Are you not looking for a fleeting adventure but a passion that still burns after many years? Then let yourself be seduced by a ride on the road on narrow tyres. We have summarised the most important tips and tricks for all beginners and newcomers to road cycling:
Buying a road bike: the right size
The question that most beginners ask themselves first: What size road bike frame do I need? Road bike frames are like shoes: You can only make good progress with the right size. In the Article we tell you how to find them and what else to consider when making a purchase decision.
Buying a second-hand road bike: the best tips
A used road bike promises an inexpensive entry into the world of narrow tyres. You can find tips on the best places to look, what you can buy second-hand and what you need to look out for when buying a second-hand bike so that it doesn't turn out to be a flop. here.
Which road bike categories are there?
Aero, marathon or lightweight bike? The right road bike for every type. You can get tips and tricks on seating position, shifting systems, brakes, tyres, etc. in our Overview article. Current tests of the best road bikes are always available in TOUR.
Shimano, Sram and Campa: Which groupsets do I need?
Two chainrings at the front and eleven sprockets on the rear wheel are standard - all drivetrain suppliers offer this combination. The double drivetrain is lighter, less prone to failure and easier to operate than a triple crank.
Shimano is the clear market leader, with Campagnolo and SRAM offering alternatives. The concepts of the competitors differ primarily in the operation of the shift levers. Functionally, they have nothing in common; advantages and disadvantages balance each other out and are more a matter of taste. When it comes to price, the simple rule applies: more expensive groupsets are above all lighter. In recent years, electric gearsticks have become increasingly popular; the gear no longer changes at the flick of a lever, but at the touch of a button. Here you can find more information about switching systems.
The ranking of the racing bike groups (top group to beginners)
Campagnolo
(Super) Record (EPS)
Chorus
Potenza
Veloce
Shimano
Dura-Ace (Di2)
Ultegra (Di2)
105
Tiagra
SRAM
Red (eTap)
Force
Rival
Apex
Training tips for beginners
Fit from the very first kilometre. Do you want to start riding now and don't fancy boring training literature? Take our tips and you'll have fun faster - and for longer.
How to train correctly
How strong? How often? How fast? Which profile? How many hills? What recovery times? Training is planned action to achieve certain goals. However, you don't have to follow a fixed, daily plan to get better at cycling. But a few basic rules and key training sessions will help you to get going in the long term. We give Tips for road bike trainingthat makes you faster without stress.
Road bike clothing
Cycling shorts, cycling jerseys, road bike helmets and road bike shoes are available in all price ranges. How much money you want to spend on clothing and accessories depends on your budget and requirements. We show what quality you can get in different price segments. In the Article we tell you what to look out for when buying jerseys, shoes and helmets to get you started.
Road bike repair made easy
Professional cyclist Pauline Ferrand-Prévot shows the most important steps and repairs that every cyclist should know - ideally before their first ride. You will find everything you need to know about changing inner tubes, adjusting pedal hardness and co. here.
Wrapping road bike handlebar tape
Rain, sweat, dirt, sun oil, chain grease - all sorts of things collect on the handlebar tape. Regular replacement is therefore not only pleasing to the eye but also provides an opportunity to check the handlebars for corrosion or damage. We show you how to wrap the tape in a stylish, durable and non-slip way.
Changing the road bike chain
Chain worn out? Then it needs changing. New gear ratio? Then the chain needs to be shortened - and reliably locked! We show you how.
Adjusting the front derailleur
A quarter turn of the screw can decide whether the derailleur throws the chain exactly onto the neighbouring chainring - or off. You can find tips on precise adjustment in our Workshop articles.
Recognising and eliminating wear
Tyres, chain, cranks, brakes, sprockets...
When do I have to change the chain, when do I have to change the brakes, how can I tell if the tyres are too worn, when is the rim braked and when do I have to throw away the cassette? We show you when it's time to swap.
