| Road bikes (sometimes known in the UK and | | | | not be good enough for emergency stops. |
| some other countries as "racing bikes") are | | | | |
| lightweight bikes designed for speedy on | | | | Another thing to bear in mind is that road |
| relatively smooth terrain. These bikes are | | | | bikes don't usually have mudguards, or even |
| equipped with narrow wheels and tyres pumped | | | | the capacity to attach them - as a result, |
| to high pressure, and shaped (including drop | | | | you can't simply hop on your bike in your |
| handlebars) such that the rider sits in an | | | | work clothes and expect the mudguards to |
| aerodynamic, stretched-out position. | | | | protect them. Furthermore, road bikes made |
| Furthermore the brake-levers and gear | | | | not have braze-ons for a carry rack, and even |
| shifters are often positioned sich that you | | | | if you can attach a rack directly to the |
| can reach them without taking your hands off | | | | frame, you do need to remember that road |
| the handlebars, and hence make speedy gear | | | | bikes are not designed to carry heavy loads. |
| changes. | | | | |
| | | | In short, if you're looking for a sturdy |
| Although riding one of these bikes, | | | | durable bike, then a road bike may not be the |
| especially at speed, can be a lot of fun, | | | | best choice for you, and perhaps you ought to |
| road bikes are not usually the best choice | | | | consider a mountain bike or a hybrid bike. On |
| for urban commuting. The bikes do tend to be | | | | the other hand, if you think you'll enjoy |
| relatively delicate, the range of gear ratios | | | | zipping through country lanes at speed, then |
| may not be sufficient if there are steep | | | | a road bike is the ideal choice. |
| hills in your area, and the the brakes may | | | | |