It is also important to know your price range on how much you are willing to spend. Do you like to find a bargain or do you hate settling for less? It is more cost effective to spend a little more on the purchase of a new bike rather than upgrading later. Also keep in mind you may need to spend extra on necessary accessories, like a helmet, pedals, lights, and shoes, so you should account for this in your budget.
Frame Materials
There have been many different materials used for bicycle frames. But there are four materials that have held true throughout the history of bikes. These materials are steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, and titanium. Each material has their own characteristics, and knowing these characteristics will help you find your perfect bike. There are also bikes that incorporate different materials into their frames.
- Steel has stood the test of time and has been used by frame builders for over a hundred years. It is cheap, easy to repair, extremely strong, and has a good ride quality. Unfortunately, steel tends to be heavier than other, newer materials. Also, if not properly maintained, steel can rust. However based on price alone, nothing beats a well made steel frame.
- Aluminum has been commercially used in bikes for almost 30 years. It is the most commonly used frame material in biking today. It is lightweight, extremely stiff, and doesn’t rust. Because aluminum is so widely used it is extremely cost effective, beginners and experts alike can ride a reliable aluminum frame with the components separating the high end from the entry level. Aluminum is ideal for almost every rider, unless you find yourself at the starting line on race day, in that instance every gram matters and a carbon fiber frame may be the best choice of frame material.
- Carbon Fiber is one of the newest materials being used in bicycle frames. It is unique because it is not a metal, but a combination of graphite and resin. It is extremely lightweight, very stiff, and incredibly reliable. It can also be designed into almost any shape imaginable because it is a fiber. But with this great technology comes a big price tag. If you are an experience rider of someone who loves the latest and greatest technology, carbon fiber is right for you.
- Titanium of the three metals discussed in this guide, titanium combines the best features into one excellent frame material. It is light and stiff like aluminum and comfortable to ride on like steel. It is also long lasting and doesn’t rust. But it is a very tough metal and is very hard to shape. This also means it is very expensive. If you are an avid biker with a large budget, titanium is the way to go.
Components
- Cranks are the part of the bike in which your pedals attach. Two typical choices of cranks are a double or a triple. Doubles (two chain rings) are used primarily in road cycling. It is what you would normally see in professional races. It is the lightest choice since there are only two gears. It is typically suggested that intermediate to advanced riders use these since the gearing can be hard to push. A compact double crank is a crank with two chainrings that has the same gear range as a triple but because there are fewer chainrings weight is saved. A compact double crankset is typically found on more advanced bikes used for long rides or races when saving every gram makes a big difference.
- The other option is a triple (three chain rings). These are great because they are the most versatile to use. The third “ring” (called the climbing gear) is great for steep hills that are very hard to climb with a double and allow the rider to maintain an ideal cadence even on the steepest inclines. The disadvantage is that it is heavier than the double. But it is great for beginning to intermediate rider and for those who want to stay in shape.
- Cassettes are the cluster of gears that are located on the rear wheel of the bike. Cassettes come with anywhere from 8-10 cogs. Depending on what type of rider you are dictates how many cogs you want. The more cogs you have, the more types of terrain you bike can handle.
- Component Groups. There are three major companies making road component groups; Shimano, Campagnolo, and most recently SRAM. Each company offers a wide variety of options and, each have very reliable products. Information on each of the component groups for each company is available in the link below. Keep in mind, a group is considered the brakes, shifters, hub, cassette, chainring, cogs, chain, bottom bracket, cranks, and headset.
