Recommended First Competitive Road Bike.

[roadracerash1]

Hi guys. After alot of thought I have decided to go for a more racey style of road bike. At the moment I have a Trek 1.2 which has been fantastic. But I want to upgrade for a bike that will put me on the path to competitve road racing. I have focused on training, weight management and time management. SO basically I think I'm ready to commit to this sport. What carbon fibre road bike should i invest into next but not one that is not going to break the bank so to speak?

 

[gavintc]

A couple of years ago I was in the support car providing spare wheels to a Cat2/3 road race. Not far from the start one of the riders punctured. Cue a quick wheel change, and I noted that the bike was an entry level Spec Allez with cheap wheels, indeed the replacement wheel was considerably better than the original. We gave him a draft to pull him back to the peloton and watched him as the race unfolded. He did not get on the podium, but certainly finished in the final bunch sprint. Indeed, the ultimate winner punctured on a smart carbon Zipp and rode 1/2 the race on a cheap Mavic. It made me really appreciate that ability is really down to your legs not your kit.

 

[fossyant]

You just need decent reliable kit for racing.

 

[black'n'yellow]

'breaking the bank' is a relative term to people's individual wealth - so it's difficult to suggest a bike without knowing what kind of money you want to spend.

Having said that - carbon is not essential. Granted probably the majority of club racers are on carbon these days, but I still see plenty on aluminium frames and there will be no disadvantage to riding one. The Cannondale Caad9/10 is well-respected as a good, aluminium race bike, but even that costs money, so some budget guidance would be useful...

 

[User16625]

£1000 or less.

 

[black'n'yellow]

£1000 or less.

random guess?? Or do you know that is actually his budget?

 

[roadracerash1]

My current bike is worth £700 new. So basically x2 worth. £1500-£2000 or any sub £1500 that is good.

 

[vickster]

Not ridden one, but this is a nice reduction, now under £1500 and nice looking (yay it's not black)

http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/products/cannondale-supersix-105-2012.htm

Should be racy enough
Race-Winning Pedigree

Light and stiff, with an alive, communicative ride-feel, the 2012 SuperSix is the direct descendant of the frame that carried Team Liquigas-Cannondale to victory in the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España.

 

[Rob3rt]

Not ridden one, but this is a nice reduction, now under £1500 and nice looking (yay it's not black)

http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/products/cannondale-supersix-105-2012.htm

Should be racy enough
Race-Winning Pedigree

Light and stiff, with an alive, communicative ride-feel, the 2012 SuperSix is the direct descendant of the frame that carried Team Liquigas-Cannondale to victory in the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España.

If I was going to buy a new bike, a SuperSix would be the one (unless I could afford a Ritte or the BMC TMR01 ) but not in Liquigas get-up!

 

[vickster]

I don't know anything about race teams, just like the colours

 

[Cyclist33]

Saw the super six in Evans Wednesday. Gloss black n white. Phoaarrr!

 

[black'n'yellow]

should be able to get one of Giant's TCRs with either 105 or Ultegra - for that budget, that would be my choice...

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

You know the old saying "don't race what you can't replace".

^^^^^ this is what you would look like after your first crash in your shiny new carbon bike.

 

[black'n'yellow]

You know the old saying "don't race what you can't replace".

^^^^^ this is what you would look like after your first crash in your shiny new carbon bike.

the alternative to that is "race on the best kit for the job", which usually combines with the other mantra of "if you're worried about crashing, don't line up at the start"...

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

the alternative to that is "race on the best kit for the job", which usually combines with the other mantra of "if you're worried about crashing, don't line up at the start"...

To true B&Y but if you can't replace it then your not going to line up at the start either.