THE ROLE OF ROAD BIKE FRAME
A road bike frame is the first thing you should look for choice a bike. The way in which this one is built tell you what you can do with it and what you can't. There are a lot of different type of frame, every bike has a different geometry due to different types of use. The geometry isn't the only key you have to watch when you are looking for a bike.
In History bycicles were built in iron, then in steel since the discovery of lightness titanium and aluminium. Latest one is still used today in entry level bike. This is not to say that an aluminium frame is for beginners.
Aluminium is still a perfect material for built a bike that can give you a lot of rigidity but if you're searching a really modern frame you have to choice carbon frame. Since first year of 21th century, Colnago and Cannondale brought very light frames to the market thanks to the lightness of this material. Carbon is much lighter than aluminium and much stiffer .
To make you understand how much the bicycles have become lighter with the introduction of carbon, just think that the International Cycling Union (UCI) was forced to insert weight limits of no less than 6.89 kg.
TYPES OF ROAD BIKE FRAMES
The market offer a lot of different type of products but the most important different is due to types of use. If you are an amateur or you want to ride long distance on the saddle you may choice an Endurance frame. Those have a little reach and a more marked stack that give you a more relaxed position. Thethe arrangement of the carbon fibers also guarantees the bike an excellent torsional capacity and therefore a high absorption of vibrations which guarantees excellent comfort on the saddle.
What you need to know is that racing bike frames often have sporty lines that allow only the most trained athletes to withstand certain positions, so this is the occasion for talk about racing frame and aero frame. These frames are built to meet the needs of very trained riders who need very stiff frames that do not lose power in the push phases so any vibration coming from the asphalt will arrive on your body and will not be absorbed by the frame.
The difference between an aero and non-aero bike is given by the structure of the tubes that form the frame. Usually to satisfy aerodynamic logics, these are more pronounced and bigger so as to cut the air in the best possible way. They are often used in flat races where very high average speeds are made or for the sprints.
A classic racing frames have less aerodynamic shapes but can count on geometries that are in any case refined to give the rider a more collected position possible.
HOW DO I CHOOSE A ROAD BIKE FRAME?
The choice of a racing bike depends on the type of use and the needs of the cyclist. If you are looking for a frame for racing or to be competitive, the advice is to focus on an aerodynamic or racing frame.
If you love going uphill, look for a frame with thinner lines that guarantee lightness and rigidity at the right point. On the other hand, if you are a lover of the plains and high speeds, you could opt for an aerodynamic frame that allows you to enjoy the excellent ability to slice through the air after 35 km / h.
If competition is one of your goals but above all you are looking for something that supports you for long laps then you should opt for an endurance frame. Greater vibration absorption and a more comfortable position will ensure that you give your best even after hundreds of kilometers.
Are you a beginner and don't know what to buy? Start with a standard frame of any material. Do not despise aluminum and carefully evaluate carbon especially if used. A small crack in a carbon frame means the end of the game.
If you are a beginner and you think that cycling will be your future passion, do not be afraid to buy a high-performance carbon frame.
In case you find that you don't like sport, you can resell it without any problems. A great frame at a competitive price can often be found at less famous companies that spend less resources on marketing and are therefore less known. However, this does not mean that their frame is not of excellent quality.
WHAT SIZE ROAD BIKE FRAME DO I NEED INCHES?
To choose the size of the frame there are very easy tables to consult in which the size in centimeters of the top tube and the measurement in inches are placed side by side.
However, it is necessary to know that each manufacturer has his own measurements and it is therefore important to take into account an important measure: the distance of our groin from the ground calculated with the back straight and the heels resting against the wall.
The formula used is 0.65 x height from the groin in centimeters.
The best thing to do, however, is always to consult the manufacturer or seller who will surely be able to give you the right information regarding the choice.
Here you can see centimeter (the first one) and Inches (the second one)
THE MOST POPULAR BIKE FRAMES BRAND
Italy has the largest number of bicycle manufacturers in the world. The prestige of Italian looms is unbeatable worldwide and gives brands such as Pinarello and Colnago market leadership.
These two companies have won 9 Tour de France in the last 10 years, which is the most important cycling competition in the world. Pinarello's frames feature an unusual, non-traditional geometry with curved frames that maximize stiffness and aerodynamics at the same time. Colnago, on the other hand, recalls more traditional forms while managing at the same time to integrate the most innovative innovations in the cycling scene. In the nineties, on the advice of Enzo Ferrari (the owner of Ferrari) Ernesto Colnago changed the front fork from the curved shape to the completely straight one.
An innovative frame is certainly that of Giant who was the first to adopt a Slooping geometry with the central tube that descended very low towards the seat tube. Giant is also the largest carbon frame manufacturer in the world.
The Californian company Specialized is equally established in cycling thanks to its victories achieved through highly sought-after frames that combine aerodynamics and lightness.
The two most famous models are the Venge and the Tarmac. The first is suitable for sprinters thanks to its aerodynamic lines while the second is specially designed for climbers who must be ready to give their best after many kilometers of climbing. It therefore guarantees comfort and high performance at the same time.
Another major American company is Cannondale. What made her famous is her free spirit with which she creates novelty. Everyone will remember the bicycle with only one fork in the front: the so-called "Lefty". State-of-the-art technologies allowed him to carry bicycles under 7 to 7 pounds and forced cycling organizations to limit their weight.
