What are the best vlues for tri bikes?

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2008-08-05 8:25 PM

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Subject: What are the best vlues for tri bikes?

Folks,

I have been considering buying a new bike and after reading the link Bear put in another thread I would like to know more about tri bikes, but did not want to hijack the other thread. I though I remember reading somewhere that the Cervelo Soloist was a great road and triathlon bike. What are good tri bikes by brand and model? How much do you need to spend on an ultegra equipped rig? Can you ride a tri bike in a road type position for a change of pace on a long ride?

chevy57 

 

2008-08-05 9:32 PM
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Subject: RE: What are the best vlues for tri bikes?
From my experience of riding my Cervelo Team Soloist for 3.5 years (over 13,000 miles) I find that it is a great bike that does work well as both a road bike and a Tri bike. You can still get one with Ultegra components forl around $2000.

The bike can be used as a road bike with the seat post clamp in the normal position of a 73 deg seat angle. I have ridden it on several long rides including century comfortably. By switching the seat post clamp to the foward position and using a TRI saddle along with adding clip-on aero bars it mophs into a good TRI/TT. The seat angle changes to a 76 deg and the compact geometry allows for a good weight distrution in the aero position.

It is like getting two bikes for the price of one. A full Tri bike may be slighly more aero, but I figure I still need a lot more work on the engine to take full advantage of this bike before I even consider a better TRI bike. It will work for me for years to come.
2008-08-05 9:38 PM
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Subject: RE: What are the best vlues for tri bikes?
I got a Fuji Aloha for 1100 out the door including pedals and a computer (wireless). I don't see a better deal than that anywhere.
2008-08-05 10:09 PM
in reply to: #1584094

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Subject: RE: What are the best vlues for tri bikes?
www.bikesdirect.com

Motobecane Nemisis.

2008-08-05 10:13 PM
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Subject: RE: What are the best vlues for tri bikes?
the QR kilo, and tequilo are both awesome bikes at the price point, cevelo dual if you can find one and the P2sl, the team soloist, the felt S22 or 32, blue t16, planet X pro carbon to name a few
2008-08-05 10:24 PM
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Subject: RE: What are the best vlues for tri bikes?
The bike that fits you best that you can afford...varies on  your body type and budget.

2008-08-05 10:42 PM
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Subject: RE: What are the best vlues for tri bikes?
2008-08-06 2:03 AM
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Subject: RE: What are the best vlues for tri bikes?

I'll probably sound like a dork, but are you asking value or cheap? There is no easy answer to this one.

There are some very cheap deals you can get like the motobecane. The wheels typically suck and usually the frames are mass produced and rebranded. They are not always a true "tri" bike in the way the geometry is laid out.

Cervelos are a good example of value in the sense of the amount of engineering that goes into them compared to the price tag. I think the Kuota K-Factor is a good value. Leader Bikes has really cheap frames and have good reviews, but I haven't ridden one.

If you do your research you'll find that the wheels and the groupset are usually what drives the price waay up. And do yourself a favor and don't buy anything you don't plan on keeping. Like buying a bike and then upgrading everything. You don't really save that way.

To answer your second question: Yes and no. If you have a dedicated tri bike with a steep seatube angle and aerobars, even if you sit up and ride the bullhorns you won't be positioned like a road bike. Some tri bikes have slacker seat tube angles so you can have a more classic road geometry, in that case you may opt for drop bars with clip-ons. But, then your bike may not be as comfy in the aero position.

If you had to own only one bike I would suggest a road bike for the sake of versatilty and comfort. If you want a compromise, you can get an ITU style bike. They have short little 'slam' bars for going aero in short bursts, but the fitting philosophy is different than for a typical tri bike.

