When to upgrade from Alloy to Carbon bike?

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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » When to upgrade from Alloy to Carbon bike? Rss Feed  
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2009-07-29 6:49 PM

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Subject: When to upgrade from Alloy to Carbon bike?
Well let me start off by saying I've only been doing tri's for a year and I currently have a specialized allez compact. Good beginner bike. I have already done 4 tri's this year with about another 3 left. I have been looking at my results and my bike times has been in the top 5 for my age group in every race. MPH average is about 21. Is it worth it for me to go a head and just upgrade to a carbon tri bike or should I just keep working on getting faster on my current bike? Thanks for everyones input. And yes I am very competitive!

2009-07-29 7:38 PM
in reply to: #2316150

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Subject: RE: When to upgrade from Alloy to Carbon bike?
frame material is going to have ZERO impact on speed.

and not much more to do with what the ride feels like.

2009-07-29 7:38 PM
in reply to: #2316150

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Subject: RE: When to upgrade from Alloy to Carbon bike?
I guess it all depends on how much you are willing to spend.

I did my 1st triathlon this year, and if I had an extra $3000 or even extra $8000 I'd have a high end triathlon bike the day after.  Do I "deserve" it?  No way but I like triathlons that much and know this will be something I'll do for a while.

There are advantages to a TT bike vs a Road Bike (other than weight because you can get carbon road bikes).  Others can go into more detail.
2009-07-30 6:38 AM
in reply to: #2316150

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Subject: RE: When to upgrade from Alloy to Carbon bike?
Do you have aero bars or an aero helmet yet?

You have more room to work with in that bike, I rode a 9 speed Allez Elite to 22+ MPH averages and going to a tri bike didn't give me as big of a boost as one might think.

2009-07-30 7:36 AM
in reply to: #2316150

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Subject: RE: When to upgrade from Alloy to Carbon bike?
I will save my rant about carbon and how everyone is fooled into thinking they need one (just like titanium in the 90's).  If you want a new bike get a new bike, but an aluminum, carbon, titanium, aluminum/carbon, steel, etc. bike will all be suitable if you get a bike that fits you weel and you are comfortable on.  Want and need are two completely different things and only you can make that judgement.
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