New to Road Bikes?
Bike Buying Tips
Road Bike Technology
Roady Terminology

New to Road Bikes?

Road Riding; blend exercise with yoga-ish focus, add incredible scenery and an activity that can totally change depending on who you're riding with. Road riding is a magical combination of the human machine and the bicycle to move at incredible speeds and cover incredible distances.

If flipping channels is exciting for you, chances are you won't appreciate road riding. For the rest of you, here we go.

9 Random Road Bike Thoughts

1. Forget your modesty. Spandex is frightening in regular life but serves a purpose on a road bike. You'll cut through the wind, reduce abrasion on your private parts and look funny in the mirror. Life is cruel to some of us.
2. Pain? Your ass will hurt at first. No matter how good or expensive your saddle, the first rides of the season will cause discomfort. Suck it up. If you don't find relief after your third ride, buy a better saddle.
3. Straight legs are for tables. Your legs should not straighten completely at the bottom of the pedal stroke - go directly to Bike Bros, get fitted, quit wrecking your knees.
4. Pump up your tires. Riding tires at, or close to maximum pressure will make your bike roll easily and significantly reduce chances of flat tires.
5. Take plenty of water, a small tool kit, small pump, wind vest and a credit card. The water should be sipped regularly. The other stuff will just sit there and do nothing. On the other hand, if you don't have it, that'll be the ride your derailleur will get tweaked, you'll pop a tire and get the urge for a coffee at your destination.
6. Think posture. Try to keep your upper body relaxed. Keep arms and shoulders loose or you'll waste valuable energy looking like a statue.
7. Be a geek. A bike computer is your friend. Get one with cadence so you can be sure you're pedalling in the zone - the zone ranges from 80-100+ rpm - this is where you get max output from min input.
8. Wear a helmet. Riding a wheelchair is way less fun than riding a bike.
9. Learn to ride in a group. Start with 1 or 2 friends. See how it feels to draft behind a friend, take turns pulling (guy at the front).

I'm writing this while there is a foot of snow on the ground and the temperature is -20. Please mama, take me some place warm. I need to ride.

Road Bikes: an introduction.

New road bikes are expensive. Old road bikes suck. Hence the need for a new bike.

Here are some tips

1. Road Bikes start at $800 and sky is the limit for price after that.
2. $800 bikes weigh 23-24lbs. $6000 bikes weigh 15lbs. Part of what you pay for is saving weight.
3. From cheapest to expensive, Shimano components groups are; Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra and finally Dura Ace.
4. Campagnolo (Campy) cheapest to most expensive is Veloce, Centaur, Athena, Chorus, Record, Super Record. You won't see many bikes around with less than Chorus - Chorus bikes start at about $5500.
5. Sram cheapest to pricey are: Apex, Rival, Force, Red
6. Wheels: Every bit as important as the quality of the components. Saving weight on wheels and getting smoother rolling hubs may be more important than stepping up to the next level gruppo on your bike.
7. In General: as prices increase, weight goes down, tollerences are tighter (better fit and finish), performance goes up.
8. There are cases where spending more money will result in a bike less suitable for a novice rider. Between how a bike "feels" and how it is geared, some ultra expensive bikes may be very light - but be less fun to ride for beginners.
9. If you are lardy, have pasty legs and are using your road bike to decorate your car please avoid Dura Ace, Red and Super Record. You are wasting a valuable resource - incredibly good components.
10. Carbon is awesome. Get as much carbon fiber on your bike as possible. There is something magical about .
11. Road Bikes are not touring bikes. Don't load road bikes with bulky, heavy paniers. You will experience endless flats, be uncomfortable and potentially damage your bike. We can get you into a touring bike if that is your goal!

Road Bike Technology

Gears: Road Bikes need gears - lotsa them. This is the key to keeping your cadence (pedalling speed) in that max output/min input mode. If you are new to road riding, ignore the purists and get a bike with a triple (3chainrings on the cranks). This is the only way you'll enjoy riding the hills.

