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triathalon bike suggestion

C

CMOS

Private
Minuteman
Feb 17, 2010
8
0
52
Maryland - Capital Region
I'm looking for a entry-level, but still good, bike for a triathalon. Price is definitely a factor.
I've never done a tri, but have done a few marathons.

Any recommendations?
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

This is the time of year, I would shop ebay. Fall is the time to deal on bikes at the bike shop also. Specialized, Cannondale, make good bikes for production bikes. You are gonna have to pedal a few to make sure that the geometry will work for you.
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

I have a Cervelo P2C, and while its not really entry-level its a great bike. A cheaper bike would be the P1, and the Felt S22 is also a good bike for the money. One thing to consider, though, is whether to get a road bike or a tri bike. If your riding will have lots of hills, I think a road bike would be better. But, tri bikes are good for fairly flat courses, they enable you to get into a more comfortable aerodynamic position, and the geometry facilitates being able to transition to running easier. Regardless of what kind of bike you purchase, I strongly encourage getting it fitted professionally. Many bikes shops may sell nice bikes, but can't fit it to you properly. I took about three hours to fit my Cervelo P2C, and it was definitely time well spend.
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

Bikes these days are like rifles. To get incremental increases in performance, you end up spending exponentially higher prices.

Back when I thought I might like to try a Tri, I was referred to this site: http://classifieds.roadbikereview.com/index.php

Do your window shopping at a local bike store then see if someone online is selling what you want.
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

+1 on Ebay this time of year... but you have to know your size.. which can be tricky with some frame types..

+1 on Cervelo, never owned one but they sure look the part!

The Bike Team have have worked with in the past used the Felt bikes on the RAAM this year and really raved over them.

RJ
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

I own a Felt and they are great bikes. Just make sure to get a fitting as part of the purchase price. If you are buying from a local shop, they should give you one for free. Nothing like a ride on a bike with a proper fit.

Josh
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

Do you currently ride? If no, just by a road bike. Do a couple tri's Then take the plunge. To get competetive your going to drop serious $ on a tri bike, wheels, shoes etc. 3K plus. Trek's entry level tri bike is 1500-1800.

Not to mention your saddle time will be much safer on a standard roadie especially riding in the DC area.
dgwelsh
FYI eastern shore Tri series was really great last year. Nanticoke river, pocomoke river and assateague island tris.
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

I don't currently ride at all, and don't even own a bike. I don't expect that I'll actually be competetive in a tri, but if I can survive the training regime and complete the course in a "respectable" time, I'll be delighted.

Indeed, may may make more sense to get a road bike to start.

If I use a road bike in a tri, will that screw me up much?
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dgwelsh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you currently ride? If no, just by a road bike. Do a couple tri's Then take the plunge. To get competetive your going to drop serious $ on a tri bike, wheels, shoes etc. 3K plus. Trek's entry level tri bike is 1500-1800.

Not to mention your saddle time will be much safer on a standard roadie especially riding in the DC area.</div></div>

+1
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CMOS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
If I use a road bike in a tri, will that screw me up much? </div></div>

Not really. At least half of the participants in the triathlons I've done (sprint and olympic distance) used road bikes. They're more versatile and most people don't want to fork over the cash for two good bikes. In fact, if you watch any of the professionals doing the olympic distance events, most of the courses are hilly and they all ride road bikes. I've found there is certainly a noticeable difference when transitioning from the bike to the run between a triathlon bike and a road bike. However, I don't know that its significant enough to make up for some of the disadvantages of a triathlon bike.

If this is your first bike, you're probably better off getting a road bike. One thing that is often overlooked by new buyers is that on a triathlon bike, you can only shift when you're in the "aero" position because the shifters are on the aero bars. And, you can only brake when you're in the upright position. If you're not an experienced rider, this can cause problems, especially if you're in the aero position and need to stop quickly. Conversely, on a road bike you have access to the shifters and brakes in both positions.
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

CMOS, Not having a tri bike will not effect your performance at all. (unless your an incredibly gifted athelete.) The guys who win are gifted and would win by a smaller margin on a road bike.

I cannot encourage you more to do some tris. Seriously fun and good for you. Biggest question can you swim? Like racing swim? If no, get some swimming lessons. That would be $ really well spent. Riding a bike is easy compared to swimming.(atleast for me)

good luck
dgwelsh
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

A Tri bike will have a steeper seat tube and more relaxed head tube for a lot of time on aero bars. A road bike will climb and corner better than a tri bike. A tri bike will let you hammer the flats better if your legs and lungs will. When I was doing this shit full time I would check out the course. I've done many tri and bi races on my road bike because the course was better suite for it. Not all races are straight and flat. I think a road bike will serve you well
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

The most important thing is to get a bike that fits. Once the bike fits you, you can add/change almost any component you want (or can afford). There is nothing worse than grinding out miles on a bike that just doesn't fit. You'll do better on a Huffy that fits than a Tri bike that doesn't. And I have an Ironman finisher medal to back that up.
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

Would agree with the suggestions to get a road bike first.
Ride it, train with it, race a little with it.
If you enjoy the sport, you can then make the decision to purchase a dedicated triathon bike.

