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Discussion: New to sport--seeking bike advice
Subject: New to sport--seeking bike advice By: Kelly M. Written on: 2006-01-21 08:06:02 Message: Hello all--I am brand new to the sport and about to purchase my very own bike. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks
Subject: RE: New to sport--seeking bike advice By: Mike C. Written on: 2006-01-22 21:53:35 Message: Hi Kelly,It depends how much you think you are gonna like the sport.I bought an enrty level road bike for $600 bucks and its been fine but.....know going into my second season and 8 triathlons later I'm itching for a tri bike soo bad.Good luck!
Subject: RE: New to sport--seeking bike advice By: bob g. Written on: 2006-01-22 22:04:10 Message: As you probably know, the price for bikes is all over the map. You can get into biking for under 600 USD or if your budget will allow 6-7 thousand USD. The most important part of buying a bike is the fit. Some LBS will allow for a test ride , others will not. I'm not sure how much you will get out of a spin around the block though. But they all will measure you, put the bike on a trainer and tweek your position on the bike and make it just right. Whether you get a nonspecific road bike or get trispecific bike is up to you. I ride alot, including a daily commute, so a tri bike doesn't make sense as my only bike. I put on Syntace aerobars, when I race. It works for me. Summng up- Get what you can afford, and the most important part of buying a bike is the FIT. Comfortable bikes go faster and further. they make you want to ride them Jamie B I believe works at a bike shop and can can probably give you more advice bob
Subject: RE: New to sport--seeking bike advice By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-01-23 01:24:58 Message: kelly, I agree with Bob. Fit is the most important thing with a bike. If you are buying a new bike get it from a shop that sells racing bikes and has an expert fitter. If you are sure that you will be doing triathlons and time trials only get a tri bike there are many great but not cheap bikes available.If the bike will be multipurpose but not for off road, get a light weight road bike. The things that are most important to bikes in triathlon in order (in my oppinion) are. 1.fit (if it does not fit, it will be uncomfortable and not allow you to spin properly and you will not ride enough to train properly) 2.training (if you don't do it no bike is fast) 3.a reasonably light good quality bike frame with good components such as Shimano Ultegra 4.learning to spin properly 5.good wheels 6. great wheels Have Fun, Ron
Subject: RE: New to sport--seeking bike advice By: Lauren M. Written on: 2006-01-23 19:49:00 Message: Go with a road bike not a tri bike. You can always add components to make it more tri-like. (forward seat post, clip on aero-bars) Don't spend too much. Go middle of the road on components. Get the feel for racing. After all it's your first year, your not going to qualify for Kona. And you won't be using this bike when you do qualify in later years. FIT FIT FIT!!! Ask other triathletes in your area where they shop. Don't go to a mega bike store. Find a neighborhood place that will fit you correctly and offer you individual service and attention.
Subject: RE: New to sport--seeking bike advice By: alan m. Written on: 2006-01-26 12:12:00 Message: I work in a bike shop and see this question all the time. iIn my opinion, use whatever bike you have on hand RIGHT now. a bike is a major investment. you can get away with buying say a trek 1000 for around $600 and put a $25 dollar aero bars on it, but that still is alot of cash in a bike. If you already have a bike and know you want to make the next level, you must have a budget. i just purchased a Trek Equinox 7, they now have the Equinox 5 out for i believe around a grand. (my shop doesnt carry it) i got this bike because i do 5-6 tri's a year and a small time trial series. i do most of my riding on my road bike. it is a wonderfully equipped bike that gets you into a proper tri position without blowing your budget. now if you want the best bang for your buck in my opinion, look at Guru from canada. you get full component groupings instead of this hodgepodge mix like so many companies are doing now. talk to many different shops, if they dont let you go for an extended test ride, walk away. when trying out a bike, use your own gear including pedals, if they dont want to switch out pedals, again walk away. also make sure the place you buy your bike from has a full service repair shop. tri-bikes tend to be on the fickle side, or maybe thats just the tri-geeks. in any case your bike will need maintenance and upgrades and purchasing at the store that you get it repaired at will save you a ton of money in the long run.
Subject: RE: New to sport--seeking bike advice By: Jamie B. Written on: 2006-01-29 21:27:57 Message: Kelly, I manage one of the top 3 Trek dealers in America (Reovlution Cycles we have 4 stores in the DC and norther VA area) and there is no real easy advice on bikes. There is so much more than color and style! You first have to think how serious you are and what your needs are going to be. From there you can decide on your price point. There are a lot of real good bikes for between 1200-1500 dollars, but still may be out of the price range. Trek does have the Equinox 5 like Alan said and it is a real good beginner bike with an alpha aluminum frame and some aero tubing but now a whole lot and the component group is all the desireable but if it is something that you are unsure of you can upgrade components and wheels later!! The equinox 7 is a big jump in components and frame and wheels and it really isn't that much more. I believe we have it priced for 1499 for 9 speed and there is a 10 speed version out now for 1549. The nice thing with the 7 is it has the option for wsd which is womens specific but not all women need that. The 7 also comes with a semi aero race ready wheel for the people who don't want to spend another 1800 dollars on wheels just to compete. Like I said a lot depends on budget and everything else but there are some real nice Lemond (subdivision of Trek) tri bikes coming out that are a pound and a half lighter and they offer a carbon rear end which absorbs road shock for longer rides (if you are cosidering doing a half iron one day you may want to look into spending for the carbon mix upfront) I agree with the other statements from alan and bob, you do want to make sure that there is servince which almost all bike shops carry and that you get one that fits. Teh big thing is you have to find the right bike for you and not what other people like/ ride or want and it may take trying a couple out to see how they feel shift and even handle. Every store that I have visited or worked at allowed for test rides so you may want to spend 15 minutes or so on each bike and go thru some gear changes turning and everything else to make sure that it is what you like. Good Luck on your decision and if you have any questions on fit or bike related let me know! j-
Subject: RE: New to sport--seeking bike advice By: William D. Written on: 2006-01-30 08:53:03 Message:
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