MAKING THE BEST POSSIBLE BIKE FRAME CHOICE
Rider Strengths & Objectives
Last, but not least, for a consumer’s consideration in choosing a new frame is his or her riding style and strengths. There are basically three rider types who will be considering a performance bike:
a. Occasional recreational
b. Avid recreational
c. Racer
The occasional recreational rider will ride upwards of 500 to 1000 miles in one year. They are not aggressive riders, do not climb a lot of hills, and do not ride at high rates of speed. However, they may very much appreciate the qualities of fine riding bikes. Because they will not severely stress a bike, and will not ride their bikes in inclement weather, the best options for them will be Ti, steel, or full carbon bikes. The comfortable ride qualities of these frames override other considerations for performance and durability.
The avid recreational rider will ride anywhere from a couple thousand to 20,000+ miles in a year. They can be dedicated weekend riders, or even daily riders or commuters. In some cases, nothing may separate an avid recreational cyclist from a racer other than the fact that an avid recreational rider does not race. These riders can prove to be the most difficult group to satisfy. Racers and occasional recreational cyclists fit pretty definite patterns of ride behavior (and for racers, physiology) which makes choosing a bike with or for them relatively easy; avid recreationalists, on the other hand, come in an infinite range of possibilities, sizes, ride styles, and other requirements.
In determining the proper frame for an avid recreational rider, the following needs to be assessed:
- Do they enjoy climbing?
- Do they enjoy high speed rides and sprints?
- Do they have good core strength?
- How much do they weigh?
- Do they prefer longer or shorter rides?
- What are their riding goals?
- Where do they live?
If they enjoy climbing, they will be looking for a relatively lightweight bike. But, do not let lightness be the ultimate factor. Ultra-lightweight bikes may come at the price of sacrificing stiffness, durability and control of the bike, and, when push comes to shove, a bike which is slightly heavier but more reactive in the bottom bracket but stiffer in the chain- and seat-stays will always climb better, and it may behave better for smaller or very lightweight riders. For these riders, look to carbon, aluminum, or scandium framesets with reinforced bottom brackets and oversized down tubes.
It’s important to note that lightweight production frames are not optimal in all conditions or for all riders. Smaller and petite riders (under 130 pounds) may find lightweight bikes difficult to maneuver, jittery, and susceptible to road vagaries. This should be kept in mind if you want to purchase your bike based on weight. Also, larger riders, or those in excess of 180 pounds, will also be challenged by lightweight production frames. A larger rider will simply over-burden a 15 pound bike in much the same way an adult would over-burden a small pony. Lightweight frames are meant to be agile, quick, sure-footed, and better for climbing, hence they are designed with more slight physiologies in mind. If you are more petite, or if you are larger, and are determined to ride a lightweight bike, you should consider having your frame custom manufactured by a reputable builder who knows how to custom tune carbon tubes or who uses size-specific, butted tubing in their build process. This will improve the frame’s handling, reactivity, and durability.
High speed cruisers and those who enjoy long, casual rides will benefit from the comfort of Ti and steel. Nothing truly compares to the comfortable ride of Ti, with the possible exception of some high-end Niobium steel bikes. Moreover, to conserve energy stores of non-trained cyclists (like cruisers and occasional riders), the vibration absorbing properties of Ti and steel will slow down the rate of fatigue caused by high-frequency vibrations and rougher road surfaces.
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