Travel and Outdoor Equipment Price Comparison > Cycling > Road Bikes
This week's most popular products:
Bianchi Oltre XR4 was designed to be at the absolute cutting edge of aerodynamics. Using technologies straight from F1 car design and aeronautics Bianchi combined advanced analysis to achieve a significant aerodynamic saving of 20 watts over the already hugely efficient XR2 frameset. Aggressive race geometry, lightweight, highly aerodynamic and with Countervailï¾’s unique vibration-cancelling technology, the Oltre XR4 keeps you in position to race faster.Oltre XR4 has been developed and tested in cooperation with Bianchi-supplied World Tour Team LottoNL-Jumbo, and has already collected remarkable successes on the World stage with Dylan Groenewegen and Sep Vanmarcke. Oltre XR4 was also used by the Dutch team at the Tour de France. [Full Details]
Game Changer!At 780gr, Bianchi’s Specialissima frame changes the game in the ultralight frame category thanks to the use of MSC’s patented Countervail integrated vibration cancelling system for cycling, developed for NASA by Materials Sciences Corporation. The new Bianchi’s Countervail ultralight carbon formula is specifically tuned to smooth out the inherent nervousness of ultralight frames. Countervail cancels vibrations that affect performance and transfers your full energy into power. A super-fast and reactive climbing machine with unparalleled control and precision in the descents.The Shimano Dura Ace groupset combines minimalist design, high-tech materials and perfect ergonomics. By using carbon, titanium and ceramics this groupset reaches unmatched performance.The Specialissima monocoque frame is processed from a combination of Hi-Modulus carbon fibre with Countervail layers. With Bianchi's special carbon nano-technology it’s possible to place nanoparticles in the matrix in order to improve the cohesion between the fibres. Air pockets and micro-cracking are avoided specifically, maximizing the life expectancy and the fracture resistance of the frame. With special techniques excellent stiffness is achieved on the frame. Additional with WMP (Wrinkless Moulding Process) only wrinkless layers were achieved. This technique is applied before the actual processing and provides more structure and process efficiency. A special viscoelastic carbon intermediate layer is used exclusively for Bianchi. This patented Countervail System has already proven at NASA and in addition to increasing the damping effect the rigidity and durability of the entire frame increased. This provides less fatigue to the driver and keeps him ready for the final sprint.A tapered aero headtube 1-1/8†to 1.4†improve the rigidity of the front part, and reduce the weight. The aerodynamic headtube section is inspired by Aquila CV’s profiles. The lightweight, tapered full carbon fork (340 g) comes with straight blades, Countervail material and has got an extremely reactive geometry. The FSA BB386 bottom bracket standard, in which the ball bearings are pressed directly into the frame, and the voluminous chainstays provide a huge drive stiffness so every used watt is convert in propulsion.The internal cable routing fully implemented all cables in the frame with positive effects on the appearance and low maintenance. The derailleur hanger is replaceable and the dropouts are made of full carbon with metal inserts to ensure maximum durability. [Full Details]
Road Bikes Buyers Guide
Road bikes, as the name suggests, are designed entirely for road use. Any off-road use is strongly discouraged as it will be incredibly difficult and is likely to damage the bike. Road bikes are not strong enough to withstand the jolts and other excessive forces which off-road bikes take in their stride.
The narrower and smoother tyres of road bikes makes them much faster on the road than an off-road bike could manage. Over the same journey, at the same speed, you will be much more out of breath trying to use an off-road bike on the road instead of using a dedicated road bike.
Most road bikes are specialist speed bikes which are not necessarily designed for comfortable family cycles on a Sunday afternoon. However, others in the category are much more relaxed than "racers" and could be considered to be bordering on hybrid bikes.
Lighter parts and accessories will allow greater speed or greater efficiency but make sure that you aren't sacrificing strength for lighter products.