A lot of what we do as amateur road cyclists consciously or unconsciously mimics the actions of pros. We wear matching kit, we ride in chaingangs (or pacelines), and some of us shave our legs. And that’s completely fine. But don’t be fooled into thinking you have the same needs as a pro, and be thankful that you don’t carry the same obligations.
1. You get to choose your kit
Girl look at that body
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Pros, particularly those who aren’t at the very, very top of the sport, don’t actually have a whole lot of choice about what equipment they get to use. Sure, we all know that Fabian Cancellera still gets to insist on a mechanical groupset, and that teams are prepared to bend the rules of their sponsorship contracts if a rider just can’t get on with the official saddle sponsor, but by and large riders have to work with what they’re given.
You’re used to Shimano pedals? Tough. Now you ride Looks. Your butt is Castelli shaped? Hard luck. Now you wear Pearl Izumi bibs. (Dear Look and Pearl Izumi, these are just examples, you guys are cool.) As amateurs, we have the luxury of choosing every single piece of kit we use, and we can experiment to our hearts’ content. If you need a seatpost with more setback, or you can’t get on with the curve of your drops, there’s nothing to stop you from jumping between brands.
2. You don’t have the same needs as a pro
Bike manufacturers understandably play up their role in professional sport. Racing can be brutal, and pro riders are the strongest cyclists in the world after all. If they can’t break something, then it’s hardly likely that Joe/Janet the regular club rider will, is it? Well…
3. Pros don’t have the same needs as you
4. Being a pro is really hard work
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