Modern road bikes have either 20, 24, 27 or 30 gears. The shifting is indexed, meaning your shifter clicks into each gear - when adjusted correctly (we are the only shop in the world that can do this) the shifting will be smooth, quiet and quick. These days, if you hear "10 speed", that refers to the number of sprockets on the rear wheel - resulting in up to 30 speeds (10X3).

Frames & Forks: Carbon is light, strong and absorbs vibration. More carbon is generally good. A mix of carbon and aluminum can be an excellent combination of vibration damping and stiffnes.

Roady Terminology

Attack A sudden attempt to get away from another rider

Blocking When a rider tries to get in the way of other riders, usually done as part of a team strategy to slow down the main field when other team members are ahead in a breakaway

Bonk Known as "hitting ht wall" in marathon running, this is when a rider completely runs out of energy

Boink If you're lucky, you get this from your partner (and a massage) following each ride. If you're unlucky, you can't do this because you have been riding a bad saddle for too long.

Breakaway When a rider or group of riders is attempting to reach a group farther ahead

Breaking Away A classic cycling movie

Bridge the Gap When a rider or group of riders is attempting to reach a group farther ahead

Chasers Riders who are attempting to "bridge the gap" to catch the lead group. Can also refer to whatever follows cheap tequila.

Compact Cranks with only two, smaller sprockets than traditional. They provide a wider range of gears, especially lower gears.

Criterium A multi-lap event on a course usually a mile or less in length and of medium total distance, usually 25-75 miles

Derailleur The mechanism that moves the chain from one gear to another

Director Sportif Pronounced "Director sporteef" this is the manager of the team

Domestique A rider who sacrifices any individual honors to the team leader who is in contention to win

Drafting Riding closely behind another rider, which creates a slipstream, or air pocket. The lead rider expends up to 30 percent more energy than the following rider does

Drop To leave another rider or riders behind by attacking. Losing contact with the group in which they are riding will drop fatigued riders

Echelon A line of riders taking orderly turns at the lead and staggered so that each rider will get maximum protection from the wind. Also called a "pace line"

Feeding At some point during a long road race it is necessary for riders to replace expended energy. Riders are given a "musette," a small cloth bag, containing food and water bottles. Riders grab the bag from the team support personnel, remove the contents and put them in the pockets of their jerseys to eat when most convenient. They generally prefer high-energy foods that break down quickly.

Field The main group of riders, also known as the "pack," "peloton," or "bunch". If you are riding in Banff and you pass Field you have gone too far.

Field Sprint The final sprint between a group of riders, not necessarily for first place

Force the Pace When one rider or team goes harder than the pack to increase the tempo

Gap The distance between individuals or groups. The place you'd find clothing absolutely not suited for riding a road bike.

Hammering Very steady, strenuous pedaling usually done with baggy -80s style pants, as in Hammer Time. Also called "jamming"

Hanging On Barely keeping contact at the back of the pack

Hook When one rider, either on purpose or by accident, uses his/her rear wheel to hit the front wheel of the rider behind him/her.

Jump A sudden acceleration, often at the start of the sprint. Or a Van Halen tune, often at the front of 1984 album, as in hide - your buddies are coming over.

Kick The final burst of speed in a sprint. If someone has "kick" it typically means they can accellerate where other riders are topped out for speed.

Lead Out An intentional and often sacrificial move where one rider begins a sprint to give a head start to another rider (usually a teammate) on his rear wheel, who then comes around at an even faster speed to take the win.

Musette The flimsy bag given to riders at feed stations. Often filled with bananas, water bottles, flat coke.... Also a cafe in Vancouver catering to cyclists.

Neo-Pro Cycling's term for a rookie at the professional level

Pace Line See "echelon"

Pack See "field"

Peloton See "field"

Prime Pronounced "preem." A race-within-a-race where riders sprint for prizes on a designated lap or at a certain point in a race, i.e., the "sponsor" Teamwork Challenge. Also known as a the stupidest thing you will ever do for a free water bottle.

Pull To take a turn at the front and break the wind for the other riders in the pack.

Pull Off To move to one side so that another rider can take a turn at the front.

Pull Through Move to the front of a pace line, from second spot, after the lead riders swings off to the front.

