G. Ike

I have been seriously cycling for a little over a year now, and I am very interested in Junior Racing. Sometime within the next 2 weeks my dad is taking me to the LBS to buy my first brand new road bike. I figure even a low end $800 dollar bike will be an improvement over my ~25 pound steel Lotus 6 speed bicycle. I do realize that my budget will allow for 2200 and Sora and probably not much more unless I find a sale or buy used. I do understand that the lower end groupsets will get the job done but require a little more adjusting to get the job done. So, my question to you is: Will I be at any disadvantages racing with 2200 or Sora? If everything is properly adjusted, I should be fine, right? I don't know why I'm stressing about this haha, it's all about the engine not the parts right? I just need some reassurance. Oh, I am 14 and I do have a set of Mavic Open Pro's which I would upgrade the stock wheels to immediately if it makes a difference. Sorry for rambling, I just wanted to get my thoughts out and get some advice. Thanks in advance,
George

bitingduck

You're not too far from Trexlertown, so there should be some clubs that help out juniors in your area. Your best bet if you don't know much about racing and aren't already hooked up with a club is to find a club that has a good juniors program. They can probably help you get good equipment (maybe used) relatively inexpensively and can hald a lot with training.

Try giving them a call over there and asking about local resources. Even if you can't get to T-town, they can probably point you at resources nearby. The number for one of their juniors organizers is on this page: https://www.lvvelo.org/bikeracingleague.php

Pablo.

Get junior gearing if you haven't already.

Oh, and get a job at a LBS. You can get things cheap, meet people, and learn a lot. But mainly do it because you get everything cheap, and sometimes free.

Frunkin

Sora should work ok. I raced sora for a year, and it never really held me back. Bad fitness and lack of tactics did that for me. Steer clear of 2200. I don't know anything about 2200 and I wouldn't trust anything below sora truthfully.
And for gearing you will probably just have to block out gears.

Youngin

If you can avoid doing that, do so. Either get a salsa chain ring for sora, or 10 speed stuff, get the cassette and chain ring. Blocking gears no longer counts under the rules of USCF or UCI races... just do it right, here's an article.

https://www.mnjrc.com/Junior%20Gearing.htm

urbanknight

Yes, blocking gears is technically illegal. Although many officials look the other way at local events, it's not risking it and finding the one official who sticks to the rule.

Pablo.

52-14 Ftw.

G. Ike

Thanks for letting me know! I was just planning on blocking gears. Oh, and I found a great deal today for a 1 year old, once ridden Trek 1000 with a Sora/Tiagra mix. I paid $400 and the guy who sold it to me is into mountain biking and thought he would try road riding, but didn't like it. I talked to someone today from the LWA about their junior racing program, and as soon as I can scrape the cash together for a team kit and registration fees etc. I'm racing. Thanks for all the advice everyone! I'll keep you posted.

carbonjockey

see if you can snag a used bike. someone is always upgrading, and if you find a juniors team, one of the other riders may have just outgrown a bike. otherwise craigslist that up, but do not buy new at this stage in the game.