I'm afraid to race my new carbon frame in a crit.
 

Yep.

Can't afford to replace it. It's my only road bike.

that sucks.

ouch...

however, very few people (As a percentage of those who race) get in and out without trashing their frame- but you must be willing to drive it or you will be endangering everyone else on course.

I've been in spots where I couldn't afford to replace my cheap, disposable alum frame, so I know how you feel. (heck, I couldn't afford to get my wheels trued after a wreck) - that said - frames that are 100% raceable can be had for 300 and less, so I'd say "go race!"
All things considered, you have low odds of needing to replace it.

Doctor, it hurts when I do this.

So dont.

..

There are about just as many crashes in road races as there are in crits. Are you going to race on the road with it?

If you want to race, get over it.

The op should just do group rides on open roads instead.

I've raced and wrecked my Orca a bunch of times. Big deal. Buy a cheap AL bike.

i'd rather crash-damage a carbon frame than an aluminum. carbon can be repaired. calfee and road runner velo both do carbon repairs for significantly less than the price of a new frame. so... be less scared?

Buy a Spooky

crash replacement. budget for it.

or don't race.

A. Why did you buy a new carbon frame if you knew you wanted to race?

B. Sell it & buy a used alum frame & some better wheels.

C. What's the problem?

i'm about to get one. i am excited.

a spooky, that is.

This is a common problem.
You'll need to get something you are comfortable throwing away or you'll end up riding around at elevated speeds trying to avoid crashing/crashes and that's not racing

Time Trials on padded surfaces. :D

I sold a frame once for exactly that reason. It was a beautiful frame and much to pretty to waste in a crash. I always preferred to race on replaceable frames when I was a cat 4 then 3 senior. It got much better in the masters and I never worried about racing my Ti frames.

Replace the frame with one that is more expendable and save your nice one. Save up your money and buy parts for it as great deals come along and you have the cash. It becomes a project bike that you don't have to worry about hurrying to build and when it's done you have two nice bikes. One for racing and one for your "feel great" rides. If you use the same basic drivetrain the wheels can be used on both saving more money.

http://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...-crashing.html

When you're fluent in the field, you won't be afraid of crashing.

And don't worry too much about equipment. Trust me, you want to wreck your frame if it means saving something on yourself. I'd gladly trade the $7k + broken pelvis + messed up shoulder + 6 weeks of life in exchange for a mere frameset.

As it ended up my bike was fine, my body wasn't.

cdr

@cdr - of all the articles on your blog, I do believe I point people to that one the most often. Excellent, excellent writing.

What happened to the stell Bianchi?

FWIW, after a quality issue with my current carbon frame, I've decided I'm not interested in maintaining a bike with an expensive frame. I'll be going budget on the race frame (aluminum completely replaceable for less than a carbon repair).

That said, I also haven't crashed in a race since 1995 (no bike damage then), and that includes racing and winning in rainy road races and crits since then... and I still don't want the risk.

Not to sound mean, but I'm afraid to race next to anyone who is afraid to race his bike.

completely true... I'd avoid anyone in a race that I knew was particularly hung up on their bike.