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First bike upgrade questions
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 2007-07-11 1:17 PM |
 8 |  Subject: First bike upgrade questionsA little back story first: I was hooked into triathlons this past spring, when my dad and I attended the eagleman to cheer on a friend of mine and his dad. My dad had already decided to start doing them, and after the race I was hooked. I had swam for two years in high school and been swimming in open water for years (wakeboarding, tubing, waterskiing, exc), never really cycled before, and never competetively ran. I started training, borrowing my dad's bike (a cannondale R500) and watched him complete his first tri. After being committed for a month, I went out and bought a 2006 Specialized Allez for $550 from a LBS. I added cages, a computer, and a repair kit and I was good to go. 150+ Miles later, I still love it, its a great bike. I continued running and swimming, and completed my first two tris on it. They were two sprint distances, the first I did in 1:19:14, with a kick to the face at the start of the swim being my welcome to tris. The second I did in 1:15:06, drastically improving in the swim and run and T1. I'm planning on upgrading my bike with either clipless pedals and cycling shoes (im riding in my running shoes now) or a shorter stem and aerobars. Any other suggestions would be great, Thanks |
| 2007-07-11 1:38 PM in reply to: #881379 |
Master 2491   | Subject: RE: First bike upgrade questions My next purchase will be a bento box, which is a little compartment that holds food, gels, etc., that velros onto the top tube just behind the handlebar stem. On longer rides, I want to be able to eat raspberry newtons and other more solid foods more conveniently. My LBS has three brands that range from $10 - $20. Edit: There are only cycling stores near me that carry only cycling shoes. Prior to a recent trip to Seattle, I Googled triathlon stores there and located a triathlon-specific store, Speedy Reedy, at which I was able to try on several wetsuits that fit (a surprise for any type of clothing on my 6'6", 195 lb. frame), and purchase cycling shoes that are made specifically for triathletes. There is one large velcro strap and a loop on the heel to facilitate getting into them while they're already clipped in. It was worth the extra effort to find a great store that specialized in this manner, to try the stuff on, as I never would have purchased these items over the Internet. Edited by monkeyboy64 2007-07-11 1:48 PM |
| 2007-07-11 1:46 PM in reply to: #881379 |
Master 1888   Winder, GA | Subject: RE: First bike upgrade questions Welcome to BT and the fun, addicting and expensive sport of triathlon! I know when I started the most improvement for cycling came from clipless pedals and shoes. They really help your pedal stroke in that you can get force from pushing down and up. Most people on here would probably recommend these upgrades in this order: 1. clipless pedals and shoes 2. aerobars 3. race wheels Good luck! |
| 2007-07-11 1:47 PM in reply to: #881379 |
Master 2202 St. Louis | Subject: RE: First bike upgrade questions Get the clipless pedals and aerobars... it will DRASTICALLY improve your cycling. Just be prepared to fall 2-3 times your first day using them. The aerobars would be a good upgrade after the pedals and shoes. |
| 2007-07-11 1:55 PM in reply to: #881379 |
Extreme Veteran 536 Russiaville, IN | Subject: RE: First bike upgrade questions I would get some aero bars and get use to getting down in them, I was able to go 1-2 mph faster as soon as I got them. Ron |
| 2007-07-11 1:57 PM in reply to: #881379 |
Champion 6786 Two seat rocket plane | Subject: RE: First bike upgrade questions Upgrade the engine The rest is just parts Clipless pedals and aero bars are "bolt-on speed" you can get a bit faster by writing a check, and not a very big check either. To get significantly faster....ride lots
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| 2007-07-11 2:22 PM in reply to: #881379 |
| Expert 638 | Subject: RE: First bike upgrade questions You'll get differing views on this, but before you upgrade the bike parts, make sure the frame geometry and major components are what you want for the long haul. I'll probably end up racing 4 different bikes in 2 1/2 years because I've been way to incremental with my improvements. My approach - as soon as I can break 20mph in a Sprint, I'm going to reward myself with a dedicated Tri bike. That way, I'll know my engine has improved as well as my equipment. |
| 2007-07-11 4:57 PM in reply to: #881514 |
| Master 1277 | Subject: RE: First bike upgrade questions ride_like_u_stole_it - 2007-07-11 1:57 PM Upgrade the engine The rest is just parts Clipless pedals and aero bars are "bolt-on speed" you can get a bit faster by writing a check, and not a very big check either. To get significantly faster....ride lots
