What To Consider When Purchasing A Racing Bicycle

February 10, 2005

There are three things you need to consider when purchasing a racing bicycle:

1. It is a racing bike. Do not get attached to it, it will get scratches and dents from racing and traveling. It is a tool, not a work of art. When you mount your bike you need to be willing to let go. If you crash you may find yourself out a lot of money so don’t spend too much money on a racing bike.

2. Dependability. Do not get all hung up with exotic materials and light weight. Light weight, exotic, and very pricey frames and parts do you no good when you crash or when they chose to break on their own. I would rather settle for cheaper, stronger, and more dependable frames and parts when it comes to actually being able to finish a race or being out in the middle of nowhere when training.

3. It’s the rider, not the bike. Don’t get hung up on Campagnolo vs. Shimano, Dura Ace vs. Ultegra, Titanium vs. Carbon. It’s the rider that wins races, not the frame and component group set.

Bicycle Frame Materials

Aluminum is light and bicycle frames made of aluminum tend to run cheaper in price than other frame materials except for maybe steel. Steel is a lot lighter than the steel from 25 years ago when most racing bikes where steel. Steel can also be realigned (bent back) within reason, of course. Titanium will last practically forever. Carbon is light and supposedly more comfortable since it helps dampen vibration.

Bicycle frames made of two frame materials are becoming very popular. Most racing bicycles come with carbon forks mated to a frame made of either steel, aluminum, titanium, or carbon. Some frames are a mix of frame materials such as a steel, aluminum, or titanium main triangle with a carbon rear triangle.

Shimano Vs. Campagnolo

The major component group sets found on most racing bicycles are Campagnolo (Campy) and Shimano.

I am 100% Campagnolo when it comes to racing on the velodrome (track). Both my track bikes are Campy equipped for it hasn’t changed in 25 years. All my Campy group sets are interchangeable with one another. The road is a different story. I am 100% Shimano on the road for I have a lifetime supply of Shimano compatible wheel sets. If I were to go Campy, I would have to go with new wheel sets or at least re-engineered cassettes. I am not willing to spend a lot of money to convert from Shimano to Campy. If it were not for my wheel sets, I would still go to Shimano. I like a few things Campy offers like having both cables located in the bars. But I don’t like the brake quick release being a small, simple peg on the brake lever. I also do not like the thumb lever to shift. What I do like about the Shimano STI brake/shift levers is the two planes of movement of the levers so if you crash the lever can move in two directions reducing the likely hood of breaking due to being too rigid. Choosing between Campagnolo and Shimano is a lot like choosing between a Macintosh computer and a PC. Both are able to complete the same tasks but it is usually up to your own personal preference as to which one you want to use.

I recommend to all ISCorp Juniors that I coach to use Shimano 9 speed solely due to the fact Shimano 14-25 cassettes and 52 rings are relatively easy to find and affordable when compared to Campy in making a bike junior gearing legal. I am hoping to stay with Shimano 9 one more year. Next year, I may consider going Campy 10 speed or Shimano 10 speed. It just depends on the cost and availability of junior gearing and future bicycle sponsorship for the ISCorp Junior Cycling Team. Please visit my previous junior gearing posting if you want more information regarding junior gearing. I know there are those that are die hard Campy fans or insist on 10 speed whether it be Campy or Shimano and that is fine. However, when you coach several riders on the same team, you have to make a decision as to what component group everyone should use since I can not possibly afford nor do I have the room to travel with every component group and gearing combination possible. Since I have decided on Shimano 9, all my team wheel sets have 14-25 cassettes and I have spare Ultegra 9 speed shift/brake levers with me at the races. Therefore I can assist the ISCorp juniors that follow my recommendations.

Please note: Shimano 10 speed cassettes (both Dura Ace and Ultegra) can be used with Shimano 9 or 8 speed cassette wheel sets. However, you can not put the 8 or 9 speed cassette on the new Shimano 10 speed wheel or hub sets. So keep this in mind if you choose to go 10 speed and have other bicycles.

