Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Tiagra for racing?!

Ian560
Ian560 Posts: 15
edited April 2012 in Your road bikes
I have a Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Tiagra, with which I have competed in my first two road races here in New York City, United States. Everyone else, even in CAT. 5 has a significantly nicer bike. I am curious if I have a hope in hell to keep up with the pack. Should I upgrade if I have the chance? Is Tiagra suitable for racing? Is the C2C series of Bianchi suitable for racing? I really enjoy cycling and I know I will stick with it. Also, I am 16 and just joined a Junior Development team for the first time.

Thanks all!
Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Tiagra
Felt Brougham 3spd
MTB Specilized Enduro

Comments

  • pmdicker
    pmdicker Posts: 7
    Hi

    The bike is fine. I started racing and winning on a £400 Giant road bike with Shimano Sora componants. Obviously the better bike you have, the greater your advantage but its fine to start with. As finances allow, you can always upgrade wheels,tyres,groupset etc. but there is far more to be gained by technique/racecraft than minor machinary advantages. Saying that, if you have the cash to spend, go for it!

    Paul
  • GiantMike
    GiantMike Posts: 3,139
    As above, a 'better bike' will make a difference, but most of the advances you make in early races will be down to your improving tactical knowledge of racing. I've been racing for a couple of years on a 2008 Giant SCR C4 (low end carbon) and I have improved my fitness and awareness over that period and got better results. In the last race I finished I beat guys on much more expensive bikes.

    However, I was recently taken down in a race and could easily have trashed my nike. I'm currently building a race-specific bike and have a limit of £800 (minus the wheel I already have) so that if I do trash it I haven't lost too much. I'm hoping to build a 7kg with Dura Ace/Ultegra for that.
  • DavidJB
    DavidJB Posts: 2,019
    Unless you have a sub 1kg carbon frame with DI2 Dura ace you may as well give up...

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