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Ready - Set - BIKE???
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 2004-01-30 12:28 PM |
Member  20 North Carolina |  Subject: Ready - Set - BIKE???Okay, this must be on of the most frequently asked questions, but here goes anyway...I am in the market for a bike & need LOTS of help on this one. I swam competitively in HS, am very comfortable (and slow) running, but when it comes to bikes, I AM LOST!!! I will be using this bike for Tri's only & am stuck on getting an entry level Tri bike, or purchasing a Fuji road bike. Money IS a factor and I am unable to find good used bikes in this vicinity. Any suggestions? I am riding on a spinning bike at my gym, which is good and well...but while "sitting" there for two hours today it dawned on me that I might actually enjoy going somewhere while pedaling. I am doing the Olympic training program & am enjoying it. I had no idea how much I would enjoy being back in the water. I go during the water aerobics class at the other side of the pool for "choppy water effect." Ha, ha. Thanks for any input. I am getting hooked already & can't wait for my first Tri in April |
| 2004-01-30 3:23 PM in reply to: #5523 |
Champion 4902   Ottawa, Ontario | Subject: BIKE??? You say that money is a factor; how big a factor is it? Or better put, how much do you have to spend on a tri bike? Remember that the price of the bike is only the beginning, you will also need to purchase pedals (most good bikes do not come with pedals), cycling shoes, cycling outfit including helmet, gloves, padded shorts and riding jersey. There are a number of good triathlon bikes on the market. Yours best bet is to canvass the local bike shops and see what brands and models are available and if there are any 2003 models in stock...some savings to be had there. A few models to look for: Motobecane Nemesis, combination 105, ultegra, and dura ace $1600 at http://motobecane.com/triathlonMBUSA.html KHS TA 320, 105/ultegra, sugg. R p, $1100 at http://khsbicycles.com/04flite320.html Cervelo One, 105, $1300 at http://cervelo.com/prices/usa.html |
| 2004-01-31 4:27 AM in reply to: #5523 |
Member 38 Woodbury, NJ | Subject: RE: Ready - Set - BIKE??? Hey Sempertri, I too am hooked on the Oly training. Also when I first started this training( a month ago) I really wanted a tri specific bike too and money WAS an issue with me. So after much research in cylcing and tri forums and local bike shops I opted for a 2003 Fuji road bike that was on sale for $550 (normally $950). I purchased aerobars and bam!, I have a modified tri bike! Good enough and cheap enough for my first season or two. If you can spend more then that then Felt and Quintana Roo have entry level tri bikes for around $1000. Just be very wary if you go Ebay style because you cant tell what kind of beating it took until it is in front of you and then find out you have to shell another couple hundred bucks out to fix it. Good luck! Dave |
| 2004-01-31 5:27 AM in reply to: #5523 |
Member 20 North Carolina | Subject: RE: Ready - Set - BIKE??? Thanks for the input! I am toying with getting a Fuji myself. There are some pretty decent sales going on right now & I can have it modified as well. Thanks again!!! |
| 2004-01-31 7:02 AM in reply to: #5523 |
Champion 4902 Ottawa, Ontario | Subject: RE: Ready - Set - BIKE??? I am sorry...I was under the impression that you only wanted a tri-specific bike only. The geometries of the two bikes are quite different and the aero bars are integrated in the tri bike. Of course a Fuji with aero bars added will serve you more than adequately for beginning triathlons. My own bike is an aluminum road bike with Shimano 105 components which has an aero bar added to it. Which model are you looking at, Finest, Finest AL, Newest, Roubaix, or Roubaix Pro? |
| 2004-01-31 8:11 AM in reply to: #5619 |
Member 20 North Carolina | Subject: RE: Ready - Set - BIKE??? No, no! Don't be sorry! I am sooo stinkin' new to the biking, that ANY help is awesome. I am absolutely a beginner to the tris, but I can tell it is something that I can get serious about...it combines three great sports for my fickle nature. I am toying with the thought of a road bike...I have about $800 to spend, and that will have to include aero bars, etc. Does that sound impossible? I am going to hit a couple of the bike stores out here TODAY, so I will have a bit more info when I get home. If I were able to find a tri bike for that price that was worth a flip, I would go that route. But I am thinking that won't happen. Thanks for your help...it is definitely appreciated & wanted. |
| 2004-01-31 8:28 AM in reply to: #5628 |
 Regular 139 Boise ID | Subject: Get a road bike Definitely get the road bike first. Tri bikes are great (I have a Cervelo P3) but you need a road bike for those occasions where a tri bike is not appropriate. It's a bit like buying a summer cabin before buying a permanant home first. There is a natural progression. So which road bike do you get? There are literally thousands of combinations (frame-components-wheelsets-accessories) so don't take anyone's advice on this. Just ride some and get the one that feels the best to YOU. |
| 2004-01-31 3:44 PM in reply to: #5523 |
Master 1946 | Subject: RE: Ready - Set - BIKE??? Following this bike conversation- could you talk more about the "geometry" differences in a tri vs a road bike- is this because tris can be on different types of terrain ? As a newbie - if speed - gping fast on a road is the goal it's hard to know what woould be different in a bike built strictly for road races vs tri. Also- with spinning indoor cworkouts - did this a few years ago and loved it but got WICKED carpal tunnel- want to avoid both in indoor & outdoor biking- any comments/experiences dealing with this ? Thanks all And the bike lingo- boy have I got a lot to learn ..! And what about maintainence ???? isis |
| 2004-01-31 4:19 PM in reply to: #5523 |
Champion 4902 Ottawa, Ontario | Subject: RE: Ready - Set - BIKE??? A road racing bike and a triathlon bike are two totally different machines because they are required for different types of events. A road bike must be light and very responsive to race up grueling hills and to race steadily in pelotons. A triathlon bike is ridden solo, because drafting is illegal, therefore, what is required is an aerodymic machine. And, because it is not ridden in a peloton, aero bars (not clip ons) with the gear changers at the end can be used--aero bars are too unstable in packs--adding to that aerodynamic posture. If you compare a tri bike and a road racing bike, you will notice that the seat tube is set at about 75 degrees compared to 72.5 or 73 degrees for a road racer and it has a wheel cutout thereby affecting a shorter wheelbase. There is more to it than that, but I guess that you get the picture. Compare the R2.5 Carbone, a racing bike, with the P3, a tri bike at: http://cervelo.com/prices/usa.html Edited by Machiavelo 2004-01-31 4:21 PM |
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