Professional road bikes: how to choose?
A professional bike differs from an amateur one not in price or body kit, and not even in frame material. The difference lies in the smallest nuances that only a pro can understand. For an amateur, it doesn't matter if he won 5 minutes in a 200 km race. For those who participate in competitions, this gap becomes critical. View here for more info: best affordable road bikes
At the Tour de France, the gap between Chris Froome and Romain Bardet was 4 minutes 5 seconds. Moreover, a gap of 4 minutes was formed during 21 stages of the 2016 season, the leader's total time was 89 hours. In these circumstances, every second counts, and the right frame geometry or body kit settings are critical.
Frame is the backbone
Road bike frames are made from aluminum, titanium, carbon and iron. None of these materials have undeniable advantages, so manufacturers are ready to offer any material to choose from. In the not too distant past, professional road bikes were made from steel. The famous "Start-highway" of the Kharkov plant was produced for several decades, and even now it is popular with amateurs. Its steel frame weighs just 2.2 kg.
Carbon was at its peak a few years ago. An excellent composite material allowed to reduce the weight of the frame set to 800 grams. Carbon has another advantage. This is the elasticity of the material that smooths out the bumps in the road. But carbon also has disadvantages - the price and the inability to resist side impacts.
Bike body kit
Almost all professional road bikes currently available come with a Shimano or SRAM body kit. Occasionally you can find equipment from the Italian company Campagnolo.
For highway or track racing, use 2 sprockets in the system and 8 to 11 in the cassette. A three-speed system is used to overcome mountainous areas, but this is extremely rare.
At the Tour de France, the gap between Chris Froome and Romain Bardet was 4 minutes 5 seconds. Moreover, a gap of 4 minutes was formed during 21 stages of the 2016 season, the leader's total time was 89 hours. In these circumstances, every second counts, and the right frame geometry or body kit settings are critical.
Frame is the backbone
Road bike frames are made from aluminum, titanium, carbon and iron. None of these materials have undeniable advantages, so manufacturers are ready to offer any material to choose from. In the not too distant past, professional road bikes were made from steel. The famous "Start-highway" of the Kharkov plant was produced for several decades, and even now it is popular with amateurs. Its steel frame weighs just 2.2 kg.
Carbon was at its peak a few years ago. An excellent composite material allowed to reduce the weight of the frame set to 800 grams. Carbon has another advantage. This is the elasticity of the material that smooths out the bumps in the road. But carbon also has disadvantages - the price and the inability to resist side impacts.
Bike body kit
Almost all professional road bikes currently available come with a Shimano or SRAM body kit. Occasionally you can find equipment from the Italian company Campagnolo.
For highway or track racing, use 2 sprockets in the system and 8 to 11 in the cassette. A three-speed system is used to overcome mountainous areas, but this is extremely rare.
Being overweight in a key area of strength does more harm than good. The choice depends on the specifics of training and competition:
The latest highlight in professional cycling is the Shimano Dura-Ace 9070 Di2 Electronic Shift System. Judging by the reviews, the quality of the electronics is admirable, there has never been such clarity of the switches. But the price of 140,000 rubles for a complete body kit makes you think about another option.
Professional road bikes - wheels are everything
Whatever the advantage, a deformed wheel will reduce it to zero. And the cost of the top wheel is so high that for that money you can buy the best carbon frame. But on the other hand, the wheels can be upgraded without problems, in extreme cases you will have to throw the cassette.
Road bike for various sports
There is a joke that famous athletes shave their legs before the start to improve aerodynamics. It is clear that the bike is also chosen in such a way as to adapt it as much as possible to specific conditions - aerodynamic, weight, and maneuverable.
Despite all the variety of cycling races, all of them can be divided into two groups. The first includes those where the athlete spends a significant part of the race in a group or "on the wheel" with a colleague. This saves up to 40% energy, but the bike is required to be more agile. There are often blockages in the group, which must be immediately bypassed.
A bike with a short frame is ideal for group starts, comfort is achieved due to the carbon frame, which absorbs bumps.
- 53 \ 39 \ 30 - triple system for mountain stages;
- 50 \ 34 - universal lightweight;
- 46 \ 34 - for cyclocross.
The latest highlight in professional cycling is the Shimano Dura-Ace 9070 Di2 Electronic Shift System. Judging by the reviews, the quality of the electronics is admirable, there has never been such clarity of the switches. But the price of 140,000 rubles for a complete body kit makes you think about another option.
Professional road bikes - wheels are everything
Whatever the advantage, a deformed wheel will reduce it to zero. And the cost of the top wheel is so high that for that money you can buy the best carbon frame. But on the other hand, the wheels can be upgraded without problems, in extreme cases you will have to throw the cassette.
Road bike for various sports
There is a joke that famous athletes shave their legs before the start to improve aerodynamics. It is clear that the bike is also chosen in such a way as to adapt it as much as possible to specific conditions - aerodynamic, weight, and maneuverable.
Despite all the variety of cycling races, all of them can be divided into two groups. The first includes those where the athlete spends a significant part of the race in a group or "on the wheel" with a colleague. This saves up to 40% energy, but the bike is required to be more agile. There are often blockages in the group, which must be immediately bypassed.
A bike with a short frame is ideal for group starts, comfort is achieved due to the carbon frame, which absorbs bumps.