"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Poll: Do you race your 'expensive' bike?

Do you race your 'expensive' bikes in the RR's and crits or do you have a 2nd bike that you race on that won't totally break your heart to lose in a crash?

Either way, what frameset and component group do you race?

Thanks!

I race my LOOK 481 ('04 Record 10s Campy Neutrons) in RR's

Crits will be my LOOK 381 ('04 Chorus 10s Reynolds Alta's)

Next year I will have to race the bike the shop tells me to so that will be my race bike. It will either be a Cannondale or an Orbea with our choice of Campy or Shimano components. I'm kinda glad because the 381 is CF and I'm not thrilled about racing it in crits...I'm just less thrilled about racing the 481 in crits!!!!!

I race my ONLY road bike in crits. When I can afford a nicer lighter bike it will be for club rides and thus and not for racing. I now have seen what happens to bikes in a crit crash and I do not want a 5000 dollar bike in the situation.

Right now I race a trek 2100 with DA 10...

I race my only bike too, well outside of a mountain bike a touring/cyclocross bike and a fixie.

I am waiting on an old Italian steel lugged frame that I plan on fitting 05 Centaur on for road racing. I like my tight handling al/carbon Ultegra bike for crits.

Hope to. Don't even have $ for another cheapy. Blew my wad on my Look. :)

Unless i was sponsored and if i trash it i only have to pay like 10 bucks for a new one i would ride a really nice one.

Do you race your 'expensive' bikes in the RR's and crits or do you have a 2nd bike that you race on that won't totally break your heart to lose in a crash?

Either way, what frameset and component group do you race?

Thanks!

What did I miss? You want to race the best piece of machinery that you can bring to the line. If you worry about crashing, you ought to find another pursuit (no pun intended).

What did I miss? You want to race the best piece of machinery that you can bring to the line. If you worry about crashing, you ought to find another pursuit (no pun intended).

Have you been in a crash?

Taking a $10,000 bike to a crit would be like taking a Lamborghini on a stage of World Rally.

wait were you reffering to me?

If so someone like discovery (first team that came to my head)

Trek, disco trashes a bike hey look a present a brand new madone!

catch my drift?

Have you been in a crash?

Taking a $10,000 bike to a crit would be like taking a Lamborghini on a stage of World Rally.

No, I haven't but I have sure witnessed them and the results. My interest is in road racing and TT's - not crits, but if I did race crits, I'd bring the best I could muster up. Perhaps its an attitudinal thing - I just dropped over 2Kbucks for a set of Zipp 999's for TT's. Not that I can afford them, but cycling is simply something that is very important to me.

No, I haven't but I have sure witnessed them and the results. My interest is in road racing and TT's - not crits, but if I did race crits, I'd bring the best I could muster up. Perhaps its an attitudinal thing - I just dropped over 2Kbucks for a set of Zipp 999's for TT's. Not that I can afford them, but cycling is simply something that is very important to me.

and would it make any sense to smash some pair of wheels that expensive in a crash in a lowly office park crit? Not to mention any other uber-expensive parts.

I'm pretty sure cycling is very important to alot of people here, including me.

Crits are crash fests, even in the higher cats, so I agree that having a good bike is important but within reason. Like I said I race my 381 in crits (which ain't no cheapy POS) and use my 481 in RR's. Same reason I bought Reynold Alta's (haven't got them yet but they are on order) instead of Cosmic Carbones or Reynolds Stratus', they are good wheels at 1/3 the price. If I really thought that the 2k+ Stratus wheels where going to help me win races then I'd buy them. All they offer is a couple of hundred grams in weight savings and that isn't going to win me a race.

Now if had the green light from the miss's I'd drop 8.5k on a Pinerrelo TT bike. If I tanked that then it would be my fault and I can live with that. I'm not going to destroy 2k+ wheels cause some nimrod in front of me can't handle his bike.

I have 2 bikes. 1 is a TT bike, the other is my road bike. For what it's worth, that one is an Orbea XLR8R with '03 Chorus Gruppo. My only compromise in crits is that I'll use my training wheels, not my good Zipps. I've seen more wheels trashed in crit crashes than I have frames. In fact I've seen more broken bones than broken frames.