Mixed feelings. While I agree 100% I can't imagine riding without my clipless pedals. They have made the single biggest difference, and have made the 'ride lots' much more enjoyable. ~fatBoy http://trifatboy.com |
| 2007-07-11 5:39 PM in reply to: #881986 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: First bike upgrade questions This was my order of things. Choose to agree or disagree: 1. Clipless pedels. This really wasn't an upgrade as I specifically bought them with the bike. I started using clipless 12 years ago when I started MTN biking. No other way to ride if you ask me. Also, the best upgrade base on cost/benefit IMO. Takes a little getting used to. 2. Aero bars. Takes a little longer to get used to. 3. Mass upgrade of: Cowhorn base bar, carbon break levers, and bar end shifters. I got tired of getting out of aero position every time I wanted to shift. 4. An couple little extra items of a lighter/stronger seat post and behind the seat water bottle holder. (not needed, but nice for me) 5. Aero wheel set. (just bought this) 6. (in the future) upgrade to some better components (Ultegra to Dura-Ace) ONLY if I don't just buy a new bike instead - which is more likely..... HOWEVER working on the engine and getting miles in is the best way to get more speed and all upgrades can wait (except for new pedels because I think they are almost indispensible). |
| 2007-07-11 7:29 PM in reply to: #881379 |
| Pro 4054 yep, | Subject: RE: First bike upgrade questions Welcome to BT, where in Cambridge are you from (assuming this since you went to Eagleman). I'd say first clipless pedals, and then clip-on aero bars. How old are you now? Figure get a good base on the bike currently and use that as much as you can as you increase in distances
good luck |
| 2007-07-11 8:16 PM in reply to: #881379 |
| 8 | Subject: RE: First bike upgrade questions I'm 19 years old (20 for USAT races, damn December bday). My dad and I actually went to Eagleman on a trip south from New Jersey (where I'm from) to South Carolina (where I'm working for the summer). I actually averaged 21.2 mph on my last sprint race, so i felt rewarding myself with some gadgets would be cool. I did a 13 mile ride and T1 in just over 40 minutes. Edited by AndrewRice87 2007-07-11 8:20 PM |
| 2007-07-11 8:53 PM in reply to: #881379 |
Champion 5575 Butler | Subject: RE: First bike upgrade questions I personally got aero bars before pedals and I would suggest the same especially for sprints. I think I got more speed from riding aero than from the clipless pedals. |
| 2007-07-11 9:01 PM in reply to: #881379 |
Champion 7036 Sarasota, FL | Subject: RE: First bike upgrade questions I did the following, in order, to "upgrade" my road bike:
Obviously the carbon fiber bottle cages were the most significant item. Or maybe the Bento box to hold my Fig Newtons... I always like the way any upgrade adds "1-2 mph" immediately. I'm still waiting to find that magic part that adds 5 mph. Maybe some titanium skewers for the HED wheels? Or maybe I could ride more... Mark
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| 2007-07-11 11:01 PM in reply to: #881379 |
| 8 | Subject: RE: First bike upgrade questions Well, i'm getting a set of profile design stryke carbon aero bars from a friend of mine who is upgrading. I'm going to my LBS Friday to get my bike checked out for its 30 day check-up and im going to quiz them about pedals then, any suggestions or tips about buying shoes/pedals? |
| 2007-07-12 7:40 AM in reply to: #881379 |
| Master 1277 | Subject: RE: First bike upgrade questions Make sure the shoes fit, and are comfortable, this is a big one. The different style cleats will also have a lot to do with this. Good shoes will go along way to reducing foot fatigue. I prefer mountain style shoes, as the cleat can be recessed into the shoes and I can walk semi normally. If you are going to use them primarily for Tri's you may want to look into getting some shoes that are tri specific. ~fatBoy http://trifatboy.com |
| 2007-07-12 7:47 AM in reply to: #881986 |
Champion 6786 Two seat rocket plane | Subject: RE: First bike upgrade questions Tri-FatBoy - 2007-07-11 4:57 PM ride_like_u_stole_it - 2007-07-11 1:57 PM Mixed feelings. While I agree 100% I can't imagine riding without my clipless pedals. They have made the single biggest difference, and have made the 'ride lots' much more enjoyable. ~fatBoy http://trifatboy.com[/QUOTE]Upgrade the engine The rest is just parts Clipless pedals and aero bars are "bolt-on speed" you can get a bit faster by writing a check, and not a very big check either. To get significantly faster....ride lots
Perhaps I am being too cryptic. Clipless pedals followed maybe by aero bars will be positive additions to just about anyone's bike. Get them. I don't regard them as necessarily upgrades, just a natural evolution in ones commitment to cycling. (adherents to Grant Peterson's philosophy excepted)
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