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road/triathlon bike help?
- Thread starter amalia03
- Start date
aussiepauls
New member
look for a used raceline 10 speed with 105 on it. make show you get the right size frame $800 will get you a good used bike good luck. paul
hummerhead2002
New member
Please do find the time to check this particular triathlon bike I just saw on EBAY.com It is item no. 330398678518 - a GURU CRONO triathlon bike---it looks fantastic! (2007 model but it looks mint---)
joebanks2020
New member
Bob is right, get the best used road bike you can find and modify it with wheels and aero bars. $800 should get you a fairly decent carbon frame, like a Fuji or Specialized which already has decent components, then upgrade to what you can afford.
Time trial bikes are very different from triathlon bikes. TT's are specific bikes for very specific course lengths and terrains. Triathlon bikes are just road bikes with, frankly, minor upgrades, and "triathlon" specific bikes are usually over-priced red herrings.
Time trial bikes are very different from triathlon bikes. TT's are specific bikes for very specific course lengths and terrains. Triathlon bikes are just road bikes with, frankly, minor upgrades, and "triathlon" specific bikes are usually over-priced red herrings.
DosCentavos
New member
It really doesn't matter much which TRI bike you get -- personal preference, color, components are not that big a factor overall. I've seen people on $10,000 bikes with a $5 bike fit and a $1 setup (why pay $9000 more to shave off 2 pounds on a bike if you're gonna carry 2 more waterbottles than I will?). Try to get an older model on clearance or closeout.
The important thing here is BIKE FIT and setup whether you get a roadie or tri bike. Get a professional fit -- usually free with the new bike and make sure you are allowed a 'follow up' refit 3 months down the road once you've settled into it. You also have to decide what kind of TRI bike setup you're looking for -- are you going to be doing sprint distance or gunning for an Iron distance race?
1) Road bikes are good for races where climbing is a factor. Tri-bikes are usually adapted to time trial settings and do best on flat terrain.
2) Tri bikes tend to be less comfortable than road bikes -- their design is to make coming off the bike and transitioning into the run easier by utilizing slightly different muscle groups than a road bike. The shorter the race the less comfort and bricks are a factor.
3) Tri-bikes are built for SPEED in a maintained aero position. If you ride on the horns, this negates the need for a tri-specific bike. You need to maintain aero position as much as possible on these bikes -- this is less practical when lots of climbing is involved. E.g. I would use a road bike at IM Lake Placid (climbing pain) but use a Tri bike at IM Florida (pancake flat)
4) The word TRI- in front of a bike is usually +$400 to the comparable road bike version.
5) Tri bikes are harder to control and goobers riding in the aerobars in pacelines are generally frowned upon. If you ride with a group and want to go aero, stay to the back of the group. But if you pull for the paceline, they don't mind so much.
If you are handy or have a friend/shop that can build the bike for you I would suggest bikesdirect.com. Otherwise go to a local bike shop and talk to people -- join a tri club and ask to see if anyone is upgrading. Google is also a good place to start. FELT makes good entry level bikes. Year end closeouts might get you into the $1000 range.
I would advise a road bike if your races are in hilly terrain or if you cannot maintain an aero position comfortably. It really comes down to choice. Whatever you choose, ride the bike, try it out first. For the most part, reliability comes in the choice of tires -- continental gatorskins.....hands down. A little heavier, but no flats and good for 4000 miles.
See you at the finish line.
The important thing here is BIKE FIT and setup whether you get a roadie or tri bike. Get a professional fit -- usually free with the new bike and make sure you are allowed a 'follow up' refit 3 months down the road once you've settled into it. You also have to decide what kind of TRI bike setup you're looking for -- are you going to be doing sprint distance or gunning for an Iron distance race?
1) Road bikes are good for races where climbing is a factor. Tri-bikes are usually adapted to time trial settings and do best on flat terrain.
2) Tri bikes tend to be less comfortable than road bikes -- their design is to make coming off the bike and transitioning into the run easier by utilizing slightly different muscle groups than a road bike. The shorter the race the less comfort and bricks are a factor.
3) Tri-bikes are built for SPEED in a maintained aero position. If you ride on the horns, this negates the need for a tri-specific bike. You need to maintain aero position as much as possible on these bikes -- this is less practical when lots of climbing is involved. E.g. I would use a road bike at IM Lake Placid (climbing pain) but use a Tri bike at IM Florida (pancake flat)
4) The word TRI- in front of a bike is usually +$400 to the comparable road bike version.
5) Tri bikes are harder to control and goobers riding in the aerobars in pacelines are generally frowned upon. If you ride with a group and want to go aero, stay to the back of the group. But if you pull for the paceline, they don't mind so much.
If you are handy or have a friend/shop that can build the bike for you I would suggest bikesdirect.com. Otherwise go to a local bike shop and talk to people -- join a tri club and ask to see if anyone is upgrading. Google is also a good place to start. FELT makes good entry level bikes. Year end closeouts might get you into the $1000 range.
I would advise a road bike if your races are in hilly terrain or if you cannot maintain an aero position comfortably. It really comes down to choice. Whatever you choose, ride the bike, try it out first. For the most part, reliability comes in the choice of tires -- continental gatorskins.....hands down. A little heavier, but no flats and good for 4000 miles.
See you at the finish line.
joebanks2020
New member
Bob is right, get the best used road bike you can find and modify it with wheels and aero bars. $800 should get you a fairly decent carbon frame, like a Fuji or Specialized which already has decent components, then upgrade to what you can afford.
Time trial bikes are very different from triathlon bikes. TT's are specific bikes for very specific course lengths and terrains. Triathlon bikes are just road bikes with, frankly, minor upgrades, and "triathlon" specific bikes are usually over-priced red herrings.
Time trial bikes are very different from triathlon bikes. TT's are specific bikes for very specific course lengths and terrains. Triathlon bikes are just road bikes with, frankly, minor upgrades, and "triathlon" specific bikes are usually over-priced red herrings.