What is a performance bike?

As with automobiles, the sheer number of manufacturers and models sometimes offers a bewildering choice for the buying public and consumer. And as with automobiles, there is available a wide variety of utility, family, fun bikes; then there is the performance bike.

Pretty much like a performance car, a performance bike has a low weight to power ratio, that is to say the frame is made varyingly of aluminum alloy, aluminum or composites and carbon fiber.

A performance bike by the very nature of its name will be made with the aim of providing a vehicle for those among us who take their cycling more seriously, perhaps indulge in racing events, but on the whole will be more athletic and driven in nature.

A performance bike will generally have a low profile, be made from one of the above mentioned materials, have little in the way of extras, that is to say wheel guards, lights or other safety equipment, and will have alloy spokes and wheel rims, fitted with low profile tires.

All of the design of performance road racing bikes is geared to aid the cyclist getting the maximum performance from the cycle, regardless of whether the cyclist is a professional athlete or amateur athlete, Tour de France standard or club cyclist.

Road racing bikes and specialty bikes such as cyclo cross and mountain bikes, are designed for the athletes that use them to obtain best times, performance and return for the effort and training put in to get their maximum potential.

A performance road racing bike will not come cheap either; one can expect prices for a low end machine to start at anywhere around a thousand dollars, rising to as much as seven to ten thousand dollars for a custom made to measure machine.

And then there is the maintenance to consider too; most cyclists that own and ride a machine such as this will take it apart piece by piece, completely clean and service it before putting it back together again to ensure a long life for the machine.

But if this is competitive road racing or off road cycling is something you have been considering taking up, do not be fooled into buying a hideously expensive machine to start.

A good online bicycle resources store will offer trade in deals, so you can start with a lower priced machine, and if competitive cycling is the sport for you, there is the opportunity to upgrade without too much extra cost involved.