Racing Bicycles - Experience a Rush Like No Other
but your overdue rent. "I can't drive 55!" Sammy Hagar-I Can't Drive 55 The term racing bicycle technically describes those with the lightest weight, lowest aerodynamic drag, (and the highest price). They're for the serious riders that want to race or want to be cut like a Greek god. There are different variations of racing bicycles (with different names), however, that riders may find fit their style and wallet better. I'll explain them below (to check out the different kinds now, visit )but first let's take a closer look at these sexy hunks of metal... What makes it a Racing Bicycle? Several characteristics define racing bicycles: 1. Very light weight: Lighter weight means higher speeds and tighter handling. 2. Low aerodynamic drag: The hunched over postion you sit in as well as thin, high pressure tires both create less wind resistance. 3. Close gear ratios:Many gears spaced closely together lets you get your cadence, or pedaling pace, to just where you want it. All of these things combined make racing bicycles speed machines that will get you in the best shape of your life. Ride one of these and you may find yourself in the Tour De France. Hey, if Lance can do it... Okay, I promised information about variations suited to different rider levels, and I know how upset you'd be if I didn't give it to you, so..... What to look for in a Racing Bicycle A couple of places that are definitely worth your time are The National Bike Registry and Bike Buying. The NBR is a cheap and effective way you can protect yourself from bicycle theft, and Bike Buying is packed with advice to keep you from grabbing your ankles on your purchase. Moving right along... Depending on the size of your beer gut and your wallet, you'll want to check into these types of racers: Word of advice: Steer clear of bicycles with steel frames. They handle like your grandfather's Pinto. Aluminum is good, titanium is grrrrreat! A company I trust to sell quality bicycles for good prices is REI  . They've been around since 1938 and, in my
opinion, genuinely care about their customers. Sports
BikesWeight: 28 to over 30 lbs--- The low end of the scale is heavier, but should still handle decently. It comes with the wide range of gears for precise pedaling. These bikes are good for general riding on fairly flat terrain for a few hours. Don't do any touring on one of these-they're just not effecient enough. Fast Road/Training Bikes Weight: 21 to 26 lbs--- These are medium to high quality. They're lighter, and will provide quick acceleration and tight handling. This is getting into more of the competitive range, and is still affordable (as long as you don't work at McDonald's). You can have fun on these as well as kick some ass. Racing/Road Racer/Performance Bikes Weight: 17 to 22 lbs--- This is the Bruce Lee of racing bicycles They're the strongest, the lightest, and the fastest. Kind of like, ahem, Bruce Lee. Look for wheels made from moulded fibreglass, carbon fibre, or aluminum.  If you want Lance to remember your name, you GOTTA get one of these. Made of the lightest frames and components, these are machines that'll have motorists pressing the gas pedal to keep up. You're going to pay a few grand for these, but if you've got your eye on serious competition, these are the bicycles to be on. Again, a great place to see some different types of racing bicycles is REI .If you're really interested in learning more, some other interesting racing bicycles that are fun to read about are Time Trial, Track, and Triathlon.
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