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Road Bicycle

Road Bicycles are bicycles designed for road cycling, and for the road. The most important things about a road bicycle are its light weight and the aerodynamic efficiency and ergonomics of the rider's position. To this effect racing bicycles may sacrifice comfort for speed.

The drop handlebars are positioned lower than the saddle in order to put the rider in a more aerodynamic posture. The front and back wheels are close together so the Road Bicycle has quick handling. The derailleur gear ratios are closely-spaced so that the rider can pedal at his or her optimum cadence.

The wheels greatly affect the performance of a Road Bicycle. The rim of the wheel can be shaped for greater aerodynamic efficiency making a triangular cross-section to form a teardrop with the tire. For hill climbs, however, energy losses due to the higher rotating weight of most aerodynamic rims are greater than the aerodynamic drag reduction that they offer, so a traditional lighter box-sectioned rim is often used.

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