Embarassed by bike

Shame?

What you need to understand is that NOBODY cares what your bike looks like......or likely even remembers from one race to another.  Don't get wrapped up in the whole image thing.....it's a complete dead end.

Keep working, have fun!!

There's no shame in an older bike.  I love seeing people race on older bikes.  Don't be shy about it, own it!

First race I did was on a girls hybrid and I heard more then one comment about it by a couple DB's going into transition.  That was a number of years ago and I haven't seen that type of behavior in awhile.   I was more self conscious about getting a tri bike but probably because it gave my buddies a reason to razz me.   Don't buy a new bike worrying about what someone thinks.  IMO the only time you should be concerned about public opinion with a bike is in regards to color.  And that's because white is the fastest and yes both my bikes are white.

As others have said, don't worry about your bike, it's all about you and your fitness etc... Speaking for myself, when I see older road bikes, mountain bikes, 3-speeds etc. in a race, if I even give it a second thought it's usually something like good for them, they're out here racing, using the bike they have.  Other times when I see someone on an older road bike or mountain bike and they're absolutely shredding it I think there goes a great example of it's the engine not the vehicle that matters most... 

If anything, more people (myself included) tend to negatively judge the participant who has little skill but a $10K bike.... Known as "Fred's"....

I'm not knocking the person who has the financial resources to buy a really nice bike as they're dabbling in the sport, however when it's a REALLY nice bike they stick out and get judged...

Until this year, my tri bike was well over 10 years old. A round-tubed standard frame, but I dialed in the fit and it was comfortable, used race wheels, and it got me 90% of the way to the high-zoot set-ups. I was still posting top-10 OA and top-3 AG placings. The bike wasn't holding me back in any way. And no one cared that I wasn't sporting the latest slippery carbon wunderbike. We all congratulated each other just the same at the finish line.

The only reason I'm selling it is that I've made another tri frame for myself. Can't wait to rock that in an event!

Not even exaggerating here when I say that experienced triathletes are not looking at you and thinking your bike is embarrassing.

In fact, experienced triathletes will look at your bike, and think - "now there's someone who knows that the training counts a lot more than the gear, and they're focusing their energy and money in the right place."

Rock that road bike with pride.  Overpriced tribikes are so common amongst beginners now that it's passe, and especially folks riding $3k+ aerobikes yet having inferior body position on the bike such that it completely negates any of those uber-expensive aero gains they hoped to get on the tribike.

Huh, I just realized my roadie is 10 years old. How'd that happen?  Well, I am still riding it in races and having a good time.

I think as long as you're on a lightweight frame, road style bike, no one is looking at you and thinking anything about your bike.

Now, when I see people on bikes that are not conducive to racing (not a road or tri bike, or very heavy, etc) I think "I wonder if that person knows what they are missing?"  So, I am not judging you negatively but rather hoping that you can upgrade to a better bike for the occasion.  I see SO MANY people post here, and say in real life, that they don't "deserve" a better bike, or are trying to hit a certain goal before getting a decent bike.   I think if you can afford it, and want it, go for it.  A newer bike will improve your racing situation, most likely.  But don't do it out of embarrassment. 

That's true enough.....if triathlon was all there was to life.  But since it's such an insignificant part of it, then it doesn't make sense to spend the money if you need it for something else.....like college for the kid,  as the OP stated.

Still, I think if I had my own airplane I'd like to fly more.

Originally posted by jennifer_runs One more thing- Your profile picture embodies the spirit and joy of the sport. You look awesome. Be proud.

Right on the money!!