Wheels

There are a lot of pre-built wheel sets out there. If you go with a Campagnolo or Shimano hubset, you can have wheels built up that can be easily repaired or rebuilt if you crash. Just about any bike shop can repair and rebuild race wheels. Pre-built wheel sets are light, durable, and come in a large range of pricing. However, they may be more difficult to repair or rebuild since they may need to be sent back to the manufacture or recommended (certified) service center. You just don’t want to end the season with a set of hubs that can not be rebuilt due to hassle and expense. Wheel sets are offered by several manufacturers such as Bontrager, Zipp, Mavic, FSA, Velomax, Crane Creek, etc.

My recommendation for cyclists new to racing is to have at least two sets of wheels. The wheels that come with most race ready bicycles tend to be relatively light and have good tires which would be good for racing. However, the majority of your bicycle ridding will most likely be training. During training you do not need lightweight wheels and tires. I always recommend that cyclists have a second set of wheels for training. The training wheel set can have heavier tires so you can get a lot of trouble free miles out of them. Then you can use your light wheels and tires for racing. Still take your training wheels with you to the race as spares. It is much easier and faster to change a wheel than repair a wheel or replace a tube or tire.

Purchasing a Racing Bicycle

A few words of caution when selecting a racing bicycle. If you are new to the sport, I would recommend working with a bicycle shop to make sure you purchase the right sized frame. Also select a bicycle shop that is willing to work around your needs and not just trying to make a sale. If you are going to do junior races, you must have legal junior gearing. Please keep this in mind when making your final purchase since there could be a lot of hassle and added expense in making your bike junior gear legal.

Some entry level racing bicycles offered by several of the major bicycle brands come with triple cranks. If you are considering purchasing a bicycle with triple cranks and plan to race, ask the bicycle shop if they would be willing to work with you by swapping out the triple cranks and long cage rear derailleur for a double crank and short cage rear derailleur. You may want to take this in consideration if a shop is not willing to do this for you and chose to take your business elsewhere. Triple cranks are mainly used for cycling in mountainous terrain with a bicycle loaded with camping gear, etc. I have raced in the mountains of Colorado and Italy and I have never encountered a situation where I needed a triple crank. A triple crank is a waste of metal and unnecessary weight on a racing bicycle especially here in Wisconsin.

New vs. Used

If you are new to the sport of cycling, I would not recommend purchasing a used bicycle from a stranger, bicycle swap meet, internet auction, etc. for you run the risk of purchasing a bicycle that may not be your correct size. Many people will fixate on price and not on whether the bicycle is appropriate for their size and need. Never purchase a bicycle with the intent of growing into it. Most racing bicycles are only owned for a year or two anyway. With a new bicycle you usually have some warranty protection and have some assurance with the bicycle shop that everything will be in working order. Besides you can always go back to the bicycle shop you purchased your bicycle from if you have any problems with your bike.

Shop Around

Visit several bicycle shops to get a feel for the different brands and models of racing bicycles available and their respective pricing. Here’s what I would consider in order of importance when purchasing a new racing bicycle:
1. Is the bicycle shop willing to work with me in selling me a race ready bicycle? e.g. junior gearing, determining correct frame size and stem length, etc.
2. Frame size
3. Price
4. Type of component group set, Campagnolo or Shimano
5. Frame materials such as aluminum, titanium, carbon, steel, etc.
6. Brand and type of pedals and does the price include pedals
7. Type or brand of bars, stem, saddle, etc.
8. Accessories such as water bottles and cages, frame fit pump, spare tubes, etc.

I sincerely hope you find what I have shared with you helpful especially if you are new to the sport of cycling. A racing bicycle can be a major expense not just for the junior cyclist but for all cyclists. Just keep in mind that you do not have to spend several thousand dollars to have a racing bicycle like the top professional cyclists. Many of our cycling greats started out with a basic entry level bicycle. It is the rider, not the bicycle that wins races. With hard work and dedication to the sport of cycling you can make it to a level in the sport where you are provided with several thousand dollar bicycles. But until then, be reasonable in your racing bicycle selection. Good luck and happy hunting.

Lowell Kellogg, ISCorp Junior Cycling Team Coach