What are the main road bike parts? Check out our guide to road bike components!

Road bikes have always been in demand, and with races such as the Tour de France and Giro d Italia, they are only getting more and more popular. We get asked some amazing questions here at buycycle, but one that comes up often is, “What are the parts of a road bike?”

In this article, we will discuss all the road bike parts and how they differ from other types of bikes. We will also provide some top tips for improving performance on the tarmac.

Which road bike parts make a road bike special?

A road bike is special because it is fast on the tarmac. It is not only incredibly lightweight but also very aerodynamic and excellent at cutting through the wind. Road bikes feature unique characteristics such as drop handlebars and are excellent for hill climbing.

Road racing: showcasing the best of road bike parts

Road racing is one of the most popular forms of cycling. Many professional races take place among epic mountain ranges, and it’s not rare to see them in the flatlands, too. 

What are the main road bike parts?

Now for the exciting part our road bike parts guide. Let’s discuss the components of a road bike. It is important to understand that road bikes can differ greatly in design, but in this article, we are going to give a rough specification of a general road bike. 

The largest road bike part: the frame

A lot more goes into a road bike frame than most people think. They have to be strong, lightweight, stiff, and incredibly aerodynamic. Typically, you will find high-end frames made of carbon fiber and cheaper aluminum or steel. 

They weigh roughly 500g to 2kg. They have to be stiff to help power transfer and light to help keep the overall bike weight down. They come in all shapes and sizes, and aero versions will have large oversized tubing to help the wind bend around them. 

The frame will be designed to work with either rim or disc brakes and will have a level of adjustment that, depending on size, will fit riders in a certain height range. Brands such as Trek, Specialized, Giant, Frome, Cube, and many more make road bikes. 

Forks, more than just a detail of a bike's components

Road bikes have rigid forks. Most modern bikes have carbon fiber forks, while classic road bikes have steel or aluminum forks. Road bike forks are light, designed to fit 700c wheels, and often are bladed for better aerodynamics. 

Forks in price can range from around $50 to $400. The most expensive, generally the lighter, stronger, and more aerodynamic you get. If a frame comes with a fork, it is generally called a frameset instead. 

Headset

The headset is the bearings between the fork and the frame. Having these bearings inside means you can turn the fork left and right with minimal resistance and friction. Classic bikes have ball bearings, and modern bikes normally use seal cartridge bearings. 

Wheels: optimized for speed

Road bikes generally have 700c wheels unless they’re smaller bikes, which can sometimes have 650c wheels. They are made to be very light and have small, thin tires. Most modern wheels are aluminum, but performance bikes have carbon fiber wheels.

Inside the wheels, there are hubs, which help the wheel rotate around the axle and ensure the least resistance possible when rolling at speed. Hubs can be serviced by either opening them for cleaning or replacing bearings.

Unlike other bikes, road bikes have wheels often made with a bigger dish for aerodynamics. They might be slightly heavier, but they are much better able to hold a higher speed and cut through the wind. 

Tires and tubes

Road bike tires are large in diameter but small and skinny in width. Modern road bikes have tires from around 25c to 32c, but classic bikes have tires as small as 19c. They generally come with inner tubes inside, but you can also get tubeless versions as far as components of a road bike go.

Groupset: precision for every terrain

The groupset is often referred to as gearing. It consists of many parts that work in unison to help you achieve many different ratios. Together, they are considered a groupset, but here are the parts broken down.

• Chainset, for holding the chainrings.
• Derailleurs are used to move the chain around the bike.
• Chain, to transfer power from cog to cog.
• The cassette sits on the rear wheel connected to the chain.
• Shifters are used to change the gears and apply the brakes.
• Cable inners and outers are designed to help control derailleurs and brakes.
• The bottom bracket sits on the inside of the crank and helps free rotation of the crank.

When combined, these let you change the cogs being used, giving you lots of different ratios to play with when going up and down hills. 

Brakes: safe on the road

Next, we have the brakes. The brakes are controlled by the shifters in the groupset. They are levers that, when pulled, either tighten a cable or push hydraulic fluid. You get rim brakes, which use the surface of the rim to create friction, or disc brakes, which use brake rotors to create friction.

Disc brakes consist of calipers and rotors, while rim brakes are just calipers, using the wheel's surface to slow down. Rim brakes are mechanical, while disc brakes are generally mechanical or hydraulic. As far as components of a road bike go, disc brakes are a great way to go over rim brakes. They are much better as they are definitely one of the best road bike parts in modern times. 

Drop handlebars: enhancing control and efficiency

The handlebars on road bikes are drop handlebars, where the bar drops and comes back on itself. They offer multiple positions and are excellent for creating better aerodynamics while riding. Handlebars come in multiple sizes, from 38cm wide to 44cm wide on standard bikes. They will also be coated in handlebar tape for comfort.

To connect the handlebars to the bike, you use a stem. This goes on the fork’s steerer tube and comes in many different lengths so the rider can get the perfect fit. With road bikes, it’s between 90mm and 130mm in length.

Seat and seat post

Next, we have the seat and seat post. Generally, the seat on a road bike is designed with the rider leaning forward in mind. Some are short, stubby seats made for the seat bones, and others are long noses and made for more support on the undercarriage.

The seat post connects the seat to the bike and comes in various lengths and materials. For road bikes, high-end seat posts are made of carbon fiber and basic ones are made of aluminum.

Road bike pedals

Pedals attach to the crank and give the rider a flat surface to pedal onto. Some are known as clipless, which means you can clip in, while flat pedals are known as flats because of their wide surface area. The pedals make a big difference to the ride feel when it comes to the road bike parts.

Road bike accessories

Finally, we have accessories. These are things you should add to the bike to improve the riding experience. Here is what we recommend on our road bike components guide.

• Bottle cages
• Bottles
• GPS Unit
• Lights
• Reflectors
• Bell

Where to upgrade your road bike components for performance

When it comes to getting more performance out of your road bike, upgrading components is a great option. Knowing where to invest your money for the best result can be challenging. Here are the best upgrades. 

Lighter carbon, aerodynamic wheels

Upgrading your wheels to carbon fiber wheels can drastically improve your bike's speed. Switching to performance wheels saves a lot of weight, and the aerodynamic advantages and performance benefits help push you forward further much faster. 

TPU or tubeless

Alongside a wheel upgrade, using TPU lightweight inner tubes can reduce weight and rolling resistance. You can get the same from using tubeless, which can also self-repair while you are riding along.

Gearing

Another great upgrade you can make is to your gearing. An upgraded groupset can save weight and give you the option to change the ratios you are using. You could go lower for climbing or higher if you are in the flats.

Electronic gears

For the ultimate gearing upgrade, you could go to electronic gears. Not only do they shift incredibly fast, but they also self-adjust when riding, and the buttons are customisable to your specification. Electronic gearing isn’t cheap but the best road bike parts are expensive. 

Classic road bike with modern components

Another very interesting question we come across is whether it is possible to use modern components on a classic bike. Well, the answer is yes and no. You can use a rim brake groupset on a classic bike providing it has had the rear stays adjusted and the modern bottom bracket will go in.

If you are trying to fit a disc brake groupset it’s much harder and the frame will often require re welding and more modifications such as new forks. We recommend seeking a professional if you are going down this route or doing extra research.

Knowing your road bike components

Knowing your components of a road bike goes a long way toward understanding your bike and working on it. Although it may seem like there are a lot of components, everything has its place.