Road Bike Racing - Cycling Team

i'm planning on a joining a cycling team either les volantes or tieni duro, i was wondering if they can supply you a racing road bike? because i have a road bike, but its like a touring bike and weighs about 27 lbs. i mean i can bike really well on it, even beating people with madones (true happiness right there) , but when i race, i would want a bike that can give me that edge. and if they do, would i have to give like a deposit or something, beacause im a minor? (im fourteen) thanks.

I'll bet there aren't very many riders in the United States who get their bike for free. I'm guessing the number is less than 200. But that's just a WAG.

--Steve

doubtful that you'll get your bike for free, but you'll probably get some kind of discount.

Best to join a junior team out that way. Teams that specialize in junior programs, usually have loaner bikes or at least know someone who has outgrown theirs. Either way, you can still race with what you have. So don't let the 27lb bike stop ya'!

Unlikely, unless you show exceptional talent.

Discount from a bike shop is more common.

Agreed, free bikes are rare, although I would venture a guess at more than 200 because I knew at least 5 personally here in California. Of course, 3 of them were pro riders on nationally or internationally competitive teams, and 2 were Elite level riders on a well funded team who consistently finished in the top 10 of all their races.

The best bet for you is to find a team that focusses in juniors, since they usually give great discounts to young ones in an effort to keep the sport alive and growing. My teammate got a free frame from a team sponsor, mainly because the factory had an overstock in his size. If you show determination and potential, people might start donating things they don't need anymore, but aside from that it's hard to get any kind of handouts or sponsorships.

By the way, don't worry about your bike. I did better on my 26 lb Centurion with downtube shifters at the national championships than I ever did after buying carbon this and titanium that. Upgrade the bike as you get sweet deals offered to you. Once you get into the scene enough, you'll be surprised how many deals you'll find on slightly used frames, components, etc.

oh well......thanks, and i'm positive 27lbs wont stop me but how how big is the discount? 40? 30? 50?

usually they start at the cost price and go up....

so cost plus 10%, or cost plus 20%

Discount varies from team to team. I'd wager you could expect anywhere from 15% off what the bike would normally sell for to factory cost. It also depends on other factors, such as how dedicated to the sport you seem, personal relationship with team leaders and sponsors, your talent, etc.

Don't worry about the bike, it won't make that much of a difference. Think of it this way, you're gonna be so far off the front that you won't have to worry about matching pack accelerations anyway :)

Discount varies from team to team. I'd wager you could expect anywhere from 15% off what the bike would normally sell for to factory cost. It also depends on other factors, such as how dedicated to the sport you seem, personal relationship with team leaders and sponsors, your talent, etc.

Don't worry about the bike, it won't make that much of a difference. Think of it this way, you're gonna be so far off the front that you won't have to worry about matching pack accelerations anyway :)

:lol: thanks penguin!

Don't worry about your bike right now. You need to develop bike handling, pack and general racing skills. With well developed skills, it doesn't matter what bike you ride.

Start saving your money running paper routes, mowing lawns, etc. and get a good bike (that fits!) when you get a little older and stop growing. In the meanwhile, try to find used bikes that will fit you. No sense in getting an expensive bike only to grow out of it in a year.

oh well......thanks, and i'm positive 27lbs wont stop me but how how big is the discount? 40? 30? 50?
I remember when I had eyes that big. Most shops give 10-20% off parts and stuff, but as they said it depends on how much effort they see in you. Just keep the dream alive.

Don't worry about your bike right now. You need to develop bike handling, pack and general racing skills. With well developed skills, it doesn't matter what bike you ride.

Start saving your money running paper routes, mowing lawns, etc. and get a good bike (that fits!) when you get a little older and stop growing. In the meanwhile, try to find used bikes that will fit you. No sense in getting an expensive bike only to grow out of it in a year.

True, i guess i should hold that off until i'm positive that my growth has stopped.

curious to know if you have participated in any races yet?

I'll bet there aren't very many riders in the United States who get their bike for free. I'm guessing the number is less than 200. But that's just a WAG.

--Steve



I had 2 free bikes the last 1.5 years given to me by the team. Of course, one was a few years old, but the other was brand new.

i'm planning on a joining a cycling team either les volantes or tieni duro, i was wondering if they can supply you a racing road bike? because i have a road bike, but its like a touring bike and weighs about 27 lbs. i mean i can bike really well on it, even beating people with madones (true happiness right there) , but when i race, i would want a bike that can give me that edge. and if they do, would i have to give like a deposit or something, beacause im a minor? (im fourteen) thanks.




Don't join a team because you want free swag. Bad form.

curious to know if you have participated in any races yet?

i've done two races: mt diablo challenge and the marin 20 k sprint. i did pretty good on both, top 5.


Don't join a team because you want free swag. Bad form.

cat4ever, im not joining just so i can get free stuff, i'm joining so i can gain more experince, and if obtaining a team bike happens to be a part of joining a team, hey, i'm cool with that.

I had 2 free bikes the last 1.5 years given to me by the team. Of course, one was a few years old, but the other was brand new.

+1

back when i was racing properly my team got free frames.

If you're looking for a Junior's team in the rough bay area, try looking into Team Swift based out of Santa Rosa, California. They are a good group with superb support from what I've heard from talking with their members. Other than that, you're already interested in Tieni Duro, which is a great Bay Area team, but also look into Team Spine I believe.

i've done two races: mt diablo challenge and the marin 20 k sprint. i did pretty good on both, top 5.





Top 5 in what category?

i've done two races: mt diablo challenge and the marin 20 k sprint. i did pretty good on both, top 5.



cat4ever, im not joining just so i can get free stuff, i'm joining so i can gain more experince, and if obtaining a team bike happens to be a part of joining a team, hey, i'm cool with that.

Marin 20K sprint? I never heard of it. Are you referring to the Mt. Tam Hill Climb? That's 20K (12.4 miles).

I've heard good things about team Swift.

Do you have a coach? There are some good free clinics for junior cycling.
Check these out: http://www.wholeathlete.com/andiamo.htm

Top 5 in what category?
Jr 15/16, although I'm 14, i don't know why i was put there, but i managed.


Marin 20K sprint? I never heard of it. Are you referring to the Mt. Tam Hill Climb? That's 20K (12.4 miles).

I've heard good things about team Swift.

Do you have a coach? There are some good free clinics for junior cycling.
Check these out: http://www.wholeathlete.com/andiamo.htm

No, I'm not referring to the Mt Tam climb, although i did do that. Yeah, my friend's cousin told me about Team Swift, but Santa Rosa is quite a commute from SF. A coach? Are you kidding me? I am but a feeble minded teenager who has yet have a decent job let alone having enough money to have a coach! I wish....lmfao
yeah, about the clinics, I'll probabaly check some out.