This bike first appeared at the Critérium du Dauphiné - French road race, which is often used to test new cycling before releasing them to the Tour de France arena. The bike weighs only 640 grams (with a frame size of 56 centimeters) and is the lightest of all the manufacturer's models.

Trek plans to launch this miracle into serial production. The Emonda could thus become the world's first lightest production road bike. Weight with all components - 4.65 kilograms.

Nuance: only bikes weighing 6.8 kilograms or more can take part in the Tour. So the engineers still have a place to “roam”.

Canyon Aeroad CF SLX

This bike is perhaps the best balance of weight and aerodynamics, which plays a decisive role in road cycling. All thanks to the wind tunnels that make up the frame of this time trial horse from Canyon.

Source: feedthehabit.com

Specialized S-Works McLaren Tarmac

The brand new S-Works first appeared before the start of the Giro d "Italia (the Italian analogue of the French Tour). And its modification by McLaren was presented a few days before the start of the Tour de France 2014. The peculiarity of the latter is that it is made of a special carbon fiber alloy. this makes the bike frame 10% lighter than the standard bike frame.

• EE Cycleworks brakes;
• Roval CLX40R wheelset;
• Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 hardware.

Source: cyclefit.co.uk

Merida Reacto KOM

The Taiwanese company Merida, specializing in the production of bicycles, also tried to combine the successful aerodynamics and a light weight... The result is a bike that, when fully loaded (along with the Shimano Dura-Ace attachments and the Fulcrum Racing Speed ​​XLR wheelset), gained 6.8 kilograms.

Today there are only 3 such bicycles. One of them belongs to Rui Costa, a Portuguese professional cyclist, 3-time winner of the Tour of Switzerland, winner of 3 stages of the Tour de France, world champion in a group race (not to be confused with Rui Costa, a former Portuguese footballer) ...

Source: thaimtb.com

Pinarello dogma f8

This road wonder was developed in collaboration between Pinarello and Jaguar. The result is a road bike that:

“12% stiffer, 16% more balanced, and 42% more aerodynamic. And we saved 120 grams in weight “- say the engineers at Pinarello, an Italian sports bike manufacturer.

The fate of Jaguar is also far from the last: British automakers carried out an aerodynamic examination of the frame in a special wind tunnel.

Indeed, such bicycles exist. Called road or racing, they are designed for fast driving on roads with good asphalt surfaces. How to distinguish such a bike and its other fellows? Road bikes are characterized by a low rider fit, a lightweight body, handlebar bent down by rings, narrow smooth and large gear set. At the same time, these bicycles are poorly suited for other roads, are completely unsuitable for tourism and are very inconvenient for walking.

By the way, a track bike, like a racing bike, is also a kind of road bike. It is only used for sports racing on the track and usually, unlike the racing one, it has no brakes. By the way, the racing bike also does not have a brake on rear wheel, only on the front, and you need to brake with the front brake very carefully so as not to roll over the steering wheel. How to do bike ride more comfortable and safe in

Racing road bikes or group race road bikes are the most popular type of road bike. They are designed for speed walks, fitness, training, brevet (marathons) or for road racing. These bicycles are presented in several levels - from beginner to top-end, so that every person, be it an athlete or a lover of outdoor activities, can find a bike that suits his capabilities and needs. The amateur racing road bikes are equipped with shorter frames for a comfortable fit and clinchers in widths from 25 to 28 mm, these bikes are suitable for beginners and veterans of cycling who, due to their age, find it difficult to ride road bikes with a long stretch. Advanced and high end racing road bikes have similar racing geometry and can be used for both fitness and competition. Disc brakes and electronic transmissions are now starting to gain ground among the top models of road racing bikes.

Let's be clear: we're talking about racing bikes here. This means a low "ram" handlebar, a long top tube of the frame and an elongated position of the rider with a flat back. Combined with the typical geometry of a racing bike - a 73-74 ° seat angle, short stays are bicycles that feel speed, they react quickly but predictably. steering and you feel comfortable all day long if you are trained enough to stay in the saddle for that long.