Tri bikes are very specialized pieces of gear.
Mine is uncomfortable (compared to a road bike - yes, it's fitted to me and I road 200 miles in aero position one day just for the heck of it), doesn't turn well, doesn't shift smoothly, doesn't climb well, descending hills put my life into jeoprady every time, and doesn't stop well.
But it's fast on the flats and in races, and it was worth the stupid amount of money that I paid for it......to me!!!

By the way, cyclists are famous for their attention to "bike fashion" - brands, this set of components versus that set, etc.
Agree with all the comments that a proper bicycle fitting is more important than the actual bicycle itself.
Think about going to a professional bike fitter and spending the $100-$250 to get your bicycle properly fitted.
Eight hundred to a thousand dollars will probably get you all the bicycle you'll need to learn about the sport.
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

I'd ditto the road bike,you can add aero bars.
I like riding Cyclocross lately.
Riden Mangustas ,Panosonic,Specialised,Trek and Cannondale.
Get a steel road bike,,better ride then aluminimium. {IMHO}
But look around on Harris Cyclery http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/bikes.html

Or Jenson USA,,they often have sale/demo bikes
http://www.jensonusa.com/

Talk to either place about geometry ie leg/torso length.
REI might be a good place to get an entry level.
But definatly try to find a local bike store.
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

You can't go wrong with almost any of the QUINTANA ROO models..I have been doing triathlon for more than 10 years..Mostly compete in Ironman or half ironman distance and have had great luck with QR..Good luck and prepare for the addiction..
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

PMP did you read op's "entry level"? QUINTANA ROO are a little more then entry level.

CMOS-
There must bs some of the bike messangers around your area. Ask them too,what might be a good bike for you.
My Cyclecross is a Jamis steel frame with Woods hubs and Woods sealed bearings,amoungst other up grades.

Be prepared to spend some denerio on a bike if you really get into it. CYCLING is addictive.
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

My tri-specific bike is a Kestrel but 80% of the time I ride a
road bike -- would never rec a tri-bike to a beginner
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

CMOS, last bit of info. Be careful. Car drivers don't pay attention nearly well enough. Especially in the DC area. Ride like they are all out to get you and get a good helmet.
dgwelsh
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

As a suggestion, if this is your first bike, buy a road bike. You'll need one regardless. The tri bike is a nice event specific machine however the road bike wil provide you with a much more versatile cycling platform. The road bikes are also typically lighter and more comforatable to ride on long rides greater than 50 miles. Add in steep hill, uneven surfaces, curves and the like and you'll appreciate the road bike even more.

That being said, if your heart is set on a tri bike, look at what the top Ironman winners are riding. The Cervelo P2c is nice especially with a set of aeor wheels such as a ZIpp 404 front and 808 rear. Cervelo engineering is very good, with extensive windtunnel testing being a part of their overall design philosophy. Evidence of this is in their aero road bike, the S3. Their P4 Tri bike is very good too.

Also, if you haven't done it, try riding the tri bike outside before you buy. I did and found the road bike was better for me. I use my road bike for tri's and find they are much easier to race with. The secret and hardest part is simple: whatever it is, road bike or dedicated tri bike; to be fast, you gotta ride the bike to where it becomes an extension of your body.

Good luck.
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

A P4 and a zipp sub-9 rear and 1080 front, now thats a hardcore beginner setup. when your done with it, just give it to me.
dgwelsh
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: B. Melick</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dgwelsh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you currently ride? If no, just by a road bike. Do a couple tri's Then take the plunge. To get competetive your going to drop serious $ on a tri bike, wheels, shoes etc. 3K plus. Trek's entry level tri bike is 1500-1800.

Not to mention your saddle time will be much safer on a standard roadie especially riding in the DC area.</div></div>

+1</div></div>

VASTLY safer on a regular roadbike. Even experienced guys smoke themsleves out on tri-bikes routinely.
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jong</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This looks like a really nice bike for the price.
http://www.departmentofgoods.com/litespeed-c3-carbon-bike </div></div>

If you don't mind checking online from time to time:

http://www.bonktown.com/

This is an online deal site. Bikes are coming up on there from time to time. Any of the bike gear you see on department of goods could come up on bonktown with a serious discount. Department of goods and bonktown are both owned by backcountry.com.
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

I use a Felt F55 - I think it cost around $1,500. -$1700.
I love it!

Color: Matte Black
Felt 7005 Superlite custom double-butted aluminum frame with carbon fiber wishbone seat stays
Internally relieved integrated head tube, machined bottom bracket, forged dropouts with replaceable hanger and internal brake cable routing
Felt carbon fiber fork
Mavic Aksium Race wheelset
Vittoria Rubino Slick tires
Felt carbon micro adjust seatpost
Felt carbon oversized handlebar with Ergonomic drop
Felt ST-22 3D-forged stem
Felt Race-lite saddle with carbon injected base
Shimano Dura-Ace 20-speed shifters and derailleur
Truvativ Rouleur 2-piece carbon compact crankset with external BB and 7075/T6 CNC alloy 50/36T machined chainrings
 
Re: triathalon bike suggestion

I like the Cervelo's. I had a SLC SL which had problems shifting with Campy Super Record 11. After confirming it wasn't the Campy that was defective, a couple of calls to Cervelo Tech services and some frame measurements by one of their distributors and they changed out the SLC SL for a new S3. That's service.
 
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