How to Choose a Road Bike and Triathlon Bike: A Comprehensive Guide

We present an extensive guide by Michael Ivanov on selecting the ideal road bike. Today, it’s challenging to find a clearer and more practical resource online on this topic. If you decide to buy a road bike, you’ll quickly realize how complex the choice can be, and given the high cost of modern bikes, mistakes can be expensive.

Looking for a bike to ride around the city?

The most crucial step is not to focus on the frame material or brand but to find the correct frame size based on your height. Online size calculators can help, but keep in mind these provide only approximate guidance. Consulting an experienced cyclist or professional fitter is highly recommended. Also, beware that bike shops may push you to buy a bike that doesn’t perfectly fit just to make a sale. Another challenge is the lack of standardized sizing across different brands. It’s wise to check the manufacturer’s website for detailed frame geometry and measurements before purchasing.

Choosing the wrong frame size can negate even the best components.

Next, it’s better to buy a fully assembled bike rather than building one from parts, which requires advanced mechanical skills. Beginners usually won’t notice much difference between entry-level and high-end bikes initially. However, serious riders aiming for competitive training should consider investing in a second set of quality wheels, as budget bikes often come with basic wheels. Custom bike builds require a significantly larger budget. If you’re comfortable spending around $2,000–$3,000, you can select components individually, but for this price, you can typically find a professional-level bike fully assembled.

Now, let’s take a closer look at bike components (thanks to Fyodor Zhernov for the illustration).

Frame

The frame is the core of the bike, connecting all other parts. The material affects ride quality significantly. Modern bikes mainly use three frame materials.

Steel frames (often chromoly) are the oldest type. They are heavy but very durable and provide a comfortable, springy ride. Downsides include flexing and movement around the bottom bracket under heavy loads. Steel frames are becoming less common, mostly found in entry-level mountain and kids’ bikes. Some premium brands like Colnago still produce high-end steel frames comparable in price to expensive carbon frames.

Aluminum frames are much stiffer than steel and resist corrosion but have a shorter lifespan. They offer less comfort due to increased stiffness but are lighter than steel frames.

Carbon fiber frames represent the pinnacle of bike technology and style. Contrary to popular belief, not all carbon frames are lighter than aluminum or steel; some can be heavier. The advantage of carbon is its ability to be engineered for stiffness in certain directions and compliance in others. Manufacturing carbon frames is complex and costly, though affordable carbon frames have become widespread due to production in China and Taiwan. When buying carbon frames, prioritize design and quality control certifications to avoid subpar products.

Some frames combine materials, such as aluminum with carbon rear stays, offering some benefits of carbon while classified as aluminum or steel frames.

Frames are designed for different uses: group road racing or individual time trials/triathlons. Time trial frames are stiffer, heavier, and less maneuverable with different components. Beginners should start with a group race bike and later add aero bars (clip-on extensions) to transition towards a time trial setup before investing in a dedicated time trial bike, which is prohibited in draft-legal races.

Fork

The fork is a vital part often included with the frame. Most modern forks are carbon with aluminum or steel steerer tubes and offer similar performance characteristics.

Leading frame manufacturers include Trek, Cannondale, Cervelo, Pinarello, Colnago, De Rosa, Bianchi, Giant, Merida, Wilier (popular globally), Cube, Focus, Orbea, Specialized, and Scott.

Wheels

Wheels are equally important and often more expensive than other parts. Racing wheels come in clincher and tubular types. Clinchers have a tire and inner tube with rims designed to hold the tire bead. Tubular wheels glue a tire with an integrated tube onto a rim without sidewalls, offering smoother rolling and higher pressure tolerance (up to 220 psi). However, tubular tires are harder to repair and more costly, mostly used by professionals with technical support during races.

Clincher tires and tubular tires are incompatible. Recently, tubeless-compatible rims have gained popularity but are less common in road racing. Some manufacturers like Tufo produce tubular-style clincher tubes for clincher rims, though compatibility varies.

Rims are made mainly from aluminum or carbon and come in low, medium, and high profiles, including aerodynamic wheels (40–80 mm rim height). Aero wheels and disc wheels, used in flat races and triathlons, improve speed above 25 mph but require skill to handle in crosswinds. Some races ban them due to wind conditions.

Top wheel brands include Mavic, Easton, Campagnolo, HED, Fulcrum, Zipp, and Lightweight, with Zipp and Lightweight known for premium, race-winning wheels.

Tires usually measure 20–23 mm wide and support 90–145 psi. High-performance tires like Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX, Schwalbe Ultremo R.1 Evolution, Veloflex, and Michelin Pro Race offer excellent weight, rolling resistance, and grip but wear quickly, making them ideal for racing. More durable clinchers last longer but are heavier.

Components

Components include the bike’s control and drivetrain systems.

The handlebar, stem, saddle, seatpost, brakes, and pedals are essential for control. Proper saddle selection is crucial for comfort during long rides, with top brands like Fizik, Selle San Marco, Selle Italia, Selle SMP, and Specialized. Poor saddle choice can cause discomfort and health issues.

Seatposts vary mainly by size, weight, and material (aluminum or carbon).

