deapee

You can get a decent bike at your stated budget, with 105 components, a full carbon frame that fits you, brand new from a reputable dealership, a pair of shoes, clipless pedals, two bottle cages, two bottles, an under the saddle bag, a spare innertube, tire levers, mini bike pump, helmet, and a pair of riding shorts for $1500. Then if you're serious about it, in two years, you can upgrade your wheels for $2k and be on pretty much the lightest bike around.

PepeM

Does your college have a cycling club? If they do, that's probably the cheapest way to start racing.

rpenmanparker 

OP's goal is racing, but he has so much to learn and fitness to build, I don't think he needs to worry about the costs associated with actually participating in races for quite a while.

Right now cost really means the cost of the bike, pedals (perhaps), bottle cages, bottles, emergency tool kit, pump, shoes, shorts and jerseys, and helmet. The funny thing is that even that long list of all new stuff can be had for OP's declared budget during a sale at Performance. An aluminum, on-sale, 105 or Tiagra bike will easily be under $1,000 and plenty good enough for many years of moving up the Cat levels. With the Performance rebate and the extra $500+ OP can get all the rest of the stuff he needs. Entry level clothes and shoes, and helmet, and basic pump, tools, etc. With any luck he may get the cages and bottles thrown into the bike purchase for free.

Sure, used is another way to go, but if OP wants the surety and bling of new, it is not outside his declared $1,500 budget even for race-worthy stuff.

gsa103

Many people race on bikes like a CAAD10 or CAAD12, with 105. https://www.rei.com/product/892480/c...-105-bike-2016

So you can find a competitive bike at around $1500 new, and even less used. Especially at lower levels you don't even want a $3k bike, since you're going to crash. At the highest levels of racing you're going to want a $3k-$8k bike, but that's a lot like any activity, where the equipment matters. Once you're competing at a high level there's discounts and other things to make it easier to buy the equipment you truly need.

Homebrew01

On the starting line, nobody cares what anyone else is riding. It's HOW they ride that matters.

Homebrew01

What's your riding experience ?
Another reason for a budget bike, is that you may decide you don't like racing. It's not for everyone. Why spend big $$ on something you may not stick with ?

Voodoo76

Any one of the CAAD's are excellent bikes. I could ride/afford pretty much anything and my current bike of choice is a CAAD10/Ultegra. Very well mannered bike, equal to it's very positive rep! 105 perfoms equal to Ultegra, I wouldn't hesitate to go with that groupset which gets you down to a pretty modest budget.

I would also second Homebrew's comment, at the line nobody really pays attention. As a matter of fact it's almost the reverse. If you want to be "that guy" be the new dude showing up with the $10K rig and geting shelled.

Bandera

Yep, any decent quality basic used road bike will be just fine to get started in road racing.
Join your local USAC affiliated cycle racing club to develop the necessary skills to race and get properly fitted.
Hardware is a Fashion in cycling, teammates are a great source for snapping up perfectly serviceable "obsolescent" stuff for "cheap".

Read this thread in the BF sub-forum "The 33"-Road Bike Racing" which is dedicated to the Sport:

https://www.bikeforums.net/33-road-bi...s-tip-two.html

It's Not about the Hardware, and Never has Been.

-Bandera

Sizzle-Chest

I fixed it for you. The starting line is where everyone is sizing each other up based on arbitrary factors, such as bikes and kit.

longbeachgary

If you want to race you're going to have to give up the Goldfish crackers....

fietsbob

College Loans in the USA will keep you Poor for a Long time.

TMonk

I'm a cat 3 with expensive road bikes, and I started racing 10 years ago in college with a $300 steel bike with downtube shifters.

As long as you have something that rolls forward and can be configured to have an aggressive position, you'll be fine.

Have fun!

Doge

Then - many had steel bikes.

Folks are being very creative and helpful trying to get the OP into racing at $1,500. I've just never met anyone that can do that and really race - say 10-20 races a year. A college team is the best idea.

Kit ~ shoes, helmet, shorts, jersey ~ $300
Race fees 10 races ~ $350
Bike ~ $1,000
Club Fee ~ $50 (or more with jersey)
Travel ~ $
Training time ~ $$

12strings

This is a good place to start. Bike could possibly get down to $500 for something used, or 7-800 for an entry level Cannondale CAAD 8, or Specialized Allez sport....either of which would be great race bikes for a beginner.

fietsbob

^^ then You need a Car & all those costs to get you and ,Your kit to the races..



Cycle touring .. Its not about going fast, Its about just going somewhere..

Dan333SP

+1. Collegiate licenses are discounted, and entries/travel are usually covered by the school. You'll also have teammates that may give you hand me down kits and gear.

spectastic

If you think you want to commit to the sport, I would definitely recommend the caad. Probably caad 10 considering Caad12 just came out and there the Caad10 should be discounted. If I could go back in time and advise myself on bike selection, it would be to get a Caad10 and hold on to it forever. Caad10 with 105 and open mould carbon wheels... best value racing rig ever..

caloso

If you're serious about wanting to race, visit the 33, lurk for awhile (esp in the training and tech threads), and if you have specific questions and are willing to listen, there is a lot to be gleaned there.

Homebrew01

Not really. Actual racers really don't care what equipment others use. And using equipment as any sort of guide is, well, misguided.

scuzzo

is he racing that 7K bike in crits? .. 7,000 dollar yard sale? you dont need that kinda coin for a race bike esp.. if you are cat 5,, you can cut your teeth with a good alum frame and 105 9speed.. just get a good fit. join a club get some close quarter pace stuff under your belt before you go out to race though.. there will be plenty of time for a high Zoot race machine after you get your cat1.. but right now ... its just not needed. good second hand race ready rig... 700 to $1000.. mho

rpenmanparker 

I don't understand the assumption OP is going to start racing the same day he buys the bike. He has to get ready to race and that could take a year or more. There is absolutely no reason to include race fees, club fees, and travel expenses in his budget for getting started. He has to have a bike, but he doesn't have to start racing a given number of events on day one. You and others are making this look out of reach when it isn't at all. Once he is riding, he can decide when he can afford to start racing and when he is physically ready.

Sizzle-Chest

Of course it's misguided. That's why I said it's arbitrary! But that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. In fact, in my experience it's quite common. Apparently, your experience has been different.

Doge

He's a college kid and I assume can parse the information needed out of that. But he may not have thought about race fees or the other things.

Simple answer is go to eBay and search and filter, do some group rides and see where he is. But the OP was about racing. Those other things come into play - including buying a license which I forgot to mention.

If OP does 2-3 races, that gives a flavor but is not really reflective of the cost of racing.

macca33

Look for a local club and see whether they have classifieds, otherwise Ebay, etc, etc. All you really need to get started is a bike that is mechanically sound and in good condition - YOU will be the one doing ALL the work!

I'd also recommend finding some local bunch rides with a shop or a group prior to pinning on a number, that way you can get used to the bunch dynamic before racing.

Good luck with it.

cheers

rpenmanparker 

After a while OP's funds will be replenished. Don't you think it will take some time for him to build strength and endurance in the saddle, to learn how to ride in a group, corner at speed, etc. IMO he can worry about race fees when he is ready to race...by which time I imagine the funds will be once again available.