"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Entry Level Racer

So, I'm planning on getting involved in some local races here in nyc next season. I'm probably going to buy a Trek 1000, and swapping out parts. I have 105 shifter/levers, crankset, and derailleurs, with a sram pg-970 cassette, and fsa rd200 wheelset, all with less than 500 miles on them. does this sound like a decent setup to keep me competitive?

Competitive???? Your bike setup will race well. Competitive??? Is up to your engine. The NYC cat5 field is pretty mild and generally somewhat small.


So, I'm planning on getting involved in some local races here in nyc next season. I'm probably going to buy a Trek 1000, and swapping out parts. I have 105 shifter/levers, crankset, and derailleurs, with a sram pg-970 cassette, and fsa rd200 wheelset, all with less than 500 miles on them. does this sound like a decent setup to keep me competitive?

I like the idea of upgrading the components if you are going to be doing some racing. I'm sure you could get around the course just fine with the stock Sora stuff on the 1000....but it would be nice to have the integrated shifting and 9-speed. The stock frame on the 1000 is very race worthy. I had a Trek 1200(same frame) that I upgraded to full Ultegra 10 speed(double)...plus FSA Carbon K-wing bars, and it was a great bike(since sold it on ebay).

That said...the legs are most important. If you really want to get into racing then I do recommend the upgrade since you already have the stuff anyway.

I knew a guy who had a Trek 1000 with downtube shifters(one of the older models)....and he was very competitive as a cat 4 racer using that bike. One of the stronger guys on our tues and thurs nite club rides too.

ok, one quick question...what is necessary to race, paperwork, etc? is club membership a must?

ok, one quick question...what is necessary to race, paperwork, etc? is club membership a must?

What's necessary to race isa USCF license. It can be one day license purchased at the event, or a licnese for a year. YOu don't need to join a club, but its helpful, and lets you avoid fees for unafilliated riders

so, if i join a club, i still need the uscf license?

Yep

FWIW, I started racing at the same time as a guy who rides a crappy old Sora-equipped Giant. He's a 4 now, and I'm still a 5.

Just some food for thought...

I intend to race my trek 1000 for a bit, and i feel its a decent way to get started, and learn the ropes on. First-off, im a bit afraid of crashing, and having a trek, if you crash, while not gauranteed, but quite likely, it's going to be cheap to repace. The fella i met in prospect park, who raes cat 5 on an s-works carbon tarmac will full sram force, if he crashes, and messes up his bike, He'll be in the hole for quite a bit of money.
Also, you don't want to drop alot of coin on a expensive machine, for you might absolutely hate racing, and if you do decide to racing behind, you'll also be leaving behind an expensive bike.

most likely you'll be doing the races in central park or prospect park right? neither one has any real climbing so a really lite bike isn't too much of an advantage. i have a $1300 ultregra equipped bike and it's more than i need. i could easily race with something less. a trek 1000 is a fine bike to race with.

here is the USA cycling website. it should answer all of your questions.

http://www.usacycling.org/

I intend to race my trek 1000 for a bit, and i feel its a decent way to get started, and learn the ropes on. First-off, im a bit afraid of crashing, and having a trek, if you crash, while not gauranteed, but quite likely, it's going to be cheap to repace. The fella i met in prospect park, who raes cat 5 on an s-works carbon tarmac will full sram force, if he crashes, and messes up his bike, He'll be in the hole for quite a bit of money.
Also, you don't want to drop alot of coin on a expensive machine, for you might absolutely hate racing, and if you do decide to racing behind, you'll also be leaving behind an expensive bike.

I think you're right on. 105 is ample in terms of componentry, and the FSA wheels are pretty decent. If you really start training seriously, the upgrades you make to the engine will far outweigh the benefit of any upgrades to the bike. If you have the cash, by all means go ahead and ride whatever you can afford, but it's not necessary.

Just replace the 105 stuff with Ultegra or DA as you wear it out, and if you hate racing you'll still have a solid bike for rec riding.

