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Here's Why Road Bikes Can Go Faster Than Other Types of Bikes
Of all the bikes on the market, the road bike is the MASTER of speed. Their sleek and nimble design makes road bikes the first choice for cyclists who want to conquer the roads with agility and speed.
Although there are other types of bikes that are just as good, the question that often arises is "Is it true that road bikes are faster than other bikes, such as hybrids?
There are many factors that make these bikes special. To find the answer, Rodalink takes a closer look at some of the advantages of road bikes to help you choose the right bike for you.
What is a Road Bike?
A road bike, also known as a racing bike, is a type of bike specifically designed to give the best performance on paved roads. It is characterized by a lightweight and aerodynamic frame, thin high-pressure tyres, and an aggressive riding position.
The combination of these elements results in an agile and responsive bike that allows the rider to reach high speeds with maximum efficiency. Unlike other types of bikes, road bike focus on simplicity and sleekness, prioritizing speed on uphill and flat terrain.
So why are road bikes faster than other types of bikes? Read on to find out.
The Secret Behind the Speed of a Road or Racing Bike
The speed of this bike is also the result of a number of key factors that work in perfect harmony. This is why are road bike faster than other bikes:
1. Aerodynamic Design
The frame shape and components of this road bike are designed to minimize wind resistance. This is evident in the slim tube shape of the frame, the thin tread of the tyres, and the low riding position of the rider.
This type of design allows the bike to easily penetrate the wind, converting the rider's energy into speed.
2. Lightweight Bike
Racing bikes designed specifically for racing are usually made from lightweight materials such as carbon fiber, aluminum, or titanium. This makes them much lighter than other types of bicycles, such as mountain bikes or hybrid bikes.
This lightness is also key to fast and responsive acceleration, especially when climbing hills. If you want to be a competitive cyclist, it is important to choose the right bike.
3. Thin and High-Pressure Tyres
The tyres on road bikes have thin and smooth treads, resulting in minimal friction with the road surface. The high tyre pressure also improves efficiency, making this type of bike easy to ride on smooth tarmac.
This design reduces rolling resistance, allowing cyclists to achieve higher speeds with less effort, making them ideal for racing and long-distance rides on paved surfaces.
4. Seating Position Made Aggressive
The seating position on a racing bike is deliberately designed to place the rider's body in an aerodynamic position. The idea is to lower the body and lower the shoulders to minimize wind resistance and improve riding efficiency.
If you're wondering how fast a road bike can go, the answer depends on a number of things, from the ability of the rider to the road conditions and the type of road bike used.
In general, however, these bikes are capable of much higher speeds than other types of bikes. Some professional riders can reach speeds of over 100 km/h in ideal conditions.
How to Increase Road Bike Speed?
That's not why road bikes are faster! So what if you want to improve the speed of your road bike? As many cyclists will tell you, to get faster you need to ride a lot and ride consistently.
Improving speed on a racing bike involves improving your fitness level, interval training, and cadence, which is the speed at which you pedal. Fitness includes body weight, which can be an important factor, but don't forget to build up your muscles.
If you want to cycle faster, you need muscles that can move quickly to pedal the bike and move the wheels faster. For those of you who want to enter the world of professional cycling, it is advisable to lift weights or do strength training.
Pedaling cadence is also important - how many revolutions you can make per minute of cycling. Most cyclists can pedal at 90 rpm and reach speeds of 12-14 mph.
You need to be able to maintain a good pedaling rhythm for a long time if you want to cycle fast. Cadence is even more important for maintaining speed when cycling uphill.
Some additional tips for those who want to become faster cyclists are:
- Wear specialist lycra cycling clothing.
- Clipless pedals are recommended.
- Try to ride in an aero position or with your back flat, hands on the handlebars, and elbows bent.
- Use narrow tyres, with road riders typically using 700cc x 23mm to 700cc x 25mm tyres.
- Sprint training
Racing Bike Recommendations for You
Now that you understand what a road bike is and what makes it faster than other types of bike, here are some recommended bikes for you to use on the road or in preparation for becoming a real athlete.
1. Polygon Strattos S7 Disc Road Bike 2020
First up is a road bike from the Polygon brand, the Strattos S7 Disc. This racing bike offers comfort and speed with minimal effort. This Polygon Strattos is designed to take you as fast as your legs can go on paved surfaces.
This Polygon Strattos S7 Disc will turn your effort into acceleration with a 16% stiffer down tube and it has a Specialized seat stay design to reduce vibration during the ride. It is quality-assured as it is certified by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
2. Polygon Helios A7X Road Bike
If speed is your priority when cycling, the Polygon Helios A7X is one of your best options. This road bike is able to minimize heavy air resistance and interaction with the environment to achieve optimal efficiency.
This Polygon road bike is designed to change the paradigm of 'nature as enemy' for road cyclists. The seat stays are specially designed to allow the rider to keep pedaling without fatigue. The bottom bracket is stiffer to transfer power to the wheels.
3. Polygon Helios A9X TSG Edition Entity WR5 Wheelset + Power Meter Road Bike
They say the best teacher of aerodynamics is a raindrop. That was the inspiration behind the Polygon Helios A9X TSG Edition Entity WR5 wheelset, which cuts through the wind without creating turbulence. It reduces drag 31% better than the previous generation.
The Polygon Helios A9X TSG Entity Edition is one of the lightest road bike frames on the market, weighing in at just 800 grams. It is designed to defy gravity on even the toughest climbs.
You can find these road bike recommendations or other models at Rodalink Singapore. As well as bikes, you can also find a range of equipment from bike accessories to cycling safety equipment.
This is a complete explanation of why road bikes are faster than other types of bikes on the market. We hope you find it useful!
