New to road, what do you think of my bike?
 

I got a Schwinn Seneca from Sports Authority for 350$! W00t. Also, I am 25 years old. I plan to upgrade my bicycle next summer, exactly one year from this summer. Do you think I can catch up for lost time and become a world class rider, or is it too late??

Never too late.
Welcome to the Drop Bar Community. Addiction begins now.

Did someone say Schwinn?

^lol, OH NO!

After a month of riding, I already feel much better. I drink raw eggs now, 2 in the morning, 2 after a ride, and 2 before bed; stopped drinking (with a little help from Lexotan), and now I am on the road to victory. I want to win a championship one day.

I feel like you could have spent you money better. I've bought two late 80s road bikes that are great quality and fast for under $150. But anyways we all make mistakes... My first road bike I bought I regretted. Enjoy!

You're kidding right? You training to go fight Apollo Creed?

Good for you that you stopped drinking though.

(walks off humming 'Eye of the Tiger')

Thanks for the honest opinion. I feel the same way.

Still, it runs, and it will end it's life cycle as a good beater vehicle. Man, cycling is so fun.

I understand there are these things called Cats, or Categories, like Cat 3, 4, 5...

If I'm 25, can I become a Cat5 one day? Has anyone ever done that??

No, I'm not kidding. But I guess if it's bad for cycling it's good if someone tries to knock me off my bike, I can battle them.

Cat 6 for you.:D

It actually goes the other direction, so yes, you can become a Cat5 one day, in fact, you can do it IN one day, a few minutes really is all it takes.

To become a Cat1, starting at 25, is very possible, if you've got the body for it.

To become a world class pro, starting at 25, is basically impossible.

Really funny response.

So, it's basically impossible to run the TdF? That kind of makes me sad.

Still, becoming a Cat1 sounds pretty COOL, if you really think it's possible, then that makes me happy.

Yeah, there's no reason that you couldn't train up to to become competitive, but there is a reason that world class riders are 'world class.' It's because only a tiny fraction of a percentage of people could ever reach that level.

Edit to add:
But don't let that stop you from working hard at becoming a good cyclist. Your bike is good for a beginner, but you'll grow out of it quickly if you get serious about the sport. So go work on it to the point where the bike holds you back rather than the other way around.

I see, so it's like for any other sport, where you have the majors, like the MLB, NFL, or NHL. It's unrealistic to dream of being World Class.

I am going to be so competitive it won't even be funny, man. I have the build for it. Used to ride an MB pretty hard in my youth. My legs are strong and long, plus the raw eggs will make me great.

How long before I have to upgrade on the Schwinn Seneca? What do you think, 6 months? Is there going to be a top-out on it, because of it's limitations?

Yeah, I hate to break it to you, but you won't be racing with the big boys. At the Cat1 level you're normally getting free gear, free bikes, entry fees paid, etc, racing for thousands in winnings. It's a very, very high level. You could even make it to Domestic Pro, even starting late, but it's unlikely.

Cat1 is a helluva an achievement though, not many get there. Not many even make it to Cat2, that's very impressive as well (and they race against the Cat1 and Pro for most races).

So, one can make a living being a Cat1 rider? That's incredible. And that's achievable. Something to consider!!

No, not a living. Money. Like, cash in the $5k a year range if you're good, and then about $10k worth of bikes and gear.

Even domestic pro in the US doesn't make a "living". They often are getting paid less than $25k/year, hardly a living.


these numbers brought to you by the "pulling things out of my ass department".

I see. Still, that's pretty good. What do you give me, turned 25 the other day, until 29 to be Cat1?

Don't worry about it, just ride your bike. You'll know within a year or two if you're gonna make it anywhere real.

How do you think I will know? Will I just feel that I'm not fast enough, or that I am fast enough? I think I will be fast enough because I was horribly out of shape until just a few weeks ago, and now I am destroying the road on my bike.

You'll know when you show up to your first Cat 5 race, after riding for 2 months, and lap the field twice on a 2 mile course, solo.

That's nothing. I'm cat 7!

How long are you guys going to carry this troll around?

rugerben, I read your edit and that's some great stuff.

My goal is now to make the bike hold me back, when I reach this I must try even harder.

Not a troll, please don't be so paranoid.

I have what I term a 'winning-brain'. My goal in life is to achieve victory in anything I do. This 'winning-brain' leads me to eat raw eggs and contemplate being a Cat1.

Like i said--- troll. Please don't waste your time responding I'm not coming back to this thread.