Racing bike. How to choose a racing bike: speed, photo, racing bike manufacturers. The lightest racing bike. Which cyclist does not break the rules

racing bike- one of the best options for improving physical fitness, driving long distances, high-speed movement on tracks with even coverage. Regular riding on a road model contributes to the harmonious development of all muscle groups. That is why a sports racing bike is increasingly chosen by experienced cyclists.

Features of racing bikes

Let us briefly consider how road models differ from other types of two-wheeled vehicles:

lightweight frame, components and wheels;
narrow tires;
front fork, often made of carbon fiber;
no rear or front suspension.

Purpose

Racing road bikes are designed for competition, but are often used as a means of transportation by ordinary sports fans. Designed models of this category for driving on surfaces with the most even coverage. Therefore, they are not recommended to move on unpaved, rough surfaces.

A racing bike is an ideal option for organizing multi-day bike tours. However, for long-distance rides, the presence of a support car is welcome, since road models are not suitable for transporting luggage. Such bikes do not have rack mounts, which are provided in the design of most tourist, mountain and urban models.

Frame

Buying a racing bike, future owners have to choose between frames made of aluminum and aluminum. The bulk performs well when driving on flat surfaces. However, this option is much cheaper compared to carbon fiber.

Frames made from carbon fiber provide increased load-bearing capacity and maximum cushioning during travel. However, their cost cannot be called affordable, due to the special complexity of the manufacturing process.

If you need a solid racing bike to ride for fun, to keep fit, in this case, it’s enough to stop at a road model with aluminum frame. When low weight and structural strength is of decisive importance for competitive activity, it is worth giving preference to a carbon fiber frame. In the latter case, athletes often resort to making it to order, in accordance with the parameters of their own body.

wheels

As noted above, the racing bike, the photo of which can be seen in this material, is equipped with narrow high-pressure tires. The surface of the latter contains a minimum number of protectors. Wheels designed with these features in mind provide a low level of friction on the road surface, which contributes to the development of higher speed.

The disadvantage of tires for racing bikes is the occurrence of vibrations even when in contact with minor bumps. Therefore, in order not to feel discomfort and not cause damage to transport, it is recommended to drive it exclusively on paved roads.

Steering wheel

Racing bicycles are equipped with handlebars, the geometry of which reduces the resistance of the oncoming air flow. Curved handles make it possible to control the transport by placing the body body parallel to the track during movement. As in others modern bicycles, the components that are responsible for braking and gear shifting are located on the steering wheel. All of the above points provide maximum convenience for the cyclist when high-speed riding is necessary.

Transfers

racing bikes high level have a wide range of gear shifting. Low ones are activated in case of overcoming long and steep climbs. High gears make it possible to save energy when driving on flat sections of tracks.

In the standard layout, a racing bike has 2-3 forward gears and at least eight rear-wheel drive gears. Collectively, mid-range road bikes have between 16 and 27 individual gear combinations.

Pedals

Most racing bikes do not have pedals as standard. This is due to the need to independently choose them for your own needs and features of shoes. A competent approach to the choice of pedals when buying a road bike in the future is largely reflected in the comfort of the ride and the achievement of the desired results. The optimal solution there will be pedals with a system of clip-on hooks, which make it possible not only to push, but also to pull the cranks up.

Speed

Cyclists who are remotely familiar with are inclined to believe that riding a road bike allows you to develop speeds that are several times higher than the limits available during mountain riding models. As practice shows, it makes it possible, on average, to move at a speed of up to 40 km / h, the most light racing bike.

The speed of a trained cyclist is about 25-35 km / h, which slightly exceeds the results of the owners of urban and mountain models. In general, the development of higher speeds depends on the driving style, proper fit, physical indicators cyclist and to a small extent from the model of the vehicle.

Race bike manufacturers

The main brands that are in demand among athletes: Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Bianchi. It is the bicycles of these brands that are most often preferred by professionals.

Buying a racing bike from an unverified manufacturer in order to save money, as a rule, ends with a quick failure of the main components, the need to endure discomfort during the ride, and in the worst case, the occurrence of critical damage to the frame. Professional racing bikes from reputable brands open up ample opportunities to improve the configuration for your own needs.

