As with most human inventions, no matter what their original purpose, at some time, someone will try to race them. Often this doesn’t end well, but for inventions as brilliant as the bicycle, it’s the perfect fit and many decades of development driven by competition have brought us to today’s highly specialised, all-carbon fibre, electronic-shifting, 12-speed, hydraulic disc-braked race steeds.
Many of aspire (or used to) to the heights of owning some of the machinery that helps the pros soar. Real-world budgets often dash these aspirations, but due to the wiles of bike companies, bikes with elements of pro-spec magic are available to us cash-strapped riders for less outlay.
If you’ve already tried your hand at racing, whether a time trial, or bunched race, you’re hopefully hooked, and possibly looking…