I ) Shimano Road Bike Components
Shimano’s road groupsets, listed in approximately descending order of price and quality are:
- (New) Dura-Ace Electronic (10 speed)
- Dura-Ace (10 speed) Top of the line
- Ultegra SL (10 speed)
- Ultegra (10 speed)
- 105 (10 speed)
- Tiagra (9 speed)
- Sora (8 speed)
- 2200 (8 speed)
II) Campang Road Bike Components
Campagnolo’s road groupsets, listed in approximately descending order of price and quality are:
- Super Record
- Record
- Chorus
- Centaur
- Veloce
III) SRAM Road Bike Components (NEW)
SRAM’s road groupsets, listed in approximately descending order of price and quality are:
- Red -- (10 speed) Top of the line
- Force -- (10 speed)
- Rival -- (10 speed)
Wheels. When looking at a bike, nothing stands out more than a good looking pair of wheels. The most improvement in bike technology has been made in wheel design. The ultimate goal in engineering a wheel is having it be as light and reliable as possible. When you drop the weight of a wheel, you drastically improve the bikes performance. This is due to the fact that wheels are rotating weight. When you drop a few hundred grams off the wheels, it’s like dropping a few pounds off of the bike. The first big upgrade a cyclist should make for their bike is a new set of high performance wheels.
Triathlon Bikes
If you are thinking about racing in a triathlon, these bikes are for you. They are engineered for going as fast as possible. The most obvious feature of these bikes is the different handle bar setup. The handle bars on a triathlon bike are designed to put the rider in a more aerodynamic position. After all, less air resistance equals higher speed. Also, these bikes are built to be stiffer so the energy put into turning the pedals is not lost through a flexing frame. The component groups are ranked and function the same way as on a road bike. But a few components, like the brake levers and shifters, are designed differently so they can function on the triathlon aerobars. Another large difference is that the angle of the seat tube is pushed forward so the rider is more comfortable when using the aerobars. Remember, these bikes are most effective for a time trial or triathlon athlete, so if you are one of these then consider a triathlon bike.
Track Bikes (fixie)
These road bikes look much like your standard road bike but lack the ability to coast. The sprocket is screwed directly on to the hub and there is no freewheel mechanism which causes the pedals to turn whenever the rear wheel is turning. Track bikes are primarily used on the velodrome .but have become increasingly popular as a commuter bike due to the low maintenance. Most track bikes are made from steel which is strong and inexpensive and feature a flip-flop hub which allows you to run the bikes with a free wheel or as a fixed gear bike.
Cyclo-cross
These bikes are a mix in between a road bike and a mountain bike with knobby tires, a slight change in bike geometry which usually runs a size smaller then you standard road bike due to the higher bottom bracket, and different brakes for added tire clearance against mud buildup. Cross bikes are usually raced in the autumn and winter on mixed terrain which varies from grass fields, mud pits, pavement, etc. They make a great commuter bike or off season training bike which is stronger then your standard road bike and faster then you mountain bike. Perfect for dirt roads.
Women’s Specific Bikes
Men are from Mars, and women are from Venus. Everyone knows it, and recently bicycle manufactures have begun producing bikes specifically designed for Women. These bikes are designed to accommodate for the longer legs and shorter torso of a woman’s body. Also, these bikes come with special colors and componentry that appeal to women’s riding style. It is a much safer bet for a woman to ride a women’s specific bike than to ride a man’s bike that is small enough to fit you.
Time to Make Your Decision
It’s all down hill from here. Now that you have information on the different bicycle options, you can make an educated decision on what bike fits you best. If you have any questions at all, feel free to call us at 1800-546-9091 or send us an email at service@rscycle.com. Our customer service representatives have years of experience and can further help you on what you need for your ride.
Suggested Bikes:
Below are some popular Road Bike models from Tommaso, carried exclusively by Randall Scott Cycle Company. They are broken down by price and features.
Commuter/Track
 Tommaso Augusta ($489) (Track Bike - Commuter)
Other companies throw a fixed gear hub in a frame and call it a track bike. They think if it looks like a track bike that is close enough. Well…that won’t cut it in the track world. There are track corners to consider and crank length. A lot of the “track” bikes/fixies out there won’t be allowed near a track due to improper geometry. Track frames need to have higher bottom brackets and steeper angles. They also need to be able to handle the force coming out of the banked corners. The track tells no lies. That means if your bike isn’t designed for the track the track will let you know.
