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2009-08-01 2:34 AM

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Subject: New Tri Bike
Hey Guys and Gals,

I am a collegiate runner and i recently transitioned to triathlons to keep in shape for the running season, since doing so i have seen my times drop dramatically. I am looking to get rid of my Trek 1000 because i am sick and tired of people who i fly by on the run fly by me on the bike becasue they are pedaling a carbon fiber frame or some snazzy zipps. Looking for a recomendation on what kinda bike i should look into...i wanna keep it fairly cost effective since i am still a college student

I am 6'1" about 180lbs...so i ride about a 58...or if you have any other recomendations i would love to hear it

-thanks


2009-08-01 6:01 AM
in reply to: #2321023

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Subject: RE: New Tri Bike
DOryall - 2009-08-01 3:34 AM

Hey Guys and Gals,

I am a collegiate runner and i recently transitioned to triathlons to keep in shape for the running season, since doing so i have seen my times drop dramatically. I am looking to get rid of my Trek 1000 because i am sick and tired of people who i fly by on the run fly by me on the bike becasue they are pedaling a carbon fiber frame or some snazzy zipps. Looking for a recomendation on what kinda bike i should look into...i wanna keep it fairly cost effective since i am still a college student

I am 6'1" about 180lbs...so i ride about a 58...or if you have any other recomendations i would love to hear it

-thanks


Well.... if it's increased speed on the bike you're looking for, the best way to get that is to invest in the engine (spend more time on your bike!) How much are you riding now? There's nothing in your logs, so I have no idea. Those fancy carbon frames and snazzy zipps sure look sexy and fast, but I would wager that you are also getting passed by folks on plain old road bikes with stock wheels. Of course you're free to spend your money however you see fit, and if you want a new tri bike, by all means go out and get one - but don't expect that it will magically buy you a HUGE jump in your bike speed... a little maybe, but not nearly as much as you could gain by spending more time in the saddle.
2009-08-01 7:01 AM
in reply to: #2321023

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Subject: RE: New Tri Bike

I think the same thing goes for wetsuits. You can spend a lot of money for a 30 second difference, but nothing replaces time in the pool or in the saddle.

I think spending a little time on technique is where you get the most bang for your time/money.

The way I avoid getting ahead of myself in buying expensive stuff, is I set a goal in terms of time and will only buy a new toy if I hit that time. So only when I will be able to maintain 34km/h with my current el-cheapo road bike will I consider upgrading.

I have a Cervelo P2 in mind if I ever hit my goal. My homework indicates it is a good investment when the time comes.

Dreaming is permitted :-)


PS : My first (and only tri) was hilarious. There was a big hill with maybe a 6% grade. There was a la-di-da tri bike that you would hear coming from behind and zip by you. But the guy couldn't climb the hill and would have to get off and walk. I saw this twice. It didn't seem like the best $5000 investment.



Edited by marcag 2009-08-01 7:10 AM
2009-08-01 9:33 AM
in reply to: #2321023

90 miles south of Titletown, USA
Subject: RE: New Tri Bike
I used a 2003 Trek 1000 with clip-ons for 5 years before finally upgrading to an entry level tri bike, this year. I raced it at every distance and my bike splits were mostly BOFOP and FOMOP. It was a blast going by folks that had tricked out rides on a bike that I spent $500 on. Sure, i got passed by some of those tricked out rides too, but I did more passing than getting passed and if people went by me it was generally due to them being a stronger rider. Your steed is fine. It's almost all about the engine!

I upgraded to a 2007 Cervelo Dual this year and have seen VERY minimal gains. The biggest difference i've seen is in comfort...no question i'm more comfortable when aero. But the speed gains, at most, are probably about .4 mph (not 4 mph, .4 mph).

If money isn't an issue and you want the bling then go for it, but you can be fast on the bike that you're on.
2009-08-01 9:36 AM
in reply to: #2321023

90 miles south of Titletown, USA
Subject: RE: New Tri Bike
I should also state that the small gains i've seen could be due to a better fit and MUCH .
2009-08-01 9:37 AM
in reply to: #2321023

90 miles south of Titletown, USA
Subject: RE: New Tri Bike
...and MUCH time in the saddle. oops...my bad.


2009-08-01 10:04 AM
in reply to: #2321023

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Subject: RE: New Tri Bike
I am 6'-1.5" and 180-ish. Generally, 6-1 and size 58 on a roadie will fit a 56 on a tri bike ... but that is just a generalization. Carbon is a no-brainer, in my opinion. For my first two seasons of tri racing I am riding a roadie (Spesh Tarmac size XL 582mm top tube 90mm stem) but I just picked up a size L Kuota K-Factor with 560mm top tube from Backcountry Outlet.... have not built it up yet but it looks sweet in pieces and is a good deal. I have a post on this in my archive. After this season's Olympics and Sprint's on the road bike I am going learn to ride aero for next season's half-IM.... on my buddy's bike I pick up at least a MPH and more like 1.5 from getting aero.... what is that? 10 minutes on a three hour bike?
2009-08-01 10:07 AM
in reply to: #2321023

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Subject: RE: New Tri Bike
x2, start with a good bike fit

However, I also got to the point now where I will invest into a carbon tri bike. Will hopefully finally get it in a week (P2 Ultegra), so I dont know how large the gain will be, I assume it will largely come from the drive train, not so much from the aerodynamics of the frame.
Make sure to know your budget and then go to a good store and get your body measured. Again, it is more about fit than anything else
2009-08-01 2:17 PM
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Subject: RE: New Tri Bike

