Getting Started in Road Biking

Bikes are meant to be… simple, right? Just throw on a helmet and push the pedals… right? This simplicity comes to a halt after you’ve outgrown your childhood bike or that old college fixed gear. If you’re ready to upgrade and looking to ride for fitness or for distance, a road biking setup can be a bit more complicated—but factor in the speed, the efficiency, and the mileage opportunity, and it’s all the more rewarding.

In addition to being a choice fitness activity for those with joint pain or those recovering from high-impact sports injuries, cycling is a lifelong activity that can benefit people of all ages. It’s an efficient means of travel; there are hundreds of paved miles crisscrossing the Front Range alone that serve up prime road biking opportunities with a side of stellar Colorado views. Here’s how to shift your road biking setup into high gear.

Gear

There can be a lot of gear to sort through when setting up your road bike–and it can all add up quickly. To begin, stick with the basics so you’re not tempted to compromise quality for price. As you grow into the sport, you’ll develop a better idea of where you want your road biking to take you, and how best to supplement and swap out your gear.

1. Frame

The goal of any frame is to balance strength with weight. Ideally, you want a strong machine, but a lightweight one that is easy to use. When buying a frame, the two most important aspects to consider are material and size. Most bikes will come in aluminum or carbon. The biggest difference here will generally be price—aluminum can be cheaper, while carbon will be a bit pricier; both are good beginner options.
As for fit, you want to measure the inches between your ankle to your inseam. Bike frames usually come in extra small to extra large, and will fit a range of heights according to this measurement. Bikes also come in different versions for men and women, so be sure to try a variety a frames to ensure you’re getting the best fit.
You also want to look for the ability to upgrade. If you buy the more basic version of a bike now, can you later exchange or add on more advanced mechanical systems or features to the frame? Some good road bikes to try are the Cannondale Synapse AL Sora or the Giant Defy 3.

2. Pedals

Most road biking bikes won’t come with pedals. You’ll have a choice between platform, clip-less, and clip-in to add on your bike. For now, stick to the basic platform pedals until you’re ready to invest in special cycling shoes and committed to riding a least a couple days a week. Try something like the EVO Adventure Trekking Pedals to start, and later you can always swap them out for a clipless pedal upgrade.

3. Water Bottle Cage

Especially in arid Colorado, hydration is key on long road rides. Buy a simple cage to hold your bottle so you’re never far from your next sip. Don’t splurge here, try: Planet Bike PB Water Bottle Cage.

4. Lubricant

You want to keep your machine oiled and working well, so specialists recommend cleaning and lubricating the chains on a biweekly basis for those that aren’t necessarily riding everyday. As you ride more consistently, you’ll want to clean and lubricate about once every 7-10 days. Again, no need to get fancy here: Finish Line Dry Lube 2.

5. Bike Lock

The last thing you want to is to finish a big ride at your favorite brewery, rehydrate, and then walk out to find your bike missing. Invest in something good, but not too heavy, for example: Kryptonite KryptoFlex 1018 Cable Lock.