Before you take your road bike out for a ride, be sure to perform a quick safety check on your. Check that the screws and bolts are on tightly and inspect the frame for any signs of cracks, especially around the welds. If there's a crack, then you need to address it immediately. Ensure that the pedals are fastened tightly and that all the cables are correctly routing through all the proper stops.

Be sure to lube the chain every 100-200 miles as it tends to easily build up with dirt. Use a bike specific lube as motor oil or WD-40 attracts dirt. Check that the tires are filled to the proper pressure and that are no punctures anywhere. Lubing your chain is important as the buildup of dirt may cause kinks in the chain. Lubing it will also prolong its life.

Keeping your bike well maintained is essential if you plan on riding for a long time. Before getting started in performing road bike maintenance, there essential pieces of equipment that you will need in order to keep your bike well maintained. You will need a work stand where you are able to prop up your bike, degreaser to remove dirt, bucket of soapy water to wash the bike, a brush to scrub the bike, oil for the chain and axles, and also clean water to rinse everything down.

The best place to start is from the bottom up by starting with your wheels first. Using a brush you will need to work the degreaser into the sprockets to ensure that they are thoroughly cleaned. However, be sure not to put too much on the bearings. Allow the degreaser time to work its magic on the sprockets and then wash it off with hot water as you scrub the sprockets clean. Then proceed to scrub the spokes of the wheel while also removing any black residue from the brakes.

It is very easy for your tires to get dirty so you will want to clean those as well. Once your wheel is cleaned, use a soft scrubbing brush with soapy water. This would also be a good time to thoroughly inspect the wheels. Check that there are no cuts in the tread or any punctures and replace if necessary. Then proceed to rinse off the tires by using clean water and allow them to dry.

Removing the wheels will make cleaning the rest of the bike a lot easier. You can also take this opportunity to place your bike on a stand while your wheels are drying. Place a stick or old axle through the rear end of the bike to rest the chain on something. Then use degreaser and a brush to thoroughly clean the chain, the front and rear deailleurs, the chain rings, cranks, brakes and other pieces of metal.

This process may get a little messy so be sure that your stand and bike is propped over cardboard or a bunch of newspapers. As you are cleaning the metal components, be sure not to allow the degreaser on the saddle, handlebars, headset or on the bracket bearings. Again, allow the degreaser time to work its magic and proceed to use hot water to remove the degreaser while wiping it down.

With a sponge and a bucket of soapy water, clean underneath the saddle, bottom bracket, brakes and forks to remove any dirt. Always start with the saddle and handlebars and work your way down the bike. Then rinse the bike off with clean water and repeat if necessary. While cleaning your bike, sure to look for any problems such as worn brake blocks, frayed cables, cracks or any damage to the frame.

Once everything is clean, all you need to do is dry your road bike with a clean cloth and put your wheels back on. The first time around, this may seem like a tedious process but as you do it more often you'll become a lot quicker. Besides, keeping your bike well maintained will not only prolong the life of the bike but it will also enable you to enjoy riding a lot more.

Look for clearance deals at your local sporting goods store

If you're patient enough, you might be able to find clearance road bikes for sale by waiting towards the end of the year. This is typically when manufacturers release new models for the next year. When this happens, sporting goods store have to make room for new inventory so older models will be put on clearance. This would be a great time to find discount road bikes.

Negotiate with your local sporting goods store

Stores know how expensive road bikes can be so they're willing to negotiate on your behalf. Be reasonable with your negotiations and if you're still not getting the price you want, then you can always go to a different store. If this happens, the store you originally went to will usually comply with you. Also, if you purchase at a sporting goods store they may even give you free accessories.

Check your local classified ads

Searching for local classifieds is a great way to find quality discount road bikes for sale. However, be sure to ask for a test ride and ensure that the condition of the bike is optimal. While you may not be able to find a new road bike, you can easily find them used by searching local classifieds such as craigslist.com. You may even be able to connect with a fellow rider as well.

Search online retailers

Retailers such as Amazon are always offering great discounts on road bikes so be sure to check there often. You'll be presented with a huge list of road bikes varying across different models from multiple sellers so you can be able to immediately determine the best price for the road bike of your choice. Be sure that you are dealing with a reputable seller and to check their history.

Purchase discount road bikes at auction sites

Auction sites such as eBay are an excellent way to find quality discount road bikes. Buyers on eBay are always trying to find the best deals and sellers understand this. Most auctions are in a bidding style where you place your minimum bid for a particular item and wait for the item to end. If other people bid on the same item, then you will need to either increase your bid or find a different item to purchase.

As you can tell, there are many places where you can find discount road bikes. Before finalizing a purchase, be sure to thoroughly inspect the item. The last thing you want is riding on a mountain trail and having your bike break on you. Always deal with a reputable seller by checking their history and seeing what experiences other people have had with this particular seller.

2009 Felt ZW30 Women's Road Bike

The 2009 Felt ZW30 road bike has specifically been designed for maximum comfort even on less than smooth surfaces. The bike is also built with speed in mind for those who want to go faster or push their limits even further. The aluminum Superlite frame also dampens road vibration less than other similar aluminum road bikes.

The 2009 Felt ZW30 is priced at $1,095 which is fairly reasonable compared to similar bikes of its class. The bike comes in four sizes so whether your size is petite, small, medium or large you will find a size that's comfortable for you without having to sacrifice speed and performance. Felt also offers specific handlebars and saddles to allow for maximum comfort.

2009 Cannondale Feminine Synapse 5 Road Bike

The 2009 Cannondale Feminine Synapse 5 road bike is priced at $1,995 and offers advanced vibration dampening technology for maximum performance and comfort while riding even on the toughest terrains. The Triaxially bent seat is designed specifically to prevent rider fatigue.

This also is also very customizable with many selections of paint color and the choice of a 6061-T6 aluminum, HI-MODulus, or ultra carbon frame. Bicycling Magazine rated this road bike as The Best Women's Road Bike of 2008 which makes this bike a contender for the best of 2009 as well.

Trek 1.2 WSD Women's Road Bike

The Trek 1.2 WSD is the most affordable on this page at $879.99. However, don't believe for a second that the low price results in lower quality as you would be very wrong. Fitted with Bontranger components like a carbon fork, race fit seat and allow wheels, this bike contains world class features at a very affordable price. This bike is perfect for the beginner cyclist or for those who would rather cruise on a path with style.

Trek Madone 4.5 WSD Road Bike

Priced at $2,469 the Trek Madone 4.5 WSD is probably the more expensive investment and is more for those who ride on a daily basis. This bike features a Bontranger Race Lite fork, race wheels, Race Lite tires and even a TCT carbon frame. This bike also features Shimano components such as the alloy dual pivot brakes which work to bring the bike to a stop smoothly and quickly.

So here are four of the best women's road bikes of 2009. While these are only suggestions, be sure to give them a test ride before finalizing the purchase.