how to choose a road bike

If you're considering purchasing a new road bike, or just studying up on the subject for future reference, there are basically five things to know about road bikes:

1.Coming from experience the absolute most important thing you can do BAR NONE is getting the correct size bike for you. Whether you can spend 10′s of thousands of dollars or you can spend $50 there is no more important thing you can do than getting the correct size. NONE. Do this first and worry about the rest later.

2.If you want a road bike get a road bike. Don’t get a hybrid bike and think you can get the best of both worlds by slapping on some mountain or road bike tires. Sure it will work, but this is half-assing / non-committal, either go full-ass / full-committal or don’t bother.

3.Pick a budget- You can go drop $100,000+ on full time-trial bike that is made by West Guamian Sherpas and wind tested by the San Diego Air & Space Technology Low Speed Wind Tunnel if you want to. I didn’t because I just don’t have the time ;p. Seriously though you can spend thousands but it’s not necessary. Pick a budget and stick too it. Don’t worry about buying the best / latest greatest or competing with the local guys for the best lightest stuff, there are always people richer than you, and there is always more stuff to buy.

4.Ride, Ride, Ride. Go to any local bike shop and start riding bikes, and choose the one that you like riding the best. Every bike feels and behaves different. Get out there and start riding different ones, its free, fun and any good bike shop will love to let you ride as many bikes as you want.

5.Invest in a good tires, seat and pump. Outside a good fit these are the most important things on your bike. If you going to splurge on any good parts, the tires, seats and a good pump is where you need to splurge. I personally recommend any seat by Fizik. I have sat and ridden on all sorts of seats that have gels, holes and other gimmick seats. Fizik by a long shot makes the best seat. Expect to spend over $100 on just the seat. It’s worth every dime and then some. Honestly if I could spend $150 on a bike, I would buy something used local or off craigslist for $20, and spend the rest on a brand new Fizik Airone saddle, that’s how important it is!