2008-08-06 4:25 AM
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Subject: RE: What are the best vlues for tri bikes?
Javelin! Team Javelin discounts (which are extended to everyone) are awesome on last year models. Search this forum for Team Javelin or google it.
2008-08-06 7:24 AM
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Subject: RE: What are the best vlues for tri bikes?
A used bike.
2008-08-06 7:43 AM
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Subject: RE: What are the best vlues for tri bikes?
NavyTRIChief - 2008-08-06 5:25 AM

Javelin! Team Javelin discounts (which are extended to everyone) are awesome on last year models. Search this forum for Team Javelin or google it.


By the way...what's the best way to get pricing on those? Their website doesn't have a lot of information.

2008-08-06 8:13 AM
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Subject: RE: What are the best vlues for tri bikes?

MLJ - 2008-08-06 8:24 AM A used bike.

True dat ... that is how I got my P3 and Zipp wheels.  That said, Bike Sport Michigan has an interesting article on the subject: http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/2500wars.shtml

2008-08-06 8:18 AM
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Subject: RE: What are the best vlues for tri bikes?
jmickle11 - 2008-08-06 8:43 AM

NavyTRIChief - 2008-08-06 5:25 AM

Javelin! Team Javelin discounts (which are extended to everyone) are awesome on last year models. Search this forum for Team Javelin or google it.


By the way...what's the best way to get pricing on those? Their website doesn't have a lot of information.


Go to this link:

http://www.javelintriathlonteam.com/team_news.html

Find the price range you are looking for then google Javelin, bikes, *enter name of bike*

These are last year models so you will have to go to pages that have the write ups on them. You really can't beat the price.
2008-08-06 12:12 PM
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Subject: RE: What are the best vlues for tri bikes?

Go to this link: http://www.javelintriathlonteam.com/team_news.htmlFind the price range you are looking for then google Javelin, bikes, *enter name of bike* These are last year models so you will have to go to pages that have the write ups on them. You really can't beat the price.

 http://www.javbike.com/Specials.html is the closeout deal page

http://www.bmr-bicycles.com.au/bikes/javelin.pdf has a list of specs

...unfortunately they have next to nothing left.  I missed out on a bike by 30 minutes when I was looking (about 6 weeks ago).

 You can still find them around on ebay and craigslist etc for very good prices, although not quite as good as the sale.

2008-08-06 1:51 PM
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Subject: RE: What are the best vlues for tri bikes?
take a look at the valdora Ac-tri.
2008-08-06 2:59 PM
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Subject: RE: What are the best vlues for tri bikes?
This is what I would consider a value bike. I have this bike in the 2007 model and bought it for $2,000. The 2008 model is now on sale at most retailers for $2,000. You can't beat that price for a carbon fiber, DA/Ultegra mix tri bike.

http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=quintana-roo-seduz...



2008-08-06 9:29 PM
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Subject: RE: What are the best vlues for tri bikes?
Broompatrol - 2008-08-06 3:03 AM

I'll probably sound like a dork, but are you asking value or cheap? There is no easy answer to this one.

There are some very cheap deals you can get like the motobecane. The wheels typically suck and usually the frames are mass produced and rebranded. They are not always a true "tri" bike in the way the geometry is laid out.

p>



I feel I need to defend the Motobecane Nemisis that I have...and am very happy with. I readily admit I am not an expert on bikes but I do not agree that the Nemisis is "cheap". It is inexpensive for what you get but it is not junk. I would venture to say that most frames are mass produced (I don't know that for sure but would guess that most are). I do agree that it is probably a rebranded Fuji (I don't have a problem with that...Fuji's are fine bikes). I don't have a problem with the wheels (I'm 195-200 lbs) and have had the original wheels for 3 seasons. To be honest I don't know how good the wheels are but they work for me. While some Motobecanes are road bikes with aerobars the Nemisis is a "tri" bike. Maybe most important is the components. It has Ultegra and Dura-Ace components, Ritchey aerobars and carbon forks. I think you would have a hard time finding better value. In fact they have two versions now, both with very good component packages.

Of course, as said by others, it is only a good deal if it fits you.

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