Mad Manatee Mentors CLOSED (Poptart/pet pic bribes?) (Page 53)

Sweet!!  You'll give new meaning to the term Brew Master once you take over the world, as well as when you retire.  In the meantime, you can just settle for "Brew Elite."  

That was my thought too.  She still has so much to give to the sport even if she's no longer setting records as a pro.  What an honor it would be to be mentored by someone of her caliber!

I am not a bike person, so you should probably wait until Janyne, Ben, Chris etc chime in, but I think I'd go for the 2014 as those are very good components and I don't know that the 2015 offers that much more.  But again, wait for those who actually know what they're talking about

I know less than nothing about components etc.  I am learning, but really know nothing.  All I have to say is that it is pretty.  

When I bought my most recent bike, the best advice I got was "Does it fit?" and "Do you like it?" and "Is it in your price range".  If you can say yes to all those questions you are likely to ride it a lot, so it is a good purchase.    

Both are Shimano 105.  One is 11 speed and one is 10 speed.  Not a deal breaker.  It's nice that they both have the whole set -- shifters, cassette, etc.

Both are composite and have composite forks.

Looks like the same wheels.

That leaves us with the Does it fit and Do you like it questions ;-) 

Not sure, but I think if I became a "Beer Ambassador" in any official capacity, I would be in deep kimchi!

Congrats and sounds awesome!

At the risk of piling on...

Well said, both.  As componentry and differences were well covered (pretty similar), I think that (as long as it fits) the psychology is waaaay more important.  If you can afford it and WANT it, your riding will likely benefit greatly!

I went a long time - years - without riding much at all until a colleague hectored me into test riding a new fangled bike a couple years ago (carbon, no down-tube shifters - what most of the world had had for years, but very different from 1990 steel Miyata!).  Long story short, I bought it and enjoyed the heck out of it.  So much so that I started back doing tri's after like 20 years away from the sport.

Then I bought a used tri bike - but one that fit well and I reeeeeeaaaaally liked (an old P2) - and liked riding IT so much I started going longer and longer.

So, get one that fits and you love and you might end up going well beyond Oly's - or at least enjoying the ride a whole lot more. 

(It's so exciting to vicariously experience that new bike tingly feeling!  DOOO EEEEEEET!!!)

Matt

Stacey - I read your question this morning and haven't had an opportunity to put together a reasonable answer. Then Janyne, Kirsten, Anne-Marie and Matt chimed in with what is generally the #1 reason for buying a bike, "Do you like it?" I would say that the bikes are nearly the same, given the components. The 2015 has an 11 speed cassette, the other a 10 speed. Not a game changer for me, but if you are rolling through some seriously changing terrain, it might matter. Then again, if the terrain is that difficult, you may end up with a different cassette all together. Both are in new condition. I see no big differences between the 2, other than $300. Oh yeah, I think the sizing was different, one was a "M" and the other came in "S" and "XS". That matters as well. Probably more than a lot of stuff, fit matters. Quite honestly, comfort equals speed. Because if you are comfortable, you ride more. If you ride more, you get faster.  

I'm uncertain what the cost difference should be between last year's model and this year's, but it probably isn't much. At least that has been my experience.  If they are local, get them to throw in a fit ortalk em down on the price. Anything on the showroom floor that isn't moving is costing the store money. Also, you mentioned waiting until year end, but you probably won't be riding much while you wait.

Getting new gear is cool!!!! Have fun with the process.

It's funny...I know lots of the basic mechanical stuff about bikes (how to take things apart, put them together etc) but when it comes to bikes, in general. I don't know sh*t.

Nice work team, jumpin' in and educating. 

From what I have read, the difference in the 11 and 10 speed cassette will probably be around "3rd" or "4th" gear, with the 22 tooth cog on the 10 speed being replaced by a 21 AND a 23 on the 11 speed. It could be elsewhere on the cassette or some other number of cogs, but you get the idea I hope. For me, there is "no" need for it, since my riding is all flat, with little shifting.  Were I riding a lot of hills or windy areas, I might want it.  

Then again, I'm rolling on a 9 speed cassette, so what do I know?

Cool deal on the sizing, I hope that you find one that makes you happy to ride!

I'm missing something here.  What is this brewery you speak of?

Stoup. It's in Ballard. My favorite. 

I'm going to organize a bi-monthly run for them and have their logo on my singlet. They are going to give me beer. A match made in heaven

http://www.stoupbrewing.com/

I didn't really have anything to add to what you guys already said. Can do ok there, but strength is more in working on the bike some and training & using the thing.

The extra gear is likely to go about where you said on most cassettes. The exact spot will depend on whether it's an 11-23 or 11-32, or something in between. I have an 11-21 for the trainer (all 10 spd) and it goes from 11-19 and 21. The 11-23 for racing goes 11-17, 19, 21, 23. This one would have a choice of putting in the 18 or adding on a 25. Most would be best off with the 25. The 11-28 goes 11-15, 17, 19, 22, 25, 28. This one is likely to split the 22 into 21 & 23 as Chris said even though *my* preference would be to add in the 16. All of these additions trend towards the mid-lower end as the high end is already filled up and the gaps are bigger down low.

Yeah, I tend to get a bit stumped on questions for more relaxed or cruiser type bikes, or hybrid. Want to help, but tend to look back with this der Idunno expression as I really don't do anything with those types!

The bikes are specced so similarly that I would get the one that had the better color scheme or matched my kit better.

Did Rubber Glove tonight for curiosity sake, and my FTP went up 22 Watts.  While I'm happy to see a positive result, with the Tour of Sufferlandria starting Saturday I have a decision to make...

Nope - that just becomes fuel for another bike.

Which you will, clearly, need to match said kit.

Matt

Just went from the little air-mac-book-thing to a surface 3.  Had it for about 3 months now.

Since making the migration back to the non-apple world after many years in Jobs-landia, I have not once opened my iPad nor felt like I needed a bigger computer.

Just went on a multi-day business trip - with a TON of presentations (over 35 meetings in 3 days) - and brought just the surface and an iPhone 6.  No iPad and no wifi puck.  Worked perfectly and a WHOLE lot fewer plugs and way less weight to lug around!

Only my recent experience, but I like this setup (although the mac air was/is a nice computer - we just use it at home now).

Matt