Which Road Bike to Start Racing With?

Cameron2122
Cameron2122 Posts: 55
edited April 2011 in Road buying advice
Hi there. As the title states I'm after a road bike to start racing on. This would include racing normal Road races as well as possibly doing a few crits. I'm 5ft 11' so would ideally be looking at getting a large (55/56cm) frame and the bike would need to be reasonably stiff and responsive. I'm looking for value with a budget of around £750. I know my best bet is getting a used bike, so which bikes would you's all suggest looking out for?
Thanks
Cameron

Comments

  • Alumin-Liam
    Alumin-Liam Posts: 75
    Something aluminium - CAAD9, etc. Should be cheap if you can find second hand, and upgradable. Aluminium is ideal for racing as it is very stiff and light. Not as comfy a carbon but you're not there for a comfortable ride.

    Wheels make the biggest difference to speed, but lower category racing is usually a bunch sprint so tactics and having a race brain play a much bigger part. Having top of the line equipment makes much less of a difference in a road race than a TT, in a bunch everyone is doing the same speed.

    If you can find something with a 10 speed groupset that will make life simpler in terms of later upgrades.

    I never race on equipment I can't afford to crash - so I buy a lot of kit second hand. My race bike was £370 second hand (but I did spend another £250 on wheels).
    Summer - Colnago C40
    Race - Wilier Alpe D'Huez
    Winter/Commuter - Specialized Tricross
  • danowat
    danowat Posts: 2,877
    I did some crits on a Spesh Allez, did alright on it.

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