In some cases, it's pretty cheap and easy to convert an old, cheapy mountain-style bike into a road worthy ride, and it will provide some of our members without bikes a means to race cheaply. Many of the 'bargain' mountain bikes have no suspension systems (shocks) and paddle-style (not twist grip) shifters. To turn these bikes into a road machine, it could cost as little as $65.00! We simply replace the knobby tires with smooth tires, and put a road or bull-horn bar in place of the flat bar. If anyone has one of these bikes and wants to donate it to the team, let me know! Many of these bikes are small, and would make a great womens' bike.
For a few dollars more, you can add race tires; a set will save you at least a pound of rotating weight over 26" street tires. You can also find some bargain aerobars, and have a bike that loves staying in top gear!
Bikes with twist-grip shifters are more complicated, because the shifters won't slide on a road bar, but they may fit onto a bull bar... if not, we would have to replace the twisters with levers. The flat bar could be left in place, though, the grips removed, and the shifters moved outward to allow for aerobars.
When it comes to bikes with suspensions, it's not worth it to start replacing parts- if you have one already, though, and plan on using it, it would help to replace the tires with slicks. Other than that, simply tighten the suspension (if adjustable) as stiff as it will go- not only are suspension systems heavy, they absorb your power and slow you down. There are also ways to 'lock' your front suspension, and you can replace a rear shock with steel or aluminum to stop the power loss.