Help! 1st bike for racing

Ray Thormund said:

Hi, I'm new and I've decided to get into road racing. My college has a cycling club and I have experience with other aerobic sports. I've narrowed my choice down to these three bikes (I'm on a bit of a tight budget):
1. Trek 1200
2. Giant OCR 2
3. '06 Scott Speedster S40
Would all of these bikes work with clip-on aero bars for time trials?

Thanks for your help.

I would pick the one your budget works the best with. You can race basically on anything. The bike I started racing on was a fuji finest (sora) triple. Worked great, ultra tuff (wrecked on occasion), and cheap (400$).
Pick what fits you best and whatever you can afford and then go beat the [censored] outta it! Usually thats what happens to new racers 🙂. I would also take into account what your LBS sells. They are gonna be the guys repairing your bike after you pogo a pedal during a corner and it winds up eating curb.
Good Luck!

I've found all three bikes for the same price after shopping around (about $750).

Ray Thormund said:

Hi, I'm new and I've decided to get into road racing. My college has a cycling club and I have experience with other aerobic sports. I've narrowed my choice down to these three bikes (I'm on a bit of a tight budget):
1. Trek 1200
2. Giant OCR 2
3. '06 Scott Speedster S40
Would all of these bikes work with clip-on aero bars for time trials?

Thanks for your help.

I suggest first visiting a bike shop near you that specializes in good trade in bikes- especially in January.
Many of the new imports you describe and othjer bikes like them would usually drop by a big amount after slight use and unlike a used car, you and an honest shop can tell if there's trouble easily - nothing to hide like on an abused car.

Why be the one to take the hit?
make sure the shop offers a warranty and be sure to take any bike out for at least an hour over varied venues.
If you get the killer deal from a private party, pay a trusting shop to help you get it fit and serviced.
Tailwinds and Happy New Year
racer, ex coach, team sponsor, racing official, and 2-shop owner 35 years.