I'm taking the step up to buy my first tri bike. What finally convinced me was my most recent race. I finished high overall but my bike placing was my worst. This in spite of the fact that I minimally train the run the least because of a questionable knee. I've ridden a road bike for 40 years, but never raced. I've started more structured bike workouts and that has helped. But when I finished 1st in my AG in the swim, T1, T2 and the run but 3rd in the bike I decided it was time to make the change. (I did get a pro bike fit last year)



Edited by E=H2O 2009-08-01 2:45 PM
2009-08-01 2:29 PM
in reply to: #2321023

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Subject: RE: New Tri Bike

Here's the BAD news:

A new bike alone will NOT make you significantly faster. In fact, it likely will not make you faster at all, unless you're upgrading from a mtn bike or hybrid bike. Performance on the bike is estimate at over 95% the rider, if not 98-99%.

Here's the GOOD news:

You can smoke the field on your current bike. I'm not discouraging the upgrade (new bikes rock!) but if you're doing it mainly for a speed benefit, there are many other better ways, such as clip-on aerobars, aero helment, and of course, the one that trumps all, training more. But if you feel like a new bike would inspire you to new heights of training and racing, by all means, it's worth it! 

2009-08-01 2:42 PM
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Subject: RE: New Tri Bike
agree with pretty much what everyone else said...the bike is my best event and I pass ton's of people on the bike with my non-carbon road bike with aerobars...even those with nice carbon tri bikes. If you want to get faster on the bikes I suggest focusing on training more on the bike. Sure a carbon bike with nice wheels will give a little bit of an advantage, but you'll be disappointing if you expect to magically pass everyone on the bike after you buy it.


2009-08-01 2:48 PM
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Subject: RE: New Tri Bike

I've always said that a bike that is more fun to ride always gets me to ride more. And as everyone knows since they were a kid: a cool bike is always more fun to ride.

2009-08-01 4:11 PM
in reply to: #2321023

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Subject: RE: New Tri Bike
My biggest problem with biking is that there is a huge loose nut on top of my bike.  Nobody can figure out how to fix it.
2009-08-01 4:34 PM
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Subject: RE: New Tri Bike
new tri bike would be cool, personally i'm looking more for the benefit of the positioning on the bike for the run vs. a standard road bike.. Love the road bike and will probably throw some aero bars on it this year, however when I get to the Half IM / IM distance (or maybe more comfortable on the OLYs) I want to make sure i'm firing on all cylinders for the run as well.. gained MPH on the bike will just be a bonus.

Best of luck
2009-08-01 4:41 PM
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Subject: RE: New Tri Bike
Now that I have a power meter I can say that a well-fitted tri bike DOES make a substantial difference.

My last race was a fairly windy course, and for some reason I was a bit dehydrated/tired and never really got my power output up to where it usually is. Knowing my old power data from road racing, my 236W average power for the ride was fairly low for me, yet in all the wind and misery I managed to finish my bike split with the 15th fastest time of the day.

I can assure you that there was someone on a regular road bike working just as hard from a power output standpoint who finished quite a few minutes behind my time. Aerodynamics do matter--still not as much as the engine, but getting onto a good tri bike WILL make you faster if you do it right.
2009-08-01 7:38 PM
in reply to: #2321023

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Subject: RE: New Tri Bike
When I started last year, it was with a $500 Schwinn road bike.  This year, as I learn more, I've added clipless pedals, a new crank set, clip on aero bars and I just ordered a specialized saddle and some Schwalbe durano tires.  I have a $40 Bell helmet, so I should probably get an aero helmet.

I've increased my average training mph from 15mph to 18mph.  It's encouraging to hear the info about time on the bike producing more speed, as I've been spending more and more time on the bike.

With all my upgrades I've got about $1400 into the bike so far.


2009-08-02 1:30 AM
in reply to: #2321023

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Subject: RE: New Tri Bike
Hello all,

thanks for the input as far as the new bike goes...i totally understand what everyone is saying about spending more time in the saddle. I have been doing this over the summer, but it gets hard while i am in my collegiate season. I was really posting this to see what everyone was riding on and what they liked so that i could put my dream bike in the back of my head to save up for...while still progressing on my current road bike.

thanks all
2009-08-02 7:37 AM
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Subject: RE: New Tri Bike
DOryall - 2009-08-02 1:30 AM Hello all,

thanks for the input as far as the new bike goes...i totally understand what everyone is saying about spending more time in the saddle. I have been doing this over the summer, but it gets hard while i am in my collegiate season. I was really posting this to see what everyone was riding on and what they liked so that i could put my dream bike in the back of my head to save up for...while still progressing on my current road bike.

thanks all


Well, since you asked, one possible answer is the Cervelo TT bike line, which is the most popular bike at Kona amongst the AGers.

I mention Cervelo as well, since their TT bikes (mid $2k) seem to be priced significantly below their regular road bike lineup (which go for $3k+) despite nearly identical materials, technology, components, and aeroness. I don't know why there's such a big price discrepancy, but there definitely is, and you can take advantage of that as a triperson riding  a TT bike.
2009-08-02 7:57 AM
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Subject: RE: New Tri Bike
Bob Lutz the former executive for GM made this statement once.  It actually pertains to cars, but it is appropriate for Tri bikes.  It's a wave file.

 Lutz on looks
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