Here I will talk about driving and handling. Other stats on any elite racing bike vary. Not everyone manages to hold out in a tilted position to the steering wheel due to the long stem; because of the low handlebar, the cyclist puts all his weight on front wheel which provides good grip and handling.

A good road bike has a high-quality gear system - 53/39 front sprockets and a rear cassette with 11-23 sprockets. However, there is nothing wrong with using the compact 50/34 or wider sprocket. Even some pros use parts like this, and the latest Shimano pro-grade Dura-Ace kit includes an 11-30 cassette.

However, some things are vital. Racing bikes either have very light wheels or, even better, aerodynamic rims. Lightweight wheels add a little bit of speed on the mountain road, simply due to the overall light weight, but aero wheels always add speed, which greatly outweighs the lack of them from excess weight.

Lightweight and rigid frame as well required attribute so it can be aluminum, carbon fiber, titanium or one of the steel alloys like Reynolds 931 or Columbus Spirit. If weight matters to you - and if you are considering buying a racing bike it certainly does - then your choice should be carbon fiber as it does. even the best metal frames are a couple of hundred grams heavier. But metals still have their virtues. For very tall cyclists, an aluminum frame might work - stiff but lightweight, and the characteristics of steel and titanium also have a lot of fans.

Caliper rim brakes are commonly used on racing bikes, but there are other options now. Shimano's Direct Mount brakes are tighter caliper brakes that are usually tucked under the stays for a more snug look.

But in last years breakthrough in brake systems steel disc brakes. Rim brakes are the way to go if you are going to race in the mainstream, but outside of the race you can experience all the benefits of discs that provide better braking performance while retaining the rims.

What are racing bikes suitable for?

In short: for fast driving. Including racing, of course, but you don't have to race to enjoy a racing bike, you can simply add the speed whistle of a fast-paced bike to the sounds of nature.

These bikes are suitable for any type of ride where speed is important, especially if you need to cover a decent distance. Carrying options are mostly limited to a backpack, but if you are careful with your selection, you can find a bike that will pull 25mm tires and low profile Crud Road Racers or SKS Raceblade Longs fenders, so you will at least keep your butt dry and it will turn out to soak up the bed for a few minutes longer.

And if we talk about trips for several days? With the right bags and maybe some tweaks to the star system to compensate for the extra weight, you can be a great cyclist. However, race bikes are almost never equipped with rack mounts, and it can be said that it is not a good idea to try to make them yourself on a lightweight frame. Then you will hang on it the weight for which it was not intended, and the short rear stays of the road bike will not allow you to pedal if you install a rack with any load on the frame.

During events such as the transcontinental race, cyclists carry a minimum of luggage with them, sometimes supplementing their luggage with only a bag on the frame or on the handlebar. This is great if you are staying at a hotel or sleeping on the bus, and the alignment of the bag in line with your body does not greatly affect aerodynamics.

Five superb racing bikes

The choice is huge, as is the variety of prices. To understand a little what is the price, we give below an example of five great bikes, the price of which is more like the price of cars.

B'Twin Ultra 700 AF - 900 €

More often than not, when we look at the performance of bikes, we highlight those places that need improvement or where they would be useful, but this does not apply to the B "Twin's Ultra 700 AF. This is one of the best options for the money in terms of price-performance ratio. ...

We don't want to say that there is nothing to improve in Ultra. With a rigid triple aluminum frame, it can easily accommodate some trinkets without overshadowing the main components.

In this case, the Ultra cannot be said that the price is not justified. It's not easy to find a bike with an 11-speed Shimano 105 system at this price point, and even though the B "Twin has been trimmed down a bit with the RS500 compact (50/34) gearing system, it's still a very specific bike. without the 5800 series 105 chain, but you will hardly notice it.

Specialized Tarmac Sport - 1,345 €

We loved the bike's older brother, the Ultegra equipped. However, the younger one is also very attractive and well equipped and offers a very fast and fun ride, which is quite suitable for beginners riders.

