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My first sprint tri - Hybrid bike
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 2016-08-01 11:43 AM |
 11 |  Subject: My first sprint tri - Hybrid bikeI ended up with a used Jamis Allegro Comp (2013) that was mint. I know people have done sprints, etc on these things, but I'm HATING the upright positioning on it. I just feel like I want to lean forward more. I'm trying to stick with this bike to get me to an Olympic distance and save for a really nice road bike. I'm LOVING this triathlon thing and hope to do a HIM in a few years. Should I try dropping the handle bars? I'm perplexed. |
| 2016-08-01 12:01 PM in reply to: booniebonnie |
Expert 4948     Middle River, Maryland Silver member | Subject: RE: My first sprint tri - Hybrid bike First, welcome and congratulations on finishing!. I did the same as you, finished my first on a hybrid and then moved to a road bike. I added aerobars to my hybrid, which then I was able to transfer over to the roadie. Maybe that will be worth a shot for you. Good luck! |
| 2016-08-01 1:44 PM in reply to: booniebonnie |
Champion 7556 Albuquerque, New Mexico | Subject: RE: My first sprint tri - Hybrid bike Congrats! If by "dropping the handle bars" you mean switching to normal road-style handlebars...probably not. The frame and such aren't a problem, and a handlebar isn't too expensive, but integrated brake lever shifters will set you back several hundred dollars (more if you have to pay the bike shop to install them). You could add clip-on aero bars. |
| 2016-08-01 1:53 PM in reply to: booniebonnie |
| 467 , Wisconsin | Subject: RE: My first sprint tri - Hybrid bike Have you lowered the handlebars as low as possible (called "slamming"). Quite often bikes come with spacers under the stem that can be relocated above he stem, dropping the bars an inch or more. It's pretty easy to do, U-Tube videos will show you how. I'd start there first, then maybe try some clip on aero bars. I would not try to swap in road bars as others have said that will get costly pretty fast and will probably also hurt resale value of the Jamis. |
| 2016-08-01 3:31 PM in reply to: #5193496 |
| 83 | Subject: RE: My first sprint tri - Hybrid bike I put some aero bars on my hybrid and while not a road bike it is much more comfortable. As much as I want a road bike I am going to wait until I know I will stick with triathlon. First race averaged 17.4 mph on my hybrid over 13 miles. |
| 2016-08-01 3:37 PM in reply to: Ericallenboyd |
| 11 | Subject: RE: My first sprint tri - Hybrid bike Actually, race day is 8/14/16 but I'm confident I'm going to finish this. Yes, I meant I'm lowering my handle bars and not adding drop bars. Trying to sink as little money into this thing as possible. I considered adding aero-bars, but would have to take into consideration of not having easy access to my gears/brakes. I probably would be super comfy riding with them. I'm only averaging 13.5 mph 12-18 miles. I'm sure that has A LOT to do with fitness and not so much the bike itself. I'm still learning to use my gears. I also just put a cadence monitor on. I've only been at this for 3.5 weeks. I have a running background but I'm on team turtle.  I literally signed up for this thing and I didn't have a bike yet.  I'm going to get the bars as low as my back will handle! Thanks everyone! |
| 2016-08-01 4:17 PM in reply to: booniebonnie |
Master 2855 Kailua, Hawaii | Subject: RE: My first sprint tri - Hybrid bike yes be careful with trying to convert a bike into a "tri" bike. I did so on my first sprint and wound up spending way too much money. keep the dough for a suitable bike when you are ready. have fun on your first race ! |
| 2016-08-02 2:01 PM in reply to: metafizx |
| 701 | Subject: RE: My first sprint tri - Hybrid bike Originally posted by metafizx yes be careful with trying to convert a bike into a "tri" bike. I did so on my first sprint and wound up spending way too much money. keep the dough for a suitable bike when you are ready. have fun on your first race ! Absolutely. Enjoy the cushy hybrid, save the money. The next toughy is what's next? If you have the money, spend away. If not, the next choice is a difficult one. Road bike or tri bike? Depends on how much you're "into it" and how you 'ride' vs. train. Having come from a hybrid...and realized that 99.999% of my riding was for 'training' and I always had my hybrid to tool around on... Just throwing this out there.... Cheap road bike And I mean cheap. I wouldn't even be scared of the word "vintage" if it popped up in a Craigslist ad. And then start saving for what you REALLY want. If I could rewind life....I coulda saved myself a bundle. |
| 2016-08-04 8:48 AM in reply to: jhaack39 |
Champion 7556 Albuquerque, New Mexico | Subject: RE: My first sprint tri - Hybrid bike Originally posted by jhaack39 Originally posted by metafizx yes be careful with trying to convert a bike into a "tri" bike. I did so on my first sprint and wound up spending way too much money. keep the dough for a suitable bike when you are ready. have fun on your first race ! Absolutely. Enjoy the cushy hybrid, save the money. The next toughy is what's next? If you have the money, spend away. If not, the next choice is a difficult one. Road bike or tri bike? Depends on how much you're "into it" and how you 'ride' vs. train. Having come from a hybrid...and realized that 99.999% of my riding was for 'training' and I always had my hybrid to tool around on... Just throwing this out there.... Cheap road bike And I mean cheap. I wouldn't even be scared of the word "vintage" if it popped up in a Craigslist ad. And then start saving for what you REALLY want. If I could rewind life....I coulda saved myself a bundle. Like cars, there may be "cheap to acquire" bikes, but unless you've got decent mechanical aptitude, that "cheap" bike will cost a small fortune. Expect to replace tires and tubes ($50-75). To this, you can also add pedals, shoes, helmet, pump or inflator, repair kit, saddle bag, and bottle cages. Paying a bike mechanic to clean and re-grease bearings (bottom bracket, head, front and rear axle), and true wheels, can further eat into the wallet. This assumes nothing is seized or breaks and has to be replaced.
