Beginner Triathlete

Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
Giant OCR2

9 Votes- [5.7%]
Trek 1500

18 Votes- [11.39%]
Cervelo Dual 9

11 Votes- [6.96%]
Quintana Roo Kilo

12 Votes- [7.59%]
Felt S32

33 Votes- [20.89%]
Kuota K Factor

5 Votes- [3.16%]
Motobecane Nemesis

7 Votes- [4.43%]
Specialized Transition Multisport

8 Votes- [5.06%]
x lab mach 3

1 Votes- [0.63%]
Kestrel Talon

3 Votes- [1.9%]
Specialized Women's Dolce & Vita Multisport

5 Votes- [3.16%]
Fuji Aloha 1.0

5 Votes- [3.16%]
Leader 735TT

3 Votes- [1.9%]
Orbea Aletta

2 Votes- [1.27%]
Specialized Sequoia Elite

2 Votes- [1.27%]
Cervelo Dual 10

6 Votes- [3.8%]
Guru Cron'Alu/Ventus

3 Votes- [1.9%]
Specialized Allez Elite

7 Votes- [4.43%]
trek 1000

6 Votes- [3.8%]
Scott Speedster S40

2 Votes- [1.27%]
Cervelo P2SL

5 Votes- [3.16%]
Jamis Comet

1 Votes- [0.63%]
Marin Portofino

1 Votes- [0.63%]
Specialized Tarmac Comp

1 Votes- [0.63%]
Felt 85

1 Votes- [0.63%]
LeMond Chambery

1 Votes- [0.63%]
Submit
Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: Guest on 2007-12-18 10:48 PM

Best bang for your buck, at an entry-level price.
RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: chriselam on 2007-12-18 11:57 PM

I love my S32, it rocks. Plus it's red, so it's fast.

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Note: Please ignore the above statement(s). I probably have no idea what I'm talking about.
RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: JChristoff on 2007-12-19 7:48 AM

I bought a Trek 1500. A couple of upgrades and it was ready to roll.

Main reason I bought a road bike was just in case I didn't keep with the triathlon lifestyle and could easily do bike tours or group cycling rides.
RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: USS Dunphy on 2007-12-19 8:22 AM

I had to add the K Factor because it kicks some .
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RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: kproudfoot on 2007-12-19 8:29 AM

I had to had the nemesis. Basically a fuji aloha for $1K with full DA. I am still building mine but I just don't see another bike for this value.
RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: VanCityJ on 2007-12-19 10:28 AM

Gotta show love for the Felt!
RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: Ridgelake on 2007-12-19 2:12 PM

So much of the Felt line packs a whole lot of bike for the money. They may not be the best at the top (somewhat debateable anyway), but they are very strong at the entry level to mid level bike.
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RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: JoshKaptur on 2007-12-19 2:16 PM

Kind of strange to compare bikes that have over $1000 in differences as the best beginner bike.

Edited by JoshKaptur 2007-12-19 2:17 PM
RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: UndeadZed on 2007-12-19 3:11 PM

Fuji Aloha 1.0 The 2007 bike has all aero tubing and seat post. Cane Creek brakes and vision blade base bars. The formula xero wheels are adequate but for $1300 I couln't find a better deal. Very surprised as the ride is at least as comfortable as my road bike.
RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: Ronin on 2007-12-19 4:30 PM

I have the Felt S32, I love it. But then I have no experiance with the other brands. After Ironman CDA in 08, I will look to upgrade.
RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: soloryder on 2007-12-20 2:40 PM

Giant OCR 3. 2003 $600 new- the newer models come with a carbon fork. Very few issues with the bike over the past 4 summers.
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RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: PhatNLazy on 2007-12-24 1:34 PM

FELT! It's not just a soft fabric.
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You can quit and no one will care. But you will always know.
RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: daspanglers on 2007-12-24 6:56 PM

Being new to the sport this year and not having a lot to spend I also bought a Giant OCR3 for $584. Great starter bike for some one who wouldn't really know any different.
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RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: chile7473 on 2007-12-25 8:59 AM

I don't know about Felt.... a guy I train with that weighs about 165lbs cracked a Felt frame twice.
RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: TRI-dawg on 2007-12-26 9:24 AM

I've owned my Roo for about 2 and half year. Love it.
RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: mcbill98 on 2007-12-26 12:50 PM

I see quite a number of TREK 1000 at events. This is the bottom line model. I got mine for $600, added pedals and aero bars. It has served me well and allows me to be competitive for a modest investment.

Larry
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To win without risk is to triumph without glory." — Pierre Corneille, French dramatist (1606-1684).
RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: runnerg1rl7 on 2008-01-03 8:32 AM

Another good (based on my experience, at least) road bike for under $1K is the Scott Speedster S40. Tiagra components, carbon fork & seat post. I added pedals soon after I bought it and am about to add carbon aerobars. Very good value for the price, IMO. Served me quite well in my first tri season last summer.
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RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: CBarnes on 2008-01-03 12:08 PM

I love My Motobecane Nemesis Pro 1100 with a carbon crank and DA drive train or go Motobecane Nemesis for 995 it is Ultegra/DA
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RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: dmillis1 on 2008-01-06 10:20 PM

Check ebay, craigslist, etc. for used bikes. When I first started, I picked up an old Cannondale road bike for $240 complete with clipless pedals and shipping. Not that this bike was ideal, but it sure gave me a chance to try the sport and learn more about what I might want or need in a tri bike.
Now I have a nicer tri-specific bike (Elite Razor) and also bought it used. The sad thing is that my fastest olympic bike split is still one I did on the '87 cannondale.
RE: Best Value Beginner Bike - 2007
BY: stupidnickname on 2008-01-07 6:46 AM

I'm an owner of an S32, and here are the reasons that I think it is an excellent value for a beginner bike:

It's all set and ready to go as a tri bike. No need to accessorize; it's in the right geometry, the aerobars are set, and you'll get into aero real fast with it. So if you want to race THIS SEASON and feel very much like a triathlete while doing it, get an S32.

That having been said, I wish I had bought a road bike first myself. It turns out I'm doing way more group riding and touring than racing, and I think I would have preferred a roadie to a tri bike for my first bike. Oh well, an excuse for multiple bikes . . .
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