Despite what the expression ‘easy as riding a bike’ might suggest, cycling is actually an incredibly involved sport that requires skill, discipline, and stamina.
For anyone who wants to achieve excellence in the cycling world, the sport also requires a high-performance bike. While an ordinary road bike will suit those who simply need to get from a to b and back again, anyone who’s a serious cyclist needs to choose a bike that’s been specially made to suit their needs.
A high-performance bike will also need to fit the category of road cycling that you want to compete or train in and be suitable for the type of roads you have in your local area. As even entry-level road bikes can cost up to $2000, and truly high-spec models can cost upwards of $10,000, this isn’t a decision you should take lightly or quickly.
It will take time to find the perfect high-spec road bike to suit your needs. While every cyclist is different and will have unique requirements, these are some of the main considerations you need to take into account when shopping for a new high-performance road bike.
Check Out The Best High-Spec Road Bike Brands
Narrowing down your search by learning about the biggest brands on the market right now could save you time and effort. Some brands will specialize in a specific type of bike, which might help you to find the right model. Others will be famed for certain features, such as creating bikes that are built for endurance or speed. While you might already have some knowledge of the main bike manufacturers on the market, especially if you’re already an avid cyclist, it pays to learn about the best high-performance road bike brands in the world. You can learn about all the options on the market and start to check out the best models and solutions.
Consider What’s Most Important To You
When it comes to picking out a model, you need to think about what features are more important to you and what you’ll focus on the most when riding. For example, if you often struggle with endurance due to pain, then you’ll need to find a model that’s built for comfort. On the other hand, if speed is your primary concern, then you’ll want to choose an aero-dynamic model that’s built for intense momentum. So, while you’re exploring the models on offer and how they will benefit you, you should keep your top priorities at the forefront of your mind. You’ll then be able to choose the right bike and get the additional features that will benefit you.
Always Take A Test Ride
High-performance bikes need to be custom-made to suit their rider’s needs, but you can get a rough idea of how a bike rides by testing it out. Most bike showrooms will offer you the chance to test out the bike first. Even if you’re planning on making your purchase online, you should always try a test ride if possible. If the model isn’t in production yet, or the manufacturer is so high-end that they only make a limited number of bikes, then try to get an idea of the dimensions and style of the bike and then test out something similar, preferably from the same brand if possible.
Read Reviews Before You Make Your Decision
The final step before you make a decision and lay down thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars for a high-performance road bike is to read reviews on the make and model you’ve chosen. Reviews from riders won’t necessarily be unbiased, but they can give you an overall sense of what the bike and the manufacturer are like. If you notice the same comment being made by several reviewers, then that could be a sign that these issues are common, and you might want to consider what that means to you.
Work With The Right Supplier
Buying a high-performance road bike isn’t the same as purchasing a low-grade cheap ride from a department store or generic bike shop. These bikes are customized to your unique needs and built to fit your body. As such, you need to make sure that you buy your bike from the right supplier who will talk you through all the steps and take the time to explain every additional feature in detail. Some high-spec bikes can only be purchased from the manufacturer directly, but that often means you’ll be dealing with them over the phone or online. Some specialist stores will act as an intermediary and make the process more straightforward for you, so you should explore your option to make it easier for you to get the high-spec bike you desire.
Learn Bike Care Principles
Once you’ve found your dream high-performance bike, you need to consider how you’ll maintain and care for it. Having invested so much time, effort, and money into finding the perfect bike, you want to make sure that you get the most out of it and can enjoy riding it well into the future. That means learning how to care for your new bike, including basics such as maintaining the tires and how to keep it clean. Most bike manufacturers will offer guides on how to care for their bikes, so you can use these and your basic skills as a starting point, and take the time to learn how to look after your new road bike so it rides like new throughout its life.
Get Insurance For Your Bike
Even a well-maintained bike can come into an accident or be stolen or damaged in a crash. While you can’t prevent accidents entirely, you can cover yourself by taking out road bike insurance from dedicated bike coverage provider Velosurance. Working with them, you can find the right level of cover to suit your bike and ensure that if anything happens, you can get a replacement or a repair quickly and easily.
Consider Returns Or Further Customization
It’s not always possible to make the right choice the first time around. Even if you followed all the tips on this list, you might still find that you’ve made the wrong decision and that you’re not as happy with your new high-specification road bike as you would like to be. If that’s the case, then check the returns policy and see if you’re able to send back your old bike and swap it out for another. Alternatively, you could consider seeing if there are any customization options you can use to further enhance the bike and fix any flaws you’ve found. For example, most bike manufacturers can change the tires for you if these are the issue, and the rest of the bike is fine. Add-ons and customization could save you time and allow you to feel truly at one with your new high-spec bike.
Enjoy The Ride!
With your new high-performance bike, you can start taking amazing trips and getting fit through cycling. Choosing a road bike with the best performance options will allow you to get the most out of it and improve your performance, meaning you can achieve your fitness goals. Thanks to this guide, you should be able to find the perfect high-performance road bike to suit your needs and preferences, so you can enjoy cycling for many years to come.