Roadie Someone who rides a road bike. Also someone who is good with duct tape.

Road Rash A term for the scabs and marks caused by a crash. Ouch!

Sitting In When one rider refuses to take a pull and break the wind for the group in which he/she is riding. A derogatory term is "Wheel Sucker"

Slipstream The pocket of air created by a moving rider, just as in automobile or motorcycle racing. See "drafting". Also see what is in your parent's driveway - the silver thing.

Soigneur Pronounced "Swa-neur" Comparable to a trainer in other sports, this person gives massages and watches the physical health of the riders along with the team doctors

Spinning Pedalling at a high cadence.

Sprint A sudden burst of speed for the finish of a race involving more than one rider. Also a 1000-meter event on a bicycle track called a "velodrome."

Stage Race A series of individual races- time trials, road races, circuit races or criteriums - grouped into one event that lasts several days. The rider who has the lowest accumulated time for all stages determines the winner. The most famous stage race in the world is the Tour de France, which spans 2,500 miles in 21 or 22 days.

Take a Flyer When one rider goes off the front of the pack, usually alone.

Time Trial An individual race against the clock, often called the "race of truth."

Tri Bike A bike specifically designed for triathalon racing. Has steeper seat-tube and aero bars. These designs are forbidden in road racing because they do not follow the guidelines established to control bike design. The price tag will ensure you don't confuse with tri-cycle.

Track Bike A bike designed for Velodrome racing. True track bikes have one fixed gear, are very light, have short cranks (so the pedals don't hit the steeply banked velodrome corners.)

Triple A term for cranks with 3 gears or what you order after a bad race.

Velodrome An oval banked track, usually 333.33 meters in length. In general, track riders and road riders compete in separate kinds of events. The difference in training and ability is similar to the difference between sprinters and long-distance runners.

Wheel Sucker A derogatory term, referring to a rider who always sits in and never expends any energy by taking a pull at the front.

Road Bikes

Road Bikes under $1000
Road Bikes under $1500
Road Bikes $1500 - $2000
Road Bikes $2000 - $3000
Road Bikes $3000 and up
Cyclocross & Touring Bikes

Road Bikes Under $1000

A very common story for the people looking for a road bike in this price range is that they will seldom do rides over 60km, won't average over 25km/hr, and are looking to do much of their riding within the city - not just on highways.

With this being the typical story, we focus much of the sub $1000 road bike category on what are called, "flat bar road bikes". These bikes are still designed with light weight and fast rolling as their main objective.

With traditional road bikes (drop handlebars), there is a fairly large portion of the bike's value devoted to the expensive brake lever/shifter units. On flat-bar bikes, the brake levers and shifters are less expensive and the brakes typically more ergonomic and powerful.

Flat bar road bikes, when equipped with some bar-ends and ergonomic grips for additional hand positions/comfort can make very nice, comfortable, affordable road, light touring or charity-ride bikes. When ridden around town, the additional ease and power of the brakes makes for a much more enjoyable bike-path experience. I challenge you to ride one of these bikes without getting a grin on your face!

2011 Rocky Mountain Oxygen LADIES MODEL sale $999 reg $1299 Shimano Tiagra 27 speed Ladies road bike!

Marin Lucas Valley
	27 (3x9) Speed Shimano Tiagra Very much a road inspired bike. Carbon forks and seatstays for great ride feel. Size 19" (5'7 to 5'10)
Sale $959 was $1039

2013 Marin Fairfax SC3
	24 (3x8) Speed Shimano Alivio Hydraulic Disc brakes for easy braking in wet conditions or steep hills Light Aluminum Frame with easier handling than traditional road bike great road and/or city bike! versatile
$759

2010 Giant Avail 4 (Ladies) SALE $879 was $949 24 Speed Shimano Sora 1 Small (5'4 - 5'7) left

2013 Giant Escape 1
	27 Spd Shimano Alivio Linear pull brakes - more powerful than road calipers Light Aluminum Frame with relaxed handling Carbon fork for vibration reduction great road and/or city bike! versatile
$639

