How to choose a road bike – Trek Bikes

All you need to know

What is a road bike?
How to choose a road bike
Road riding resources
Road riding gear

What is a road bike?

Road bikes are made for speed and efficiency whether you’re riding on smooth tarmac roads, chunky gravel back roads or somewhere in between. However, there are a few key features – like drop bars, lightweight designs, and skinny(ish) tyres – that set road bikes apart from their trail-tackling cousins.

Drop bars

Drop bars provide a downward-swoop design for riding on the hoods, tops and drops. They’re great for longer or faster rides because you can easily change your body’s positioning for more comfort, power or aerodynamics.

Skinny (ish) tyres

Traditional road tyres are designed to roll fast and corner hard on tarmac roads. They typically come in sizes up to 28 mm and are paired with bikes that have a more race-focused geometry.

Road bikes with relaxed and endurance-focused geometry come with larger-sized tyres and can accommodate up to 45 mm of tyre clearance for increased comfort, traction and control on tarmac, gravel and dirt.

What kind of road bikes are there?

Road bikes typically fall into four categories: Performance Road, Electric Road, Gravel and Triathlon – each is designed to help you reach your goals in different ways. When choosing a road bike, you’ll want to consider where you’ll be riding, how hilly the terrain will be, and if you want a small boost from an electric assist.

Performance road bikes are made for efficiency and speed whether you're chasing KOMS or racing in the world's toughest races.

The Madone is an aerodynamic road bike designed to slice through the wind. It’s our fastest road race bike ever.

– Kammtail aero shapes from front to back for more free speed
– Fast/aggressive race geometry
– The top bike of choice for riders and racers who prioritise speed

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The Domane is an 'all-road' endurance bike that’s all about comfort on long rides with the features you need for mixed surface riding.

– IsoSpeed road-smoothing tech enables you to ride faster and longer on anything from smooth tarmac to cobblestones to light gravel
– Comfortable endurance geometry
– Great for new road riders and seasoned pros alike

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The Émonda is an ultra-light road bike designed for maximising performance on hilly race courses and climbing the tallest mountains. It’s our lightest road race bike ever.

– Ultra-lightweight design
– Fast/aggressive race geometry
– Excellent for dancing up inclines on race day and leading the pack on group rides

Learn more Shop Emonda

Electric road bikes provide a natural-feeling assist that lets you ride further and faster than you ever thought possible.

The Domane+ is an electric road bike designed to help flatten hills and take the tail wind with you on long the way.

– Perfect for tarmac or light gravel roads
– Models range from 38 mm all-road to 40 mm gravel tyre clearance
– Comfortable endurance geometry

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Gravel bikes are true 'jack-of-all-trades' bikes that can be ridden on all kinds of surfaces – from gravel to tarmac and even light singletrack. They're designed with clearance to accommodate larger, more stable tyres and are made for adventure with their ability to carry a whole range of accessories like bags, racks and mudguards. And if you're wondering, 'can road bikes go on gravel?' be sure to check out the Domane.

The Checkpoint is a gravel bike designed for the pursuit of adventure on unsurfaced roads, exploring with friends, bikepacking and gravel racing.

– Up to 45 mm gravel tyre clearance
– Plenty of mounts for storage and bikepacking bags
– Progressive geometry that’s made for light gravel, heavy gravel and everything in between

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The Domane is an 'all-road' endurance bike that’s ready to roll on anything from smooth tarmac to rough country roads and light gravel.

– Perfect for tarmac or light gravel roads
– Up to 38 mm all-road tyre clearance
– Comfortable endurance geometry for day-long rides

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Triathlon bikes are designed for setting PRs, racing against the clock and efficiency during the toughest multi-sport events. They’re packed with loads of tri-specific features like optimised aerodynamics for long distances and storage for fuel on race day.

The Speed Concept is a triathlon bike that’s all about setting you up for your fastest bike split on the triathlon course.

