Every cyclist from amateur to pro can can remember their first race. But they'll probably only tell you about their second or third. As for the first, they probably got dropped, didn't finish and went home frustrated. But they came back for more. Everybody gets dropped at sometime or another, but starting your racing career with proper equipment is going to minimize the mishaps and ease your entry into the local peloton.

Amateur road racing has continued to grow in popularity, even in the "post-Lance" cycling era. Cycling is a relatively low-impact activity, easy on joints compared to running-based sports. Amateur racing provides competition for all age and skill levels, and while very few make the jump to the pro ranks, local races provide the closest taste of life in the peloton most of us ever get.

The one obstacle to beginning a road racing career is cost. Bikes, components and kit (the uniform) do not come cheap, especially when starting from scratch. The hype machine created by the bicycle industry continues to promote the newest, lightest and most expensive gear, which can leave many beginning cyclists feeling hopelessly behind the curve.

The Bike

It's very easy to pick up a cycling magazine and find out which bikes will be carrying their riders to Tour de France victories. Selecting a first race bike can leave new cyclists a bit shell-shocked when the guys at the local bike shop start throwing around $500 cranksets or $5,000 bikes like they're nothing. Cycling is not a cheap hobby by any means, but some careful shopping can put you on a reliable race bike without mortgaging the house.

Racing bikes are generally made of aluminum or carbon fiber. The quality of materials, generally, rises with price. Aluminum is a good choice for a first race bike, though affordable carbon fiber frames are now fairly common. Fit is much more important than materials or bike weight. No amount of expensive parts will help you go faster if the bike does not fit properly. VELOpress Zinn & The Art of Road Bike Maintenance, 2nd Ed. is an excellent guide to bike maintenance that also has a section on bike fitting.

At WesternBikeworks we stock frames to suit all budgets and skill levels. Soma frames are made of durable steel. Leopard frames feature high tech, lightweight carbon fiber construction. Lynskey frames are handcrafted out of titanium, featuring excellent durability and light weight.

The bike will be equipped with either Shimano, SRAM or Campagnolo drivetrain. Shimano 105 is the most common and a tried and true group set that deftly balances weight, performance and cost. SRAM group sets were introduced in 2006 and are quickly gaining favor with a wide range of cyclists. The SRAM Rival Group Set is another excellent choice for starting your first race. Campagnolo retains a devoted following of mechanics and cycling purists. The Campagnolo Centaur Group Set retains the impeccable Italian craftsmanship of its higher priced brothers.

On a first race bike, your stem and handlebars will usually be aluminum. Crashes happen, bikes get tipped over, crammed in trunks and otherwise abused. Aluminum is plenty light, more durable and far less expensive than sexy carbon fiber parts. The Ritchey WCS component line is a favorite of racers everywhere due to it's light weight and low price point. Reynolds also manufactures respected, lightweight components.

Carbon handlebars are a great way to smooth out the road feel of a rigid aluminum frame. Leopard Cycles Carbon Handlebar is a budget minded carbon bar that provides anatomic design, lightweight and impressive stiffness.

Wheels are going to have the most immediate effect on your performance at all levels of cycling. It's best to have two sets of wheels as soon as possible, one to train on, one for race day. Reynolds Solitude Wheelset are perfectly suited for everyday training. Race wheels should be stiff durable and fairly light. Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL Clincher Wheelset are an ideal first set of race wheels, stiff, light and bomb-proof.

Choosing tires requires you to balance your racing goals with the reality of the race course and your checkbook. Training tires should be puncture resistant. Continental Ultra Gatorskin offers maximum flat protection, while Michelin Lithion Tire will offer a bit less rolling resistance. Michelin Pro2 Race Tire and Continental Grand Prix 4000 both make great race day tires, and make a great starting point to determine the nuances you desire in your tire.

Pedals require brand-specific cleats, which are included with the pedals. If you choose Time pedals, you can't hop on your buddy's Look equipped bike to give it a spin. Look 2008 Keo Carbon Pedals are probably the most popular pedals we sell, but Time RXS Road Pedals offers more adjustable features, including float and tension.

Helmet

You have to have a helmet to race, even in the pro's. UVEX Sports Sport Boss Helmet features everything a helmet should have. Lazer Genesis Helmet is used by pro's all over the world.

Shoes

Sidi makes some of the most comfortable bike shoes in the world. A good shoe will have a stiff sole, but still be quite comfortable after hours of riding. The Sidi Genius 5.5 Carbon Composite Shoe has all the features a racer could ask for without totally breaking the bank.

Kit

The clothes worn by cyclists are referred to as a "kit". Tops on your list of necessary items is a good pair of shorts. After racing for awhile, you will understand why bibshorts are the choice of competitive cyclists. Shorts with waistbands tend to get quite uncomfortable and ride up or down after a few hours wear. The pad inside the shorts is called a chamois (sham-ee). A good one will save you a great deal of discomfort down the road. Castelli SPA Bib Short delivers quality materials with sharp Italian design. Bellwether Mens Elite Race Bib Short is a well made, comfortable bib short.

Jerseys just need to be light, breathable and have some easily accessible pockets in the back to carry your food supply. Castelli Carve SS Jersey delivers some Italian style, while Bellwether Mens Vapor Jersey is a perfectly fine jersey. Wind vests like the Castelli Air Windstop Vest are the most popular over the jersey accessory. The Bellwether Screaming Meenie Jacket is great rain cape to keep in your trunk, just in case. Gloves, armwarmers, and legwarmers are useful accessories.

Sunglasses are another accessory that will dramatically increase your comfort on the bike. Glasses shield your eyes from any sun, rain or wind that might distract you from the road ahead. Rudy Project makes some of the most impressive and durable glasses we've seen, and provide custom made prescription inserts. Optic Nerve provides quality, fashionable glasses in many styles which often have easily interchangeable lenses.

Let WesternBikeworks help you start a lifetime of fun and fitness. Our staff includes many experienced cyclists and racers who are able to assist you with any equipment, clothing or style questions. Don't hesitate to contact us at WesternBikeworks or 1-800-651-4050.