$200 Answer to $3000 problem?
-
No new posts
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller | Reply |
2009-06-16 12:05 PM |
Veteran 267 | Subject: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? I want a Tri bike really bad, but as most on here will understand, budget says otherwise. My road bike is a Tarmac Elite - basically an entry level all carbon bike. I love it - no complaints. My question is this...with clip-on aeros and a forward seat post (and subsequent re-fit), how close, in your opinion, would this set-up be to a dedicated tri bike? |
|
2009-06-16 12:35 PM in reply to: #2221455 |
Elite 4048 Gilbert, Az. | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? randym95 - 2009-06-16 10:05 AM I want a Tri bike really bad, but as most on here will understand, budget says otherwise. My road bike is a Tarmac Elite - basically an entry level all carbon bike. I love it - no complaints. My question is this...with clip-on aeros and a forward seat post (and subsequent re-fit), how close, in your opinion, would this set-up be to a dedicated tri bike? Go for it. Do something like a fast forward seatpost, might have to adjust your stem length a bit, get refit and you should be fine. Depending on how far you want to go, you could also swap out the drops for cowhorns, and get bar end shifters. 2-500 bux and you should be able to get a position extremely similar to a dedicated tri frame. The only thing you'd be losing out a bit on would be the specialized aero tubing, etc. on the frame. Oh, and handling will be a little bit different as well. John |
2009-06-16 12:41 PM in reply to: #2221455 |
Extreme Veteran 495 Bluffton, SC | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? I have a converted Fuji, bought profile strikes, a bottom bar, shifters, and breaks on Ebay for $80 and was given a forward seat post. Did the trick, well worth the money and effort, I got fitted correctly and have never looked back. Now when I have the money to buy a dedicated Tri bike I will be able to switch it back to a roadie. Edited by AUSQuest 2009-06-16 12:43 PM |
2009-06-16 12:43 PM in reply to: #2221455 |
Champion 5117 Brandon, MS | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? I did this for a year and half. Did it fit like my tri bike does now? No. Was I in a more aero position? Yes. I actually bought another saddle to go on the forward seat post. With a quick release seat post clamp I could change between the two seat posts in a few seconds. Only took a minute or two to get the clip on aeros off and on as well. |
2009-06-16 12:44 PM in reply to: #2221455 |
Master 1529 Living in the past | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? IMO you'll be good to go with the aerobars (and maybe flipping the seat-post) and a refit. |
2009-06-16 12:47 PM in reply to: #2221455 |
Master 2277 Lake Norman, NC | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? $0 answer to no problem: Ride the road bike! If you were racing for the podium and really important, you wouldn't be asking... you would look like the quitessential triathlete - pulling a Cervelo P3 out of the hatchback of an '83 VW Rabbit! |
|
2009-06-16 12:55 PM in reply to: #2221602 |
Expert 1049 Burnaby, BC | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? +1 It's not about the bike. |
2009-06-16 1:11 PM in reply to: #2221455 |
Champion 5117 Brandon, MS | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? Yeah, it's not about the bike. It's about body position on the bike. Aero is faster. If the OP has the money to buy the speed, and if the OP wants to buy the speed, I see no reason not to. Not being able to win your age group should not be a deciding factor in doing all you can to go as fast as you can. |
2009-06-16 1:22 PM in reply to: #2221455 |
Member 47 Chaska, MN | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? That's the exact bike I have. All I have done is put aero bars on it and slid the seat a bit forward. Although it looks like it, you won't be able to flip the seat post. The way the seat bolts on makes it not work. I get a pretty good aero position (I think) and I rode my first tri on it last weekend. I'm sure the fit isn't proper but I think I gained 1 mph over my normal biking position and I also think I was the 2nd person on the bike part with a non-tri bike! A forward seat post would probably be good because I'm pretty sure I'm too stretched out. It also turns out that our stem (I think that's what the part that connects the bike to the handle bars is called) can be flipped and adjusted a few ways to actually lower your bars. There's different degrees of change as well as the ability to flip it upside down but I'm guessing you could drop the bars a full inch. I'm thinking about trying it but I've already had to tip the seat a bit forward to make the aero position comfortable. All in all, I think it's a great bike and I've been pleased with just aero bars. Reaching over to shift once in awhile doesn't seem like that big of a deal either. |
2009-06-16 1:37 PM in reply to: #2221455 |
Pro 4360 Baton Rouge area | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? Keep the existing bike and add the aero's etc until it's time to get a Tri bike. Aero bars, etc are worth the money. |
