How to Choose a Road Bike? Everything You Need to Know! [GUIDE]

Me kneeling next to 3 different road bikes (from budget to premium).

Whether you struggle with choosing a road bike or want to learn more about road bikes in general, you are in the right place.

In this article, you find out:

  • What types of road bikes are there?
  • Which one is the right one for you based on your riding style?
  • What are the pros and cons of different frame materials?
  • What components to expect in various price ranges?
  • How to choose a road bike size?
  • And much more!

KEY TAKEAWAY

When choosing a road bike, choose the right size (this bike size calculator will help you). Next, consider the geometry type (aggressive vs. relaxed) and components. Compare these with other bikes in a similar price range. An unwritten rule of thumb is that more well-known brands are more expensive than lesser-known and direct-to-customer brands. Appearance should play a secondary role.

If you’re not sure whether you’ll enjoy road cycling, don’t be afraid to rent a road bike first or choose from second-hand bikes.

Types of Road Bikes

Before buying your next road bike, you should know what type of rider you are and how you want to use your road bike.

Every type of road bike is suitable for slightly different uses and rider types. So, before we jump onto the individual road bike types, answer these questions:

  • What is your budget for a new bike?
  • Do you want to ride on paved surfaces only, or do you want to include light terrain too?
  • Are you performance-oriented, or do you want to enjoy casual rides?
Road bike types - endurance, performance, aero, cyclocross, gravel, etc.
Road bike types | Product pictures were used with permission of canyon.com and trekbikes.com

Endurance Road Bikes

Endurance road bikes are the best road bikes for beginners. Their geometry allows you to sit in a more upright position that puts less pressure on your intimate parts and hands.

They are more comfortable than performance or aero road bikes and are ideal for people with limited flexibility.

My Canyon Endurance AL in rapeseed field
Canyon Endurance AL

On the other hand, a more upright position is less aerodynamic and slower. But it doesn’t mean you can’t use endurance road bikes for racing. I met many amateur road cyclists in hobby races who prefer comfort over speed.

An endurance road bike may be a good option if you have a limited budget because it is the most affordable. On the other hand, performance and aero road bikes are more expensive.

According to The Pros Closet, endurance road bikes should fit at least 28mm tires. These tires will provide you with extra comfort, and you will also be able to ride on paved roads and tarmac or light gravel.

Performance Road Bikes

Performance road bikes are also sometimes called lightweight or race road bikes. They are very similar to endurance road bikes. The main difference lies in their frame geometry.

It is more aggressive than endurance bike geometry. This means it forces the rider into a more aerodynamic (racing) position with a lower drag coefficient, which is faster.

YOELEO R12 blue road bike with Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset and Elitewheels DRIVE 45mm wheels on a bike path.
An example of a performance road bike

They are perfect for road races (especially for criteriums and hilly races) and performance-oriented riders.

Entry-level performance road bikes start at around $1500 and can be above $10,000 for the top models. (Source)

A top-end performance road bike with rim brakes, top-end components, and a carbon frame weighs around 13.23 lb (6 kg). But remember that the UCI limit is 14.99 lb (6.8 kg).

Aero Road Bikes

Aero road bikes are optimized to be as aerodynamic as possible. They allow riding in a more aggressive and aerodynamic position than endurance road bikes.

However, it requires good flexibility, so aero (and performance) bikes tend to be less comfortable than endurance road bikes.

On the other hand, aero road bikes are fast and offer great cross-wind performance. Therefore, they are popular among sprinters and racers, especially for the criterium, flats, and hilly races.

Aero road bikes also feature deep-section wheels and thicker tubes to improve aerodynamic performance.

Their main downsides are reduced comfort, higher weight than performance road bikes, and higher price. Aero road bikes start at around $2500.

NOTE: There are also road bikes that combine the best features of aero and performance road bikes. They are aerodynamic and lightweight at the same time.
Examples: Specialized Tarmac SL7, Cannondale Supersix Evo

Different road bike geometry types (endurance, performance, aero)
Endurance vs. Performance vs. Aero Road Bike

Try Bikeinsights to compare frame geometries of different bike brands.

Gravel Bikes

Gravel bikes (some online stores call them Adventure bikes) usually have geometry like endurance or performance road bikes.

But, they are specific for their wider tire clearance, which should be at least 40mm, according to Rotorbike.com. This tire clearance allows you to use wider tires suitable for rough terrains.

