There are many types of bikes out there in the market, such as hybrid, road bike, commuter, gravel, folding, mountain bike, and electric or e-bike. But from all kinds of this who can be our partner for everyday use, that is the question here. In this proportion, almost all the bikers agree with some points that are going to discuss here. Are road bikes good for everyday use or the other one?
A road bike is usually designed to use on paved roads, but not on rough tracks or terrain like MTB. It has a specialty for competitive cycling. And, also known for touring, trading, event riding, commuter, or fitness riding. Most road bike has a drop-down (bent) handlebar to help the biker sits in an aerodynamic position. Yes, a biker needs to be used to this posture which takes a Lil bit of time to get comfortable.
Different Types of Road-Bike
What do I think about road-bike or commuter bike, you know? It’s just a theme, the significant style of road bikes are drop-down (or curling down and toward the rear of the bike) handlebar, the aerodynamic posture of a biker and thin wheels/rim size aka tires are narrow than the MTB. Let’s find out how many road bikes are available and which one may be the best among them for everyday rides.
- Touring Bikes: It is robust but comfortable and capable of carrying heavy loads. That’s why it is also called ‘carry it with your bikes’! Touring bike is quite a difference in the frame, spoke-count, seat size, and set-up quality. Yeah, heavier than a traditional road bike, typically stouter than a standard road bike.
- Hybrid (Flat Bar) Bikes: It is actually a specialized bicycle and is designed for multi-purpose (utility) usage. A hybrid bike is also great in unpaved paths, relatively smooth than a typical road bike. It is a combination of both mountain bike and road bike design and features. As we see, the drop-down handle is a specialty in road bikes, is missing here.
It has a flat bar handle with a larger seat and is often an easier gearing system than the road bike. Also, used for transportation in the Europen territory. It is also in the fitness bike category.
- Cyclocross Bikes: It is generally an off-season bike, especially for Fall. It has also some differences in riding terrain (pavement), frames are wider than a usual road bike, and in the grip and shape. Yes, cyclocross bikes can ride on the unpaved path like sleepy hills but not as MTB. But it is more likewise to a traditional road bike in sense of the outlook.
- Gravel or All-Road Bikes: This bike is a combination of both touring and cyclocross bikes. Its geometry and setup make it an endurance road bike with a wider tire, disc brake, and gearing range. It is an easy-handling lightweight road bike.
- Commuter Road Bikes: The name says it all about this type of road bike. It is a speedy, lightweight, efficient, robustly setup bike that is used to go to school or work. A commuter is renowned for making a city man away from monotonous traffic jams. A variety in commuter bikes is usually seen in the market based upon the biker’s taste.
- Racing Road Bike: This is more speedy than the usual commuter-type road bike. It is a sportbike actually, sometimes preferred by the professional racer like Tour De France. So, the price is higher than any other type of road bike.
- E-Bikes: Electronics bike or e-bike is a bike that is featured by a motor to power the bike instead of paddling. It is a modern version in the bike category, also used on the road. These are generally beneficiary for older age or senior citizens to hit the road feel like biking.
Some bikes can be included in the road bike category such as Dual-Sport Bike, Endurance-Sportive Road Bike (similar to Racing bike), Bikepacking Bike (similar to Touring bike), Aero Road Bike (Pure aerodynamical shape), Fixie or Track Bike, etc.
So you see, every type of road bike I’ve discussed briefly is slightly different from each other in sense of design, tires, height, seat size, and attributes. But they all are used as a Road bike, just varies from person to person taste.
Then, Which Type of Road Bike Is Better?
Well, it totally depends upon individual taste. A senior citizen may find comfort in an e-bike but young age. Same for the racing, commuter, touring, hybrid, and Gravel as well. Who loves to fit themselves and take the biking as the regular exercise precisely, then he or she surely vote for the road bikes categorized as fitness bikes. You can’t even imagine my bike renovate partner Mike likes commuting in his MTB!
In the above section, I’ve told you some popular types of road bikes briefly. You can choose from them as per your need, and preferences.
Are Road Bikes Good for Everyday Use?