– Designed to make you faster than ever during your next Ironman or local triathlon
– Fast triathlon geometry with a fully customisable rider-specific fit
– Seamlessly integrated hydration and fuelling systems

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Carbon or aluminium?

The construction and material of your bike can make a big difference in how it will feel when you ride it. Trek offers both carbon and  aluminium options for most of our road bikes. And depending on how you like to ride, one may be better for you than the other.

Trek OCLV Carbon

Carbon fibre is a composite material that can be made into intricate, complex shapes and gives bike designers flexibility when crafting super-light bikes. Carbon fibre bikes are generally lighter and allow for heightened aerodynamics and ride quality. They also tend to take a lot more precision craftsmanship to manufacture and can be more expensive than their aluminium counterparts.

Trek Alpha Aluminium

Trek’s aluminium road bikes are packed with performance technology and share many of the same characteristics as other frame materials. Trek’s Alpha Aluminium uses Invisible Weld Technology for high-quality looks, and are super durable, affordable and a high-value option for the rider who wants a responsive and affordable ride.

Choosing the level of carbon or aluminium
What do the letters after the bike name mean?

The lightest and most premium carbon frames we offer for our models. 700 and 800 Series OCLV Carbon SLR frames feature top-tier tech and are the choice of top-level racers.

Our lightweight 500 Series OCLV Carbon. These road frames are a bit heavier than their SLR siblings, but still pack fantastic performance features into an affordable package.

Our highest-performing 300 Series Alpha Aluminium frames. They’re lightweight, feature elevated details like hydroforming and smooth welds, and don’t break the bank.

Our entry-level 100 Series Alpha Aluminium frames are made at the junction between performance and value. They have smart features and great looks, and place high value front and centre.

Choosing your drivetrain

Every Trek road bike comes with a carefully selected combination of parts (the crank, gears, chain and derailleur) that are more widely known as a drivetrain. Just like bike frames, drivetrains come in a variety of levels. Each road bike’s name includes a number that indicates the level of drivetrain that comes with the bike – 9 being the highest performance level and 2 being our highest value option. Another choice you may have within each drivetrain level is deciding between SRAM and Shimano. Each company makes incredible components for our bikes, and each have their own benefits to better suit how you like to ride.

Level 9

SHIMANO DURA-ACE Di2

The pinnacle of Shimano’s road technology and innovation, the DURA-ACE 12-speed electronic drivetrain is Shimano’s fastest ever. Every component was refined, designed and fine-tuned to make you faster – whether you’re sprinting to the finish on the Champs-Elysees or crushing your local climb for the KOM.

SRAM Red AXS

With RED AXS, you’re always in the right gear. SRAM’s lightest wireless drivetrain offers more range, a smoother gear progression and simple shift logic. AXS technology allows you to easily personalise your components right from your phone. It’s true innovation, for true advancement, for the truest performance-minded riders.

Level 7

SRAM Force AXS

The most precise Force AXS. Choose from integrated power options, go further with intelligent gear ranges, and personalise it with the power of AXS. Enjoy redesigned shifter paddles, a sleeker hood shape and the consistent feel of hydraulic stopping power.

SHIMANO ULTEGRA Di2

The ULTEGRA drivetrain is packed with innovative game-changing features like Shimano’s exclusive wireless integrated circuit, an ULTEGRA power meter, increased ergonomics and aerodynamic advantages that are combined into a 12-speed package to ensure you’ll have the gearing you need for wherever the road takes you.

Shimano GRX Di2

Shimano GRX Di2 pairs lightning fast electronic shifting power with rugged off-road capability for an adventure-focused drivetrain that excels when the road gets rough

Level 6

SHIMANO 105 Di2

With a shared Di2 electronic shifting platform inherited from DURA-ACE and ULTEGRA, sophisticated ergonomics, SHIMANO 105-optimised gear combinations and an exceptional brake system, SHIMANO 105 Di2 brings affordability to electronic performance.

