Global Sports: The Best Road Bikes Are Not Always The Most Expensive

Thursday, April 28, 2011

The Best Road Bikes Are Not Always The Most Expensive

By Katrina Harden


Bicycle riding is not only a recreational activity enjoyed by athletes but also by casual riders like yourself. The best bikes on the market are usually very expensive due to their higher end components and they cater to competitive riders and avid bike enthusiast. If you are a casual rider looking to buy a road bike, there are many road bike brands available for under $500 that will give you the quality and functionality you seek.

If you don't plan on putting a lot of miles on your road bike and you are not concerned with crossing the finish line in record time, it is better to invest in an inexpensive road bike that will do what you need it to do. The only downside is, you will end up replacing some of the major components after you have put a few hundred miles on the bike since inexpensive road bike brands are made with low-end components.

If you are serious about cycling, the Schwinn Katana Road Bike is a cheap road bike made with quality and value. After a few upgrades, it is capable of competing with other racing bikes costing well over $1000. This is a well-engineered road bike that is light-weight, weighing 22lbs. It is easy to assemble, rides easy, and shift gears smoothly.

The product specifications are:

* Well-constructed beginner road bike with a rugged durable aluminum frame, weighing 22lbs

* 14-speed Shimano drive-train and shifters with A050 rear derailleur, which makes shifting gears quickly and easy for going up and down inclines

* Light-weight Tru-Vativ IsoFlow 3-piece alloy crankset to make pedaling a breeze

* Alloy aero-dynamic built frame for a faster riding bike

* Deep-dish alloy wheels and paired spokes helps to convert the wind resistance to help to propel the bike forward with little effort and it gives an aesthetic look

* Reliable and responsive Promax alloy dual pivot caliper brakes to stop you while you are on the move

* 54cm frame size for riders 5'6" to 5'10" or a 58cm frame size for riders 5'10 to 6'1"

* Standard pedals and adjustable seat for comfortable riding

* 700x26c Wheels with Kenda Road Tires

Although this bike performs well and handles nicely, it does have some minor flaws, such as it doesn't come with a kickstand and paddle shifters. If you plan on racing with this bike, paddle shifters may be needed depending on your preference and the gear shifter sits atop the handlebars instead of the brake shifters making it inconvenient while racing.

Higher-end road bikes are usually made with higher-end components and are built to take the stress of the rigors of racing and can rack up a lot of miles with no problem. Casual and beginning riders don't need to invest this kind of money in a bike. They can find a nice quality road bike for commuting and exercise for under $400.

You can cover a lot of ground in half the time with the Schwinn Katana than you could with a mountain bike. Going fast on the road is very easy to do and gear shifting is a breeze. You'll be sailing pass a lot of people on the bike trails on your new Katana.

You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to find quality and value in a road bike. The Schwinn Katana is a beautiful light-weight bike that is easy to assemble and rides fast. And most importantly it doesn't cost thousands of dollars.




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