If you are passionate about tour bike for cycling and watching the Vuelta an España, and you do not use it in the background to take a nap, this article interests you. Since in addition to knowing how much a professional bicycle is worth, you will learn curiosities that will leave your entire group of friends with their mouths open.
And it is sure that if you like this sport you have wondered what characteristics differentiate a standard tour bike from a professional bicycle so that there is such a big price difference, some were costing thousands and thousands of euros.
Differences between a road bike and a mountain bike
But before knowing the most popular professional bicycle brands, those that are used in the Vuelta an España or the Tour de France, it is essential to learn to differentiate between the two main types of bicycles that exist: road bicycles and bicycles. Of Mountain.
This will help us get appropriately started in this sport, preventing us from making unnecessary investments in a team that does not suit our needs. Check out more interesting stories at Hulm Dubai.
professional road bike
Also known as a tour bike, this model of professional bike has become very popular in recent years. It is not uncommon on a day, especially if the weather is good, to see a cyclist or teams of cyclists making routes on the roads.
Its main characteristics are:
- Smooth, thin and large wheels that allow higher speeds to be achieved.
- Very light.
- Design that “forces” the cyclist to adopt a more aerodynamic position.
- Handlebar with a wedge back.
- It has several dishes and marches.
- The frames are usually made of carbon or aluminium.
- They generally use disc brakes.
- The use of a helmet and jersey is essential, as well as that of a special openwork for more significant support to the pedals.
And what makes road cycling different?
- Route. Due to the design of the professional road bike and the type of cycling that is practised with it, the courses that can be done are longer in the same period, compared to the kilometres that can be covered with a bicycle—mountain pro.
- Physical capacity. Although it is a challenging and physically demanding sport, cycling with a road bike stands out for being a physical activity that does not considerably impact the muscles, which is why it is usually used to recover after an injury. This does not imply that it is unnecessary to have a specific physical capacity and that after doing a long route, you are not tired, but a recovery session will be enough for the body to be ready again.
- Accessibility. Although it depends a lot on the route chosen, road cycling is a sport suitable for all types of profiles since it can be adapted to the physical conditions of each user.
- Cost-effectiveness. Cycling, in any of its variants, is not a cheap sport, but because road bikes wear much less, it is a more profitable investment. In this mode, you can find second-hand road bikes in excellent condition and at a much lower price.
- Seasonality. Unlike mountain biking, the practice of this sport with professional road bikes is much more conditioned by weather conditions and seasons. For example, its approach is discouraged in winter in icy places due to the state of the roads, which can be frozen, or in summer in scorching areas due to high temperatures.
- Hazard. Because it is practised on the road, sharing space with all types of vehicles, this sport carries significant risk.
professional mountain bike
The mountain bike, also called MTB, is usually the first bike model bought with which one has the first contact with cycling. And this is partly because very competitive prices can be found on the market, especially if we are looking for second-hand mountain bikes, and because the practice of this type of cycling, being done in nature and not on the road, is dangerous. Much smaller.
Its main characteristics are:
- Thick wheels with very marked drawings for more outstanding grip.
- Very resistant.
- Greater weight.
- More excellent damping and suspension.
- The frame is usually made of aluminium or steel mainly.
- Wide variety of speeds and plates.
- Design that promotes a straighter posture.
What makes mountain biking different:
- Versatility. Unlike tour bike that can only be used on asphalt, mountain bikes can be used both on the road and in nature. That is why they are an excellent option for those who want to start and are so popular on the second-hand market. In addition, this sports modality can be practised throughout the year.
- Physical impact. Due to the terrain conditions where mountain biking is practised, the physical impact at the joint and muscular level is much more significant.
- Physical capacity. Although it may seem easy, professional mountain biking requires high physical power and a particular technique to face the descents and bumps in the terrain.
- Environment. One of the significant advantages of opting for a professional mountain bike is that it allows you to enjoy nature and get to know different landscapes.
- Investment. Due to the characteristics of the terrain, the components of the mountain bike suffer more, that is why although these bikes are usually cheaper, they require more maintenance, which in the long run can mean higher investment.
- Hazard. The practice of road cycling and mountain biking carries a degree of danger. However, it is true that the risk of suffering an accident by third parties, such as a fatal hit-and-run, is much lower with a mountain bike. Therefore, the danger in this sports modality lies in the technical level and the terrain conditions of the selected route.
What tour bike do they use in the Vuelta an España, and how much do they cost?
After knowing the two main types of professional bicycles we can find on the market, it is time to see which model cyclists use to complete the Tour.
A professional bike like this can be worth €3,000 to over €14,000, depending on its materials and brand. And although roughly we can abbreviate by saying they use professional tour bike, the truth is that this question has a more complex answer than you might think since professional cyclists can use up to four different types of professional tour bike in competitions.
And what is that due to? Well, they choose one type or another of road bikes according to each stage’s needs, be it its versatility, lightness, speed, aerodynamics or comfort.
Some of the most popular brands among professional cyclists are:
- Lapierre. Its high-end models can exceed €3,000
- Canyon. Its high-end models can exceed €6,000.
- Merida. Its high-end models can exceed €6,000
- Colnago. Its high-end models can exceed €8,500.
- Bianchi. Its high-end models can exceed €9,500.
- Willier. Its high-end models can exceed €10,000.
- Cannondale. Its high-end models can exceed €11,000
- Giant Bicycles. Its high-end models can exceed €11,000.
- Specialized. Its high-end models can exceed €12,000.
- Pinarello. Its high-end models can exceed €14,000.
