Road Cycling - Beginners Questions

Hello, I have some questions regarding road cycling. Any advice and input would greatly be appreciated.

Basically, I started 'riding' last summer with my purchase of a friends used Cannondale T2000. Living in Chicago, I began to greatly enjoy riding for recreation and transportation. Upon watching the entirety of the 2003 Tour De France, I became captivated with cycling, specefically road cycling. I started riding everyday, trying to learn more and more about the sport and the equipment. I've recently moved to Arizona, where the weather is nice and roads are open. I'd like to start becoming more seriouse and I'd like some advice on what equipment to look in to and some kind of riding routine to build my strength and endurance. I'd eventually like to compete in a local race. Illusions of grandeur maybe, but 25 days of the tour will do that to a kid. I'm 21 and fairly athletic, having skateboarded for 8 years, so I have some kind of leg strength.

In regards to purchasing a new bike, i was curious as to weather it would be ok or reasonable to build a road bike from some of my existing parts. I'm actually not even sure if my current bike is the right size. I'm 6'1" and about 170lbs. It seems a bit small, but I don't really know what it's supposed to feel like.

Again, I have a cannondale T2000
here's a link to the specs at cannondales website
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/00/cusa/model-0tr2.html


Frame CAAD3 Touring
Fork 1 1/8" chro-moly
Rims Mavic T519, 36 hole
Hubs CODA Expert
Spokes DT Champion, stainless steel, 15g
Tires Continental Top Touring 2000,700 x 35c
Pedals CODA Performance Clipless Pedal
Crank CODA Expert Road, 30/42/52 splined
Chain 9-speed
Rear Cogs Shimano XT, 11-34
Bottom Bracket Shimano 105
Front Derailleur Shimano 105
Rear Derailleur Shimano XTR
Shifters Shimano Ultegra
Handlebars CODA Competition Road Handlebar
Stem Aluminum front-loader
Headset Cane Creek C-2, threadless
Brakeset CODA Expert side-pull cantilevers w/cartridge pads
Brakelevers Shimano Ultegra

Again, I appreciate any input and advice you may impart. Thanks for your time

I think your best current action is to seek out a local bicycle club and preferrably one that races or at least trains for racing. If you still live in the Chicago area that should be easy to find. Just ask at your local bike shop or go on line. Stick with your present bike until then.

I'm now living in Tucson, AZ, but it's pretty likely there are some local clubs. I see about 10 people a day on road bikes, wearing full attire.

I apologize; I did not read your original entry close enough. However if you look at the following URL you may find the local Tucson club:
http://www.bikegaba.org

The Cannondale T2000 is a very good touring bike. It is subtly different then a racing bike. It has more relaxed geometry, lower and wider gearing spread, it is built to carry weight and so on. Trying to retro fit that bike to be a racing bike is going to just ruin the bike for its intended purpose.

I would hang onto the T2000 and use it for rides where it will shine, like lots of climbs, rough pavement, sloppy weather, when you want to carry some stuff with you like a camera, etc.

I would suggest just go out and buy a decent entry level racing bike if you want to get into performance oriented riding. On the low end, you can get a road bike outfitted with shimano 105 for around $1000. It will be a little heavier then the top of the line bikes and it will not have any major snob appeal. But it will do the job far better then trying to fit the round peg of your T2000 into a square hole.

What I was actually thinking, was purchasing a road frame, such as this Scattante and outfitting it with my Ultegra shifters + derailers and bars

here is the exciting included description of the Scattante road frame
It sells for $250

"As fast and light as it is affordable! With factory-direct pricing, and a proven design that outperforms many “big name” brands, the all-new Scattante XRL is in a class of it’s own! The 7005 butted alloy tubeset is intricately shaped and manipulated, including S-bend stays and teardrop-shaped downtube and toptube. The race-inspired geometry is the same as used on other popular Scattante models, with an excellent balance of predictable handling and nimble agility, and the small details were not overlooked: look close and you’ll find a replaceable dropout, an integrated headset, beautiful paint, even sexy pro graphics!

the XRL frameset comes complete with a Weyless carbon fork, integrated headset, and CNC-machined seat post collar, in your choice of gloss red or gloss black "
http://www.supergo.com/product_images/large/30-0660.jpg


Also, if I were to purchase a new entry level road bike, would it be viable to try to trade and or sell in my T2000? There are a few minor dings in the frame, but from what i've read, minor dints don't affect the frame strength in aluminum frames.

I would buy a purpose built racing bike. Your existing Ultegra group is a triple, which is generally unsuitable for racing- it is designed, along with the long cage derailleur, to give you a wide range of usable gears, at the expense of shifting speed. You also have heavier wheels, designed for carrying you and your gear for long distances at a slower pace. What you need is an entry level racer- 105 double, shorter wheelbase frame (for quicker handling), and lighter wheels which will spin up to speed faster. Keep the T2000 for commuting and foul weather.

aww, man...don't sell the cannondale! thats a really nice bike! the problem is that it is a different kind of bike from a road racing bike, and it won't be good at racing...that doesn't mean you shoul just scrap it.

what is your budget like? after coming from the cannondale, I think you would be dissapointed in the scattante. the cannondale is a MUCH nicer bike overall.

If you'd like to look at a nice Cannondale that could be raced, look at the R800..it has mostly 105 equipment, but has the lighter CAAD7 frame. Should be, depending on the generosity of your local shop owner, around $1,400 to $1,500 in price. Good solid bike with a great racing frame.

Keep the bike you have, if possible. First, it's got good parts...you can use in, like others have said in foul weather...or if you want to go touring, youd' not want to take a racing bike. They are not designed for carrying panniers, and things like that.

Enjoy...another convert!!! :beer:

I agree w/ most opinions here and can speek from some experience. My first 'real' bike was a touring bike that I used more as a racing bike. I never did race it but I trained on it hard. Now that I have a new modern racer it is all the difference in the world. But no way will I part w/ my tourer. Not that you get the type of foul weather in AZ unless you consider Hell's heat to be foul but in the spring here the roads are a mess from all the rock salt laid down for the snow and I would'nt want to ride my racer on it till it gets cleaned up by a few good rain storms. Plus for a cummuter it is just great. I also use it as a cross bike. So if you can afford it keep the Cdale. My LBS has a Lemond Nevada City for 650USD that is perfectly suited for racing it's an 03 model. look hard enough and you should be able to find a good entry level racer.

I appreciate everyone's advice. I think I'll hang on to the cannondale (I do love it) and start saving for a road bike.

Dito all the above!!

Keep the touring bike!!
Get a racing bike - I just got a Lemond Buenos Aris and I live it!! Steel frame, carbon fork, Ultegra (except front derailleur which is 105). Really nice bike!! The wheels are adequate for an entry level racer. When you get extra $$ you can upgrade and keep the wheels for training.

Good luck...Bill

The XT and XTR parts are actually mountain bike parts. This gives a tourer a large gear range. You don't want them on a racer.

That Scattante comes as a complete bike too. Ultegra for $849.