mic2377

This past spring was my first foray into racing. Did pretty good, placed well in some races, won a few, and I'll be out of 5's. I also placed very well in 4/5 combined races so hopefully I'll make it to 3's soon....

Anyways, one thing that utterly amazed me was the preponderance of $$$ equipment in lower race categories. I mean, I ride a '05 Klein Q-Pro (purchased cheaply as NOS, as I ride an XL), and that bike was nothing in comparison to the mega-dollar equipment I saw rolling. 25% of the field had powertaps, 50% was on some sort of carbon tubular wheels, and DA seemed to be standard equipment. I just don't get it. It is not like these people were even fast, I mean, why do you need a PT when you are barely making 200 watts? So you can raise your threshold to 220 watts?

The trend doesn't make me happy though. I feel like alot of potential talent is priced right out of cycling before they even get a chance to try it. When is it gonna stop? Will people believe that a race can be won on a wheel with 32 spokes?

SushiJoe

Yes. Just ask waterrockets.

jasandalb

That's why I have not ventured that route...

chrys9989

I don't think the lack of talent has anything to do with what people are spending. They have the money/Visa, so that's what they get. I intend to race on my six year old entry level bike. I highly doubt it will hold me back.

triplebutted

There's an inverse relationship. Been this way ever since I can remember. One can always tell the good riders cause they bikes look like hell and they never wash it. Too busy riding than detailing.

SushiJoe

You know what holds me back? Steel bearings, square taper bottom brackets, 9 speeds and box section rims!

mic2377

I am sure other racers around me also believe as well... hehehe

Plus I am not afraid of diving hard into a corner when I know if I crash it is 2 hours and $80 to lace up a new rim/spokes. Thats piece of mind.

fauxto nick

Wow "priced out of racing"? Man you'd have to be pretty effin' spineless to do that. Live & let live.

weavers

are you allowed to take pictures during a cat 5 race?

i'm been thinking about doing some, just for the photo opportunities. i hear crazy things like people riding a Prince frame with platform pedals, people with iphones on handlebars with the gps going, just crazy stuff like that. it sounds like a barrle of fun and photos would increase my internet popurliaty.

bvfrompc

Get a job or rearrange your priorties or quit whining becuase you don't have the nice stuff everybody else has, Mr. Experience.

Or do you believe that everybody should ride the exact same setup as you becuase you have decided that at your level this is all one should ride?

Why am I feeding a troll is the question I should ask myself?

waterrockets 

Yeah, I think that some people just go into hobbies headlong, and if they've got the budget, they end up with 14 lb bikes in Cat 5. It probably does deter people, but what can you do? Just keep winning on your 32h wheels, and I'll just keep winning on mine, and maybe someone with a metal frame will decide to take up racing

Around here, we have Cat 5s with SRMs, but they're the elite triathletes just trying the sport on for size... and they're on the podium.

Struck a note, huh?

sleazy

idiots are everywhere. go to a track day and see how many late model ducatis are putzing around with guys in custom matching leathers. or an autocross and see how many race prepped porsches are idling around the cones.

people WANT to think they race, they WANT to feel racey, they want their non sport associated friends to think they are good... when in reality, in any form of racing- someone with talent or experince can win on d@mn near ANYTHING.


apparently they have the cash to light on fire. more power to them. they keep the industry healthy and flush with capital.

SushiJoe

See? Told ya!

asmallsol

I've seen a cervelo with zipp 404's in a Collegiate D race which is basicly designed to be a cat 6. I've also seen guys on a uberanium bike, with Bora wheels (good $3000+ wheelset) and get dropped instantly from cat 5 fields and when our field passed/lapped him, he looked like he was about the keal over right there, which make me think my 58 year old mom could give that guy a run for his money.

These people will either realize its not about the bike, or they will be forever stuck in cat5 complaining about how unfair it is, and will think that its OBVIOUSLY their powertap holding them back, and MUST upgrade to a Campy 11 SRM in order to pull mid pack

El Diablo Rojo

Yes a race winner on an old steel bike with what most guys would consider their 'foul weather' training wheels. If you are fast in the 4/5's you can win on any mechanically sound bike. Don't be intimidated or worried about what kind of equipment the guys around you have. I did a 45+ masters race this year and a guy rolls up on a Prince w/Record and Boras. Not a big deal till I look over and his wheels for the wheel truck? Another set of Boras. This guy has 5k in wheels and got dropped on the second lap.

Frunkin

I passed a masters racer who was dropped during masters 4/5 RR. He was on an SLC-SL with full Record and Lightweights. But in his defense he was out racing, was close to 60, and owned one of the most upscale bike shops on the state.

mazdatech10

the guy or girl with the best equipment gets dropped then,( its not about the bike ). where did I here this quote ??

biffstephens

I don't see the issue with spending money on whatever they want to spend money on. I have a very good friend that drives a 70 grand Z06...with 5G's of extras on that. He never drives it to it potential.

Whats the big deal about spending money on something you like? If you don't need the money extras to win that is even better. From what your saying the guys with the 10K bikes don't win anyway? I would think you would like them being there because they make you look even better...

Do what ever you want with your money...it's yours.

rmfnla

They will if you win one on them.

rankin116

Why does anyone give a **** what other people are spending there money on? Maybe they are all rich. If I was rich, you can bet your ass I would not be riding the bike I am.

Worry about yourself, life will be much easier that way.

euphoria

True talent crushes regardless. Didn't Lemond win his first 11 races with the front-end of his shoes stuffed because they were several sizes too large?

Hammertoe

Nothing better than getting passed by a squeaking bike...

Always brings a smile to my face...

It is all about the engine...

FatguyRacer

And when they tire of it, they sell it all pretty cheap to bargain hunters like myself.

Tapeworm21

My first race EVER is on Sunday. I spent all my money on things well before I started racing. Just remember, there's A LOT of recreational riders that are fast as crap that don't race.

Honest question. Are you jealous are do you REALLY care what other people are riding on?

wanders

EDR - With all the money I spent on strippers and booze back in the 1980's, I could be racing around on a Prince w/Record and Boras and getting dropped on the first lap.