bike racing: the penultimate guide

Bike racing is so confusing. BMX? MTB? Road? TT? Track? And what about the bike itself? Do I have to buy a bike for each discipline?

Well everyone is different, and yes there is more than one style of bike - let alone rider. We can exclude what I don't know - ie BMX and Mountain Bikes - and concentrate on road, crit and track bikes for now.

Firstly, don't worry too much about buying lots of bikes, or even the best bike. Try to grow with the sport, try a few things and get a feel for it before committing too much dosh. Road is the easiest way in and your average road bike will suit many criterium circuits too. So a good quality road bike is your best bet. Remember this rule of thumb: you will get 90% of the lightest, coolest and fastest bike gear for 50% of the price. My point? To get that last 10% will cost you heaps. It's what an economist will call the law of diminishing returns. To an elite althlete it matters, but they will have sponsors, too. But if you really just want 'the ultimate' then sure, go for it. But remember that a $2500 bike will do almost everything just as well as that smick and snazzy $5,000 job. It's your cash, you decide.

As you work your way up the grades you will also realise that a few key bike modifications will may your racing faster, more enjoyable and maybe even safer. Start with the lightest frame you can afford. Then swap components as you grow with your sport. In this way your $2,500 bike can be upgraded easily to match - perhaps even better - that more expensive purchase.

You can swap out just about anything - drivetrain, saddle, bars - and as everything wears out in time anyway, why not upgrade? But your biggest 'bang for the buck' will come from a wheel upgrade. It's the first change I'd recommend. Lighter wheels will often roll better, will have better hubs as well and will accelerate more easily - especially uphill. Beware of deep rims, though, as these often will be uncomfortable in crosswinds an on bumpy surfaces. Of course if you find yourself enjoying time trials - TTs - then the deeper aero rim will help you, so it's a worthwhile investment.

These tips pretty much work for road or track by the way. In either discipline spare wheels are always handy. Train on the old heavy wheels, race on the lighter, smicker ones.

OK, so that's it for now. Always keep things in perspective. It's nice to have a 'Sunday' bike, but a 'training' bike will come in handy, too. When you take your first - sadly inevitable - spill on that 'Sunday' bike you may suddenly wonder why you invested so much money on nice paintwork or fancy components. Perhaps a good, serviceable but still fast bike isn't such a bad choice after all. They all need to be pedalled in any case!

More soon, but if you want to read on now I have also written much more on this subject in my guide to bike racing.

Labels: Upgrading