Marin Ravenna (womans)
	24 Speed Shimano Sora with wide range of gears Super comfy ladies entry level road bike Adjustable angle stem Carbon fork Size Small (5'3" to 5'7")
Sale $849 Was $935

2013 Giant Escape 0
	30 Spd Shimano Deore/LX Linear pull brakes - more powerful than road calipers Light Aluminum Frame with relaxed handling Carbon fork for vibration reduction Excellent components on a very versatile bike
$799

2011 Giant Rapid 3 Sale $599 was $639 Light Allux SL frame 24 speed. great value! Size L (5'10 to 6'1)

Marin Fairfax
	Light alloy frame, carbon fork 24 speed Shimano Sora linear pull brakes 17", 19", 22" left
Sale $699 was $819

2013 Giant Escape RX2
	27 Spd Shimano Sora AluxxSL ultralight frame Carbon fork for vibration reduction versatility and light weight
$899

Road Bikes Under $1000 to $1500

Road bikes priced below $1500 have, in the past, been a fairly obvious step down from those higher priced models. As things have evolved this pricepoint has recently adopted much of the technology, especially shifting quality, from the high end bikes of a few years ago. So, shifting quality will be good, if not very good.

My suggestion for people looking in this price range (assuming you are new to road riding if you're shopping in this price range) is to cater to your fitness and comfort. For fitness, I'm thinking about how broad the range of gears is. Make your introduction to road-riding a fun one and pay attention to the gears. I'm thinking more about how easy the easy gears get than about how many speeds.

For comfort, I suggest starting into road riding with a fairly pronounced upright sitting position (how upright will depend on your core strength and perhaps how much time you have spent on spin bikes at the gym). Positioning that is too aggressive (bent over, stretched out) may look racy but if you don't allow yourself to evolve into this position it can be a shock to the system. Don't worry, we'll help get you started right...

2012 Marin Argenta 105
	30 spd (3x10) huge range of gears Combo Shimano 105 and Tiagra Shimano R501 wheels - amazing on any bike under $1800 Carbon fork and frame's seat-stay for long-ride comfort
Sale $1299 reg. $1529

2011 Marin Pasubio 10
	30 spd (3x10) huge range of gears Shimano 105 Mavic Aksium Wheels - amazing on any bike under $1800
Sale $1350 reg. $1780

2013 Giant Escape RX1
	30 Spd Shimano Tiagra AluxxSL ultralight frame Carbon fork for vibration reduction versatility and light weight
$1059

2013 Marin Fairfax SC6
	18 (2x9) Speed Shimano Sora simplifies shifting & keeps range of gears Hydraulic Disc brakes for easy braking in wet conditions or steep hills Carbon fork to reduce vibration in hands for longer rides
$1079

2013 Giant Defy 2
	20 Speed Shimano Tiagra Great value in an entry level road bike Carbon fork and seatpost to reduce vibration
$1199

2013 Giant Defy 1
	20 Speed Shimano 105 Lighter frame than Defy 2 Carbon fork and seatpost to reduce vibration
$1399

2013 Giant TCR 1
	20 Speed Shimano 105 Geometry a bit more racy than Defy Carbon fork and seatpost to reduce vibration
$1429

Marin Venezia SALE $999 Was $1189 Alloy & Carbon Fiber frame 27 Speed Shimano Sora/Tiagra mix Ergo road bars! 1 Medium left fits 5'7 to 5'10

2011 Marin Venezia was $1220 SALE $1099 Alloy & Carbon Fiber frame 27 Speed Shimano Sora/Tiagra mix Ergo road bars! One 58cm (large) 5'10 to 6'1

2012 Giant Avail 1 (ladies) Sale $1299 was $1399 Shimano 105, 20 speed, AlluxSL aluminum frame & carbon fork Size XS (5'1 to 5'4)

2012 Giant Defy 1 Sale $1299 was $1399 Shimano 105, 20 speed, AlluxSL aluminum frame & carbon fork an incredible riding bike and great value!

Road Bikes $1500-$2000

This is where we start seeing carbon frames. Carbon is the great vibration dampener and there is just something special about the ride quality of Carbon.

In this "entry into Carbon" level, the carbon is used primarily for rider comfort - something typically noticed on longer rides.