SRAM Rival AXS

Rival AXS features the technology that modern riders demand – wireless shifting, innovative gearing, integrated power measurement and AXS connectivity. With exceptional ergonomics, braking and superb chain management, this group can take you anywhere.

Level 5

SHIMANO GRX

SHIMANO GRX is designed from the ground up for gravel adventure with its gravel-specific ergonomics, optimised gearing options, rugged reliability and quiet and stable mechanical drivetrain.

SHIMANO 105

The mechanical SHIMANO 105 drivetrain empowers more riders than ever before to embrace the sport of road cycling. It’s a supportive, high-value drivetrain that provides an accessible option to enable, motivate and inspire riders of all backgrounds.

Level 4

Shimano Tiagra

TIAGRA is a 10-speed drivetrain that pairs serious entry-level riding performance with technology from top-tier lines for more intuitive shifting.

Level 3

Shimano Sora

SORA is Shimano’s most attractive and robust 9-speed drivetrain. It’s great for fitness and recreational cyclists because of its stylish and clean design.

Level 2

Shimano Claris

CLARIS covers a wide range of uses and comes on fitness bikes, touring bikes and road bikes. This durable and low-maintenance 8-speed drivetrain gives you the optimal range of gears for comfortable riding.

Quick tip: the drivetrain level of each bike is indicated with a number after the carbon or aluminium marking.

Should I go with electronic or mechanical shifting?

Electronic shifting

Electronic shifting provides a lightning fast and high-performance experience. It’s precise, durable and can shift quick even while under load. However, with all this speed there is a small drawback – you’ll need to charge the battery every once in a while.

Mechanical shifting

Mechanical drivetrains are the tried-and-true tech that’s been around for years. Each drivetrain offers high-value reliability, ease of use and the peace of mind that comes with not needing a charger.

Can I fit bigger tyres on my road or gravel bike?

The tyres that come stock with your Trek road or gravel bike are guaranteed to fit and designed to provide great performance. But you may find you’re looking for even more comfort, traction and confidence for more off-the-beaten-track adventures. Wider road or gravel tyres, which can be run at lower pressure, can provide this.

But not just any tyre will fit! Each of our road and gravel bikes comes with a maximum tyre size recommendation, which you can find in the details about each bike model.

In the bike model details, you may see a maximum 'as measured' tyre size recommendation. 'As measured' means the measured tyre width while the tyre is on the rim and inflated to the recommended pressure. We recommend at least 4 mm of clearance between the tyre and frame for road models and 6 mm of clearance for gravel models. This clearance is what determines our maximum recommended tyre size.

A – measure width of the tyre
B – measure top clearance
C – measure side clearance

Madone Gen 7, for example, can fit up to 32 mm tyres as measured. That means the maximum recommended width of the tyre (measurement A) is 32 mm, which should provide the recommended 4mm of clearance between the tyre and frame (measurement B and C).

Road bike gear – the essentials

Once you’ve found your perfect road bike, it’s time to add in the vital gear that every rider needs. Front and rear bike lights and a helmet are extremely important to help protect your head and keep yourself seen at any time of the day and a bottle cage with a few water bottles are a must to make sure that you’re hydrated wherever you roam. Other essentials like a flat kit and spare tube ensure you have a back-up plan if you get a flat, and tools like a floor pump and chain lube help prolong the life of your components and keep tyres inflated before every ride.

Shop all road gear

Mountain bike wear

Road bike clothing is specifically designed to help you have your best rides. Bike shorts and bib shorts with features like a built-in chamois provide comfort where your body meets the saddle. Sweat-wicking materials and pockets on jersey tops help keep you cool and offer a quick-access spot to store snacks or other ride essentials, like your phone and credit card. Sunglasses are also a great addition to any bike kit as they help you see the road ahead and help protect your eyes from the wind and sun.

Shop all road clothing