“Alex, what’s the difference between a road bike and a commuter bike?”
Ahh – the age-old question that I am asked time and time again.
Picking the correct mode of transport is pretty significant, regardless of whether we discuss a skateboard, a bike, or a car.
I’ve been on the receiving end of the question ‘What’s the difference between a road bike and a commuter bike‘ and I wanted to direct the major areas and focus on learning about the differences between both road and commuter bikes.
Things being what they are, here are some more apt questions: is there even a difference between a road bike and a commuter bike? Does it have any kind of effect on your riding?
Indeed, to put it briefly, a road bike is categorized into more of a race bike; it drives quickly, but it is pretty shredded down. Commuter bikes, then again, are your old dependable, friendly, and simple to use bikes. These tend to not demand a lot from you in terms of maintenance.
However, it’s safe to say that the commuter bike will not break any land-speed records. This is somewhat of a gross falsification, there are still a couple of exciting points concerning picking either of them.
Road Bike vs. Commuter Bike
A comparison to clear your mind about the difference between a road bike and a commuter bike starts with putting them side by side.
Road Bikes
All the instruments and features utilized in a road bike are made explicitly to consider speed, making them ideal for racking up distance in a quick period of time. They are a smart thought if you need to cover a significant distance and need something to get you there faster than normal cycling would.
Remember that strength is not a road bikes’ solid suit, so you need to consider whether you settle that over speed. Be that as it may, road bikes are usually more demanding when it comes down to repairs and maintenance.
Road Bike Advantages
Getting Straight Down To Business – Road bikes are very lightweight, which makes for active speed. They come as a little something extra when you need to climb slopes, overtake other cyclists and catch a straight section of road. What saves weight on these bikes is the use of a rigid casing and fork rather than a suspension framework.
Build Technology – The energy your weight bears is applied by pushing you forward instead of initiating the suspension. The dropped rider position this type of bike offers drives you forward and shapes you into a performance stance when riding.
The bike tires display a noticeable difference and go into making road bikes convey better results in the performance department. They usually appreciate a generally greater perimeter, and the bigger wheels enable you to cover more miles in less time.
The tires are additionally known for being slimmer with little track on them. They are meant for the minimal amount of resistance and friction possible, which factors into giving you a speedier ride. Every little thing about them is productively intended to allow you a speedier ride.
Aerodynamic Shapes to Push You Ahead – You will see handlebars on road bikes are generally situated downwards, which is another significant trademark. It additionally causes you to align your muscles into pushing your bike. By utilizing your weight, the more force you put into driving the bike, the quicker it goes.
Since you realize a road bike’s favorable position is its speed, you need to be asking yourself the question of what do you want from a road bike that a commuter bike doesn’t offer?
On the off chance that this is your pick for long rides, remember that a great deal of what makes road bikes speedy likewise makes them a little less comfortable.
Road Bike Disadvantages
A performance stance position may be hard to keep up for a lengthy period of time, and holding the handlebar for a long time can be somewhat uncomfortable for everyday use.
That feeling of pins and needles in your hand is the crushing of the pulmonary nerves pressing again the bone in your hand and the bars. It’s important to ensure you find the right cycling gloves if taking longer journeys.
Another disadvantage is that road bikes fail to carry a heavy load.
It most likely because they’re geared up towards sports performance and not lugging your belongings around on.
This is vastly down to their sturdiness concerning everyday rides. Road bikes are developed to be lightweight and nimble.
Consequently, it very well may be a better plan to use them for racing, fitness, or for just general fun instead of carrying excessive loads on.
You could likewise investigate hybrid bikes, which are like road bikes. These bikes make a decent option in contrast to road bikes and are significantly more ready to deal with heavy loads as they are a variation of a mountain bike and road bike.
Commuter Bikes
It’s not just about how quickly you arrive at your destination. You may be searching for more elegance, durability, and unwavering quality.
In that case, you may incline toward a commuter bike over a road bike.
Commuter bikes are heavier and more durable than a road bike, thus better used as a method for daily cycling.
Commuter Bike Advantages
Riding in Comfort – You would not want a bike that annoys you while riding. Little things such as a rackety chain or brake squeak can all be quite annoying.
One of the commuter bikes’ main areas of interest is the comfort it offers to the rider, with more extensive seating and an all-around comfier ride. You’ll find riding a commuter bike over a longer period of time is a hell of a lot more comfortable than a rigid road bike.
And I know what one I am choosing for my long-ass rides.
Build Technology – Straight handlebars are actually a godsend when you’re not looking to lean over the front of your bike. By having your back more upright, it contributes towards making your posture less forced and the ride becomes a more enjoyable experience.
On the off chance that you cycle daily like me, you most likely have worries about the comfort of your ride. From holes to rocks and other debris, you need a bike that can eat up the rougher terrains in a road. Road bikes generally seem to suck at this and show commuter bikes to be a better choice if you want to keep your groin intact.
Unlike the road bike, heavier tires and a front suspension actually makes the commuter bike a decent option for pretty much all commutes.
Cycling on Clouds – The suspension usually allows the wheels to move independently of the frame to absorb rough terrain and bumps in the road effectively. Combined with wider tires that add comfort to your ride, you won’t feel as many blows during the ride.
That smooth ride that you look for from a bike such as a commuter will end up encouraging you to ride daily.
“But Alex, all these bells and whistles are going to add extra weight to my bike.”
Okay, and you’re most likely right here, but before you think the additional weight makes the bike clumsy, it is essential to acknowledge how flexible commuter bikes are meant to be.
Since they are built for convenience, a large number of them accompany features that make riding more practical.
Many commuter bikes that are created for the sole purpose of comfort have the added goodies that make life somewhat easier when riding for social or commuting purposes.
The efficient design of most commuter bikes additionally offers a higher seat for clear vision and better control.
The Final Verdict For A Commute
A genuine road bike is not the ideal choice for commuting in my opinion.
But, hold your horses. There are exceptions to this rule.
If you are an experienced rider or live on roads that are flat, then you bet your bottom dollar that a road bike will be an awesome choice for you.
The commuter bike is about utility—and up to this point—only compromise on speed.
The deal with commuter bikes is that they are mostly used to get from point “A” to point “B” and ordinarily offer a premium riding experience with their everyday ergonomic features.
What practically every commuter bike has is a wider, heavier tire, which converts into a steadier and more comfortable ride.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, we can’t deny that road bikes dominate in speed.
On the other hand, commuter bikes are a decent decision for their comfort and durability, which many people favor in their everyday drive.
Although road bikes are better intended for speed, I want to let you know that there is no shame in needing to add a little pace to your everyday ride. Besides, sometimes we want to get somewhere a little faster to save valuable time.
Road bikes are perfect for this.
Hopefully, after reading this article, you are now well aware of the differences between both a road bike and a commuter bike, but what one will you be choosing for your journies?
We’d love to hear – let us know on socials.
