Think Lycra, Tour de France and shaved legs. A road bike has a lighter frame and smooth, narrow tyres which makes it great for traveling at high speed and good for climbing hills. It’s built for speed and therefore not suitable for taking off road and the drop handlebars can take a little getting used to. A touring bike is an accessible alternative and the frame is often set-up to be a little more forgiving. Road bikes come in various set-ups so try a few.
If you’re looking for bike that’s suitable for on-road and off-road cycling, you might consider a hybrid bike, also known as a ‘trekking’ bike. There is a downside to this compromise as these bikes are not as fast or efficient as the road bike on the road, nor as good off road as the mountain bike. In fact with a hybrid bike you’re advised to stick to well-worn tracks and paths. If you are riding in a groups of laid back cyclists they can be ideal but if the group suddenly decides to crank up speed you could feel a little out of puff unless you are particularly fit. Some top end Hybrid bikes share the same geometry and kit as their expensive road cousins.
