Thinking of start Cat 4 Racing

[iendicott]

Thinking of starting up a bit of amateur road racing, I believe it's classed as category 4. Just a bit of fun really. I am looking at a cycle to buy that will fit the job. I am under no illusions that I will be buying an expensive cycle as I do not want to run before I can walk.

Was looking at Ribble carbon but not so sure now I actually need carbon. Spoke to a few people and they have both said at the price I am looking at carbon would not their preferred choice.

The reasons are the budget I have is around £1300 maybe £1400 at a push, for that money the carbon is going to be light but not very stiff potentially.

If you have a bad crash carbon will generally snap where as Aluminium will dent buckle but may still be rideable.

Why splash out alot of money and find that you don't actually like road racing.

Material suggested would be Aluminium maybe with a carbon fibre rear end for stiffness. Ali frame is generally more stiff so at the price I am looking at that would be a plus.

Not always the lightest cycle is best, rigidity is also very important in getting the power down efficiently, and for the type of level I am entering a slight increase in weight is not going to make that much difference.

I spoke to a guy at Epic cycles this morning and got some great advice off him, he suggested the Bianchi 1885 with their little tweaks (Eg lighter wheels). I must say the 1885 is easy on the eye.

What others should I be looking at ? I am sure I see a Scott with a traingled top frame in a local bike shop that was very reasonability priced (Under a grand, it may have been an older model) but I can remember the model, maybe someone can suggest a scott ?

Thanks Ivan

 

[Dave Davenport]

I don't think you need to spend anywhere near that much, you should be able to pick up something for £500 - £700 (less secondhand) which will be fine to start, which you can upgrade wheels etc. on if you get into it. What sort of riding are you doing at the moment, are you in a club?

 

[RedBike]

I would be tempted not to ride a new £1.4k bike in a cat 4 race because, sadly, there are often crashes. I would opt for a much cheaper second-hand model and invest heavily in the wheels AND the tyres. Pimping out these parts will make far more of a difference than loosing 100g of weight off the frame or having dura-ace levers instead of 105.

I don't know what level of rider you currently are but don't under-estimate the speed of a cat4 race. You often get a lot of riders taking part that should really be in a much higher group. Even if you're a reasonably strong rider you can expect to get shelled out of the back of the peleton on your first few races.

My biggest tip is to stay in the middle / towards the front of the peleton. This is unfortunately easier said than done as everyone else wants to do the same.
At every corner when the group brakes the poor guys at the back end up having to brake harder and sooner than the guys at the front did. So exiting the bend they have to sprint like mad to keep with the group. The result is the guys at the back are having to work harder.

 

[iendicott]

Dave RedBike

I am a member of the Fenland Clarions and do quite a bit of miles at the weekend so my fitness is OK. I also cycle to work which is good for working a little harder as I try and better my times everyday (Currently around 16 mins for 5 miles), having said that I am doing all this on a hybird which is about 35lbs in weight

In a way a heavier bike has some advantages during the week as I have to pedal harder to get it going keep it going so when I order the almost 1/2 as light road bike this should feel very light compared.

Agree about wheels etc, would probably upgrade at some point but as I mentioned I need to wlak before I run. In terms of investment I am pitching at this level because even if I don't end up racing for long I can use it at weekends for club rides.