I think you're right on. 105 is ample in terms of componentry, and the FSA wheels are pretty decent. If you really start training seriously, the upgrades you make to the engine will far outweigh the benefit of any upgrades to the bike. If you have the cash, by all means go ahead and ride whatever you can afford, but it's not necessary.

Just replace the 105 stuff with Ultegra or DA as you wear it out, and if you hate racing you'll still have a solid bike for rec riding.

yeah, if i didn't already have the 105's i wouldnt' buy them. either way, i know i'll enjoy the bike, even if i hate racing.

yeah, if i didn't already have the 105's i wouldnt' buy them. either way, i know i'll enjoy the bike, even if i hate racing.

105 these days is more than fine for racing. btw - why wait for next season? get some races at CP or PP in the bag so you know what to expect. you'd have to be pretty unfit to get dropped at either.

one suggestion for a club is crca. it's a huge club, which may not be to everyone's tastes, but they have clinics and club races.

hey AstoriaCyclist - if you ever want to do any practice drills or training in the park let me know. i'm usually in PP in the AM.

I usually PP in the AM too :D

there's really no better time.

Hmmm.....I didn't know you are from Brooklyn too. :D Any chance I have seen you???


I usually PP in the AM too :D

Hmmm.....I didn't know you are from Brooklyn too. :D Any chance I have seen you???

That thing that just flew over your head was the PP joke. Careful--it might come by for another pass... :)

I usually PP in the AM too :D


you guys are terrible. :D

nothing changes between guys age 5 vs 20-30 something. They still make all the same
PP and fart jokes.

you guys are terrible. :D

nothing changes between guys age 5 vs 20-30 something. They still make all the same
PP and fart jokes.

Sorry--at the time I was 5 hours into some excruciating cell biology. I was a little delirious. :)

That thing that just flew over your head was the PP joke.

you should have dialed it up to 400 watts, then he would have gotten it. :D

you should have dialed it up to 400 watts, then he would have gotten it. :D

PP dialed up to 400 watts, eh? You'd have to measure in liters per second. :D

You could be quite the fireman with that much penis wattage.

Let the record show that on this day, in 2006, there were two parallel penis wattage threads on BF. :D

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=220847&page=5

Let the record show that on this day, in 2006, there were two parallel penis wattage threads on BF. :D

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=220847&page=5


There's magic in the air.

105 these days is more than fine for racing. btw - why wait for next season? get some races at CP or PP in the bag so you know what to expect. you'd have to be pretty unfit to get dropped at either.

one suggestion for a club is crca. it's a huge club, which may not be to everyone's tastes, but they have clinics and club races.

waiting for next season because my current ride is a cyclocross frame, and it's rather heavy with a somewhat slack geometry. also, i won't be buying the trek for another month or so when money will allow. as for crca, i'm bouncing back and forth between them and kissena. crca seems more organized, and i think i'd like their clinics/coaching and the many club races they offer. kissena seems more grassroots, and also outer borough oriented. as of right now, leaning toward crca.

waiting for next season because my current ride is a cyclocross frame, and it's rather heavy with a somewhat slack geometry.

sorry but those excuses mean jack squat.

tell me you're not ready, then fine, but don't use your equipment as the reason.

i know a NYC racer who won the empire state games qualifier on a borrowed bike.

he borrowed the bike 1/2 hour before the race because his was stolen when he was in a bathroom, and left his bike outside.

he was probably really angry from having his bike stolen and took it out on the rest of the field.

sorry but those excuses mean jack squat.

tell me you're not ready, then fine, but don't use your equipment as the reason.

i know a NYC racer who won the empire state games qualifier on a borrowed bike.

he borrowed the bike 1/2 hour before the race because his was stolen when he was in a bathroom, and left his bike outside.

yeah, not ready on many levels. physically, mentally, financially. nor do i have the time to get ready for any of this to race anytime soon.