As with the previous generation Tarmacs, it is easy to live with. There are no surprises in the management, it is very predictable and fits very easily into the home interior. This is a bike that can be used for a full day ride in complete comfort, as well as for diving into the winding and narrow chains of forest trails; for commuting and commuting; and, finally, for a walking trip on a lazy Sunday morning to the coffee shop. Ride and relax!

Boardman Road Pro Carbon SLR - 2 160 €

If you want to achieve good results and show off on Strava, or just want fast, comfortable and easy riding, the Boardman Road Pro Carbon SLR should be at the top of your list. With features such as a full carbon frameset, SRAM Force kit, Mavic Ksyrium wheels and a weight of just 7 kg, the SLR will be a real contender, even with the price - and it might even challenge direct salespeople.

The Road Pro is worth taking a closer look at. Silver paint with a mirror effect makes it stand out from others, especially in the sun; you will definitely be noticed.

However, beauty is not only in appearance. In the harsh world of cycling, where bicycles start to go through all the possible thorns, Boardman knows exactly what's what, and a good racing bike only begs for opportunities to overcome difficulties. He enjoys both driving on asphalt, going downhill along the very edge of a narrow path, and competing for speed in the ascent.

Cannondale CAAD12 Disc Dura-Ace - 2 550 €

There are several brands associated with aluminum, like Cannondale with its legendary CAAD series - "Cannondale advanced aluminum design". American company has made a name for itself with aluminum frames, and while they have invested heavily in carbon fiber in recent years, the dedication to aluminum remains at a level that few have.

The new CAAD12 is a highly polished bike with a level of comfort that will leave you wondering why you would buy anything else at all, and of course why aluminum has been a popular material for such a short time, only during the development of advanced technology in racing bikes. in the 90s. It's so light that it dwarfs many of the carbon road bikes we've tested over the years. This is nothing short of a miracle.

Shimano's Dura-Ace shifting system and hydraulic disc brakes are expensive icing on a wonderful cake. The brakes give a feeling of solidity and immense strength, even with just one finger pressing the brake lever, and the subtle modulation ensures that the wheel will not lock. The star system is just a song; when mechanical shifting is so easy to use, you wonder why you wanted an electronic Di2.

Trek Madone 9.9 - 10 200 €

Trek Madone 9 series characterizes the latest technology feel like a fast and comfortable ride, but as is often the case with innovative engineering, nothing good can be cheap. However, this bike is exceptional.

In short, the Madone 9 is an aerodynamic racing bike that delivers comfort with a Trek's IsoSpeed ​​decoupling that significantly dampens bumps and bumps. The effect is subtle but very noticeable.

The combination of IsoSpeed ​​and aerodynamic frame profiles gives the Madone 9 the quirky feel of combining soft seating and super speed. It picks up speed quickly and keeps it nicely.

The climbs on this bike are wonderful. It is punchy on short steep climbs, agile when you come off the saddle, and feels comfortable when you keep your hands on the Madone XXX for long rides.

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According to research results, more than a million bicycles are used in the world. Among this number, racing bikes are the most popular. Racing models are distinguished by their low weight (up to 9 kilograms) and focus on driving on special tracks and highways.

Racing bikes are divided into three groups:

1. Track;
2. Road;
3. Cross-country.

Consider each type in more detail.

Racing bicycles (road)

A racing bike is equipped with brakes, a speed switch, and continues to a stop after stopping pedaling.

He has increased the distance between the wheels. For ease of assembly without tools, parts are attached using a system of eccentrics. The wheels have a minimum set of spokes. A racing bike has a large number of gears - twenty or more. The individual are switched using the front lever. For reliable fixation of the foot in the pedals and circular pedaling, the structures are equipped with contact pedals. Handlebar-mounted controls operate the front and rear brakes. The package includes a bike saddle, pump and water tank.

Cross bikes

Cross bikes differ from the previous type with a frame of increased weight, durable wheels, tilt of the handlebar and saddle. The racing structures are oriented towards the passage of cross distances.