Why not! Yes, road bikes are the perfect one for our daily use as commuting, sporting, racing, fitness, utility usage, or any daily purposes usage. As you see it is a lightweight bike, good for fitness training, commuting, and much more versatile among all types of bike, then is there any reason to give it a NO for everyday use?
Let’s take a glimpse over the advantages of road bikes in everyday use-
- It is a lightweight bike.
- It goes fast but is easy to handle.
- The most suitable bike on paved road, the preferable commuting both in cities and urban areas rather than heavy MTB bikes.
- Some say- it is quite uncomfortable in muddy, or sloppy trails for the lean machine with no mudguards. But today’s road bike overcome these drawbacks and performed far better over paved paths.
- A road bike can easily be used for utility jobs.
- If you ride regularly, your body gets fitter, you can breathe fresh air and definitely reduce pollution which obviously helps to drop down the global warming alarm.
- As the body gets fitter, the virus-like COVID-19 and other health issues will go downward.
- When you run a road bike daily, you have the best opportunity to explore the surroundings and feel your existence on earth which will improve your mental health undoubtedly. And, make you more confident and reasonable.
- Regular biking saves your money, time, and makes you smarter.
- You may have to a little bit of tricky in the rainy season. But in the shinny days, undoubtedly it is the best for daily use.
- The main thing is – Road bike is the most popular among all kinds of bicycles especially for regular use, not for a specific season or occasion.
- Furthermore, if you look upon the above section you will find out road bikes are also used for racing as it is.
After figuring out all the special benefits, what do you need more to choose the road bikes for daily use? Okay, I will put some extra answers below to make things easier.
Some Related Answers
So, here we are with some quick answers.
Can I Ride A Road Bike To Work?
- With a good conditioning road bike, you can ride from 5 to 30 miles per day easily, and commute more efficiently. Yeah, the distance depends upon your health condition and path also. A study says that regular riding to work can reduce the 45% chance of developing cancer.
Is A Road Bike Good For Beginners?
- As you already see road bike is lightweight and easy to control, so a beginner cyclist can comfortably earn 8 mph. Yes, it is good for beginners. But the aerodynamics riding posture or drop-down handlebar may create little ruckus at the early stage.
Is The Road Bike Good For Long Rides?
- Actually, it is not a wise decision to go a long distance with your road bike. Because it is specially designed for paved roads, not for uneven paths and long going distances. Although its seat is quite uncomfortable for a long ride.
Is A Road Bike Good For Uphill?
- As it is lightweight among all bikes, having a higher gear selection opportunity with thinner tires, so it creates lower friction to the surface. You can compare it with an MTB on a smooth road, and you will see road bike will run faster than the high-functioned MTB. Though it is light in weight, so any biker can carry it easily. Yes, the road bike is quite good for an uphill ride.
Can Road Bikes Go On Dirt, Gravel, or Rough Road?
- A road bike is designed for a smooth road. So it is not run well on a rough, gravel, or over-dirt road. Moreover, it hasn’t so much flexibility on off-road biking or absorbing socks, so your road bike may damage if you over-used it on such trails. But road bike in the gravel category is the best option to choose in this field (gravel path) for daily use.
Can Road Bikes Go On Sidewalks?
- Ah! Actually, it is a YES. But depends where you are. It is legal somewhere and illegal in someplace. So, you have to figure out the rules of the territory. Furthermore, when you go on the sidewalk, you may have to yield to the pedestrian for overtaking or making aside.
What Are The Disadvantages of a Road Bike for Everyday Use?
We all know everything has its pros and cons. No one is perfect. Now it’s time to look after some disadvantages of a road bike.
- Excessive riding in a day may cause mussel pain.
- Not as much suitable for every option of cycling.
- It may be tough to ride in the rainy or winter season.
- It is not comfortable for a long ride.
- Lack of storage and incapability to carry extra passengers.
Conclusion
After reading, the whole part of this article I think you are clear about most of the things of road-bike such as its types, is it good for everyday use or not, advantages for daily use, and other queries related to this. A road bike is a partner who can be your best friend to enjoy nature, commuting, an uphill partner, and a fitness trainer on a paved track. Anyone who thinks smart, wants to live hygienic life, and is tired from traffic jams- also loves to ride the wonderful road bike in different spectra every day.
