There are many reasons for cycling on the road and there are several different types of road bikes. The four main types of bikes for road bike cycling are road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes and folding bikes. All of these types of bikes also have many variations and different designs so choosing the right bike for your needs can be a big decision.

What type of bike you choose to ride on the road depends on how often you will use it, the purpose and distance of the journeys you make, as well as which type of bike you feel most comfortable riding, as they all have different riding positions.

Generally road bikes have drop handlebars and thin tires, and they are relatively lightweight. They are mostly designed for speed so that the riding position is low down rather than upright, as this is the most aerodynamic position. This type of bike is certainly the quickest choice for road bike cycling and is the bike of choice for racing and most experienced road bike cycling fans.

Road bikes can essentially be divided into two sub-categories – touring bikes and racing bikes. Touring bikes are excellent for long distance rides and cycling holidays, while race bikes are designed for acceleration and speed.

Touring bikes have lower gear ratios so they are appropriate for carrying gear with you on a long ride or tour. Race bikes are extremely light and have very rigid frames to maximize the transfer of power from the rider to the wheels, in order to offer a smooth ride.

A good choice of road bike for commuters, keeping fit and cycling for leisure are hybrid bikes. These are essentially a mixture of a mountain bike and a road bike, and they are growing in popularity all the time. They have fast spinning wheels like a road bike, but the riding position is more upright and similar to a mountain bike position, because they have flat handlebars.

Hybrid bikes are easy to maneuver, with a range of gears that make it easy to cope with changes in speed or gradient. They have wide tires similar to a mountain bike so they can used off-road. They are definitely a convenient choice for general road bike cycling and leisure rides.

Mountain bikes have tires with substantial tread as they are designed for off-road riding, but they can also be changed to road cycling if you already have one and want to cycle on the road without another huge cost. To adapt a mountain bike you can just swap the tires for narrower, smoother tires. This will decrease resistance and make cycling on the road easier and faster.

By Kate Johnson