Bikes for Racing

Racing Bicycles are used in competitive sport. They include Road racing bikes, time trial bikes, triathlon bikes, track bikes and BMX.

Racing Bikes

Track, time trial and road racing bikes are all built for speed. They are lightweight and have minimal accessories. The handlebars are in a dropped position to allow for an aerodynamic riding position. They have multiple gears and narrow high pressure tyres for minimal rolling resistance.
Racing bikes have a narrow gear range which varies from medium to very high ratios, distributed across 18, 20, 27 or 30 gears.

Track bicycles

These are for use on indoor or outdoor velodromes.
They are very basic compared to a road bike. They have a single gear ratio, no freewheel, no brakes and very few other components.

Time Trial bicycles

These bikes are similar to road bikes but have a more aggressive frame geometry that gives the rider a more aerodynamic riding position. They also have aerodynamic wheels, handlebars and frames.

BMX

Bicycle Motocross. These bikes have small wheels and are used for BMX racing. Also used for freestyle. These bikes are designed to be used for stunts and tricks. They are very advanced in design and may be made from Titanium to make the parts lightweight and strong. Very popular bikes.

Triathlon Bicycles

Triathlon bikes have seat parts that are closer to vertical than the seat position in road racing bikes. This concentrates the effort of cycling in the quadricep muscles, so that the other leg muscles are rested for the last part of the triathlon which is running. Triathlon bikes also have special handlebars known as triathlon bars or aero bars.

A racing bicyle is a bicycle designed for racing according to the rules of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

Two Most Important Points

1. Must be lightweight
2. Must be aerodynamically designed

The performance of a racing bike can be greatly affected by the type of wheels used. Tyres for road racing are lightweight, narrow and have a thin smooth tread. They are inflated to high pressure.
Bikes are made from four different types of materials. Steel, aluminium, titanium and carbon fibre. Steel is the most common used in normal bikes as it is cheap, strong and easy to repair.

Road racing began in 1868. Bicycle racing is popular all over the world but especially in Europe.

Most Famous Race

Tour De France is a multi-stage race that lasts three weeks and is held every year. There are similar races in Italy and Spain. These three races make up the 'Grand Tour'.

Pneumatic tyres are air-filled tyres used on every type of bicycle. They were invented in 1888 by John Lloyd Dunlop. It was one of the most important development in cycling and it boosted its popularity. Before pneumatic tyres, cycling was a most uncomfortable way to get around.

Thin Tyres

Thin tyres are used in road and tour bikes. They are inflated to 100 - 120 pounds per sq. inch (PSI).
A thin firm tyre on a road will not flatten much, so there is less contact with the surface. Less contact = Less friction = more speed. So it's important to keep tyres correctly inflated. Treads on road bikes are relatively smooth and they have less resistance so are faster.

Fat Tyres

Mountain bike tyres are fatter because they are used on softer and rougher surfaces. A thin tyre would sink into the dirt more. Treads on mountain bikes are rough and bumpy. These treads grip dirt tracks better.


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