This question is why I have shied away from racing, though I still have an urge to get into good enough shape to give it a try this year, at least get to where I can do a fast group ride. I know my current bike isn’t suitable, (drop bar three speed like the ‘40s and ‘50s British club bikes; I doubt I would be permitted to join a fast group ride let alone enter a race on such a machine), but what’s the minimum that would be, away from World Tour level? Should a novice start off with an aluminum frame with rim brakes and 8 speed Claris (the current base road bikes by Cannondale and Trek being that spec), or skip to carbon frames, hydraulic brakes, etc.?