Equipment
Road bike
A lightweight bicycle built for speed and efficiency on paved surfaces.
Equipment
Overview
A road bike is a lightweight bicycle with narrow tyres, a light frame and drop handlebars, designed for efficient riding on paved roads. The low, forward riding position and thin tyres reduce resistance and help maintain speed.
It is the typical choice for road cycling and road triathlon legs, where covering distance quickly on smooth surfaces is the goal.
Good to know
- Narrow tyres and a light frame favour speed.
- Drop handlebars allow a low, aerodynamic position.
- Best suited to smooth, paved surfaces.
Where it’s used
Sports that use road bike:
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Playing surfaces
- Road (Tarmac / Asphalt)Paved tarmac or asphalt: a firm, smooth, predictable surface that rewards steady pace and rhythm — the ground for road running, cycling and race-walking.
- TrailNatural off-road terrain of dirt, rock, roots, grass and mud that varies constantly and rewards surefootedness in trail running, mountain biking and hiking.
- SnowCompacted or natural snow on slopes and trails — a low-friction surface built for gliding, where skis, boards and runners slide fast over frozen ground.
Techniques
Learning paths
Disciplines
- Road CyclingRoad cycling covers riding and racing on paved roads, from mass-start races and time trials to multi-day stage events.
- Sprint DistanceSprint distance triathlon combines a short swim, bike, and run, making it a common entry point and a fast, higher-intensity racing format.
- Standard (Olympic) DistanceStandard, or Olympic, distance triathlon pairs a 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run, and is the format contested at the Olympic Games.
- Middle Distance (70.3)Middle distance triathlon, widely known as 70.3, covers a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike, and a 21.1 km half-marathon run.
- Long Distance (Ironman)Long distance triathlon, popularly known as Ironman, covers a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, and a 42.2 km marathon run.
Tactics
- Baseline playA patient tennis style built around rallying from the back of the court and constructing points with groundstrokes.
- Counter-attackWinning the ball and moving forward at speed to attack before the opponent can reorganise their defence.
- Fast breakPushing the ball up court at speed after a turnover or rebound to score before the defence sets up.
- Serve and volleyAn attacking tennis tactic where the server follows their serve to the net to finish the point with a volley.