I've always been a "run what ya brung" kinda guy and have never paid much attention to "race" specific gear.

I'm at a stage that I no longer care for Gran Fondos or long endless hauls on the weekend.

For those of you that use a race specific frame, what is your race frame of choice?

I think you'll find that most racers are "rung what ya brung" kinda guys too. You may see high level racers on specific frames/bikes, but that's because they were part of sponsorship deals.

Enter a few races and get back to us.

What are you riding now?

rung?

I have entered a few races, and have a few more before the year is over.

Also, I'm not talking about pro-level teams or the like, I'm talking about weekend warriors.

Right now I have a Wilier, Izoard XP is the specific frame model.

I often hear people rave about CAAD XX or Spesh XYZ. Just curious what you all use.

Fixed it for ya.

Why? Ride what fits you. The rest is marketing, demographics, and hearsay.

Even Cippo knows to only rung what he brung.

Sounds like a more than competent enough bike.

What do you think it is lacking? Once you answer that you might be able to find which models fill that gap.

If your current bike fits you well, keep riding that. It's not like you're riding some banana-seated Schwinn Stingray or a beach cruiser or something. If you're worried about wrecking it in a crash, buy something cheaper and aluminum that you won't feel too bad if you have to replace it.

If you're thinking of getting a new frame anyway, go for one that is aero. If you're happy with what you've got, I wouldn't worry about it. Despite what the marketing says, if you fit on something properly you should be able to ride it all day comfortably and also race it if you feel like it; they are not mutually exclusive.

Thanks for the replies ya'll.

I don't think anything is lacking w/the current bike and frankly I'm really happy with it. The race specific frame question came out of a conversation I had with a friend (who owns many many bikes) and it got me wondering as he was really impressed with a CAAD frame he has been using.

I thought I would ask here to see if other racers had input this.

Not much input here - Aero frames do seem to have a (slight) advantage over most courses as TKP indicated above.

I tend to race what's cheap, or free, although I've only been good enough to get a team bike on select seasons here and there. Currently it's a Spesh Venge Expert w 105 and some carbon clinchers.

I'm of the camp that you should race what you can afford to replace. I have two road bikes, and my training/solo riding bike is much nicer than my race bike.

To add to this discussion as it's loosely related...following on from a bike fit could anyone recommend a more aggressive frame, something with like a 12cm headtube for a 540 toptube? All the bikes I can find seem to be at least 14cm and I'd prefer to find something perfect rather than put too negative a stem on?

A lot of the love for the CAAD frames comes from their value (performance to cost ratio). But yeah, as everyone else has said if you are fine racing that bike then you are more than set. I would argue that at some point, if you continue racing, it is worthwhile investing in a bike that plays to your strengths (If you are a wispy climber, maybe a super-light is for you, breakaway artist? Aero bike. Gravel / bad road enthusiast? Comfort race like Roubaix or Domane).

I would say that before you get anything specific though you might want to realize you have been bitten by the bug first, before you drop money on something you may decide is not for you.

I think you'll have a hard time finding a stock frame w a 54 (effective) tt and 12 ht. Even many track bikes aren't even that low. You may need to go custom.

Good advice.

No other experience other than data, but the Factor 02 has a 13.1 head tube.

Whatever is on sale, or I can get a deal on.

On most frames, a -17 stem results in a level stem. Cielo makes a very nice crit bike with short head tube. But are you really sure you have the flexibility to really benefit from such a bike?

Specialized Allez is 13cm for a 54cm frame. It looks like a good bang for the buck race bike to me.

My 52 Cannondale SystemSix had a 53.5 TT and a 12 cm HT. 54cm frame had a 54.5 and a 14 cm headtube. CAAD9 has the same geometry.

I ended up getting a custom frame made. 56.5 TT (effective), 9.5 cm HT (not recessed so with headset it's about 11.6 cm). In the $900 range now, for a similar frame, aluminum, welded, definitely a working man's bike, but since you get to spec stuff it's kind of neat. I got the first frame in 2010, second in 2011, same geo for both.

Race specific is simply what you race, no?

My newest frame has a gigantic headtube, 170cm for a 56. It's perfect. I can slam my stem and still actually pedal.

Longer wheelbase too, so my shoe doesn't hit my front wheel when trackstanding. Two big pluses!

Add the BSA bb, and I'm happy!

I went from an aero frame to a lightweight frame (over a lb less for the frame). Can't tell a lick of difference. I'd like something aero and light, I guess, but again, no discernible difference.

what bike?

Longteng LTK-118

Fat Tire, MTB, Cross, Road, Hill Climb, Road TT, TT...
Almost all cross a category or so. MTB could be used for snow. Cross can be used for MTB, road for cross.

I was having lunch yesterday with buddy and he was explaining why he needed almost 10 different surf boards. Got the ocean and the ones that go behind the boat.

1st world problems.