Types of Racing Bicycles

Racing bikes are as varied as the courses themselves. Most racing bikes share a common trait of being lightweight and aerodynamic for the speed needed to go the distance. Differences occur depending on the type of bike racing you will be doing. Road racing books have thin tires and are built for speed. The hybrid bikes used in cyclo-cross racing must be able to handle a variety of conditions, while mountain bikes are built for climbing and descending. Finally, track racing bikes have one singular purpose: speed. The type of bike you chose will ultimately depend on your racing style.

  1. Road

    • Lightweight and aerodynamic are two words that define a road racing bike. Road racers want bikes that are fast, comfortable, and durable. Road racing bikes typically have thin tires with high-pressure which offer little resistance while rolling. Low handlebars also help the rider have less resistance to the wind. Another feature of road racing bikes is a multi-gear mechanism for the different conditions that a rider might encounter on the road. A rider will need to handle a steep hill as well as a flat straight-away. The most common type of road racing bike has a carbon frame and can be pricey.

    Cyclo-cross

    • Blending the qualities of both a road bike and a mountain bike, this hybrid cyclo-cross bike used for racing can ride on both the smooth and rough surfaces found during the course of a typical cyclo-cross race. The cyclo-cross bike resembles a road bike with its aerodynamic design and low handlebars but also carries qualities of an off-road racing bike. Most cyclo-cross racing bikes features bigger tires for a combination of speed and traction and cantilever brakes which are placed higher in the tire to avoid contact with mud and other debris found on off-road tracks. Also, two sets of brakes are found on the handle bar, embracing the hybrid design. The frames are still fairly lightweight, with most models being comprised of aluminum.

    Track

    • With narrow tires, low handle bars, and aerodynamic build, at first glance, track bikes could be confused with a road-racing bike. Sometimes named “fixies,” these bikes differ from their road racing cousins with a “single gear combination” and a “fixed rear hub.” The wheels are stiffer than the average road racing bike, a valuable attribute when reaching for maximum acceleration during a tracking racing sprint. Low rolling resistance is another feature of these bikes with high-pressure tires. Another surprising aspect of a track bike is the brakes. There are no brakes. The rider must gradually decrease speed to stop. Track frames used by professional riders are crafted from aluminum or carbon.