Some gravel bikes are also compatible with bike accessories like racks, 2 or more bottle cages, fenders, etc. This makes them suitable for long trips and bike packing.

Gravel bikes with more aggressive geometry are ideal for gravel races like Dirty Kanza 200, etc.

You can use 700c or 650b wheels on most gravel bikes. 700c wheels have lower rolling resistance and carry more momentum. They can also handle obstacles better.

On the other hand, the 650b wheels can accelerate faster and are often equipped with larger, high-volume tires that are more comfortable. (Source)

These features make gravel bikes versatile and popular among riders who don’t want to limit themselves to paved roads. See this road vs. gravel bikes comparison for more info.

The following table shows a few bike brands and their road bike lines for different types of bikes.

BrandEndurancePerformanceAeroGravel
TrekDomaneEmondaMadoneCheckpoint
CanyonEnduranceUltimateAeroadGrail
SpecializedRoubaixTarmacVengeDiverge
GiantContendTCRPropelRevolt
An overview of well-known bicycle brands and the naming of their road (gravel) bikes.

Touring Road Bikes

Touring road bikes are a specific category of road bikes. They have a geometry designed for bike packing and touring that is even more relaxed than the geometry of endurance road bikes.

Touring bikes are also compatible with various bike accessories like racks. This allows you to equip them with panniers that increase your storage capacity for multi-day bike trips and bike packing adventures.

According to Bikeradar, touring bikes have longer wheelbase (source), so the panniers won’t get in the way when you pedal.

So, if you want to take multi-day adventures and don’t care about speed and performance as much, touring bikes may be the right choice for you.

Other Types of Road Bikes

There are 3 more basic types of road bikes. They are niche-specific, so I explain them very briefly:

  • Cyclocross bikes offer wider tire clearance than road bikes. This means you can use them with wider tires suitable for rough terrains. Their geometry and gears are also slightly different. This makes them more versatile than classic road bikes. They are often mixed up with gravel bikes.
  • Time Trial (TT) bikes are designed specifically for time trials. They push the rider into an aggressive aerodynamic position. TT bikes are mostly used by professionals or amateur racers because their handling is more difficult than standard road bikes.
  • Triathlon bikes are very similar to TT bikes, but their geometry is slightly different. They have a steeper seat tube that pushes the hips forward and saves the hamstrings for the run, as 220triathlon.com explains.
  • The last type are recumbent road bikes. They have a reclining seat and backrest that makes the rider lean on the seat completely. The pedals of the bike are placed in front of the feet instead of right below the seat, so it needs you to extend your legs to reach the pedals.

Frame Material and Bike Weight

Road bike frames are mostly made from one of the following 3 materials:

  1. Aluminum road bike frames are the most affordable because of the low manufacturing costs. Aluminum frames are not as stiff as steel or carbon frames, but they are lighter than steel frames. The biggest downside of aluminum frames is that they fatigue and corrode over time. Aluminum road bikes are the perfect entry-level point for beginners and advanced riders with a limited budget.
  2. Carbon road bike frames are very stiff and light (they offer the highest stiff-to-weight ratio). They are perfect for performance-oriented riders or people who want the latest and greatest. The biggest downside of the carbon frames is their price and the fact that they need to be inspected for cracks after a heavy crash to prevent failure under stress (but you should do that for aluminum frames as well).
  3. Steel road bikes are not as widespread anymore. Yet, they are stiff and durable but relatively heavy compared to aluminum or carbon frames. They provide good power transfer, won’t crack after a first crash, and have a unique look thanks to thin tubes.

Sources: CyclistsHub, CyclingWeekly, SheldonBrown, ScienceDirect

Frame MaterialWeight of the Bike
Carbon6 to 8 kg
Aluminum8 to 10 kg
Steel9 to 11 kg
The estimated weight of the road bike, depending on the frame material

The estimated weight is based on my research and comparing weights of road bikes from various manufacturers. The bike’s weight also depends on the components used on the bike. The more expensive road bikes usually have better and lighter components, so their overall weight is lower.

Should you get an aluminum or carbon road bike?

Well, it depends… on your budget.

According to Bikeradar, buying an ‘expensive’ alloy bike is better than a cheap carbon one. Why? “The thing is, cheap carbon just isn’t that good.” Well, even expensive carbon frames can be bad (check the Hambini YouTube channel to learn more).

A carbon bike with the same components as an aluminum bike is more expensive. I prefer better components and an aluminum frame than worse ones on a carbon frame.

