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Member
Posts: 23
Location: Monadnock
Offline
| I presently do not own a bike (unless you count what is left of my 15 year old Mongoose Hilltopper after I accidentally ran over it with the van about 6 years ago)
So, I have a $1000 budget, but here is my problem. What type of bike do I get? I am starting to train for my first Sprint, but aside from that, most of my riding will be trail riding etc. I'm thinking if I really like the Sprint I will continue and try a couple more, but the bulk of my riding will probably always be off road. To be honest the road scares the ever-livin'-you-know-what out of me, but I'm going to have to get over that. My cousin died in an accident, and my better half is concerned but agreeable to my road riding, especially in the name of fitness.
Is there any MTN bike out there that will at least not put me completely behind the 8-Ball in the Tri's? I don't mind working a little harder, but I would like to be somewhat competitive. I've read about adding slicks and clips and snap on bars,etc. but is there a bike out there that might be a little lighter or have a better gear set-up? Or do I get a couple used bikes... a road bike and MTN bike? Am I trying to have my cake and eat it too?
Thanks all!
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Master
Posts: 1284
  
Location: Twin cities
Offline
| What about a cyclocross bike? |
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Member
Posts: 23
Location: Monadnock
Offline
| mmrocker13 - 2009-11-06 11:11 AM What about a cyclocross bike?
Thanks! I'll look into it. Never even heard of a cyclocross, but as is evident by the fact that I haven't really ridden in 10 years and I was riding a Hilltopper when I was...well, you can see I'm a little out of it... |
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Regular
Posts: 60
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Offline
| I rode my first few tris on a mountain bike with big knobby tires. I wasn't fast, but I finished (and not dead last either.) Sure this bike made me work harder than most everyone else out there, but if I wasn't interested in working hard I wouldn't have signed up for a triathlon in the first place. LOL
Not saying that a mountain bike should be what you buy. Just saying that you should purchase whatever bike fits your primary riding style. If you ride 90% of the time on unpaved trails, then get a bike that will best handle these trails.
Any bike can be used in a triathlon. Some work better than others, but they'll all get you across the finish line assuming you have the necessary fitness.
A cyclocross bike might fit your needs, although a decent one might be more than your budget allows. A hybrid may very well be your best choice to stay within your budget.
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Member
Posts: 23
Location: Monadnock
Offline
| Thanks, TM! Points well taken. Most of my riding will probably be on dirt roads, poorly paved back roads, trails (nothing too extreme) etc. The Cyclocross does look interesting as my goal, if I'm enjoying things, would be to get to the OLY level, and it seems like the CX would be fine for that, too. From some brief initial searches I see some entry level bikes from Redline and Kona nearish my budget and some Motobecane models from BikesDirect within the $1K. (Have read a number of threads about BD, both here and elsewhere, so I know the pros/cons there.)
Looking at the Cyclocross events themselves, however....very intriguing. Never knew of these, but then again, they don't let me out that often... |
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Member
Posts: 61
Location: Holtsville, Long Island
Offline
| You can prob get a kick hardtail for arounf $1,000 and run slicks when you want to race tris. I still have my first Klein Rascal hardtail and put slicks on it and ride it in the streets. |
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Veteran
Posts: 132
Offline
| If your not riding steep up and down, pot hole, twisting trails; no real need to get a mountain bike... especially if tri is your goal. if you already had a mountain bike there fine to do your first couple sprints on but based on what your saying that doesn't seem like the right bike for you.
Cyclocross bikes are great. Feel and fit of a road bike but enough room on the frame to accomadate thicker tires for your commuter trail riding. Best part your still on a 700c rim so you can get road rims and tires for training and races.
Do some window shopping at bikesdirect.com click road but scroll down to cyclocross bikes. |
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Veteran
Posts: 176
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 Silver member | You can get a killer steel framed cyclocross bike for 1k! |
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Regular
Posts: 87
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Silver member | Hybrids are not good for off road use, nor are they good for on road racing. If you want to be competitive in the triathlons get a road/tri bike. If you are looking to do a lot of technical off road riding, get a mountain bike. If you want both, get 2 bikes. |
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Member
Posts: 23
Location: Monadnock
Offline
| Thanks everyone for the great input. I think I have a pretty good idea of what I need now. I'm leaning towards the cyclocross. I realize it has shortcomings as a true road bike and shortcomings as a true MtnB, but my off road needs are not really extreme or technical. With the weight and design, it looks like the cyclo will make road riding a little more enjoyable. If I ever get to the point where I am that competitive in the Tri's I'll get a road bike, but the CX can always be my every day ride. |
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Elite
Posts: 2866
 
Location: Noank, CT
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| Redline is a solid choice for a CX bike. Kona Jake is another good choice in your budget range. You should also get a set of true road tires and swap the stock CX ones out when racing. |
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Regular
Posts: 91
Offline
| If you wanna do tris but prefer offroad, how about just get a mountain bike and do xterra's |
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