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Are Road Bikes Fragile?

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Are Road Bikes Fragile?

Old 01-08-14, 01:15 PM
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Are Road Bikes Fragile?

I've been doing some bike research and test rides and I guess my question is this:
Are road bikes that much more fragile than hybrids? During a test ride on a road bike, I was riding over speed bumps and pretty rough patches. Is that a big no no?

Thanks in advance
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Old 01-08-14, 01:17 PM
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No. That's not a no no.
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Old 01-08-14, 01:17 PM
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oh boy
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Old 01-08-14, 01:18 PM
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Oh hell yeah. They fall apart at the first sign of rough roads

Just kidding, there are many well designed road bikes for a wide variety of conditions. Just stay away from the ultra-lightweights if you're looking for durability more than speed.
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Old 01-08-14, 01:31 PM
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The wheels would be the major concern, especially for heavier riders using wheels with low spoke counts. aside from that, it depends a lot on the build quality too. all wheels will need truing eventually, and the build quality, design and how you treat it will all affect it with varying degrees.
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Old 01-08-14, 01:34 PM
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Marty can get away with that because he's riding a $15,000 Colnago. Try that on some cheap $10,000 bike and it'll fall apart.
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Old 01-08-14, 01:37 PM
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Yes they are fragile, but not the steel ones. Steel rules all.
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Old 01-08-14, 01:37 PM
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I wouldn't say "fragile" no, "brittle" is a better word.
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Old 01-08-14, 02:07 PM
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That's a $25,000.00 bike he is riding not $15,000.00 it's $10,000.00 stronger I'm sure!
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Old 01-08-14, 02:20 PM
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No. Road bikes are not fragile.

I race road bikes, take them offroad in gravel/dirt/sand/single track, etc, and crashed them a couple times. Carbon, aluminum, and steel. They're still going strong.

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Old 01-08-14, 02:24 PM
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Crabon fibre will asplode, especially if it's a Trek. Everyone knows that.
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Old 01-08-14, 02:28 PM
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road bikes are a lot more durable than many people think. Look at Paris Roubaix.

You can even ride single track mountain bike trails on a road bike. (which is a great bike handling skill builder).

That said, its not a great idea to be pounding road wheels into speed bumps and potholes. Bunny hopping speed bumps, or at least getting off the seat, and using your knees and elbows as shock absorbers will extend the life of your wheels, and avoid pinch flats.
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Old 01-08-14, 02:32 PM
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Thanks! Good to know. I've just read so many threads saying things like "I wouldn't buy a road bike with all these potholes" etc.....
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Old 01-08-14, 02:38 PM
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The real question is would you buy a Corvette to ride it over a ton of potholes? If the answer is yes, then you have answered your own question.
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Old 01-08-14, 02:41 PM
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I ride around the potholes on my road bike.
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Old 01-08-14, 02:45 PM
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Old 01-08-14, 02:46 PM
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Originally Posted by gus6464
The real question is would you buy a Corvette to ride it over a ton of potholes? If the answer is yes, then you have answered your own question.
I suppose you're right. My definition of potholes are road imperfections making a rough ride. A true pothole... that's definitely a swerve situation!
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Old 01-08-14, 05:55 PM
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Originally Posted by gus6464
The real question is would you buy a Corvette to ride it over a ton of potholes? If the answer is yes, then you have answered your own question.
Couple of things. A Corvette is as sturdy as any car. The only thing you have to worry about is the front cowling hitting something low. The other is potholes are on all roads now it seems.
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Old 01-08-14, 05:57 PM
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A road bike can take more than you can probably throw at it!
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Old 01-08-14, 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by StanSeven
Couple of things. A Corvette is as sturdy as any car.
Which must be pretty fragile based on how most people drive -- and that includes the giant 4x4's.

I get stuck behind people who have to slow down to a crawl for minor bumps and whatnot all the time.
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Old 01-08-14, 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Myosmith

Oh hell yeah. They fall apart at the first sign of rough roads

Just kidding, there are many well designed road bikes for a wide variety of conditions. Just stay away from the ultra-lightweights if you're looking for durability more than speed.
Woo hoo that dude is awesome bmxing the roadie. Category crasher fo sho
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Old 01-08-14, 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
road bikes are a lot more durable than many people think. Look at Paris Roubaix.

You can even ride single track mountain bike trails on a road bike. (which is a great bike handling skill builder).

That said, its not a great idea to be pounding road wheels into speed bumps and potholes. Bunny hopping speed bumps, or at least getting off the seat, and using your knees and elbows as shock absorbers will extend the life of your wheels, and avoid pinch flats.
I tought I read somewhere from a pro team mechanic that bikes for a paris roubaix is a one-off, you can't use it again because the high speed riding on cobblestone put too much stress on it
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Old 01-08-14, 06:50 PM
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Originally Posted by bleui
I tought I read somewhere from a pro team mechanic that bikes for a paris roubaix is a one-off, you can't use it again because the high speed riding on cobblestone put too much stress on it
Uh, I'll take one.
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Old 01-08-14, 07:09 PM
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Originally Posted by bleui
I tought I read somewhere from a pro team mechanic that bikes for a paris roubaix is a one-off, you can't use it again because the high speed riding on cobblestone put too much stress on it
You tought wrong
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Old 01-08-14, 07:18 PM
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Originally Posted by banerjek
Which must be pretty fragile based on how most people drive -- and that includes the giant 4x4's.

I get stuck behind people who have to slow down to a crawl for minor bumps and whatnot all the time.
So true. I don't understand why some people drive heavy duty trucks and SUVs and then creep slowly over speed bumps in parking lots...or slow doen to an almost stop to go through a pothole
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