2013 Masi Premiare PC1 Bellisima (Ladies)
	18 Speed Shimano Sora with extra wide range of gears and new STI shifters A beautifully finished, smmoooth riding bike Full Carbon frame and fork reduce vibration
$1579

2013 Masi Premiare PC3 Bellisima (Ladies)
	20 Speed Shimano 105 with extra wide range of gears A beautifully finished, smmoooth riding bike Full Carbon frame and fork reduce vibration
$1999

2013 Masi Premiare PC3
	20 Speed Shimano 105 with extra wide range of gears A beautifully finished, smmoooth riding bike Full Carbon frame and fork reduce vibration
$1999

2013 Giant TCR Composite 2
	20 Speed Shimano 105 Geometry a bit more racy than Defy Full Carbon frame and fork and seatpost to reduce vibration
$1899

2013 Giant Defy Composite 3
	20 Speed Shimano Tiagra Endurance geometry (more comfy) Full Carbon frame and fork and seatpost to reduce vibration
$1689

2013 Giant Defy Composite 3
	20 Speed Shimano Tiagra Endurance geometry (more comfy) Full Carbon frame and fork and seatpost to reduce vibration
$1689

2013 Giant Avail Composite 3 (Ladies)
	20 Speed Shimano Tiagra Endurance geometry (more comfy) Full Carbon frame and fork and seatpost to reduce vibration
$1689

2012 Giant Avail Composite 3 LADIES Sale $1550 was $1649 carbon frame, New Tiagra 20 speed 1 XS left

2012 Giant Defy Composite 3 Sale $1550 was $1649 carbon frame & fork, New Tiagra 20 speed great vibration damping comfort M & L remain

2012 Giant TCR Composite 2 Sale $1699 was $1899 carbon frame & fork, Shimano 105 20 speed great vibration damping comfort Small (5'4 to 5'7)

2011 Rocky Mountain Prestige 30 CR Sale $1699 was $2199 Shimano 105 20 speed Monocoque carbon frame. 1 XXS (4'11 to 5'3) Great choice for little lady

2011 Marin Verona 105 Carbon SALE $1999 was $2440 T3 Carbon Frame + Shimano 105 30speed + Comfort Fit = Unsurpassed comfort and wide range of gears M & L sizes left

Road Bikes over $2000

Once prices break the $2000 pricepoint, start looking at details. Two bikes may look very similar but a change in crank, wheels, handlebars or even tires can make one bike stand out for value. You can expect all the bikes above $2000 will perform incredibly well and that, for the most part, component upgrades have a lot to do with weight savings, stiffness or aerodynamics. At $2500 many bikes will weigh about 19 lbs, at $3500 - 16.5 lbs, while at $5000 weights will drop to about 15 lbs. This is called diminishing returns boys and girls - welcome to buying fancy stuff.

2012 Marin Verona Ultegra
	20 Speed Shimano Ultegra Endurance geometry (more comfy) Advanced level Full Carbon frame, fork and seatpost One of the smoothest bikes on the market. 56cm (5'9 to 6'0) & 58cm (5'11 to 6'2)
SALE $2999 Reg. $3979

2011 Marin Stelvio SALE $2299 was $2600 T3 Carbon Frame + Shimano 105 20speed + Pro Fit = superb feeling race bike that can be comfy enough for a weekly century XS & S size left

2012 Giant TCR Advanced 3 Sale $2499 was $2799 high-end race geometry carbon frame, full Shimano 105 20 speed with 53/39 cranks 1 Medium left

2012 Marin Stelvio T3 Apex Sale $2499 was $2799 T3 Carbon Frame + Sram Apex 20speed + Pro Fit + Reynolds Shadow Wheels! As good a ride as it is sexy

2011 Marin Stelvio Ultegra SALE $2899 was $3675 T3 Carbon Frame + Shimano Ultegra 20speed + Pro Fit and great full components Size M only

Road Bikes $3000 - $4000

You know you love road riding and you want to treat yourself to something that gets you even more excited to get out there for the daily 100km.