Brakes must reliably stop the bike. Brake pads wear out and need replacement; pads for carbon rims differ from those for aluminum rims.

Modern pedals are clipless, securing the shoe via cleats for efficient pedaling, enabling both downward and upward force. Pedals vary by brand and weight but function similarly. Cleats wear over time and can be replaced. Popular brands include Look, Time, and Shimano.

Bike shoes are essential for clipless pedals and training. Comfort is key: shoes should fit snugly without pinching toes. Closure systems vary (Velcro, dials). Leading brands are SIDI, DMT, Shimano, Diadora, Northwave, Gaerne, and Bont.

Triathlon shoes differ by featuring Velcro straps for quick removal, drainage holes, and heel loops for easy handling during transitions.

Cleat positioning affects knee health and pedaling efficiency. Proper alignment is critical to avoid knee pain, with options to angle the foot inward, straight, or slightly outward based on individual biomechanics.

Look cleats come in three colors indicating float: red (most float), gray (moderate float), and black (no float). Gray is recommended for recreational riders.

Brake levers (shifters) integrate gear shifting and braking, collectively called the drivetrain along with derailleurs, crankset, chain, and cassette.

Derailleurs operate via cable-actuated levers and function similarly across brands.

Crank arms come in lengths from 170 mm to 180 mm to fit leg length. Chainring combinations include 53-39, 52-42, 55-42 for time trials, and compact 50-34 for climbing, favored by amateurs.

Cassettes have 9-11 sprockets with varying gear ranges (e.g., 11-21, 11-23, 12-25). Wider ranges like 11-27 require special rear derailleurs with extended cages.

Chains wear over time, elongating and causing cassette and chainring wear. Regular replacement and lubrication every 90-125 miles are essential, especially after rain. Dry lubricants that leave a film prevent dirt buildup and keep components clean.

Major drivetrain manufacturers are Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo, each offering multiple component tiers. All groups within a brand are compatible but not with other brands, except some cassette compatibility between Shimano and SRAM. Mid-level groups like Shimano 105 or Ultegra, SRAM Force, and Campagnolo Centaur or Athena offer the best value for beginners.

Additional accessories for training and racing include bike computers, heart rate monitors, and power meters. Power meters, which cost around $1,000 extra, provide objective training data beyond speed and heart rate, dramatically improving training effectiveness.

In summary, beginners with limited budgets should consider aluminum frames or affordable carbon frames from brands like Merida, Focus, Trek, or Scott, paired with carbon forks, Shimano 105 or Ultegra groupsets (or SRAM Force, Campagnolo Centaur/Athena), and wheels like Fulcrum Racing 5 or 3, Campagnolo Zonda, or Mavic Ksyrium Elite.

With a larger budget, consider upgrading to wheels such as Fulcrum Racing 1, Campagnolo Eurus, or Mavic Ksyrium SL.

For those unconcerned with budget, premium carbon frames from Cervelo, Colnago, Pinarello, or Look combined with top-tier wheels (Zipp, high-end Mavic or Campagnolo, Fulcrum, Lightweight) and top groupsets (Shimano Dura-Ace, SRAM Red, Campagnolo Record or Super Record) are excellent choices.

Custom-built bikes are an option if you want a personalized setup.

Moving from theory to practice, here are links to bikes in various price ranges (converted to USD):

Under $700:

http://www.velostrana.ru/cube/2012/road/roadway/peloton-race-compact/

http://www.omnishop.ru/goods/road/2012_orbea_aqua_t105

Under $1,400:

http://www.kant.ru/show_good1.php?t=bikes&id=807853&id_razdel=27

http://velosport.ru/catalog/items.php?cid=1&id=1&pid=1103

Under $4,200:

http://www.uventasport.ru/product/27793/Vel_shosseinyi_Orbea_Orca_SDR_2012

http://velosport.ru/catalog/items.php?cid=1&id=1&pid=1171

http://www.velo-butik.ru/velosiped/shosseinye/6469-giant-tcr-advanced-sl-1-isp-2012-2012.html

In the under $4,200 category, the first bike features a top-tier frame and Dura-Ace components but has mediocre wheels. The second offers good wheels and frame with Ultegra components, which are one step below Dura-Ace.

You can also buy bikes from international online stores like chainreactioncycles.com or wiggle.co.uk. Be aware that for duty-free shipping, the bike’s value must be under approximately $550 (excluding shipping). Otherwise, import duties of 30% apply on the amount exceeding this threshold.

Another option is buying parts separately and assembling the bike with a mechanic’s help. This approach isn’t the cheapest but allows customizing frame and wheels while saving on components. Many parts are cheaper abroad, making this a viable option for experienced cyclists seeking a second or third bike.

Personally, I own two Cervelo S2 bikes with Ultegra groupsets and HED aero wheels, featuring 53/39 chainrings and 11/27 cassettes, and a Cervelo P2 equipped with Dura-Ace.

Remember, a fancy, expensive bike won’t ride itself. The rider’s fitness and determination matter most. Training smartly is key, and the book “The Cyclist’s Bible” can guide you.

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