2009-06-16 1:38 PM in reply to: #2221455 |
Extreme Veteran 3177 | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? If you have the money then go for it. Could you just stick with the roadie stylishness sure but if you want to change it then the changes you have described will work wonders. Heck I am looking at doing something similar next fall/winter/spring (depending on sales) and getting a road bike but I will be able to work out a package deal with my shop for the bike, pedals, shoes, cleats, aerobars and a fit for a good price. (I have already been buttering them up ) Mostly doing this because I will be able to, that is when I will have my pennies saved up, and of course for the longer races I want to do next year it should be a lot more comfortable for a long ride than my current Hybrid Trek. On the other hand if your end result is to get truly Aero then might want to just save up the pennies towards a nice TT bike. |
|
2009-06-16 1:51 PM in reply to: #2221700 |
Veteran 267 | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? sesh - 2009-06-16 1:11 PM Yeah, it's not about the bike. It's about body position on the bike. Aero is faster. If the OP has the money to buy the speed, and if the OP wants to buy the speed, I see no reason not to. Not being able to win your age group should not be a deciding factor in doing all you can to go as fast as you can. Thanks to everyone that responded-it's very helpful. Sesh, I especially appreciate this response. -Randy |
2009-06-16 2:00 PM in reply to: #2221455 |
Master 1517 Western MA near the VT & NH border on the CT river | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? I just bought a Profile FF seat post and like it. I've only had it for two months and just did my first race with it. I find that I am much more comfortable in the aero position and was able to maintain that position for most of the race w/o discomfort. Before I got the FF post, I would constantly be riding on the nose while in aero and constantly moving back on the seat, which wasnt very comfortable. IMHO, its a cheap and worthwhile conversion. If you care, I just wrote a review on it this morning |
2009-06-16 9:28 PM in reply to: #2221455 |
Regular 96 Cleveland, OH | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? Why not at least try the $200 solution that you suggested - if it does not work out you could probably recover most of the money spent by selling the items. You should really ask yourself, how much improvement would you really gain by spending $3k on a bike. |
2009-06-17 9:01 AM in reply to: #2221455 |
Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
2009-06-17 9:09 AM in reply to: #2221455 |
Champion 4835 Eat Cheese or Die | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? Before you buy a fast forward seat post just try flipping the post around so the clamp is in front of the post instead of behind. This will gain you almost as much as buying a forward post. |
|
2009-06-17 12:11 PM in reply to: #2221455 |
Member 180 Kayak Point, WA | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? I ride most of the time with a group of guys and gals who own a very wide variety of bikes, many have multiple bikes for winter, TT's, commuting, racing, etc, etc, etc. I started my riding on a entry level aluminum frame that did fine. I rode it for a couple of years put a bunch of miles on it and worked my tail off trying to keep up with much faster riders on a regular basis. I put aero bars on it for TT's and Tri's and for a 3rd position on long rides. Aero bars are by far the best bang for your buck to get more aero in TT's and to help your times. end of the year last year I purchased a P2C. It was a great deal, it was exactly what I wanted, and I plan on having it for a long time. It has made a world of diference to my training and racing. However, most of this is due to it being a much higher end bike then my older road bike. If you are happy with your road bike, adding aero bars and a few other details (fit, seat, etc) can provide significant benefits to your aero position and your speed in races. If you really are looking to upgrade the bike to a higher end bike or newer bike like I was then spending money on the old bike may not make sense. |
2009-06-17 12:34 PM in reply to: #2221584 |
Master 1402 Highlands Ranch | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? I've been pondering/researching this same issue for after this season, and also have a Roubaix. I'm curious how you outfitted yours...? Edited by StMaas 2009-06-17 12:36 PM |
2009-06-17 12:40 PM in reply to: #2221455 |
Veteran 267 | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? It's settled. I'm ordering both this week to do the conversion. I also like the idea of being able to convert it back to my standard road bike for group rides. I'm just going to mark the old/current seat post for quickly setting it back to the road bike geometry. Thanks again everyone. This site rocks. Randy |
2009-06-17 1:17 PM in reply to: #2221455 |
Master 2216 | Subject: RE: $200 Answer to $3000 problem? I think you're making the right decision Randym95. |