Hapsmo911

So I want to try and race next season. I just started road cycling this year. I have a 2010 TCR Adv SL 3 atm. I was looking at purchasing a powertap. I started to think I might want a second bike for racing/commuting/training this winter. I was looking at Caad9's or S1's. Not sure if I should get the PT now and ride the TCR until next year. Or purchase a second bike first. Was thinking opinions from those who have been doing this awhile may help. Thanks.

umd

I don't understand the point of the second bike. You have a bike, ride it. It sounds like you would get a lot more benefit out of a power meter.

Hapsmo911

Thanks. I think I wanted the second bike due to a lot of reading I have been doing about starting racing, and crashing.

Tinton

Is it typical to go into a cat 5 race with $12,000 worth of equipment?

umd

Ride the bike you have. If you destroy it, then worry about replacing it. Don't worry about replacing it before you even start.

umd

I see a lot of high end stuff at races of any level. Is that a $12,000 bike?

Hapsmo911

Not even close to 12k. I was pretty sold on the Powertap but before I dumped that kind of money on wheels I thought I would ask. Thanks for the input.

efficiency

Powertap. You won't get as much benefit out of a second bike as you will a powertap.

grolby

This. For one thing, crashes aren't as likely as you think, and they usually don't wreck your bike. For another, buying a new bike in anticipation of a crash makes way less fiscal sense than simply making replacements as needed, for reason one.

Nate552

Get a PT

MDcatV

if you have money burning a hole in your pocket, invest in a coach with the current equipment you have. you'll get more out of it than any doo dad you can hang on your bike. also, put aside some coin for maintenance and replacement parts (chains, tires, handlebar tape, cassettes, cables, housing, etc). not because of crashing as much as because if you train appropriately, you'll wear stuff out faster than when just riding along, and when the inevitable crash occurs, if you break something you'll have "insured" yourself to get the things you need to return to up and running. if budget permits, a power meter is a great tool for training, but by no means a necessary one. i would encourage buying used.

ericm979

I don't think you need anything yet. You only started this year and your first season would be next year. I suggest that you save your money for a while. Race next year, then get a coach and a used PT. After you have done some races you'll have a better idea of what your goals are (and will understand your limitations that you need to address to reach them). Without goals the coach and PT are much less useful.

A second bike is handy for when your primary bike is broken. But usually you buy a new bike and demote the existing one to backup duty. I went for years with only one race bike and it wasn't a problem.

rbart4506

Get the PT....I have a second bike and I primarily use it for TT's (it's got clip-ons)...Saves me a bit of hassle, but the bike basically sits around and gets used every second week for a total of 90mins tops!

I must admit having a 2nd bike is nice just in case something does happen, but if I had the choice I would take the PT over te 2nd bike...

pretzelface

I'd go for the second bike, but I'd make it a CX bike, so you can go play in the mud this fall and winter. Make sure you get one with all the attachment points for a rack and some fenders in the off-season - that way, it'll make an excellent commuter. You'll never realize how much you hate your messenger bag until you get some panniers! Besides, do you really want to run errands around town clicking around in your road shoes?

As for a second race bike, though, what's the point?

Homebrew01

Horse, cart

Don't get anything expensive until you try racing and decide you want to stick with it. Otherwise you'll be reselling it on Ebay at a loss.
Here's a free idea. Find some other racers that you can ride & train with. Perhaps there are some informal training races nearby to get started, or fast group rides. Then you'll have an idea if pain & suffering are for you.

ridethecliche

Find a training crit series and do that to decide if you even like racing.

I wish there were more 'rent-style' training crits with 'helpers' and such. You should also do a racing clinic.

Homebrew01

That's what's nice about the Bethel Summer Series. Just "A" and "B" groups. You can jump back in if you get dropped (just stay out of the sprint), and a good kids race in which they have no entry fee & actually get $1 per lap.

Hida Yanra

This one, #1, most helpful and important

pretty much, this one is #2

[QUOTE=MDcatV;11188466...you'll get more out of it than any doo dad you can hang on your bike. also, put aside some coin for maintenance and replacement parts (chains, tires, handlebar tape, cassettes, cables, housing, etc). not because of crashing as much as because if you train appropriately, you'll wear stuff out faster than when just riding along,
<snip>
a power meter is a great tool for training, but by no means a necessary one. i would encourage buying used[/QUOTE]

yes, but I'd race for a year first. Power is meaningless (and dangerous) if you are focused on that instead of cornering, positioning, and riding thoughtfully.

mattm

If you really must spend the $$, go with a PT and Friel's training book, screw a coach and/or new bike for now.

Ygduf

you can use a PT w/o a coach for solid gains. below is my experience.

gbot

The proper number of bikes in your garage is......

Randy!

I've heard two equations.


n+1, where n is the number of bikes you currently own.

s-1, where s is the number of bikes that would cause your partner to leave you.


It was on an Aussie cycling blog, with a big list of style rules. Hilarious stuff. I cannot for the life of me find it again, though.

gbot

https://cozybeehive.blogspot.com/2008...o-cyclist.html

Randy!

That's not it. The post doesn't even have the equations I cited!

brianappleby

The season is winding down, and a powermeter right now isn't going to make you faster at races until next year anyway. Here's my suggestion:
Buy Friel's book and read it now. It will help you understand why getting a PM is a good idea at all. Buy Coggan's book too.
Do as many races as you can before this season ends. Learn what kind of rider you are, and decide if you want to get serious about it.

If so, then buy a powermeter so that you can start next year with a dedicated training plan and goal.