2013 Masi Evoluzione Ultegra
	20 Speed Shimano Ultegra High end carbon frame & fork Reynolds solitude wheels FSA SLK light cranks 16.1 lbs
$3599

2013 Giant TCR Composite 0
	20 Speed Shimano Ultegra Di2 The best priced electronic shifting bike on the market frame has ride sense mounts for sleek computer installation
$3699

Cyclocross and Touring Bikes

Cyclocross bikes have become very popular. The idea of a bike that appears at a glance to be a road bike but has a bad attitude and yearning for the rough stuff pretty much sums up a cyclocross bike. These bikes are used to race, commute, tour and road ride. So versatile, so sexy. These can be fabulous commuter bikes! Fast meets Efficient meets Tough.

2013 Giant TCX 1
	20 Speed SRAM Rival Allux SL frame with rack mounts (finally) TRP CX linear brakes for better braking
$1799

2013 Marin Lombard
	27 Speed Shimano Sora Carbon forks on a disc equipped CX bike at this price - awesome Out of the box awesome commuter.
$1139

2013 Marin Cortina
	20 Speed SRAM Rival X0 combo Race ready, commute ready, rip the street, paths and light trails ready...
$2159

Marin Cortina Sale $1899 was $2475 Size 58 - 1 left (5'10 to 6'2) Sram Rival 20 speed, carbon cranks...

2011 Marin Four Corners $1199 Cromo Frame, disc ready, XT rear derailleur. Knockout value.

2009 Giant TCX 0 sale $1499 was $2299 Ultegra 20 speed, Mavic Aksium wheels 1 Small - (5'4 to 5'7)

2012 Giant TCX 1 sale $1699 was $1799 SRAM Rival 20 speed Advanced Carbon Fork Allux SL frame (light weight) 1 S left

You may notice...

Yes, it looks like we have a pile of previous years models. No, we don't have a bunch of left-overs. We bring these bikes in because they allow us to offer better prices to our customers. The bikes we bring in are legitimate, good deals. We may not have every bike in every size, but we should be able to set you up and save you money.

YOUR Shop?

Many bike shops that concentrate on road bikes are so focused on the uber-athlete that they forget about the other 95% of us who love road riding but don't ride 800km per week. We like to think about fit. We make sure our entry level priced bikes are suitable for someone starting out. As the bikes increase in price, our focus becomes more about weight and performance. This just seems to make sense to us. What do you think? Do you want to deal with a shop that tries to anticipate your needs? I hope so.

Let us show you why Bike Bros continues to attract customers from all over Western Canada. Let us show you a great bike, great fit and great service,

Free Wisdom

Why Spandex Shorts?

1. Because that is just what you do.
2. You don't want fabric flapping in the breeze - wind is the enemy.
3. Pedal at a cadence of 90 rpm for 3 hours. Loose fabric will rub exposed skin over 16,000 times.
4. The chamois (ass padding) needs to be held firmly in place or it too will rub your ass or inner thighs 16,000 times.
5. At the end of the season you can see how good the season was by looking at the perfectly defined tan line on your thighs.
6. Seeing your leg muscles develop is awesome incentive and reward for riding lots.
7. Non-cyclists look at you funny when you wear your spandex. Cyclists (other roadies at least) look at you funny if you aren't wearing spandex (during a ride).

There are no reasons to wear spandex if you aren't cycling. None.

Why Bright Jerseys?

1. Because that is just what you do.
2. Being seen by motorists is safe.
3. Our bikes don't have motors. We can't make obnoxious noises like the Harley guys to be noticed by motorists. We have to wear noise.
4. Easier to find in the drawer full of free white T-shirts from every event, run, charity and work picnic you've attended.

Why the funny shoes?

1. Cycling shoes have rigid soles which transfer energy best
2. Foot cramps: would be brutal trying to ride for a few hours in regular shoes
3. Clipping into your pedals allows you to push and pull and prevents feet from slipping all over the pedals
4. A secret yearning to sound like Sammy Davis Jr. (think tap-shoes) when you walk into a cafe
5. When you walk into the cafe, other cyclists will know you are hardcore

Why Carbon?

