About Racing Bikes - The Differences and Benefits

The term racing bikes refers to any type of road bike that conforms to certain regulations set by the Union Cycliste Internationale, or UCI. These rules are generally set to make sure competitions using road bikes are fair, although these rules are changed for events such as triathlons. Racing bikes function somewhat differently than mountain bikes, and have several features that set them apart from standard road bikes. In this article, we'll take a look at some of these features, as well as some of the benefits you can see from using a bike either for transportation or recreation.

Racing bikes can be used as standard street bikes because they are built in much the same way, although racing bikes differ from road bikes in that they often sacrifice comfort for speed, and are built to conform to racing requirements. For example, the bikes are very lightweight and aerodynamic, and take special care to put the rider in a position where his body will naturally deflect air in a way that increases his speed. The handlebars are dropped, and are positioned lower than the saddle, so that riders will be able to place themselves into aerodynamic positions.

Racing bikes also have tires that are very thin and light, with just the right amount of surface area to grip the pavement and maintain control, but not enough to the point where it slows the bike down. The wheels are also closer together, giving the bike better handling. The gears are generally spaced close together so that the rider can find an exact spot for his or her optimum cadence, or pedaling speed. There are a number of other factors that go into the creation of racing bikes, from the choice of rim to the number of spokes, and finding the right balance between aerodynamics, speed, and control is important to any rider.

Getting the most out of your ride is often a matter of making sure your bike is in top condition, and many racers take pride in outfitting their racing bikes with the highest quality equipment. There are exotic materials created for racing fanatics, such as carbon fiber wheel rims that offer a reduction in overall weight, as well as different types of wheels that change everything from the moment of inertia to overall mass. Even the way the tire is attached to the rim affects the overall performance of a bike.