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New Bike or New Wheels?
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 2013-12-11 1:59 PM |
 13 |  Subject: New Bike or New Wheels?Hi all, I believe this is the first time I have posted on the forum (first time in years at least). I have been doing tri's since 2003, and have had virtually the same equipment set up the entire time (2003 Giant OCR1 Road Bike with clip-on aero bars, stock wheels). I'm in the mood to upgrade... something. I don't know if I have the budget to invest in a new bike AND race wheels, so I wanted to get the opinion of the masses: if this was an "either/or" thing, is it better to get a set of race wheels for my current bike? Or go with a tri specific bike (like a Felt B12/B16 for example) and the stock wheels it comes with? Or some reasonable combination of the two? I do bike with a group about half the time that frowns on tri bikes in a pack, so I might opt to keep the OCR1 just to bike with them. But all other training would be on the new bike IF that's the wiser choice. I'm doing the Steelhead 70.3 in 2014 (this will be my 3rd HIM) and then various other tris. Also, I'll add that I would fit into the "Clydesdale" weight class... if that would influence one's advice. Thanks in advance! |
| 2013-12-11 4:32 PM in reply to: DorkRocketKirk |
Member 18 Inglewood | Subject: RE: New Bike or New Wheels? I'd definitely go with a new tri bike over wheels. Wheels over the course of an Olympic race may save you a few minutes time, but the switch to a tri bike will save you time on the bike and also save your legs on the run (assuming you are professionally fitted). I'm not a super fast cyclist, but the only bikes that pass me during sprints thru Ironman races are tri bikes. As for wheels, you can always get a wheel cover for your rear training wheel (about $100). |
| 2013-12-12 5:48 AM in reply to: DorkRocketKirk |
Pro 5892    , New Hampshire | Subject: RE: New Bike or New Wheels? The OCR1 is not a bad bike per se, but it's definitely getting old. Frame and component technology has moved a long way since 2003. I would seriously consider spending the money on a new aero road bike. |
| 2013-12-12 6:55 AM in reply to: DorkRocketKirk |
Veteran 607 Sykesville, MD | Subject: RE: New Bike or New Wheels? Plenty of great options here if interested... let me know. Thanks. |
| 2013-12-12 12:56 PM in reply to: mybikeshop |
| 13 | Subject: RE: New Bike - what to get? Thanks for the feedback everyone - so it appears the new bike is the route to go. I'm not opposed to buying used at all - but now I just need to figure out what bike is the best bet. I live in MN - locally the go-to store is Gear West. They carry Felt, QR, Cervelo and Trek predominantly. I'm also super-intrigued by the Cannondale Slice that is offered by Nytro as part of their package (I don't need a lot of the stuff in the package, but enough of the stuff that the $1999 price sounds great). I plan on swinging into GW and getting fitted, but perhaps I could get some advice here too. I'm right at 5'11" and have about a 31-31 1/2 inseam. I'm not sure if that makes me "short leg / longer torso" or just sort of "average". I know the guys at GW are awesome at doing bike fits and could probably fit me on any bike - but are there certain things I should be looking out for? I'll put my budget at no more than $2K for something new, if I were to go the used route I'd definitely want to keep it to $1500 or under. |
| 2013-12-13 8:19 AM in reply to: DorkRocketKirk |
Pro 5011 Twin Cities | Subject: RE: New Bike - what to get? Ah, team dork rocket. Are you all still a team? Yay for you, if so. I always wanted to join. :-) You're probably more short legged or average, I'd guess...but that's neither here nor there. (I'd GUESS you're a medium or M/L, and a 54-56...in general, not brand specific terms). Are you riding a medium OCR? You can shop any of the stores if you are looking around at brands. Eriks, NOW, and Penn all carry tri bikes. Gear can fit you on anything you buy, even 2nd hand (I have bought bikes there and not there, and still do my fits at Gear--my current bike is a Specialized, which Gear does not carry, but they did my fit). You can get a very nice bike used for under $2k. If you want wheels and bike, and are willing to go up to $3k, you'd be pretty well set (and could probably do it for less). |
| 2013-12-13 8:20 AM in reply to: DorkRocketKirk |
| 99 | Subject: RE: New Bike - what to get? One other place to check out in MN is Apple Valley Ski and Bike. They have some really great pricing on previous year Felts. You can snag a B16 for $1500 and a B12 for $2000. The sale models even have better components than the new year models. The B16 has some Ultegra stuff and the B12 has some Dura Ace stuff. New models are a step down (105 and Ultegra respectively). Only catch on the B16 is that the smallest size that they have is a 58cm, which might be a little big. I'm 6' and I ended up fitting on the 56cm (I think I may have gotten one of the last ones a few months back). But the B12 model has 54cm and 56cm models in stock. They aren't a dedicated bike/tri shop like Gear West. But I was happy with their service and it's a really good deal if you can find a bike that fits. |
| 2013-12-13 3:35 PM in reply to: jrensink78 |
| 13 | Subject: RE: New Bike - what to get? That's great to know - I will check out AV for sure!! Thanks! Oh, Team Dork Rocket is more or less disbanded, though a few of us still wear the TDR gear at races. The website is down, unfortunately.  |
| 2013-12-13 4:09 PM in reply to: DorkRocketKirk |
Pro 5361 | Subject: RE: New Bike or New Wheels? it really all depends on what your goals are. A new Tri bike has the potential to be faster than just adding wheels to your current bike. The reason for this is body position. Getting your body out of the wind has a more significant aero affect than aero wheels, and just adding aero bars to a road bike, closes up your hip angle and you lose more power... or don't get low enough. but- it sounds like you've got other things going on. You like to ride with a group- where a TT bike wouldn't really be welcome- and, you're due for a new bike. So, you might just want to get a great new road bike and enjoy the hell out of it. yeah- come race day, you might be a minute or two slower- but how much does that really matter to you? If you do most of your riding solo- then sure. get the B12. Plus- it comes with aero training wheels. Put a $100 cover on the rear, and you're most of the way there. If you haven't invested in an aero helmet yet- that will buy you as much speed as aero wheels, for a lot less. Gearup.active.com has some good ones on deep discount. riding with a wrinkle free tri suit- also helps. Presuming that you're not going pro any time soon. get the bike that you'll ride the most. Remember- you do this for fun. |
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