Road bikes: Higher, faster, further - whether professional or not

Cycling became an Olympic sport in 1896. This was the beginning of the success story of the racing bike, which over time not only established itself in the professional sector, but also became increasingly popular in popular sports. Today, if you want to reach top speeds with minimal effort, you can choose from a wide variety of different road bikes - be it a race bike, an aero racer or a gravel bike. Read all about current road bike trends, the latest road bikes and test reports on TOUR.

Geometry, carbon and rim brakes: What characterises the road bike in general?

Road bikes are light, streamlined and fast. This is partly due to the special technical features of this type of bike. As a result, racing bikes can be distinguished from other bikes at first glance.

Road bikes are designed to minimise drag and maximise speed. This can be seen in various characteristic features:

• slim designRoad bikes are reduced to the essentials and generally do without additional equipment such as pannier racks.
• Lightweight frameAnother typical feature of racing bikes is their lightweight construction. Weight savings are achieved in particular with carbon components.
• aerodynamic handlebarsThe handlebars are curved downwards so that the brake levers point towards the ground. This puts the biker in a stretched posture.
• Saddle higher than the handlebars: The relatively high saddle on road bikes gives the impression that the rider is lying on the frame (aggressive or sporty frame geometry). However, it depends on the specific type of road bike as to how bent the riding position actually is.
• thin tyresRoad bikes are usually fitted with thin tyres without tread.
• smaller impellersCompared to mountain bikes (latest bikes 29 inches), road bikes are equipped with smaller wheels (28 inches).
• No suspensionRacing bikes have no suspension, but are built to be particularly stiff. This is because racers are mainly ridden on tarmac roads. The stiffer the bike, the better the power transmission and therefore the better the speed build-up. Suspension would therefore only add weight, but no additional benefit.
• Many gearsThe gears on road bikes are traditionally controlled via the brake levers on the handlebars. Road bikes are usually equipped with 21 to 30 gears (Shimano, Campagnolo or SRAM groupsets). Small gears come into their own on mountain passes, while large gears ensure optimum power transmission on straight stretches and descents.
• BrakesFor a long time, racing bikes were predominantly fitted with rim brakes. This was mainly due to the fact that disc brakes are much heavier and less aerodynamic. Nowadays, however, more and more riders are switching to disc brakes, as they have optimum braking power at high speeds and even in wet conditions.

The combination of geometry, material and components provide the typical riding experience of racing bikes. Depending on which riding style or route profile the athlete chooses, the details may vary. If the weight of the bike is not so important to you, you can, for example, do without carbon and choose an aluminium frame. This can save a few hundred euros on the purchase. Rim brakes are also much cheaper than the disc version.

What are common areas of use for road bikes?

In principle, the road bike is suitable wherever speed is important. Nevertheless, there is a wide range of different possible uses for road bikes, which is also reflected in the variety of road bike types.

Road bikes are widely used in both professional and amateur sport, but are also increasingly being ridden by beginners. Depending on which Driver types cyclists, there are various areas of application for the racer.

Racing bikes in popular sports: With top speed in everyman races and in everyday life

For amateur athletes, racing bikes are first and foremost sports equipment. Unlike a city or trekking bike, a road bike is not designed for comfort or even a leisurely pace. On the contrary: a road bike is usually only really fun at higher speeds. It allows people of all fitness levels to enjoy a fast riding experience - just like the pros.

Which specific road bike is suitable depends on whether the cyclist is using the bike to train for a race or simply wants to keep fit. A racing bike is also suitable for those who want to get from A to B quickly in everyday life. If you want to be fast on a bike and occasionally explore uneven terrain at the same time, you will also get your money's worth with racing bikes. There is therefore a wide range of possible uses for road bikes in popular sports, some of which require different types of bike.

ImportantIf you want to ride your road bike in traffic, you must equip your bike with bicycle lights. Even though most models are supplied without lights, the German Road Traffic Act (StVO) stipulates that these must be retrofitted if the cyclist is travelling on normal roads.

Racing bikes in professional cycling: from the Tour de France to the Ironman

Professional road cyclists need road bikes for both training and competitions. Anyone who rides time trials or takes part in a triathlon places different demands on their bike than a person who rides a road bike marathon or well-known stage races such as the Tour de France would like to contest.

What types of racing bikes are there?

From lightning-fast aero racers to all-terrain gravel bikes, everything is on offer. Given the variety of road bike types and brands, not only road bike beginners but also experienced amateur racers are quickly overwhelmed. The following overview can help you to categorise yourself and find the right road bike.

Although the boundaries are sometimes blurred, racing bikes can be roughly divided into the following categories:

1. Race road bike
2. Aero road bike
3. Triathlon road bike
4. Time trial bike
5. Endurance road bike
6. Gravel bike
7. Cyclocross
8. Fitness road bike
9. E-road bike

Racers, aero bikes, triathlo racing bikes and time trial bikes are mainly competition bikes. They are therefore often found in the professional and ambitious amateur sector. Endurance bikes, gravel bikes, cyclocross bikes, fitness bikes and e-racing bikes, on the other hand, are mainly found in popular sports.

By the way: Many of these bike types are also available as Women's racing bikes. These usually have a smaller frame size or lower frame height than conventional racing bikes. However, more and more bike manufacturers are convinced that women can achieve the same performance with a unisex frame as with a women's bike - provided that they add customised Components such as saddle, handlebars and stem.

Race road bike: The classic with astronomical top speeds

The race bike is probably the most original form of racing bike. As the name suggests, it comes from professional racing cycling. The classic racer is characterised above all by the fact that it is particularly light. The weight is mainly saved by using carbon components.

