| For most of us, well-intentioned but casual bike riders | | | | frame and see if you can comfortably straddle it with |
| who secretly believe we might be Lance Armstrong's | | | | your feet on the floor. This is not really particularly |
| heir if we only had a few more hours a day to spend | | | | helpful, especially if you happen to have anything |
| on our bicycles, buying a new road bike is tantamount | | | | unique about your physique, like long legs combined |
| to buying a road bike frame. The frame is what we're | | | | with a short torso. If you have long legs, you can |
| thinking of, something new and shiny and colorful, | | | | straddle almost any bike, but will your body be able to |
| something we suspect even car drivers envy when | | | | relax comfortable in the stretch between your saddle |
| they see us flash through the snarl of traffic. Truly, a | | | | and the handlebars? The whole geometry of the road |
| road bike frame is a beautiful thing and part of the | | | | bike frame matters a lot to fit. And fit matters |
| reason we love bicycling. | | | | excessively to comfort. |
| When you have the good fortune to be looking at new | | | | If you're a racer, comfort will not be your only |
| bicycles, though, you definitely want to look at a few | | | | consideration. Indeed, it may be down among the last |
| elements besides the color of a road bike frame. Face | | | | elements you consider. Speed is not usually built from |
| it. When you're on your way back home from a long | | | | comfort, and the road bike frame that promotes |
| Sunday ride and you're riding your thirty-fifth mile | | | | speed is built of different materials than one used |
| smack into a stiff headwind, the fact that your frame | | | | primarily for recreational riding. Frames can be made |
| is cobalt blue or even Bianchi green is not going to help | | | | of titanium, chrome-moly, aluminum or steel, and each |
| you. The length of your seat tube is going to help you | | | | metal has different advantages of weight and |
| and the length of your top tube and even the angle of | | | | strength. Frame geometry varies, too, with touring |
| the three main tubes all put together is going to help (or | | | | bikes featuring a longer vertical base and top tube than |
| hinder) you, but color is not. | | | | the skittish racing models. |
| If you shop at a discount store or even a general | | | | So when you're looking at road bike frames, think |
| purpose sports store, if you get any help at all in | | | | beyond the paint. Get a frame that fits both you and |
| choosing a bike that fits you, it will probably consist of | | | | your purpose. Whether you do your research online or |
| a clerk instructing you to stand over the top bar of the | | | | in a good bike store, you'll be glad you took the time. |