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After following the exploits of your favorite cycling riders on television, you want to start road cycling. But before you take the plunge, among the road cycling gear, you're going to need to buy your first road bike. Here are some tips to help you make sure you don't make the wrong choice.
Size
Well, choosing your bike starts with properly choosing the size of your bike. Indeed, having a bike that is too small or too big will quickly prove uncomfortable.
Which bike for which practice?
To be able to choose your type of bike, you will have to determine what your practice will be: leisure or competition? Occasional or regular outings?
For a leisurely practice, you can turn to an endurance bike to focus on comfort.
For a more sporty approach, you can turn to a cyclosport bike, with a more aggressive geometry, to focus on performance.
And if, for example, you are resuming physical activity after a long break, you can eventually turn to an electric-assist bike.
The Budget
Once you've chosen the type of bike, you'll be able to fine-tune your budget. Indeed, prices can range from about 500 euros for the entry-level to more than 10,000 euros for the bikes that equip professional cyclists.
If your budget is quite small and your rides are occasional, it will be better to choose a road bike frame made of aluminum.
If you're more into performance and lightness, then you may want to look into a carbon frame.
If your budget allows, it may be worth investing in a good frame - which you can keep for several years - and upgrade your road bike later by investing in better peripheral equipment (wheelset, transmissions, etc.).
The equipment
After the frame, the type of wheelset is the most important component of a bike. It will certainly be the first piece of equipment to change when you want to improve it.
In terms of the drive choice, the choices will also be made according to your practice: a compact crankset will be versatile, a double crankset will be more performance-oriented while a triple crankset will allow you to go everywhere.
In terms of the braking system, you will have the choice between disc brakes (which are currently predominant among most bike brands) and pad brakes.
With this little guide, you now have all the elements in hand to buy your first road bike and be able to begin road cycling.