Track models

These are highly specialized racing bicycles designed exclusively for riding on sports tracks. In addition to being lighter than others, racing bikes have the largest frame rake angles. These racing models have one fixed gear, so there is no way to change gears. The bike has no brakes, therefore, to stop, it goes through a few extra laps, gradually slowing down. You won't be able to ride a racing bike if you don't pedal, because the wheels and pedals are rigidly secured with a chain. To maintain speed in the race, you need to maintain an appropriate cadence.

The configuration of a typical track bike is such that a rhythm of up to 120 rpm is maintained.

The size of the wheels, made of ultra-light materials, are 40 millimeters wide and 28 inches in diameter. These two components help to reduce the acceleration time to a minimum.

The load on the wheels during the race is high, which is why increased requirements are imposed on the quality of the fastening. Since replacement is rare, strong nuts are used instead of quick release clamps. The spokes on the racing bike are also missing - they use a solid carbon layer instead.

The shape of the saddle and the low fit provide a comfortable position: you can ride a mountain bike for a long time. Wheels of different diameters add convenience. The curved steering wheel resembles a ram's horn. In addition, the bike has enviable aerodynamic and downforce properties. In order for the inertia to be higher, the number of components should be washed to a minimum, and in order to avoid injuries from falls, a special mount is used - toe-clips, which are straps with which the foot is attached to the pedals.

A rigidly fixed foot does not slip, therefore, there is no drop in speed. This type of racing bike is not available in stores because it is made for major competitions (on request).

Track bikes fall into three categories:

1. For leadership races;
2. Tempo;
3. Sprint.

The assembly of the frame in the first group has fundamental differences: the diameter of the front wheel is reduced, the fork is slightly bent back, the single-tube design has a different design, the saddle is non-standard.

It is difficult for the untrained eye to find differences in the latter two, except for the striking unusual position of the steering wheel and saddle. In fact, there are more differences. They concern the dimensions of some parts, the dynamic characteristics of the frame, the base distance

About Look

The history of the company began in France in 1951. Initially, the company specialized in the production of equipment for skiers, which has succeeded. But fame came to her after the development and presentation of the first frame made of carbon. Since then, its popularity has been counted in another area - cycling. Today, the company's activity is the manufacture of accessories and spare parts for racing bicycles using high-strength materials and innovative technologies... Unique design and graceful lines are the main features of the famous brand racing bikes.

Look is well-known and sporting achievements: on bicycles with components of this company have been won more than once major competitions(1985 and 1986).

The widespread introduction of the company's developments into the design of mountain bikes falls on the beginning of the 21st century, when it was engaged in the production of frames, pedals and other accessories.

Bicycle frames for mountain bikes(track)

Take the L96 Speed ​​track bike as an example. Its design is borrowed from the legendary model 496. The new design has improved aerodynamic performance, reduced total weight, increased power, but retained the fantastic strength and efficiency that once brought success to the prototype known as the 496. The use of carbonaceous materials helped to achieve this goal.

The racing bike fork is designed to provide the best compromise between flexibility, handling and stiffness while maintaining weight that has not changed and stayed below the limit.

The design of the steering wheel is aimed at improving aerodynamic properties. Convenience is added by the seat mount design, which allows for parameter adjustment.

KEO Classic Pedals

The surface of the pedals is rough with numerous indentations, which prevents the feet from slipping and provides a secure supporting surface. Optimum tension is achieved thanks to an adjustable spring. Highly reliable design withstands a load at the center of the pedals up to 90 kilograms and 100 rpm for up to 2 million cycles. It is important that the clips are compatible with any shoe.

Racing bike accessories

Nozzle for sports shoes the racing bike model KEO Grip has protection, while riding, ensuring complete safety. It is compatible with various types of shoes.

Asterisks. The speed losses are minimal, which is facilitated by the rigid construction. Due to the use of a special method of processing teeth, the quality of gear shifting has become better. They are produced for various values ​​of diameters and speeds.

Connecting rods the lightest on the bike market. Their weight is 320 grams. At the same time, this did not affect the rigidity in any way. Easy to install and replace the connecting rod thanks to the adjustable spindle carriage shape. The cranks are compatible with all types of modern pedals.

Steering wheel streamlined, aerodynamic, UCI 3: 1 compliant.

Video: Beijing 2008. Cycling track