Originally Posted by
BikeCycling
I am an amateur. I have only been cycling seriously for a couple years.
I've gotten pretty into it and have been pushing myself harder lately, with goals of being competitive this year. I have an older, steel-frame road bike that I bought for about $250. Since I've been training harder and riding with teams/group rides, I've found myself getting faster and stronger! Lately I've been able to hold 17-20 on longer rides and can even push above 20 for a bit. I'm proud of myself!
My friend has a really nice, newer model aluminum road bike. She only rides socially for fun. She said I need to borrow her bike for the next fast group ride I do because I'll go even faster. I feel like I've been getting stronger and faster on my bike, so this isn't necessary...but I was thinking, at what point does the bike start to hold me back? At what point is it time to upgrade to a nicer, lighter bike?
As I age I find flexibility, strength and weight to be the biggest factors for cyling. It's not the wheels or the frame or the disc brakes or anything else. If I want to brake faster, lose some weight. If I want to climb the hill faster? Lose some weight. If I want to rid longer distance with comfort, work on my mobility. It's almost entirely on my body.
That said, cycling is a hobby and the bike is part of it and fun. Have fun, ride what makes you happy. But don't be under any delusions that unless you're already the perfect specimen, the biggest improvement will be you, not the bike.