New to Bike Racing

Any recommendation's would be appreciated:

Would like to get some suggestions on what type of bike to buy to get into TT racing. Price is not
important but I would like to only buy enough bike to use for a year or two and then if I like it,
purchase serious bike to be all I can be.

Here are some particulars: Have ridden bike's all my life, but only recreationally. Currently own a
cheap MTN bike and am trying to develope some strength and fitness with it. I am 62 and until a knee
injury done me in I was a National Class age group runner. The point being is that I am use to
competitive racing, which may or may not be important in choosing a bike. I weigh 170 and am 6'
tall. I train regularly with weights. I live in Maryland and will train year around. I have no brand
prejudice and am open to all suggestions, including any recommendations on how to get started.

John

John: Fit is everything, whether for general recreational riding, mass-start road racing or time
trials. I would suggest finding a good bike shop that knows something about racing (or just hard
recreational riding, since the requirements don't actually differ that much) and see what they can
do for you. I wouldn't go to a specialty time-trial bike though... your best bet will be for a
conventional road bike, modified as required (most notably aero wheels and tri-bars).

Have you checked out the local shops yet? I know somebody in the area who might have some
recommendations if it seems like you're striking out. You might also check with the masters racing
groups in your area.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles http://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

"Jbenkert111" <jbenkert111@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030223195252.22365.00000109@mb-cj.aol.com...
> Any recommendation's would be appreciated:
>
> Would like to get some suggestions on what type of bike to buy to get into
TT
> racing. Price is not important but I would like to only buy enough bike
to use
> for a year or two and then if I like it, purchase serious bike to be all I
can
> be.
>
> Here are some particulars: Have ridden bike's all my life, but only recreationally.
> Currently own a
cheap
> MTN bike and am trying to develope some strength and fitness with it. I am
62
> and until a knee injury done me in I was a National Class age group
runner.
> The point being is that I am use to competitive racing, which may or may
not be
> important in choosing a bike. I weigh 170 and am 6' tall. I train
regularly
> with weights. I live in Maryland and will train year around. I have no
brand
> prejudice and am open to all suggestions, including any recommendations
on how
> to get started.
>
> John

Assuming you don't have an especially short torso for your height, seek out a good shop that carries
Cervelo. A P2K will be the first and last TT bike you might ever want/need, for about $2000 new and
ready to race stock. In your two year plan, upgrade to "high zoot" wheels (Zipp, Nimble etc.) and
maybe a Dura-Ace BB, Crank and brakeset and you will have a superb bike.

In Maryland, here are there dealers:

http://www.cervelo.com/text-deal-usa.html#NE

Good luck.

hemanth shenoi Verona, WI USA "Jbenkert111" <jbenkert111@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030223195252.22365.00000109@mb-cj.aol.com...
> Any recommendation's would be appreciated:
>
> Would like to get some suggestions on what type of bike to buy to get into
TT
> racing. Price is not important but I would like to only buy enough bike
to use
> for a year or two and then if I like it, purchase serious bike to be all I
can
> be.
>
> Here are some particulars: Have ridden bike's all my life, but only recreationally.
> Currently own a
cheap
> MTN bike and am trying to develope some strength and fitness with it. I am
62
> and until a knee injury done me in I was a National Class age group
runner.
> The point being is that I am use to competitive racing, which may or may
not be
> important in choosing a bike. I weigh 170 and am 6' tall. I train
regularly
> with weights. I live in Maryland and will train year around. I have no
brand
> prejudice and am open to all suggestions, including any recommendations
on how
> to get started.
>
> John

>Would like to get some suggestions on what type of bike to buy to get into TT racing.

If you want to get into TT racing you will need 2 bikes, a standard road bike to do most of your
training on and a TT bike to race on. The position on a TT bike is not really appropriate for long
rides and the many hours of training necessary to be a successful TT rider. In your age group, the
fast guys are riding 250 miles or more a week and they are doing it on road bikes.

I suggest getting the road bike first because the change in position from the MTB to the road bike
will be significant and your body will need time adjust itself and adapt to the more aggressive
riding position.

Then just doing a TT or two on that road bike, maybe with Aerobars will let you know if it something
you really want to do.

At that point, when you have decided that pain and suffering are your chosen poison and when you
know who really knows whats up in your neck of the woods, then you can invest in a TT bike that
might be appropriate for your riding style.

Jon Isaacs

Jbenkert111 <jbenkert111@aol.com> wrote:
: Any recommendation's would be appreciated:

: Would like to get some suggestions on what type of bike to buy to get into TT racing. Price is not
: important but I would like to only buy enough bike to use

If price is no issue you could get a recumbent: http://www.speedbikebgl.de/eng/news.htm

: with weights. I live in Maryland and will train year around. I have no brand prejudice and am open
: to all suggestions, including any recommendations on how to get started.

Maybe join a racing club? Also check out rec.bicycles.racing, probably a better place for a million
race-oriented questions :-)

--
Risto Varanka | http://www.helsinki.fi/~rvaranka/ varis at no spam please iki fi

<risto.varanka@secure.from.spam.helsinki.fi> wrote in message
news:b3dumf$3lb$1@oravannahka.helsinki.fi...
> Jbenkert111 <jbenkert111@aol.com> wrote:
> : Any recommendation's would be appreciated:
>
> : Would like to get some suggestions on what type of bike to buy to get
into TT
> : racing. Price is not important but I would like to only buy enough bike
to use
>
> If price is no issue you could get a recumbent: http://www.speedbikebgl.de/eng/news.htm
>
> : with weights. I live in Maryland and will train year around. I have no
brand
> : prejudice and am open to all suggestions, including any recommendations
on how
> : to get started.
>
> Maybe join a racing club? Also check out rec.bicycles.racing, probably a better place for a
> million race-oriented questions :-)

Only if you want the abuse! Seems to be a flame fest over there! Go find team Snow Valley. I'll bet
that there's a few TT specialists on the team that'll help you.

Just remember: you didn't ride a TT fast enough if you don't see spots by the end! Last one I did, I
couldn't stand up afterwards!

Mike

>
> --
> Risto Varanka | http://www.helsinki.fi/~rvaranka/ varis at no spam please iki fi