for this category of bike.
The frame is similar to that of a road bike, but usually have flat handlebars, which allow the rider to sit in an upright position. The bottom bracket is higher off the ground, offering more clearance for off road riding. These bikes may also be equipped with fender mounts. The stock tires are a cross between a mountain and road bike, knobby and relatively narrow. Clearances usually all the rider to buy second wheel sets if the rider desires to move to more aggressive mountain bike tires. Some bikes include front suspension.
The Fuji Crosstown is available in ten different models, including step-through frames for women who prefer this style. The Crosstown 3.0 is a twenty-one-speed with Shimano Tourney EZ-Fire shifters. The bike also has a padded seat with a suspension seatpost.
The Crosstown 26 1.1 has a few upgrades, including a drivetrain with EZ fire 8-speed shifters. Stock wheels are 700c. It has a suspension fork and relaxed geometry for seat comfort. This will make for a smoother ride than the steel fork found in the 3.0.
If you think you will spend time riding on the road and trying the trails, too, this is the perfect way to have one bike that can handle both very well.
Endurance Bikes
Also called fitness bikes, the endurance category has been very popular. The basic idea is that you want a comfortable bike that can go a long way while providing the rider with a good workout.
Whether the goal is losing weight, increasing cardio, building strength in the legs and core, or some of all of these, bikes are now designed around these goals.
The bikes are basically like racing bikes, but with a more relaxed geometry.
For instance, the Scott Solace features both relaxed geometry and a “soft tail”. This bike creates comfort without compromising on power using some clever geometry details that allow some parts to flex and other parts to remain stiff.
A Ladies option is available in the “Solace Contessa” range with slightly smaller sizing and lighter frames.
Endurance bikes are offered in less expensive packages such as the Scott Speedster or the Fuji Sportif.
Call it a racing machine or call it an endurance bike, the BMC Gran Fondo neatly fits either one.
Commuter Bikes
Happily, gas prices are down, and electric cars are on the way. But we shouldn't kid ourselves, the average family spends about $6000 per year on a car.
More and more folks are trying to get rid of their carbon-eating and belching machines and find alternatives. The least expensive and most efficient would be a bike.
Cities are getting into the act, too. Better bike trails, bike-friendly public transportation, and secure bike racks are popping up everywhere.
Whether you work at an office or from your home or head out to school every day, you can often use a combination of people power and/or public transport to get you to your destination and back for way less than a car.
We offer several bikes from Fuji and Scott that would be excellent commuter bikes. Some are under $500. Others from $500-$1000.
You may even want to step up to some lighter and faster bikes. They are generally more durable as well. Since you will be putting a lot of miles on the bike, moving into $1000+ bikes will likely pay off in the long run.
Road Bike FAQs
Q. How much do road bikes cost?
A. Most bike shop quality road bikes are a minimum of $495 and can cost up to $20,000.
Q. Why should I pay more for a bike shop quality bike?
A. The primary difference is in materials and craftsmanship. So for models under $1000, you will get a bike that will need fewer repairs and work better every day. Fewer squeaks, wobbles, brake problems, gear issues, etc.
Q. Why does weight matter?
A. The lighter the bike, the easier to ride, and the quicker and more responsive. While taking a weight off of any part of the bike will make a difference, the main improvements will come from reducing wheel weight.
Q. Should I get a professional fitting
A. Any quality bike shop should be able to do a very good fitting just by eyeballing how you look on the bike, especially while pedaling. However, many injuries are caused when riders are on the wrong sized bike, or when the rider has issues with feet, knees or torso that could be overcome with adjustments to the bike or additions of shoe inserts or other compensations.