If you've never ridden a high quality road bike before, you almost certainly won't believe how far or how fast you can go, and with so little effort. There is a world of difference between getting on a top of the line Schwinn road model and a standard, cheap all-purpose bike. It's a like riding a friendly, gentle pony then getting on a racehorse.

A racehorse goes immeasurably faster but it is harder to ride. The same is true of road bikes. The thinner tires, for example, take some getting used to but don't be put off. All it takes is practice, and not much practice at that. After a few laps of the local park most cyclists will be in command of their new steed and more than ready to take to the roads.

To take the analogy even further, a highly strung thoroughbred horse also takes more looking after. The bikes listed on this page aren't really tough enough for off-road sections and they won't take as much punishment as some bikes, so if you're looking for a model that will do anything and go everywhere, you'll be better off looking in the hybrid bikes section.

On the other hand, those who are looking for a bike for road racing, commuting, or just long-distance cruising along roadways are in exactly the right place. We list everything from basic road bicycles for those who want a healthier and green commute, to high performance bikes suitable for serious racing.