Higher-priced models reach the UCI limit of 6.8 kg thanks to the combination of special frame construction and ultra-light components and are therefore often ridden on the Tour de France. In principle, however, all racing bikes designed for competitions can be described as race bikes - whether in the professional or amateur segment.

Aero road bike: The lightning-fast short-distance wonder

The unique selling point of the aero racing bike is also in the name. It is characterised by a particularly aerodynamic design. The handlebars are very low in relation to the saddle. This creates a particularly bent seating position, with the rider almost lying on his racer. This aggressive riding position reduces the surface area exposed to the headwind, allowing the athlete to reach even higher speeds.

In addition to the frame geometry, the aero bike owes its speed to other characteristics. It should be emphasised that the carbon frame is standard for this type of bike. The stiffness of the bike and thus the power transmission are also remarkable with the aero. In addition, an aero is usually equipped with high rims for streamlining. The result is a true short-distance marvel. Few other types of road bike can match the top speeds of an Aero. However, all this comes at a price.

Time trial bike: Always going round in circles at dizzying speeds

Similar to the aero racing bike, time trial bikes are also designed for short and fast races on flat surfaces. Here too, the frame geometry is very aggressive in order to minimise air resistance. However, time trial bikes can be used not only for individual or team time trials, but also for other competitions over shorter distances.

Triathlon bike: The exotic bike with the customised cockpit

The triathlon bike is often grouped together with the time trial bike. However, the UCI regulates the construction of triathlon bikes in the Professional cycling unlike the time trial bike. The frames therefore often do without a seat tube and use a swingarm solution.

However, the much bigger difference lies in the purpose of the bikes: a triathlon bike is ridden in a triathlon. The bike race is followed by the final run. In order to be able to complete this, the triathletes must be supplied with material, drinks and food during the ride. Accordingly, the triathlon bike has devices for bottles and the like. The equipment of the timetrial bike is quite spartan.

Endurance bike or marathon bike: the bike with staying power

The endurance bike is the long-distance runner among racing bikes. It is also known as a marathon bike. On this racing bike, the cyclist can tackle very long and sometimes uneven stages. The secret lies in the more upright riding position, which offers greater comfort. Handling is also somewhat easier, and the bike absorbs minor bumpy steering movements well.

The endurance road bike is also very stable, durable and extremely flexible on different surfaces and in different weather conditions. This bike is a true all-round talent for beginners and amateur athletes. Only those who want to set the fastest times and are ambitiously preparing for the next competition should look at the more aggressive and sporty models.

Gravel bike: off-road but still fast

Many people describe the gravel bike as a road bike with mountain bike genes. In fact, this type of bike combines a lightweight road bike frame without suspension fork with the wide tyres of a mountain bike.

Gravel bikes are often equipped with disc brakes, for example Shimano Ultegra disc brakes, due to the sometimes slippery surface. This makes these road bikes ideal for all riders who want to reach high speeds and still allow themselves a detour over forest paths or gravel.

Gravel bikes can often be retrofitted with saddlebags. As a result, more and more athletes are choosing a gravel bike for their bikepacking holiday. In general, the bike with its comfortable, upright riding position is ideal for getting into road cycling.

Cyclocross: ace up your sleeve for competitions over hill and dale

Cyclocross is very similar to gravel. It is also equipped with wider profiled tyres and therefore has off-road qualities. However, it is even more closely related to the classic race bikes.

This is particularly evident in the geometry of the frame: the cyclocross puts the rider in a much sportier riding position. In this way, the rider can still reach very sporty speeds in cyclocross races. For bikepacking or Tours however, these racing bikes are less designed for the road.

Fitness road bike: brings the feeling of flying into everyday life

With the fitness bike, the name says it all. It is a bike for recreational athletes who like to ride fast and want to increase their physical endurance. Strictly speaking, the fitness bike is not a racing bike. However, it is very closely related to the racing bike. The main similarities lie in the narrow tyres and the agile handling of the gears and braking system.

Unlike a road bike, the fitness bike has straight handlebars. This creates a comfortable riding position - similar to a gravel or endurance racing bike - which is ideal for longer bike tours or everyday cycling.

E-road bike: The little extra boost for shared adventures

When cycling uphill and against the wind are the biggest challenges. Some athletes would like the support of an electric motor. Almost all manufacturers now have e-variants of their popular models in their range. E-Gravels and E-Aeros are therefore no longer a rarity. E-road bikes are particularly suitable when starting out on a road bike, after an injury-related break or at the end of a long road cycling career.

Racing bikes with electric assistance can be an advantage, especially if there are major differences in performance within a team. This is because they bring weaker members up to a similar level. However, if you want to power yourself up, are healthy and already have a good basic level of fitness, it is better to opt for a model without an electric drive. The motor makes the racing bikes significantly heavier, so it makes little sense to equip a bike with a motor without intending to use the drive intensively.

Conclusion: Road bikes - the smallest nuances make all the difference

Whether you are a beginner, ambitious amateur or professional road cyclist - finding the right road bike is not that easy. After all, it depends on the fit between the type of rider and the type of racing bike, whether a carbon or aluminium racer with or without rim brakes is the better fit. Last but not least, the right frame size is crucial for riding enjoyment.

While professionals and amateur athletes with competitive ambitions are more likely to get their money's worth with a race road bike or an aero bike, recreational athletes and beginners are often happy with an aluminium endurance bike or a gravel bike. In order to make an informed decision, it is worth gaining an overview of the existing types of racing bikes from the various manufacturers and staying informed about trends and innovations.