On the other hand, if you read the pros and cons of aluminum and carbon frames, it may be tempting to spare more money and get a carbon frame.

To wrap this up, get a carbon road bike if you have a budget of more than $2000. However, if you are limited to $1000, an alloy frame is probably a better option.

Components

Don’t overlook the quality of components such as the groupset, brakes, and wheels. They are as important as the frame.

Groupset

The vast majority of road bikes use 2X groupsets. But there are also road bikes with 1X or even 3X groupsets. So, which one is the best and which one should you choose?

Buy a road bike with a 2X or 1X groupset. If you look at the bikes used by professional riders or do your own research, you will find that most road bikes are fitted with 2X groupsets. They are the most widespread.

For example, in our 20 men’s cycling team, we all use a 2X groupset. I have never seen a roadie with a 1X groupset yet.

An illustration of a 1x chainring
1x chainring
An illustration of a 2x chainring
2x chainring
An illustration of a 3x chainring
3x chainring

1X groupsets are much lighter and simpler but also pretty expensive, so you find them on higher-end road bikes. In 2019, some riders from Trek-Segafredo experimented with 1X groupsets, but this trend did not catch on.

3X groupsets are used on entry-level road bikes. They are heavier, more complex, and less aerodynamic. For these reasons, I don’t recommend them.

TIP: If you ride a bike with a 2X (eventually 3X) groupset, avoid cross-chaining. It is a situation when you ride with the chain on the small chainring and the smallest sprocket on the cassette (and vice versa).

Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM, or ‘the Others’?

There are 3 main manufacturers of groupsets – Shimano*, Campagnolo, and SRAM. There are also ‘the others’ – less known manufacturers with minor market share.

*According to Credit Suisse, Shimano had about 80% of the global share in bike components in 2016.

So, are the Shimano groupsets the best? It depends on your personal preference. There are small differences in the shifting mechanisms.

If you are a beginner, you can get a Shimano or Campagnolo groupset, and you probably won’t notice any difference.

However, more experienced riders know better what suits them and what groupset is the best for them.

The table below shows the price ranges of groupsets produced by the 3 biggest manufacturers.

LevelShimanoSRAMCampagnoloType
EntryClarisMechanical
EntrySoraMechanical
EntryTiagraApexMechanical
Mid-range105 11spd
105 12 spd
105 12 spd Di2¹
Rival
Rival eTap AXS¹
CentaurMechanical
Mid-rangeForceChorusMechanical
ProUltegra Di2Force eTap AXSChorus EPSElectronic
ProREDRecord
Super Record
Mechanical
ProDura-Ace Di2RED eTap AXSSuper Record EPSElectronic
A comparison of road bike groupsets (from entry-level to pro) of the major manufacturers (Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo) and their type.
¹Shimano 105 Di2 and Rival eTap AXS are electronic groupsets.

Shimano produces the full range of groupsets – from the most affordable to the high-end ones.

Budget road bikes almost always come with cheaper mechanical groupsets like Shimano Claris, Shimano Sora, etc. Some road bikes feature components made in-house or from less-known brands.

These budget groupsets wear out more easily. They are not as precise, light, quick, and reliable as mid-range and high-end groupsets.

I recommend getting a road bike with Shimano 105, SRAM Rival, Campagnolo Centaur, or higher.

Mechanical or Electronic?

There are 2 types of groupsets – mechanical and electronic. You can skip this part if you are a beginner with a limited budget because road bikes with electronic groupsets start around $3000.

Check the pros and cons of mechanical vs. electronic shifting in the table below.

ShiftingProsCons
Mechanical• More affordable
• Doesn't require recharging
• Lower weight
• No need for recharging
• Easier to troubleshoot
• Not as smooth
• Manual front derailleur adjustment
• No multiple shift points
• Require routing of multiple cables
• Not customizable
Electronic• Effortless and fast shifting
• Automatic front derailleur adjustment
• Multiple shift points
• Customizability
• Cleaner look (fewer cables needed)
• More expensive
• Needs to be recharged
• Higher weight
• More difficult to troubleshoot eventual issues
This table shows the pros and cons of mechanical vs. electronic shifting used in the cycling industry.
Sources: cyclistshub.com, theproscloset.com, cyclingtips.com

Wheels and Tires

Road bikes use 700c (622 mm) wheel size. Entry-level and mid-range road bikes come with alloy wheels. High-end road bikes feature carbon wheels.