1. Carbon is aweseme
2. The more carbon on your bike, the more carbon it will feel and sound
3. A well made carbon frame or structural part (fork, handlebar, stem, crank, seatpost) results in an undescribable feel. Less vibration, more mmmmmmmmm.
4. Carbon is LIGHT.

Why the slim/unpadded seats?

1. It proves you're hardcore
2. Anything that feels soft and cushy on a 15 minute ride, will feel aweful on a 150 km ride
3. a Wide seat would rub you in the wrong places 16,000 times in 3 hours
4. If you're positioned correctly and ride lots, a good, slim/unpadded saddle is the most comfortable choice.

Why Shaved Legs?

1. Tradition. It has always been done by roadies and always will
2. Massage. In an ideal world, every ride over 100km is followed by a leg massage which just doesn't feel as good with hairy legs
3. Hair Shorts. This is when your leg-hair passes through your spandex. Looks like yuk and and feels not much better.
4. Easier to get bandages to stick to smooth skin and clean thoroughly
5. Cyclists legs are like hot-rod engines - clean and polished is the way to treat a quality machine
6. Helps to show muscle definition - a great motivator for serious cyclists
7. You aren't a hypocrite when bugging your wife/girl-friend about keeping their legs nice and smooth
8. Psychological: smooth legs are like the tour athlete's, so they must be faster
9. Easier to get a perfectly defined tan line.
10. If your life revolves around road bikes; shaving the legs is a must; back to #1 - Tradition.

"Riding is the new golf", is becoming a popular statement. There is something special about riding with someone else. Draft for added efficiency and speed. Be silent while riding together. This is sharing something special.

"Riding alone refreshes the mind while rewarding the body". How else do you relieve stress while getting an amazing, impact free, muscle mashing workout?

A bit about Carbon...

Carbon (from Latin: carbo "coal") is the chemical element with symbol C and atomic number 6. As a member of group 14 on the periodic table, it is nonmetallic and tetravalent—making four electrons available to form covalent chemical bonds. ... Oh, sorry, started geeking out a bit.

When used in bikes, carbon is a broad term. Carbon frames and parts vary greatly in strength, weight and cost. There seems to be a void of information regarding the material as we know it in the bike world. So I'll try to offer the basics:

1. "T" is for Toray, one of the world's major carbon fiber manufacturers. When you see a number like T600, T700, T800, the T could stand for thread-count which is essentially what it means but it actually stands for Toray. The higher the T number, the stronger/lighter the sheets of carbon are. The higher T number is achieved through further, higher temperature processing of the carbon fibers to achieve higher purity. If carbon sheet doesn't come from Toray, it won't have a "T" number, it may just be called "high modulus". Because "High Modulus" doesn't actually mean anything measurable, it could be equal to lower strength than the T600 or up to T800. But it is a mystery.
2. Monocoque, modified monocoque, Tube-to-Tube are general terms referring to how the frame is manufactured. Big companies like Giant use either monocoque or modified monocoque - partly because they're the world biggest carbon bike manufacturer and these are very expensive to set-up but result in faster mass production. Smaller companies typically do some version of Tube-to-tube manufacturing which is much more labor intensive but less costly for initial setup. I believe the end result is how well either of these techniques are employed, not necessarily the method itself.
3. Layup. More than just a basketball term. In carbon manufacturing this describes the size, shape and orientation of little pieces of carbon sheet layered and epoxied over other layers to achieve the ultimate goal of price, weight, strength and stiffness. This can require lots of engineering and R&D to get the best results.
4. Not Every carbon frame is equal. Try any bike you're interested in to get a "feel" for how it rides. Look for reviews about breaking and defects. This is how we end up with the brands we sell.

In general, carbon's selling features are that it can be engineering to offer incredible vibration damping (nice smooth ride) or can be incredibly stiff (for ultra powerful racer-types). At the entry prices, the focus is typically to get a nice, smooth ride with weight not being a huge factor. As prices go up, the quality of carbon and intricacy of layup are used to achieve greater stiffness and reduced weight.

Ask anyone who has ridden a carbon bike and there is a certain something that just feels awesome.