Road bikes all look very similar and sometimes difficult to tell the difference between all the different options. In reality there is probably 9 or 10 different types of “road” or “drop handlebar” bike and so we have tried to explain the differences below in order that you choose the perfect bike.
Types of road bike
Road bikes, as the same suggests, are a broadly designed for riding on the road as opposed to mountain bikes which are designed largely for off road use, however there are some “road” bikes that are also designed for some “off-road” action.
When buying any bike we would always start with asking you to think about where you want to ride, the kind of distances, who you are riding with and what type of bike do they ride. In this article we will look at the following types of Road Bike:
- Gravel (adventure & race)
- Endurance / Sportive
- Road Race
- Aero
- TT / Triathlon
- Flat Bar Road Bikes
- Electric Road (Full Power & Lightweight)
Gravel / Adventure Bikes
The first category of a drop handlebar “road” bike is the gravel or adventure bike which has quickly become one of the most popular bikes around due to it’s comfort and versatility. Gravel bikes often have the “comfort” geometry of a endurance bike and are designed to cope with all types or terrain from smooth tarmac to fairly technical off road and everything in between. Gravel bikes will have wider bars, lower gearing, stronger forks and wider tyres, all to cope with a wide range of terrain. Gravel bikes can have either a compact (2 chain rings) or single chain ring on the front.
Gravel bikes are also now diversifying, with some designed for riding fast off-road and others more geared towards long-haul gravel adventures, possibly spanning many days, and some even acting as drop-bar mountain bikes.
As mentioned the riding position is a little more upright like an endurance road bike, designed for long-distance comfort and to let you change your position to negotiate off-road obstacles. More expensive adventure gravel bikes may include some form of small front and/or rear suspension.
Examples of some of the best adventure gravel bikes we sell include the Cannondale Topstone, Orbea Terra, Basso Palta & GT Grade. Perfect for commuting, long adventure rides, bike packing and winter road riding.
All-rounder gravel bikes will have a wide tyre clearance, lower gearing and plenty of mounts for mudguards, a rack, luggage and water bottles
Fast or Race Gravel Bikes may have a more aggressive ride position, different gearing and fewer mounting points for mudguards and narrower tyres. “Fast” Gravel bikes can also be used for the same activities and riding as all rounders but are designed for performance and racing.
Cyclocross bikes are designed for racing off road. They will have an aggressive riding position similar to a “Race” bike, sharp handling and less tyre clearance than most gravel bikes. Cyclocross bikes are designed for short, sharp races that typically take place in winter, last around an hour and include obstacles that riders must negotiate either on their bikes or running and carrying them.
Some of the best “Race” gravel bikes include the Scott Addict Gravel & Cannondale SuperSix SE & CX models
Endurance / Sportive Bikes
A typical endurance or sportive bike will have a shorter reach, putting the handlebars within easy reach and encouraging you to sit a little more upright, placing more of your weight on the saddle. It’s likely to have a taller stack as well which lifts the handlebars.
Most entry-level bikes such as the Cannondale Optimo will have endurance geometry and an alloy frame, possibly with a carbon fork. Move further up the price range and full carbon fibre takes over leading to a lighter, stiffer and more performance oriented bike without compromising comfort.
The number of gears typically increases as well, starting from around eight and going up to 12 with a double chain ring on the front. Wide tyres are now very common and make a big difference in how comfortable a road bike is to ride. Endurance and even some race bikes will typically have tyres that are 28mm wide or more.
Examples of some of the best endurance bikes include the Cannondale Synapse, Scott Addict and Basso Astra.
Race bikes
Race bikes are designed for performance, therefore will often have some aerodynamic features and lighter frames made from carbon fibre to improve climbing. They will also often use more carbon components such as wheels, seatposts and handlebars to reduce weight. Carbon is almost always the preferred frame material, although there are also aluminium race bikes. Components will also be chosen to keep weight down and improve performance.
