Too late to buy a new bike?

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2009-08-07 8:05 PM

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Master
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Lake Oswego, OR
Subject: Too late to buy a new bike?

I'm into my 2nd year and it's taken all season for me to decide I am going to buy a tri bike. Assuming I can't find a killer deal, is it too late in the season to by a bike. My next event is in 2 weeks and in the best of worlds I'd only have a week to get accustomed to the bike. More likely it won't be and I will be left with 2 September races. Should I wait until next year so I can begin my off season training building a base on my new bike. I now ride a road bike with clip ons. My position is not aggressive so it will be a BIG change. 

2009-08-07 8:15 PM
in reply to: #2335214

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Expert
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Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: RE: Too late to buy a new bike?
Too late to buy a new bike? He!! no. Happy trails.
2009-08-07 8:16 PM
in reply to: #2335214

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Regular
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Rochester
Subject: RE: Too late to buy a new bike?
i just did....go get one!
2009-08-07 8:47 PM
in reply to: #2335214

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Regular
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cabot, Arkansas
Subject: RE: Too late to buy a new bike?
Competitive Cyclist has a boat load of 08' Cervelos at amazing prices!!
2009-08-08 6:01 AM
in reply to: #2335214

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Findlay
Subject: RE: Too late to buy a new bike?
If you find a good deal and are planning on a new bike anyway go ahead and get it.  But you might want to just finish out the season on your current ride. Then, in the off season start training on you new bike.  Happy shopping!

Doug
2009-08-08 8:18 AM
in reply to: #2335268

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Master
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Canton, Michigan
Subject: RE: Too late to buy a new bike?

All Competitive Cyclist has is a 2007 in three sizes.  has it been awhile since you ordered or so there 2008's?



Edited by rottieguy 2009-08-08 8:20 AM

2009-08-08 8:39 AM
in reply to: #2335214

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Subject: RE: Too late to buy a new bike?
I just bought a bike and I found that a lot of shops are closing out 2008 and even some 2009 models to make room for the new 2010 bikes that are starting to come in. So this would be a good time to grab a bike and maybe get a good deal on top of it.  Or be the first in town to ride a new model
2009-08-08 9:36 AM
in reply to: #2335214

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Master
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Breckenridge, CO
Subject: RE: Too late to buy a new bike?
E=H2O - 2009-08-07 7:05 PM
Should I wait until next year so I can begin my off season training building a base on my new bike. I now ride a road bike with clip ons. My position is not aggressive so it will be a BIG change. 



I've ridden road geometry and clip-ons for many years and I can tell you how my experience went adjusting to a steep angled TT bike and more aggressive position.

The first time I raced the TT bike, I 'd only ridden it a couple times to get a quick fit and it did not feel good. My split was OK but I got fatigued in strange places and the bike just felt bad in every way.

The second race I'd trained on it for about a week and tweaked the position better. The bike felt much better and my split would have been fast had I not crashed the thing coming into T2. My crash was due to not being used to how the brakes interact with my race wheels and the way the brake levers are positioned on the bars which makes them easy to accidently engage (compared to road brakes). It was a painful lesson.

I have a race tomorrow and I've been riding the bike now in training for 18 days. I've got the fit perfect and the bike feels really great. On my last serious training ride I felt the strongest I've been on a bike in years. So I'm optimistic.
2009-08-09 6:38 PM
in reply to: #2335214

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Master
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Lake Oswego, OR
Subject: RE: Too late to buy a new bike?

I did the deed. I bought a bike today. My LBS gave me a great deal on a P2 and race wheels. I couldn't pass it up. I just ask that he contact me when he put 2009s on closeout. I haggled a few other things in the package (but forgot the water bottle and cage dam* it).

2009-08-10 12:12 AM
in reply to: #2335214

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Pro
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, New Hampshire
Subject: RE: Too late to buy a new bike?
I would say that it's not enough time to get used to the bike in a week, but given the benefits of a proper tri bike compared to a road bike, you may end up keeping the same speed anyway... that being said, I can't imagine a better time to get a tri bike! It allows you the entire winter to train on it (on the trainer of course) and really getting the position tuned in.

You can always get the bike and use the last two races of the year to fine tune your position... I've found that most people tend to sit slightly different when really pushed compared to how they sit when fitted.
2009-08-10 1:51 AM
in reply to: #2337795

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Master
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Lake Oswego, OR
Subject: RE: Too late to buy a new bike?

Thanks for the help. I know I am short on time, but I think it is doable. If I don't think riding my new bike at my race in 2 weeks, I'll use my road bike with clip-ons. I pick up the bike tomorrow. They will do the basic fit at the time. I'll have 3 days to get out and get a feel for it on a variety of terrain.

I presently have a pro fit scheduled for Thursday. Unless I am super comfortable, I'll pay the extra $. I got a pro fit on my road bike last year and it was worth it. I had ridden the bike for a decade and fiddled with the fit over the years, but the fitter made some significant changes. It is a Lightspeed so I'll have it for years to come.

The other thing I have going for me is that while I am traveling for my race, it is at a place I used to live and rode the roads on the course literally hundreds of times. A TT bike will be a big advantage on this course.

In the end I compromised a bit on a number of items but it was just too good a deal. This is what I got for $3500.00 after some haggling:

2009 P2 (Ultegra)

Swapped out crank and BB for Ultegra (didn't like the flex of the chain rings on the stock P2)

Bontrager Aeolus 5.0 ACC race wheels that were hanging in the shop and on sale  (in addition to the stock wheels)

11-25 cluster for the race wheels

A pair of Continental 4000, tape and tubes for the race wheels

Ultegra pedals

If I choose to go with a pro fit it is an extra $200, which seems to be standard here. Any part changes will be at no cost unless they are an upgrade.

 



Edited by E=H2O 2009-08-10 2:15 AM

2009-08-10 1:55 AM
in reply to: #2337824

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Pro
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, New Hampshire
Subject: RE: Too late to buy a new bike?
You're getting a very good bike for the money; you're definately a very intelligent person as you're getting the bike fit. You'll be fine in the race with this set up.
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