Can a triathlon be won on a used $500 bike bought off of craigslist? (Page 3)

Is it arrogance if it's a fact and it's making a point directly relevant to the question originally asked?

Should he have used one of the (VERY few) other people on this site, whose abilities he may or may not know, who can outbike him as examples, just to avoid using himself as an example?

I agree with Fred that engine is key but aero advantages help...not one thing or another.

I've been here a long time and believe that Fred could outbike most everyone here on a Craigslist $500 bike. The point is he has trained consistently for years at s/b/r and before doing tris he was a runner. Consistency over time improved his engine. Nice tri bike and good aero position that fits him helps him but not as much as his engine.

The sport attracts on average high income earners. Some choose to spend a lot on their bike and others don't. It's a personal decision we each make.

Could most of us win on a $500 Craigslist bike? No
Could most of us win on the top of the line tri bike? No

There are a handful or two of folks here on BT that have OA won races that I can recall . They all are amazing athletes that work hard.

Here is what I know...the person with the best genetics, if they train hard, and the best equipment, if they know how to use it, will kick your arse every time.  Get over it.

I have great genetics....I train enough for me.  I have great equipment...some of it is above my level (but I can afford it and I enjoy it)...I get my arse kicked from time to time....actually, I get my arse kicked alot.  I'm waaay over it.

Can you beat me on a $500.00 bike?  Absolutely......but I'm going to make you do it.  No way in hell you  just show up and get it done.

As far as making those types of claims myself, I'm like you with that too, but that doesn't mean it should be wrong for others to do so. Perhaps more on things on acceptance and understanding of others? It's rather curious when someone says a site like BT has a lot of "arrogance" or other terms that have come up.

That's the spirit!

No.

Dang, Shane - you beat me to it...

So, assuming you have enough sampling, that shows a performance difference for a tri bike.  But what if you just put aerobars on your road bike, would the gain be as great.  Also, would it help save your legs for the run more than a non aerobar road bike?  Or would you get significantly better "leg saving" with a tri bike vs. an aerobar added road bike.  These are questions that come to mind for me now after the helpful replies in this thread.

It would be close, but it wouldn't be as great. Assuming all other things being equal between the two bikes (a big assumption, one that's rarely true when comparing tri and road frames), a tri frame has a geometry (more forward angled seat tube and other things) that allow most people to comfortably put their bodies in a more aero position without losing significant power. It is probably possible to get just as aero on a road bike as on a tri bike, but you won't be as comfortable (you'll be kind of 'folded up') and you won't generate as much power when highly aero because the body position is not as efficient.

I still havent found the engine on my bike, can someone point me to a website that show me where to locate it?

Also can someone point me to the website where I can buy a higher HP engine.

Shane I repeatedly come across statements or posts on this site that come off as extremely pompous or arrogant. There was a post about a guy that wanted some help with his local Bike shop, and some of the responses I couldnt even fathom. That being said, I think this site is amazing and I have learned a ton.  Most posters are extremely polite and helpful, yourself included.  I just think people need to remember that this is a "BEGINNER triathlete" forum.  Ironic, really?  THe way I was raised was to not self promote and brag about myself, which doesn't preclude me from stating my opinion of arrogance throughout certain threads.  Maybe I should ask for a refund on my Masters education tuition, seeing as my reading comprehension is so abysmal ;-)

No, this forum is used by both beginners and very experienced, fast athletes - don't let the name of the site confuse you.  How do beginners learn?  From the experienced, knowlegeable crowd.  You would have a pretty sorry forum if it was all beginners.  You ask, you read, you learn - and then you help others - that's why it's such a great site.

Many of us beginners don't feel that the fast/experienced people need to dumb things down, so to speak, for us slower/less experienced folks. 

This thread's been fun to read.  Although I already agreed that it's absolutely possible to win on a $500.00 bike off CL, I doubt it happens very often.  Most people on $500.00 CL bikes don't have the same amount of experience training as a person on a higher end bike.  My experience is that people tend to upgrade as their skill level increases.

That being said.....on a $500.00 CL bike Lance Armstrong could even beat FredD.