Tech Question: Is the cycling industry selling riders bikes that are just too aggressive for them?

Physiotherapist Bike Fitter Nicole Oh looks at the current market trends, and compares them to what most cyclists actually need...

Bike shop employee shows customer a modern road bike
(Image credit: Getty Images / Nastasic)

It’s no surprise that there has been a huge increase in cycling participation in the past decade, with a visible increase in the number of cyclists on the roads. This increase has been largely in people cycling for fitness, recreation or non-racing events such as sportives. 

Looking just at the UK, in 2012 British Cycling had 64,000 members and 21,000 Race licence holders. By 2022, this had grown to 150,000 members and 26,500 Race licence holders. Although this is a healthy increase in those who race at 26%, the number of total members has increased by a whopping 134% or 2.3 times more.

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EXAMPLES OF RACE VS ENDURANCE GEOMETRY BIKES
BrandRaceEndurance
SpecializedTarmac/AethosRoubaix
TrekEmonda / MadoneDomane
GiantTCR/PropelDefy
CannondaleSuperSix Evo/System SixSynapse
CerveloR series/S seriesCaledonia
BianchiAria/OltreInfinito
CanyonUltimate/AeroadEndurance
FocusIzalco MaxParalane

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Nicole Oh is a physiotherapist and bike fitter, with training in biomechanical assessments, sports injury rehabilitation, acupuncture and clinical pilates.

A competitive cyclist with a background in triathlon, Nicole raced at National level in the UK, also managing and co-founding the Les Filles Racing Team. Having moved to Sydney, she works as a physiotherapist at The Body Mechanic and continues to race competitively.