How to choose a road bike frame

Your frame will reveal the behavior and characteristics of your road bikethe choice of a frame frame requires a number of considerations. Here are the basics for choosing one without making a mistake.

Standards

When choosing your frame, be sure to identify its various standards when selecting the rest of your components, as listed below:

• Type of headset
• Type of bottom bracket
• Type of front derailleur

Materials

Aluminum

Aluminum frames generally offer a good compromise between comfort and performance at an affordable price. Competitors often criticize them for excessive weight and lack of rigidity, but this material has undergone significant development in recent years. It is now possible to find top-of-the-range aluminum frames that approach the performance of carbon.

Two main types of aluminum are used: 6061 and 7005. The former is reputed to be lighter, while the latter is more resistant, reducing the amount of material needed to design the frame. Some manufacturers also offer scandium frames. Combined with aluminum, scandium saves 10-15% in weight.

Carbon

Carbon is the material of choice in road cycling today. It can be combined with an infinite number of different fibers to create particularly high-performance, lightweight frames. It's important to note, however, that not all carbon frames are identical in terms of elasticity and rigidity. Often considered a little too elitist for those who simply want to get some fresh air, they are undoubtedly well-suited to experienced sportsmen and women.

Frame geometry optimizes your bike for its intended use. It is defined by the dimensions and angles between the different tubes that make up your frame. Although they are all important, you can get a good idea of overall geometry from two values:

Chainstay length
Averaging 405 mm, they can be longer for greater comfort and stability, or shorter for greater responsiveness.

Head tube length
This value varies according to frame size, but on a size 54, for example, the head tube averages 155 mm. A longer head tube will result in a more upright position, for greater comfort; while a shorter head tube will result in a more forward and aerodynamic position for maximum performance.

Frame shape
Finally, you'll often hear talk of a sloping frame. This simply means that the horizontal tube is lower on the seat tube side than on the head tube side. This geometry provides greater rigidity, for greater responsiveness and sharper acceleration.

Which road bike is right for me?

For occasional ridingan aluminum frame will more than meet your expectations, with a slightly longer-than-average bushing and chainstays for greater riding comfort and stability.

Performance is the essence of a carbon frame with aggressive geometry, i.e. a relatively low cockpit and short chainstays, combined with a longer top tube for better pedaling position and aerodynamics.

A fast-growing discipline, the Gravel is inspired by road frames, with adjustments, notably in terms of slopping, that allow it to tackle a variety of roads: country lanes, forest roads, gravel roads and even asphalt. Choose an aluminum frame for leisure or a carbon frame for performance.

Time trial / Triathlon Today, carbon is the dominant material, and rightly so. Various manufacturing processes enable us to produce frames that are high-performance, aerodynamic and lightweight.

For Track insidersnostalgic riders will opt for an aluminum frame, but if you're aiming for the podium, you'll have to opt for carbon, which offers maximum performance without compromise.