Cycling isn’t just fun. It can also deliver big fitness gains with the right gear and strategy. By Amanda Loudin The reporter is a former triathlete, who still dusts off her bike on warm spring days.

What is a road bike? Well, that’s a bit trickier to pin down than you might think. At first glance, you’d probably picture a bike with skinny tyres and drop handlebars riding along smooth roads. While ...