Quality of beginner-bike for future racing

kasperbs

Hi, I'm looking for a bike that will suit my need for fitness training, but the plan is that in a years time, I would like to participate in races.

Reading in forums about bike advice, people say thing like; it's good enough as long as your not racing.

I'm looking at different carbon and alu-frame bikes. I know people are racing on good alu-frame bikes, but do I need to buy a bike >£1500 to make sure it will hold up for racing?

sloppyschleckonds

No

P_Tucker

No.

jgsi

Raced on my ally Allez with Sora when other bike not available... wasnt that much slower... not that I was quick in 1st place anyways.. I do admit to NOT racing it with stock wheelset though

kasperbs

Thanks, I wouldn't think so either, but nice to have it confirmed. I'll probably leave a little bit in the budget for some wheel and tyre changes.

nferrar

Nothing stopping you racing on a cheap bike, it's more it could be the difference between winning and not. But I'd get the best frame you can (and likely would go second hand if wanting race on something under £500) and then save up for decent wheels (£300-500) when you can.

Monty Dog

Spend a lot of money and then chuck it down the road! You'll see plenty of people riding Planet-X, Ribbles etc exactly for that reason.