Many race bikes will have integrated handlebar systems with hidden cables to improve the bike’s aerodynamics. Some are designed to be as aero as possible, with deep tube profiles and an aggressive riding position, while others look to keep weight down with a less aerodynamic but lighter frame.
All of that makes race bikes often significantly more expensive than an entry-level endurance bike, but race bikes are aimed at riders looking for a higher level of performance. Most race bikes will put you in a more aggressive riding position than an endurance bike as around 80 percent of the drag when riding comes from the rider.
Some of the best lightweight race bikes we sell include the Cannondale SuperSix Evo, Orbea Orca, Basso Diamante and Scott Addict RC
If Race bikes are designed to be lighter then Aero bikes, as the name suggest” are all about being more aero. Improving performance on the flat and gentle climbs. As more carbon is used to create more aerodynamic frame shapes, Aero bikes are typically heavier than Race bikes. Examples of more aerodynamic race bikes that we sell include the Scott Foil, Orbea Orca Aero and Basso Diamante SV
Time Trial / Triathlon Bikes
TT Bikes will have aero bars for and ultra low ride position, aero frame and deep section or disc wheels. They will also have a very upright seat tube. Time-trial and triathlon bikes are distinguished by their bar extensions, which let you rest your forearms on pads and control the bike from a narrow position to improve aerodynamics by reducing wind resistance to a minimum.
The frame shapes are designed to be aerodynamic and the bikes are typically equipped with very deep section wheels, or even a spokeless disc wheel at the rear. The saddle is positioned well forward over the crankset to help the rider to maintain their aero ride position.
Some of the most popular TT bikes come from Scott with the Plasma
Flat Bar Road Bike
Most Flat Bar Road Bikes fall into the Urban Hybrid category. Entry level models will have a wider hybrid gear range. Further up the range gearing may change to match Road Bikes using road gearing. They’re good for all leisure rides and commuting.
Some brands offer flat bar versions of their road or gravel bikes, for riders who prefer a flat bar to a drop bar. You may find this more comfortable than drop bars, although it places you in a more upright ride position that is less aerodynamic and stops you using different hand positions, which can make a longer ride on a flat bar bike less comfortable.
Examples of great flat bar road bikes include the GT Grade, Cannondale Quick and Orbea Carpe and Vector
Electric Road Bikes
Electric bikes of all genres are now incredibly popular for all kinds of riders and all kinds of reasons. Electric Road Bikes have evolved very quickly to give riders all the enjoyment of riding a road bike but without the pain, worry or fear of the distance, hills and windy days. e-Road bikes are split into 2 catagories, Full Power & Lightweight.
It’s worth remembering that all legal eBikes assist you up to 25km (around 15.5mph), any quicker than that and it’s down to you. Full Power eRoad bikes have powerful/high torque motors and large batteries and designed for longer slower rides. The larger battery gives you the range of up to 100 miles and the more powerful motor gives you a high level of assist as and when required.
On this type of bike you will typically use some level of assistance all of the time and rarely ride for any distance above that 15.5mph.
The most popular bikes include the Cannondale Synapse NEO using Bosch ebike systems and Basso Volta using the Polini System.
Lightweight eRoad Bikes have quickly become the most popular eRoad bikes around. They have smaller batteries and lighter less powerful motors adding only 3-3.5kg to the weight of the bike. The huge benefit of this type of bike is that if feels very much like an ordinary road bike, you can happily ride at any speed with no assistance or above 15.5mph without being penalized and feeling like you are pedaling a heavy bike. The assistance is there when you need it and not necessarily designed to be used on the whole ride.
The best ebike systems include Mahle, TQ and Fazua which are used on the Orbea Gain, Cannondale Topstone NEO and Scott Solace and Addict eRide models.
So there were are, our guide to all the different road bikes currently available. If you would like to discuss or require more information please give us a call and come and see us. Thanks
