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