Does a Woman Need a Women’s Geometry Road Bike?
Question: I’m 5-foot-8 and 135 pounds. My bike shop wants to sell me a bike with “women’s geometry,” but it doesn’t fit right. The handlebar seems too close. Can’t a woman ride a man’s bike? — Celia P.
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How Much Faster Is a Road Bike Than a Hybrid?
Question: I own a hybrid bike but ride tours where everyone else has a road bike. I’ve never had a problem keeping up because I train hard during the week. But I wonder — if my average speed on a typical ride is 17 mph, how much would it increase if I got a road…
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Do I Need a Time Trial Bike?
Question: The local time trial championship is coming up. I’m wondering if I should buy a TT bike or just use my road bike with aero bars. I don’t want to spend money needlessly, but I really want to do well in this event. — Julian O. Coach Fred Matheny Replies: The most important aspect…
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Which Bike Should I Use for Which Races?
Question: During a three-day period in October, I will be racing in a hillclimb, road race and time trial. I have two road bikes: a titanium Seven Axiom with Ksyrium wheels, and a steel LeMond Zurich with standard 32-spoke wheels. The latterweighs about 3.5 pounds more. Should I install clip-on aero bars on the Seven for…
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How Should I Set Up My Road Bike for Time Trials?
Question: I have an old road bike that I want to turn into a time trial machine. When positioning aero bars, what part of my forearms should contact the armrests? How far apart should my elbows be? Should the seat be level or tilted up or down? — Mark C.