In the past I've raced a Trek 5900 (predecessor to the Madone) in crits. It was fine. I've raced an old steel Bianchi, and it was fine.

The trick for staying out of crashes in crits it to be at/off the front or off the back. Any where else is asking for some moron to hook you into a crash.

I only have on bike, so I race/ride on it.
That said I wouldn't bring my expensive bike to a crit, especially collegian one. TT is another story ofcourse. RR maybe.

Wow, :eek: I really surprized at how many don't race their good bikes. So you train on your good bike and down grade to race. I don't know about you but I always wanted the best edge I could get and training 4-5 days a week only to ride a cheaper bike to race on doesn't even sound good from a psychological point. I always raced my custom bike and yes did crash a few, replaced 2 rims. Maybe compromise rims but not the whole bike :)

Wow, :eek: I really surprized at how many don't race their good bikes. So you train on your good bike and down grade to race. :)

Yes, I always thought it was the other way 'round, but they make reasonable points, especially when talking about criteriums.

Some would then say: "why have a good bike at all if you don't wanna do criteriums with it, and you don't wanna flog it over 400 mile training weeks?" :)

and would it make any sense to smash some pair of wheels that expensive in a crash in a lowly office park crit? Not to mention any other uber-expensive parts.

I'm pretty sure cycling is very important to alot of people here, including me.

Fortunately, the odds of smashing my new wheels are rather slim in that they will only be used for TT's. I'm nervous enough about just putting them in the car! :D

This thread confirms my belief once again that the middle of the road equipment is the way to go for racing and training.

If I ever win a race I am not going to give credit to my Zipps or carbons or whos-a-ma-whats. It's just all out effort and the desire to win in the spirit of competition that cuts the line.

This thread confirms my belief once again that the middle of the road equipment is the way to go for racing and training.

If I ever win a race I am not going to give credit to my Zipps or carbons or whos-a-ma-whats. It's just all out effort and the desire to win in the spirit of competition that cuts the line.

Well, that's extraordinarily noble of you, however the real world rears its ugly head. Sometimes, the local TT first 5 places differ by only seconds. You can have the best engine in the world, but many show up with super TT machines, skin suits, booties, aero bars, aero helmets, etc. You can bleat all day about effort and desire, but unfortunately, sometimes equipment makes the difference in this sport. I suppose that's one of the things I enjoyed about my years as a running competitor. You bring only your body to the line - not $2000 wheels. Unfortunately, if one wants to podium in higly competitive venues, you better bring some good equiment - because if you undertand the physics, then you know the difference that equipment can make - especially in time trials.

If you're not racing your "good bike", perhaps you have too much money tied up in it.

Crashes are pandemic to the cycling world. It is a naive rider who thinks that the likelihood is greater in a race than in a club training ride. They happen everywhere.

I race the fast bike with abandon. It's an earthly possession, folks.

Well, that's extraordinarily noble of you, however the real world rears its ugly head. Sometimes, the local TT first 5 places differ by only seconds. You can have the best engine in the world, but many show up with super TT machines, skin suits, booties, aero bars, aero helmets, etc. You can bleat all day about effort and desire, but unfortunately, sometimes equipment makes the difference in this sport. I suppose that's one of the things I enjoyed about my years as a running competitor. You bring only your body to the line - not $2000 wheels. Unfortunately, if one wants to podium in higly competitive venues, you better bring some good equiment - because if you undertand the physics, then you know the difference that equipment can make - especially in time trials.

We aren't talking about TT or Road races when we are talking about all these crashes.

As soon as I get the E5 built - DA10, AC420 wheels, CF bar, stem & seatpost, I'm going to race it in everything I can find ... that's what I built it up for! It's a race bike fer gawd's sake :D

This is my 7.9kg, 10sp, alum/carbon race bike;
My trainer is a 10kg, 10sp, alum/carbon Orbea. The GT is an amazing bike for the money AU$2800 and I see no problem taking it to crits.

I've only raced twice.

Once on my old Zebrakenko with misc generic components, and once on a Bianchi SLX with Ultegra. Both times I got spat out the back before the first turn, so I did one lap to get back to my truck and went home.

