One sunny afternoon in May, I was cycling with my friends on a road bike through the mountains of Italy. The air was filled with the scent of grass, and the fresh green trees shone beautifully. Although it was an enjoyable climb, even with my lightweight carbon fiber bike, the ascent to the summit was a long one.

After fully enjoying the spectacular view from the top, the eagerly awaited descent lay ahead. After navigating many corners, a smooth, mirror-like straight appeared. It was the road leading to Trento, a city nestled in the mountains. I couldn't help but let out a cry of joy on the next bend, and before I knew it, I had left my companions behind.

Soon, a series of deep hairpin turns began. I leaned into the bike, pushed off with my outer foot, and grazed the clipping point. Next, a left turn. I used the full width of the course to carve a record line at racing speed. I prayed there would be no oncoming traffic. It was clear. The hairpins continued.

Eventually, I sped through a tunnel. The cool air was refreshing. The straight descent continued. I glanced at my cycling computer. I was hitting my highest speed yet. Grateful for the tailwind, I simply became one with the wind. A strange silence, as if enveloped in a bubble. Roadside signs showed numbers starting with nine, and I was hurtling down the hill, almost catching up to them. Rock-solid stability even at high speed. It was magnificent.

This is when I truly feel my deep love for road bikes. The stable handling and precise cornering of a superior road bike. If you seek speed, a road bike is one of the most enjoyable vehicles in the world. If you want to ride a bicycle even a little faster, you should buy a road bike too. You absolutely should.

Well... let's get back to reality (lol)

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What is a Road Bike?

A road bike is a bicycle built for road racing. It features a low handlebar position, a long top tube, and a low, aggressive riding posture. It also has seatstay and head tube angles of 73-74 degrees, and short chainstays. These characteristics contribute to a road bike's speed, responsiveness, and precise handling. Furthermore, if adjusted to the correct position, you can comfortably ride all day long.

Next, let's talk about riding and handling.

On a road bike, elements other than riding are almost non-existent. The low, forward-extending handlebars with a long stem are not necessary for everyone, but they allow the rider to shift weight onto the front wheel, improving the bike's grip and maneuverability.

If you carefully examine the spec sheet, you'll notice that high-end models typically have a 53/39 front chainring and an 11-25 rear cassette. This setup is perfect for well-trained athletes. However, there's no shame in opting for a more relaxed 50/34 compact crankset with a wide-range cassette. After all, you're a Sunday rider. Even Shimano's top-tier Dura-Ace groupset is often paired with a compact crankset and an 11-30 cassette.

There are a few other important things.

When it comes to road bike wheels, you have two options. One is to use very lightweight wheels. Making the entire bike lighter is a significant advantage on climbs.

The other option is to use deep-rim aero wheels, which add a bit of weight but can increase speed due to improved aerodynamics.

A stiff and lightweight frame is also essential. Options include aluminum, carbon, titanium, and chromoly steel. Even tall riders can choose a large, stiff, and lightweight frame. Classic frames made of chromoly, stainless steel, and titanium still have many fans. Road bikes have traditionally used side-pull caliper brakes. We've seen evolution, such as Shimano developing direct-mount caliper brakes.

However, the trend towards disc brakes has finally reached road bikes. The UCI, the international governing body for cycling, has lifted the ban on disc brakes in international races. Top teams are now eagerly adopting disc brakes.

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The Splendor of Road Bikes

Simply put, road bikes are fast. While they are certainly for racing, you don't necessarily have to race to enjoy a road bike. You can simply enjoy the scenery and become one with the wind.

Though speed is key for road bikes, they can also be used for long-distance touring. Of course, luggage will be limited, but you can use backpacks, saddlebags, and frame bags. Attaching simple fenders can provide peace of mind on rainy days. This way, you can indulge in a few extra minutes of sleep in the morning compared to a slower bicycle loaded with many bags.

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So, what about a long tour spanning several days? Even if it means a slight increase in weight, with the right bags and by using gears one or two steps lower to compensate, a road bike can become an excellent fast touring machine. However, most road bikes do not have mounting points for a rack. Moreover, attaching luggage to a lightweight frame is generally not a good idea, as they are not designed for it. For inspiration, one should look to long-distance races like transcontinental races. Riders in these events all pack minimal essentials into large saddlebags. If additional bags are needed, handlebar bags or frame bags that attach to the frame tubes are good options. If you're not planning a camping trip and will be staying in hotels, this setup is ideal. Furthermore, while large panniers mounted on both sides of the wheels, like those on randonneur bikes, significantly increase air resistance, this method, where bags align with your body, can considerably reduce air resistance.

So, specifically, what kind of bike should you choose? The following related articles will be helpful.

GOOD LUCK!

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