Buying a road bike? Here's everything you need to know

Road bikes are a major purchase, and they are not one that should be taken lightly. Not only will a good road bike be designed with performance in mind, but it should also be something that you feel comfortable when riding. 

A good road bike should serve you well for many years, during which time you will hopefully cycle thousands of miles. So, getting the right bike for you is essential. 

In this article, we’ll discuss everything that you need to know when it comes to buying your road bike. 

Take Your Time When Choosing The Right Road Bike

A good road bike can cost a lot of money. However, as long as you do your research, your expensive bike might turn out to be great value for money. 

If you want to find the right bike for you then you’re going to need to look at a lot of different bikes. Not only that, but you will also need to take them on test rides. 

You might go through a process of whittling your favourite choices of bike down until; eventually, you find that one perfect bike that you love. 

That said, some people can strike it lucky and find the right bike quite quickly; however, it is always advisable to brace yourself to take your time over making the right decision. 

You May Not Get To Ride Away The Same Day That You Buy Your Road Bike

Depending on the type of road bike that you are buying, you might not get to ride the bike away on the same day. 

For specialist bikes, such as triathlon bikes, you may have to wait weeks or even months for your bike to arrive in stock and be set up specifically to your preferences. 

For more general bikes, expect to wait a few days at least. 

To have your bike fitted will generally take around 45 minutes. Even if you are able to take the bike on the same day that you buy it, you should still allow plenty of time to have it fitted. 

Wear Your Cycling Gear When Testing Your Road Bike

What will you be wearing when you ride your road bike? 

You should always make sure that you wear whatever gear you would usually be wearing when it comes to testing your bike. This is because you need to feel comfortable riding your bike in the clothes that you would usually be wearing when you’re on them. 

There is no point turning up to test your road bike wearing a pair of jeans or a suit. The clothes that you are wearing will have an impact on the way that you ride and give you a false impression of the bike.

Pay Attention To The Road Bike Tires

You should look at the rolling resistance of your road bike tires. Think about what you want from your tires and where you’ll be riding your bike. Are you looking for control and traction? Or, do you need a bike tire that is more aerodynamic?

The Bike Should Be Set Up To Suit You

When you test a road bike, you’ll need to have it set up to the way that is most comfortable for you, and that suits your needs. 

In the store, they will probably set the bike up on what is known as a ‘trainer’. This is a device that allows you to ride the bike in a stationary position. 

Once on the trainer, the bike will need to be set up for you. This means adjusting the handlebar height and the length of the stem arms, the seat height and its position in relation to handlebars.

Book Your Bike In For A Service After One Month

Once you take your bike home for the very first time, you should book to come back with it after a month. This will be for your bikes very first service. 

Just because your bike is brand new, it doesn’t mean that it won’t need servicing very soon after you buy it. 

Over the first few uses, brake and gear cables will start to stretch. This is natural when these things are new. A tune-up will be a good chance to adjust everything on the bike to compensate for these first few changes. 

Enjoy The Ride

As you can see, buying a road bike is a big decision. Getting the right bike will mean that you’ll enjoy comfort on your rides, and your performance will improve dramatically too.