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| 2016-08-04 4:28 PM in reply to: booniebonnie |
Pro 6582 Melbourne FL Gold member | Subject: RE: My first sprint tri - Hybrid bike Originally posted by booniebonnie I ended up with a used Jamis Allegro Comp (2013) that was mint. I know people have done sprints, etc on these things, but I'm HATING the upright positioning on it. I just feel like I want to lean forward more. I'm trying to stick with this bike to get me to an Olympic distance and save for a really nice road bike. I'm LOVING this triathlon thing and hope to do a HIM in a few years. Should I try dropping the handle bars? I'm perplexed. Is this your bike (forgetting color)? Depending on the size, the stem specs state it has either "10JAMIS_DEGREE x 90mm (15/17"), 105mm (19/21"), 115mm (23"). ATS shim length 100mm". If the stem & handlebar is mounted all the way up with a lot of space between the top tube, those spacers should be able to be removed to lower the bar height. You can also extend the stem length out a bit with a different stem, depending on what size bike you have. If you have a good bike shop near by they should be able to help you with the lowering part if you don't have the means to DIY.
I did my first 2 Sprints and Oly on my old 37lb MTB I added aero bars after the Oly for commuting to work when I knew I was going to be getting a used road bike next and transferred them over when I got it. |
| 2016-08-04 7:21 PM in reply to: Donto |
| 11 | Subject: RE: My first sprint tri - Hybrid bike Originally posted by Donto Originally posted by booniebonnie I ended up with a used Jamis Allegro Comp (2013) that was mint. I know people have done sprints, etc on these things, but I'm HATING the upright positioning on it. I just feel like I want to lean forward more. I'm trying to stick with this bike to get me to an Olympic distance and save for a really nice road bike. I'm LOVING this triathlon thing and hope to do a HIM in a few years. Should I try dropping the handle bars? I'm perplexed. Is this your bike (forgetting color)? Depending on the size, the stem specs state it has either "10JAMIS_DEGREE x 90mm (15/17"), 105mm (19/21"), 115mm (23"). ATS shim length 100mm". If the stem & handlebar is mounted all the way up with a lot of space between the top tube, those spacers should be able to be removed to lower the bar height. You can also extend the stem length out a bit with a different stem, depending on what size bike you have. If you have a good bike shop near by they should be able to help you with the lowering part if you don't have the means to DIY.
I did my first 2 Sprints and Oly on my old 37lb MTB I added aero bars after the Oly for commuting to work when I knew I was going to be getting a used road bike next and transferred them over when I got it. Yep, that's my bike. It's white/blue one. The stem is sticking up when the guy at the bike shop lowered it. I don't feel like it was right, but he said he'd never worked on one before. Seemed to be fumbling around a bit. I probably need to go to a different LBS. I'll do that tomorrow before I set out to ride this weekend. |
| 2016-08-06 12:53 PM in reply to: Ericallenboyd |
| 11 | Subject: RE: My first sprint tri - Hybrid bike I'm happy to report that I got a Jamis dealer to take a look at the bike and refit me. I didn't know there was one in town until I found them on Google. Go figure! Handlebars are much lower and the seat is higher. The stem doesn't have rings. It's fixed and yes it sticks up. Quite frankly I'm happy that it rode better today so I couldn't give a care if it looks weird. Looking forward to some longer rides! |
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