Landing

To determine the optimal fit when riding a racing bike, you should use the following recommendations:

When moving, your hands should lie on the steering wheel, and your fingers should be free to reach the gearshift elements and brake levers. It is desirable that in this position an angle of 90 degrees be observed between the arms and the body.
Making a choice, it is worth sitting on a bicycle. In this case, when looking at the front hub, the latter should be in line with the steering wheel. Otherwise, the landing cannot be called optimal.
It is better to stop on a racing bike model, the width of the handlebars of which is symmetrical to the width of the shoulders. This grip ensures the maintenance of clear and stable breathing during movement. At the same time, the operation of a model with a narrow steering wheel contributes to an increase in aerodynamic performance. However, the latter option is not very convenient for inexperienced athletes.
When placing the foot on the pedal parallel to the roadway, the leg should not bend at the knee. Installation according to the indicated principle indicates the correct setting of the seat height.
It is desirable that the plane of the seat is parallel to the ground. If at the same time there is increased discomfort during the ride, it is worth changing the angle of its inclination by several degrees.
When choosing a fit, the gap between the thigh in the top position and the elbow should be on the order of a few centimeters.
When riding a racing bike, it is recommended not to bend your back in the lumbar region. This is the only way to avoid unwanted stress on the intervertebral discs. In addition, such a fit allows you to breathe freely during active body movements.

Before settling on a specific race bike model, it's worth testing a few options. Having resorted to the help of a store consultant, you can narrow the circle down to a choice of several solutions. Even if the models have similar equipment and frame shape, the ride on each of them will be significantly different.

Before buying, it is recommended to ride each bike for 15-20 minutes, overcoming long and steep climbs if possible. It is worth choosing a model that provides increased comfort and is able to become a real extension of the body. Ideally, it should meet current and future needs, allowing you to gain experience and improve your fitness as you train.

When choosing your first race bike Special attention should be given to the frame. It is better to immediately give preference to high-quality and reliable. At the same time, savings can be obtained on completing the rest of the nodes, over time equipping the bike with parts of a higher level. It is recommended to start riding initially on good bike Because that's the only way to truly love this activity.

What is the difference between racing bikes and regular bikes? The professional racing bike combines the best features of the most comfortable bike for disciplines such as road racing, triathlon, track racing, and cyclocross. These include the following characteristics: good inertia, low weight, aerodynamics, specific fit of the athlete to achieve the greatest pedaling efficiency.

Types of racing bikes

All road racing bikes do not have shock absorption, because it sways when riding and dampens vibrations. They also have narrow and large 700c wheels. The front wheel is most often spoked radially. This type of knitting is not used on rear wheel, as it may not support the athlete's weight. The rest of the features will be discussed below.

Highway

These bikes are used for driving on smooth roads. Unlike some types of city road bikes (fixes), they have a free ride and a multi-speed transmission.

Road racing is a very dynamic sport. Cyclists on road racing bikes reach tremendous speeds. These bikes never have disc brakes. This is explained by the fact that when falling, you can severely cripple yourself and those around you with a brake disc.

Lightness is the main attribute of a racing bike. That's why the best riders ride high quality carbon frames as well as top end body kits. The frame has been lengthened for greater stability and aerodynamics.

The “ram” steering wheel allows you to change your landing right while driving: you can grab the steering wheel from above, and after picking up speed, grab lower part rudder

How to improve the efficiency of pedaling a cyclist? To do this, install on. They are needed to fix the foot on the pedals, due to which you can not only press on the pedal from above, but also pull it from below with your other foot. As a result, two legs will work at the same time, and not alternately.

Previously, this function was performed by touklips - special straps holding the leg. They are cheaper than contacts, but they hold the foot much worse. It is also more difficult to get out of touklips in case of an unforeseen situation. Their positive feature is that there is no need to buy special shoes. Clipless pedals require shoes with fastening spikes.

Excellent aerodynamics are given by the special geometry of the bicycle, narrow wheels and the “ram” steering wheel. The athlete stretches along a long frame and creates minimal wind resistance. The wheels are usually 28-inch tubular, very rolling. They do not have an aggressive tread, as they are designed for flat roads. The tires have only water-removing grooves.

Sometimes carbon fiber discs are installed on a road bike. So the bike becomes even lighter, and there is even less wind resistance.

A frequent occurrence for road bikes is the presence of a mount for a bottle (or even more than one) and a pump, while there is no way to put a rack. On a bike for speed competitions, the possibility of transporting goods is useless.

These bikes are highly specialized, because you can’t ride them on the ground, you can’t jump off the curb, and so on. A road bike is needed for fast riding only on paved roads.

Cyclocross (CX)

The frame of such a bike is more durable than a road bike. It is adapted not for asphalt, but for natural forest paths. The frame is designed somewhat differently from a road bike. First, the saddle position is not as high as the handlebars of a road racing bike. The landing is completely different, because here it is no longer just necessary to rush forward rapidly, but also to think over the trajectory of movement in order to successfully pass all the natural obstacles on the way. A sports cyclocross bike is designed for the fact that the cyclist will have to carry it on himself from time to time: go through viscous mud, water, and so on. This bike is easy to carry on your shoulder.

