Road
Home Up Mountain Road

 

74 Main Street Middlebury Vermont (802) 388-6666

SRAM Road
Compact Cranks
Choosing Wheels
Speedplay Pedals

            

Priorities

The four most important parts of your road bike are:

Frame:  The right combination of fit, stiffness, and comfort are essential to your enjoyment of your new bike.  There is an ideal Lynskey frame for every rider.
Wheels:  Have more effect on performance than any other part of your bike except the frame.  Consider:
Durability 
Aerodynamics 
Weight -- lighter wheels accelerate faster, especially on climbs
Stiffness -- stiffer wheels mean better power transfer, but be wary of compromising comfort
Comfort -- your wheels need to be able to cover the distance without beating you up
Fork:  The heart of your steering mechanism should be strong, stable, and durable. Edge Composites forks cost more than brands like Alpha Q, Reynolds, and Easton, but provide the ultimate in durability and steering performance, especially at speeds exceeding 40mph.
Cranks:  These are the link between the engine (you) and your bike's drive train.  Check out this comparison of many of the top cranks in the bike industry. 

Equipment Research Links

United Bicycle Institute -- comprehensive listing of bicycle and component manufacturers' web sites
RoadBikeREVIEW -- customer reviews of road bike equipment
weightweenies.com -- forum for riders interested in high-end equipment