As I stated above I race my 2100 will all the upgrades, I wish I had more but I do not. The reason I would not race a high dollar bike is not the cost but the fact that the bike is not right for the circumstances of crit racing.

I need a bike that is solid and will not even think of flexing. I have riden too many cf bikes that flex under hard accelartion, even some Ti bikes in my size. My 2100 is perfect for that reason. Why would I own a more expensive bike then you may ask? Because for some circumstances a cf bike would just be better (club rides, long distance rides, etc.

If the 5000 dollar bike was also super still (like maybe a cdlae cadd 8) then sure I would race it...

If you're not racing your "good bike", perhaps you have too much money tied up in it.

Crashes are pandemic to the cycling world. It is a naive rider who thinks that the likelihood is greater in a race than in a club training ride. They happen everywhere.

I race the fast bike with abandon. It's an earthly possession, folks.

Amen! One of the worse crashes I have seen took place on a club ride a couple of months ago. Some ahole ran a stop sign and took out two of our riders who were doing about 33 mph. One is still not back on the bike. Oh, and yes, one bike was totaled, and the other is still in the shop awaiting parts.

I can see that Criteriums have a pretty bad rep here. In my case the only bikes I owned were "Race Bikes", what other use is there? To look cool? What?

A bike is a tool, if you're worried about crashing it, you aren't racing hard enough. [ducks for cover]

I've been racing since the early 70's and I've never owned an 'expensive' bike...............

If you're scared to use a product for it's purpose, surely IT owns YOU?

The trick for staying out of crashes in crits it to be at/off the front or off the back. Any where else is asking for some moron to hook you into a crash.



All this time off the back I thought it was that I was just slow....I can now blame my survival instincts;)

i think it depends on the category of racers. cats 4 and 5, i wouldn't use something super expensive, but three and up, most of the riders are experienced enough, or at least around here, that crashes are pretty rare.

Why spend all that money on an ultra light bike if you're not going to race it?

It doesn't make sense to train on a bike lighter than the bike you'll race in. That seems completely backwards to me. You want to feel lighter on race day, not heavier.

i think it depends on the category of racers. cats 4 and 5, i wouldn't use something super expensive, but three and up, most of the riders are experienced enough, or at least around here, that crashes are pretty rare.

I have to disagree here.

There are plenty of crashes in pro 1/2 races. Perhaps it is because in 4/5 you have a crash due to lack of experience and in 1/2 you have a crash because they are racing balls to the wall in such close tollerances. Either way all cats crash.



Why spend all that money on an ultra light bike if you're not going to race it?

It doesn't make sense to train on a bike lighter than the bike you'll race in. That seems completely backwards to me. You want to feel lighter on race day, not heavier.

Adrenaline will always make you lighter on race day :)



I have to agree with EventServices they are just earthly possessions.

look 481sl is my race rig... i mix up the training on an old cannondale, iro fixed and the 481.. cycling is expensive. if you wreck just call your credit card and get a higher limit ;)

First crash on my "good" bike (MASI 3V) years ago when brand new. Sorta like getting that first ding in a new car. For crits, I ride it or an even older Trek. I found that wheels (and tires) make the biggest difference, next to me of course. For RR's always the best stuff I own.

A question. The implication here is that newer bikes (carbon fiber, titanium, etc) are trashed after crashing. Both my old steel bikes have been crashed a few times each.
Besides a few dings, no damage. Please tell me that the bike (Seven frame) I just spent several thousand doillars for will hold up.

sun

sorry guys but this is the stupidest thing i've seen on this board yet... i've been laughing my a** off reading these posts... they've got it a** backwards... asking why ride a good bike in a crit?

Why would you spend $5000 on a bike that you are only going to ride on club tours? i guess to smoke "Joe Beer Belly" on the big climb over the highway overpass??? why would you spend anyting over $500 for that? it makes no sense. racing bikes cost as much as they do because they have to withstand the abuse of racing and long training hours and to get the max performance that racing demands. if you're not going to race that bike then you have no reason to be purchasing it. it boggles my mind.

people who buy these bike and don't race them are 'poser' , 'fashion plates' plain and simple... it's a fashion show for them. their need to look pretty or have others know they can aford an expensive bike is more important than their love of the sport...

nice!