Carbon wheels are expensive, and you can always upgrade them later. So don’t worry if you can’t afford them right away.

Make sure to consider the tire width. The general rule of thumb is the wider and higher volume of the tire, the more comfort you get.

According to road.cc, the common standard was 23mm tires, but it slowly changed to 25mm tires. Nowadays, road bikes are designed to fit 28mm and sometimes even wider tires.

The Truth About Wide Tyres And Wide Rims On Road Bikes

I use 25mm tires, and most of my friends do as well. I recommend you do a few experiments and test rides with various tire widths inflated to different pressures to find which one best suits you.

Brakes

Road bikes come with rim or disc brakes.

  • Rim brakes exist in many variants. But the principle is always the same – braking pads apply friction to the wheel’s rim and slow the bike.
    Rim brakes were pretty popular for decades, but they have had a strong competitor in the last few years – disc brakes. The advantage of rim brakes is their lower weight, easier maintenance, and lower price than disc brakes, but they are not as effective in the rain and long descents.
  • Disc brakes
    • Mechanical disc brakes work similarly to rim brakes – a steel cable moves the pistons, creating friction that slows the bike. The advantage is that they are compatible with standard rim shifters and are easier to maintain at home. Their disadvantage is that the steel cable can wear out more quickly and break when you don’t expect it.
    • Hydraulic disc brakes use fluid filled in the system. As CyclingAbout explains, when you pull the brake lever, the fluid rushes down to the caliper, closing the brake pads. This type of disc brake provides braking consistency in all riding conditions. On the other hand, they are more difficult to maintain at home due to their complexity.
      Learn more about the differences and pros and cons of mechanical vs. hydraulic disc brakes.

The entry-level road bikes for up to $1000 usually have rim brakes. If you want a road bike with disc brakes, you will have to pay a little more ($1500 and up).

Brand

The brand is crucial to some people. When most bikes are equipped with Shimano, SRAM, or Campagnolo components, there is little to change on the bike besides the frame and a few other components.

I won’t evaluate which brand is good and which is not. It is purely up to your preference. However, well-known brands, such as those that sponsor World Tour pro teams, are usually more expensive than lesser-known brands.

Of course, the price of a bike is influenced by many factors. One of them is also the sales model. Canyon bikes, for example, are sold directly to customers. This means they often provide a better price-value ratio than brands sold by distributors.

Check out the best bicycle brands based on World Tour wins.

Road Bike Size

The last important step before buying a new road bike is choosing the right size. Why is it important? There are 2 main reasons for this:

  • Your riding position will be more comfortable.
  • You prevent injuries caused by the wrong bike fit.

Road bike size is usually given in centimeters (48, 50, 52, etc.) or descriptive sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL, XL). The size is based on the seat tube length.

An illustration of the correct road bike size based on the inseam length
Make sure to get a bike size that provides you with a few inches of clearance

My favorite method for choosing a bike size is to measure your inseam length. Learn how to measure it and choose the right bike size in my article on How to Choose Bike Size.

TIP: To compare different frame geometries, use the Bikeinsights tool.

Other Road Bike Essentials

If you start with road cycling, I have bad news for your wallet. It does not end with the purchase of a new road bike. There are other essentials to get. Luckily, you don’t have to buy them all at once.

The first and most important thing is a road bike helmet. Do yourself a favor and wear it every time!

Most road bikes also come without pedals. I recommend using road bike pedals with road cycling shoes. Once you get used to them, you will pedal more efficiently and experience better comfort.

Over time, you can also get less necessary equipment like cycling clothing (jersey, bib shorts, vest, jacket, gloves…), sunglasses, etc.

These things are also nice to have:

When you do the math, you find out that you will have to invest another few hundred dollars. Yes, cycling is not a cheap sport, but you can enjoy it even with a limited budget.

Final Thoughts

You must consider your budget and riding style when choosing a road bike. These two basic factors significantly affect which road bike is right for you.

I recommend an endurance road bike to beginners. Their more upright riding position is more comfortable than performance and aero road bikes.

If you are a performance-oriented rider who trains hard and wants to participate in races, get:

  • A performance (lightweight) road bike if you live in a hilly and mountainous area and like the design of this road bike type.
  • Or an aero road bike for flats, eventually hilly areas, and you don’t mind a heavier frame with thicker tubes.

Consider buying a gravel bike if you don’t want to limit yourself to paved roads only and plan to ride in terrain.

How to Choose a Road Bike FAQ

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