Road Bikes
 Tommaso Imola ($399) (Beginner Race - Entry Level)
The Tommaso Imola is the bicycle for anyone that wants to get started on the cycling journey. The 6061 aluminum frame will provide thousands of miles of dependability and enjoyment. The Shimano components are known for accuracy and ease of use. The triple front chainring and 8-speed transmission give the rider 24 speeds to choose from all controlled by the Shimano shifter/brake levers. Perfect for getting up and over whatever terrain is thrown at you. Add that to the hand-friendly ergo handlebars, San Marco saddle and Kenda tires and you have a winner!
 Tommaso Imola with Carbon Fork ($489) (Beginner Race - Entry Level - Carbon Race Fork)
The Imola carbon takes all the features and technology of the standard Tommaso Imola and adds a carbon bladed fork. This will provide a little more comfort as the carbon absorbs more of the high frequency road buzz from the pavement. Racy graphics compliment the 12k weave of the carbon fork.
 Tommaso Monza ($699) (Intermediate Race - Middle Entry Level)
A step up from the Imola, the Monza is a high performance and comfortable ergonomic race quality bike with an affordable price tag. Featuring a 6061 Lightweight Aluminum Frame and Carbon Fiber Fork, the Monza sports Shimano 105 and Tiagra Components and FSA Triple Crankset, Ritchey Handlebar and Stem and Lightweight Alex R500 Wheelset!
 Tommaso Mondial ($949) (Intermediate Race - Upper Entry Level)
Moving up the line, the Mondial features a 6061 Butted Aluminum Frame w/Carbon Fork mated with Shimano Ultegra 10 Speed Components (20 total gears) an FSA Gossamer Compact, Double (54/30) Crankset and Ritchey Seat Post. This bike is perfect for the intermediate rider who is looking for higher mid-level components at an amazing price.
 2007 Tommaso Trascinare ($1.199) (Advanced Race - Carbon/Aluminum Lug)
New for 2007, the Trascinare boasts full carbon fiber frame and fork with double butted aluminum lugs giving the advanced rider superior vibration damping, stiffness and agility. Highlights of this race machine include all new Shimano 20-speed 105 Group, Shimano reduced spoke count wheels, Truvativ Elita Compact Crankset, FSA SL-K Carbon Fiber Seat Post and an Italian made Selle Italia saddle.
 Tommaso Velocita with Dura-Ace ($1,199) (Advanced Race - Double Butted Aluminum - Dura-Ace Components)
We like Tommaso because they chose Shimano’s 7800 Dura-Ace shifters and rear derailleur but mostly because the price is still affordable and in line with what our customer’s want: A great bike at a great value. Tommaso worked tirelessly to create bikes that will perform and amaze at prices that will leave you as breathless as the high altitude mountains the Tommaso bikes are tested on.
 Tommaso Velocita with SRAM Rival ($1,099) (Advanced Race - Double Butted Aluminum - SRAM Rival Components)
We like Tommaso because they chose the right components for the right bike whether it is Shimano Dura-Ace that peaks your fancy or the hyper competitive SRAM Rival, Tommaso offers them both. And the price is still affordable and in line with what our customer’s want: A great bike at a great value. Tommaso worked tirelessly to create bikes that will perform and amaze at prices that will leave you as breathless as the high altitude mountains the Tommaso bikes are tested on.
 2008 Tommaso Super-Leggera ($1,899) (Advanced Race - Titanium)
The Tommaso Super-Leggera encompasses the all new Shimano Ultegra 10 speed group with titanium state-of-the-art semi-compact design that combines comfort, stiffness, strength, and superb handling all in one package. The Tommaso Leggera frameset sports a race design for a highly efficient, fast, and forgiving performance ride. Tommaso's meticulous craftsmanship is evident on the Super-Leggera with its custom hand-made, smooth weld joints. Compare the components of the Super-Leggera to similarly specked bikes from other manufacturers in the industry and you will be hard pressed to find anything of this quality under $4,000.
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