From Road to Tri Bike comin up short...

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2009-07-14 11:25 AM

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Master
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Subject: From Road to Tri Bike comin up short...
I'd like to start researching tri bikes to add to my lineup. This will not replace the road cycle but will be an alternative to train with.

I'm currently riding a Cannondale r1000 with Ultegra and a ffwd seatpost and clip on aerobars. i'm very comfy in this fashioned aero and can pedal quite well. But as anyone who sees toys, i'd like to explore the option of a tri bike. Since the c'dale is aged, I dont see this as a irrational move.

I'd like peoples opinions that are experienced in the subject matter. I'm 5'5" so i will need a small frame. are there certain tri bikes that are made better for the vertically challenged? I've ridden my bro's Cervelo Soloist (48cm) which felt really good and the c'dale is a (51cm) i think.

Where do you start when lookin at tri bike options, brands, geo's? I wont need a $8000 machine, as i'm completely amateur.

Are there any buyers guides that line up the better on the brands? I understand people will have a liking to certain brands due to popularity and such....'im just lookin for equipment guidence for the short statured =)

thanks for any direction.

scottie

Edited by halfpint 2009-07-14 11:26 AM

2009-07-14 11:36 AM
in reply to: #2284306

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Sensei
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Subject: RE: From Road to Tri Bike comin up short...
It's a lot of preference, really.

The best advice I could give is visit your local bike shop and have them do a fit for you to find the best bike.  They all fit a bit differently so an reputable shop should put the time in to get you in the right one.  I think there are plenty of brands that will offer a size that will fit you.

Also, they should include (maybe for a fee), and actual bike fit after the purchase to get it set up right.

As a rule of thumb that I heard and seems true for me, a tri bike will typically be about a size smaller than a road bike due to the more aggresive riding style (being in aero).
2009-07-14 11:36 AM
in reply to: #2284306

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Elite
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Subject: RE: From Road to Tri Bike comin up short...
Scott:

I have heard that Felt is a good bike for the smaller size frames and as a bonus is not that expensive relative to the Cervelos of the world.

Doug
2009-07-14 11:42 AM
in reply to: #2284306

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Champion
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Subject: RE: From Road to Tri Bike comin up short...
Go to a shop and test ride several bikes in your size.

That would insinuate that the shop sizes you first and puts several bikes together that fit you.

Being 5'5" I can tell you that your selection could be a bit more limited.  I really wanted 700c wheels, so that narrowed my choices down to 3ish as I can recall.  When you are short some of the bikes will only fit with 650c wheels and I just didn't want to go there.  5'5", depending on the rest of your measurements, can be borderline for the 700c wheels.

So, get thee to a bike shop!  And make sure you know your budget going in, or they WILL put you on one of those $8000 bikes and you'll want it...bad.
2009-07-14 11:46 AM
in reply to: #2284306

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Master
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Subject: RE: From Road to Tri Bike comin up short...
@doug- yea i was starting to lean towards the Felts

...Through my experience in my many mtb purchases i feel that shops will really push only the brands they sell and not what actually is available in the world.

I guess i'll start looking at felts and go from there. i knew this was goin to lead to mostly a subjective response....=)

@jldicarlo- yea, 700 is what i'm riding on the c'dale...i forgot about how that truncates my available frames...

thx again for the input




Edited by halfpint 2009-07-14 11:49 AM
2009-07-14 11:48 AM
in reply to: #2284306

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Champion
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Subject: RE: From Road to Tri Bike comin up short...
FWIW, I ride a Cervelo and love it.

2009-07-14 12:43 PM
in reply to: #2284306

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Master
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Subject: RE: From Road to Tri Bike comin up short...
I'm on a Felt B12 that is 50 cm... my road bike is a Felt 47 cm... Weird that they both fit... My B12 has 650 wheels, the road bike, 700. Go figure.

But the Felt seems to fit me well, I'm just under 5'4" with a short torso.
2009-07-14 12:50 PM
in reply to: #2284549

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Champion
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Subject: RE: From Road to Tri Bike comin up short...

I have a QR Kilo, which comes in a 48 cm frame with 700 wheels.  I'm 5'6'' and I felt like I was between that and the next bigger frame, so I bet it would fit you well.  I am built with short legs and a longer torso.  I like the bike - good components for the price.

2009-07-14 1:23 PM
in reply to: #2284306

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Subject: RE: From Road to Tri Bike comin up short...

I am 5'6" and I just picked up a 2009 Felt B12, 700c x 52.  I rode it this weekend in a Time Trial, Olympic tri and a Sprint tri loved the bike.  It handled great.  I was thinking about getting a Cervelo but glad I didn't.  I love my Cervelo S1 soloist but the overall component group for the B12 was better.  It is also nice not having the same tri bike as everyone else!



Edited by dpmanter 2009-07-14 1:24 PM
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