Cyclocross can be considered a hybrid of road and mountain bike

Off-roading also requires more grippy brakes and studded tires. Therefore, hydraulic calipers with brake discs are installed on CX bikes. Tires are wider than road bikes and also have a tread similar to mountain bikes. Thanks to these tires, you can ride a cyclocross bike in winter.

The CX bike can be equipped with a rack and bottle holders, so the bike can be used as a touring bike.

The ground clearance is increased so as not to touch the ground with the carriage, especially when cornering.

gear ratio designed so that you can drive in low gears. Obviously, you won't get as fast off-road as you would on the highway, which is why a cyclocross chainring is slightly smaller than a road bike.

Cables and hoses are located above the top tube of the frame, dirt and moisture do not clog in them, so the brakes and transmission work well even in harsh conditions.

The CX most commonly uses contact pedals for MTB (mountain biking). They are less reliable, but it is easier to get out of them.

In general, a cyclocross bike is perfect for a person who wants everything at once. It is good to ride on it both on roads and on the ground, as well as go on long bike trips and participate in competitions. It can be ridden at any time of the year.

track

A track bike is not designed for anything other than riding a dedicated track. Bicycle hubs are designed to prevent free play. Spin the pedals - the bike rides, stop pedaling - slows down. That is why there are no brakes on track bikes, because you can slow down with pedals.

From track bikes to city bikes with a fixed gear

The wheels are made lighter by fitting high profile rims or carbon fiber rims. They are very good indoors, but dangerous on the street: the discs have excessive windage, and the wind can blow the bike sideways. The consequences for the athlete can be fatal. On a closed track, the discs perform excellently: they not only lighten the bike, but also give the bike good aerodynamics.

There are track bikes for racing:

sprint,
tempo,
leadership.

Sprint and tempo bikes are practically the same. Only the lengths of the wheelbases, landing and some other characteristics of the frame geometry are slightly different.

Leader bikes are very different from other track bikes. Race for the leader is riding a special bike behind a motorcycle, increasing speed and braking when necessary. The leader bike looks rather strange: the fork is bent back, not forward, like all other bikes, and the front wheel is reduced.

There is a traffic limiter on the back of the motorcycle, showing the “air bag” area in which the cyclist needs to ride.

The aerodynamic properties of the bike are very important here, because a little something goes wrong, the bike leaves the zone of no headwind, and this can affect the outcome of the race. A pro race bike cannot be used in the city or even in other disciplines of track cycling. This bike is so highly specialized!

Bicycles for the Tour de France

The most popular road race in the world is the Tour de France. She gathers thousands of fans from all over the world. This race was first held in 1903 and has been attracting athletes who want to participate in such a large-scale event for more than a hundred years.

Competitors amaze the audience with their amazingly cool bikes. Let's consider some of them.

Scott Addict R2 TT: Scott Plasma 3

This bike is equipped with a seat post integrated into the frame, additional beds for comfort during long rides, and carbon discs are installed on it.

The rear brake mount is located on the lower stay. The best solution was to install the most high-tech equipment from Shimano, including transmission, brakes, rim. The Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic system shifts gears smoothly and precisely.

Tubular tires from the equally well-known manufacturer Continental fit perfectly into the image of the bike.

This bike is not the pinnacle of engineering, but deserves admiring glances. It is equipped with hitch from Sram, FSA, Lightweight, Continental. Sram Red is professional shifting quality. Carbon parts - handlebars and high-profile rims - make this bike ultra-light.

Athletes of the Milram team ride it.

This Lapierre frame weighs just 850g. Including the rigid Easton EC90 carbon fork, innovative Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 drivetrain, Ritchey stem and handlebars, and other bike components, the bike weighs 6.5kg.

Look 595 Origin and 595 Ultra

Look is a leading manufacturer of road bikes. The Campagnolo Super Record 2x11 chainring allows for smooth acceleration without injuring your knees. Zipp rims, the front wheel is spoked radially, which improves not only the ride quality of the bike, but also appearance.

The white wrapping looks great on a Full Speed Ahead handlebar. The Fi "zi: k saddle was created specifically for marathons such as the Tour de France.

Pinarello is pure Italian. This is a unique frame with a reduced wheelbase, which results in a slightly curved seat tube. The bike is equipped with sunbeds. Campagnolo Super Record 11 made all the transmission and brake components for this bike. Wheels assembled from Easton and Continental.

A professional bike is always a specialized bike that cannot be used for other purposes and in other conditions. If you are not going to stubbornly engage in cycling, prepare for competitions, then you do not need an expensive racing bike. It is better to buy yourself a more versatile bike for the city and not too extreme off-road riding.

