Thinking about building a road bike soon. Wunna put one together piece by piece. Never ridden anything but step angle tri bikes. I’m assuming geometry is just as important on a road bike as it is a tri bike, though I rarely hear much about it. Can any of you knowledgeable roadie-types tell me what I should keep an eye out for? I’m assuming there is a different ideal geometry for a road race bike than a touring bike etc. I plan to use it for road riding, not racing, just as an alternative to my steep-angled Felt.
I often see reference to Euro geometry v. American. Don’t know what that means either.
Typically a 72-74 seat tube angle instead of 78-80. Road bikes handle better, are less twitchy and climb better. Much better for road racing or group riding.
Tom D wrote a good article regarding road/tri differences.
Good summary by Cerveloguy. In general a road bike distributes your weight rearward and more over the rear wheel. The change in weight distribution is what helps with the handling.
The american vs euro thing reflects the style of racing. American racing is typically short multilap criteriums. The bikes tend to be stiff and quick handling. Euro racing is longer and rougher roads. the bikes tend to be less stiff, or at least more compliant. Your best bet would be a euro type for all day comfort. Touring bikes are pretty hard to come by these days, but have longer chainstays, heavier duty parts and frames, and a more upright position, as well as clearance for big tires and fenders.
As an aside, most road bikes are more twitchy than a properly fitted tri bike. Ideally a tri bike shouldn’t be twitchy or fast handling at all.