So you wadded up your $5000.00 bike and $1300 wheels, ooops! In motorsports we have a term for that its pronounced "thats racing...."

Just by lining up to race, you should know that there is a chance your going to destroy your mount.

As far as racing on a junker so you can train on your uber machine.... there is some financial smarts to that i can see. But thats just not the way I roll.


Race day to me is always a bit of a special event you know.. I get out some brand new white bar tape, make sure everything looks nice and shiny... People are going to be watching you ride, you might as well look nice. It shows our sponsors that we're serious and professional, and helps with my low self esteem ;)

Actually, I prefer to smoke "Joe Beer Belly" on my old (1982) 6 Speed Trek, although I still put sewups on it. I bought a new bike to race on.

sun

I raced my E5 a total of 3 times. its the s-works E5 frame, Kyserium SSL wheels, campy chorus everything else.

I stopped road racing for awhile, want to try my hand at triathlons.

According to the latest VeloNews, the Kodak-Sierra Nevada team was issued two road bikes to start the season. One to train on, and one to race on.

Care to guess which one is the better one?

Yeah but they're the same frames just "cheaper" componentry (Chorus and Elites...), and they're pros who aren't paying a dime for their equipment its a bit different when your bike represents a relatively large investment of your own cash.

According to the latest VeloNews, the Kodak-Sierra Nevada team was issued two road bikes to start the season. One to train on, and one to race on.

Care to guess which one is the better one?

I will guess that they were equal.

One had better components on it.

The point is, regardless of whether you pay for it or not, you race on the best thing you got.

I can't imagine putting all that time into training only to short yourself with lesser equipment.

One had better components on it.

The point is, regardless of whether you pay for it or not, you race on the best thing you got.

I can't imagine putting all that time into training only to short yourself with lesser equipment.

Another point that seems to be lost here is bike fit. What you spend many hours training on will be what your body adapts to, what you will be most comfortable and efficient on. Why throw that away?? If you are going racing buy a decent mid level Bike, a set of wheels to train on, two or three sets to race (need something in the pit). Save the rest for travel, ect.

Another point that seems to be lost here is bike fit. What you spend many hours training on will be what your body adapts to, what you will be most comfortable and efficient on. Why throw that away?? If you are going racing buy a decent mid level Bike, a set of wheels to train on, two or three sets to race (need something in the pit). Save the rest for travel, ect.

That's a good point that's why I have two of the same bike, LOOK 481/381, with exactly the same set up. The only difference in the two is the 481 is lighter and with Record vs Chorus. The important stuff like bars/stem/saddle and pedals are exactly the same.

I have a Pinarello prince/fill dura ace w/FSA cranks/Ti pedals that I am racing. I also have a steel Lemond that has arguably sweeter parts and is lighter by a lb. I can't bring myself to race the LeMond in crits. I am too scared, and plus they stopped making this frame. I'll race the prince, that's what it was meant for. Maybe I can break out the steellie for one of the stage races this summer.

What happened to the "poll" part of this thread?

I think the poll was smashed by common sense, and all of the people who stow their good bikes on race day gave up.

I found this quote to sum things up.
A ship is safe in the harbor, but that's not what a ship is built for.

...
I found this quote to sum things up.
A ship is safe in the harbor, but that's not what a ship is built for.

Ok, but if you were sailing into a Cat 5 hurricane, would you take your most expensive ship or your cheaper ship. I would take the cheaper one and save the expensive one for the days I am less likely to sink.

I guess where I was coming from was the perspective of 1st year racing with Cat 5's, why ruin your good bike when it is so likely that you will get involved in crashes (I can't afford to take that chance personally). I was figuring to wait to race the good machine til i have moved up a few ranks. Of course if I were a pro and my equipment was given to me, I would race the best thing i could.

I race a Trek 1500 with upgraded components.
I do my fun/long/etc group rides on a Trek Madone 5.9
Both are same size and setup to avoid 'fit issues'

Cheers

Ok, but if you were sailing into a Cat 5 hurricane, would you take your most expensive ship or your cheaper ship. I would take the cheaper one and save the expensive one for the days I am less likely to sink.

Cheers

This begs the followup question, why own the expensive Bike? I guess it boils down to those who view Bikes as tools and those who view them as collectibles or works of art or something.