The bike first showed up at the Critérium du Dauphiné, a French road race where new bikes are often tested before being released into the Tour de France. The bike weighs only 640 grams (with a frame size of 56 centimeters) and is the lightest among all models of the manufacturer.

Trek plans to put this marvel into production. Thus, the Emonda could 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 most successful balance of weight and aerodynamics, which play 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 lit up before the start of the Giro d "Italia (the Italian analogue of the French Tour). And its McLaren modification 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. For this bike frame is 10% lighter than the standard one.Another good thing is the limited edition of only 250 bikes.All of them are hand painted and have custom:

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

Source: cyclefit.co.uk

Merida Reacto COM

The Taiwanese bicycle manufacturer Merida also tried to combine successful aerodynamics and a light weight. The result is a bike that is fully equipped (together with mounted Shimano Dura-Ace and Fulcrum Racing Speed XLR wheelset) gained 6.8 kilograms.

Today there are only 3 such bikes. 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 the group race (not to be confused with Rui Costa - a former Portuguese football player) .

Source: thaimtb.com

Pinarello Dogma F8

The development of this road miracle was carried out 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,” says the engineers of Pinarello, the Italian manufacturer of sports bikes.

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

Indeed, such bicycles exist. They are called road or racing, they are designed for fast driving on roads with a good asphalt surface. How to distinguish such a bike and its other counterparts? Road bikes are characterized by a low riding position, lightweight body, handlebar bent downwards, narrow smooth and a large set of gears. At the same time, these bicycles are not well suited for other roads, are not suitable at all for tourism and are very inconvenient for pleasure riding.

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 does not have brakes. By the way, a racing bike also does not have a brake on the rear wheel, only on the front, and you need to brake with the front brake very carefully so as not to roll over the handlebars. How to make cycling more comfortable and safe in

Task 1 of 15

1 .

Are the Rules violated in the situations depicted?

Right
f) tow bicycles;

Wrong
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.6. The cyclist is prohibited from:
d) hold on to another vehicle while driving;
f) tow bicycles;
Task 2 of 15

2 .

Which cyclist does not break the rules?

Right
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.6. The cyclist is prohibited from:

Wrong
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.6. The cyclist is prohibited from:
b) move on motorways and roads for cars, as well as on the carriageway, if there is a bicycle path nearby;
Task 3 of 15

3 .

Who must give way?

Right
6. Requirements for cyclists

Wrong
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.5. If the cycle path crosses the road outside the intersection, cyclists must give way to others. vehicles moving along the road.
Task 4 of 15

4 .

What loads are allowed to be carried by a cyclist?

Right
6. Requirements for cyclists
22. Shipping

Wrong
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.4. The cyclist can only carry such loads that do not interfere with the control of the bike and do not create obstacles for other participants. traffic.
22. Shipping
22.3. Carriage of cargo is permitted provided that it:
b) does not violate the stability of the vehicle and does not complicate its management;
Task 5 of 15

5 .

Which cyclist violates the Rules when carrying passengers?

Right
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.6. The cyclist is prohibited from:

Wrong
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.6. The cyclist is prohibited from:
e) carry passengers on a bicycle (with the exception of children under 7 years of age who are transported on an additional seat equipped with securely fastened footrests);
Task 6 of 15

6 .

In what order will the vehicles pass through the intersection?

Right
16. Passage of intersections

Wrong
16. Passage of intersections
16.11. At the intersection of unequal roads, the driver of a vehicle moving along a secondary road must give way to vehicles approaching this intersection of carriageways along the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement.
16.12. At the intersection of equivalent roads, the driver of a non-rail vehicle must give way to vehicles approaching from the right.
This rule should be guided by each other and tram drivers. At any unregulated intersection, a tram, regardless of the direction of its further movement, has an advantage over non-rail vehicles approaching it along an equivalent road.
16.14. If the main road changes direction at the intersection, the drivers of vehicles moving along it must be guided by the rules for passing the intersections of equivalent roads.
This rule should be guided by each other and drivers moving on secondary roads.
Task 7 of 15

7 .

Cycling on sidewalks and footpaths:

Right
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.6. The cyclist is prohibited from:

Wrong
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.6. The cyclist is prohibited from:
c) move along sidewalks and footpaths (except for children under 7 years old on children's bicycles under adult supervision);
Task 8 of 15

8 .

Who has the right of way at the intersection with the bike lane?

Right
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.5. If the cycle path crosses the road outside the intersection, cyclists must give way to other vehicles moving on the road.

