Bicycle parts online shop today: How do I choose the right size road bike for me? It’s important to get the right size bike. Most bikes come in a range of sizes to fit your stature and bike makers will usually publish a rider’s height range which a bike of a specific size will fit. You should feel comfortable seated on your bike and be able to put both feet flat on the ground when standing over the crossbar, without it touching you. You’ll usually find more detailed frame dimensions listed too, which give you more details of how your bike will fit you. The most important are reach and stack, although they’re a bit complex to interpret. In general, the higher the stack number (usually shown in cm or mm) the more upright your riding position will be. If you enjoy a ‘taller’ riding position then look for a more generous stack height. Equally, a shorter reach will put you closer to the bars, thus in a more upright position. For the most part, race bikes will feature a lower stack height than endurance models. See more info on bicycle repair.
Perfect for the rider who doesn’t want to get regularly scheduled tune-ups and doesn’t have the time to clean up the bike post-every single ride, this bike is the answer to your commuting prayers. “No pesky chain or derailleur with an internally geared belt drive system, externally routed cables, fender and rack mounts — what more could a commuter ask for?” says Pastore. Our answer: Not much. This bike is quick, lightweight, low-maintenance, and versatile enough for all types of terrain. The key feature of this bike is the belt drive system. Chains need constant cleaning and lubrication, but a belt drive is a game-changer. Not only does a belt drive last much longer than chains, but it also keeps things running smoothly without the hassle (and without the greasy hands or stained clothes to boot). The trade-off is cost, but on the upside, a belt-driven bike is designed to last longer than a bike with a chain.
The Cervélo S5 garnered top spot in our Race Bike of the Year awards in 2023. We rated its straight line speed, but also its cornering ability and superb ride quality. It’s the handling that sets it apart from other fast aero bikes though: fast to respond to a change of line but not twitchy. We rated with Reserve wheels, with their internal width helping to add comfort to the tires and progression when cornering. It’s not the lightest bike, tipping the scales at over 8kg, but you don’t feel that when riding. If you want some validation of the bike’s qualities, how about 2022 Tour de France yellow and green jerseys and a slew of one day race wins?
For 2023, Cervelo revived its game-changing Soloist franchise with an impressive list of updates and improvements that make for a compelling race bike at a fair price. The new Soloist is equipped with a completely redesigned frame, featuring a new carbon layup that has increased stiffness and reduced weight. The bike’s aerodynamics are also far better, with the incorporation of Cervelo’s latest Squoval Max tube shapes. The cockpit includes Cervelo’s “externally integrated” two-piece handlebar and stem system, which provides a clean and aerodynamic cockpit but still allows tinkering—the cables run underneath the stem and through the headset bearings. It’s not perfect, but the system allowed for easy fit adjustments, and the ergonomic design of the bars provided a comfortable grip.
Cannondale has long been a master of performance alloy frames and the CAAD13 follows in that vein. It’s got long and low geometry based on that of the pro-level carbon SuperSix, with aero tube profiles leading to handling which is second to none. Priced low enough to be a first bike it’s a frame that you won’t outgrow. At this price point, you get a Shimano 105 hydraulic groupset with a RS510 crank set. The wheels have had a slight upgrade, so you’re now getting DT Swiss R470 rims with the Formula hubs. The only thing that we found fault with was the rather high front end stack. It’s easy to rectify but means you’ll have to have your head tube cut down to avoid an ugly stack of spacers above the stem. Find even more information on https://www.capitolcyclery.com/.
Argonaut’s U.S.-made RM3 road bike proudly sticks up a middle finger to some of the high-end market trends. It isn’t trying to be the lightest, stiffest, or most aero. Instead, Argonaut founder Ben Farver built the RM3 with ride quality in mind. On the road, the RM3 doesn’t so much buzz with feedback as gently whisper in your ear about what’s going on down at the tires. On even reasonably well-paved asphalt, the bike floats like you’re gliding across the ground on a hovercraft. It’s utterly sublime to the point of being ridiculous. And given the price tag, we’d expect nothing less. It’s a splurge, but you can get an extraordinarily high level of customization that you won’t find from the major brands. There’s the potential for fully custom geometry and carbon lay-ups to suit your handling, stiffness, and weight preferences. All of that is wrapped up in a classic-looking package that will undoubtedly appeal to traditionalists.