Wrong
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.5. If the cycle path crosses the road outside the intersection, cyclists must give way to other vehicles moving on the road.
Task 9 of 15

9 .

What distance should be between groups of cyclists moving in a column?

Right
6. Requirements for cyclists

Wrong
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.3. Cyclists, moving in groups, must ride one after another so as not to interfere with other road users. A column of cyclists moving along the carriageway should be divided into groups (up to 10 cyclists in a group) with a distance of 80-100 m between groups.
Task 10 of 15

10 .

Vehicles will pass the intersection in the following order

Right
16. Passage of intersections
16.11. At the intersection of unequal roads, the driver of a vehicle moving along a secondary road must give way to vehicles approaching this intersection of carriageways along the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement.

Wrong
16. Passage of intersections
16.11. At the intersection of unequal roads, the driver of a vehicle moving along a secondary road must give way to vehicles approaching this intersection of carriageways along the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement.
16.13. Before turning left and making a U-turn, the driver of a non-rail vehicle is obliged to give way to a tram in the opposite direction, as well as to vehicles moving on the same road in the opposite direction straight or to the right.
Task 11 of 15

11 .

The cyclist passes the intersection:

Right
16. Passage of intersections

Wrong
8. Traffic regulation
8.3. The signals of the traffic controller take precedence over traffic signals and traffic signs and are mandatory. Traffic lights, except for flashing yellow, take precedence over road signs of priority. Drivers and pedestrians must comply with the additional requirements of the traffic controller, even if they contradict traffic signals, traffic signs and markings.
16. Passage of intersections
16.6. When turning left or turning around at the green signal of the main traffic light, the driver of a non-rail vehicle is obliged to give way to a tram in the same direction, as well as vehicles moving in the opposite direction straight or turning right. This rule should be guided by each other and tram drivers.
Task 12 of 15

12 .

Flashing red signals of this traffic light:

Right
8. Traffic regulation

Wrong
8. Traffic regulation
8.7.6. To regulate traffic at railway crossings, traffic lights with two red signals or one white-moon and two red signals are used, having the following meanings:
a) flashing red signals prohibit the movement of vehicles through the crossing;
b) a flashing white-moon signal indicates that the alarm system is working and does not prohibit the movement of vehicles.
At railway crossings, simultaneously with a prohibitory signal of a traffic light, an audible signal may be turned on, additionally informing road users about the prohibition of movement through the crossing.
Task 13 of 15

13 .

Which vehicle driver will pass the intersection second?

Right
16. Passage of intersections
16.11. At the intersection of unequal roads, the driver of a vehicle moving along a secondary road must give way to vehicles approaching this intersection of carriageways along the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement.
16.14. If the main road changes direction at the intersection, the drivers of vehicles moving along it must be guided by the rules for passing the intersections of equivalent roads.
This rule should be guided by each other and drivers moving on secondary roads.

Wrong
16. Passage of intersections
16.11. At the intersection of unequal roads, the driver of a vehicle moving along a secondary road must give way to vehicles approaching this intersection of carriageways along the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement.
16.14. If the main road changes direction at the intersection, the drivers of vehicles moving along it must be guided by the rules for passing the intersections of equivalent roads.
This rule should be guided by each other and drivers moving on secondary roads.

16 Crossings

Wrong
8. Traffic regulation
8.7.3. Traffic lights have the following meanings:
A signal in the form of an arrow, allowing a left turn, also allows a U-turn, if it is not prohibited by traffic signs.
The signal in the form of a green arrow (arrows) in the additional (additional) section (sections), turned on together with a green traffic light, informs the driver that he has an advantage in the direction (directions) indicated by the arrow (arrows) over vehicles moving from other directions;
f) a red signal, including a flashing one, or two red flashing signals prohibit movement.
A signal in the form of a green arrow (arrows) in the additional (additional) section (s) together with a yellow or red traffic light signal informs the driver that movement is allowed in the indicated direction, provided that vehicles moving from other directions are allowed to pass unhindered.
The green arrow on the plate, installed at the level of the red traffic light with a vertical arrangement of signals, allows movement in the indicated direction when the red traffic light is on from the rightmost lane (or the leftmost lane on roads with one way traffic) subject to the provision of an advantage in movement to its other participants moving from other directions to a traffic light signal allowing movement;
16 Crossings
16.9. While driving in the direction of the arrow switched on in the additional section at the same time as the yellow or red traffic light, the driver must give way to vehicles moving from other directions.
While driving in the direction of the green arrow on the table set at the level of the red traffic light with a vertical arrangement of signals, the driver must take the extreme right (left) lane and give way to vehicles and pedestrians moving from other directions.