Triathlon - Tri Frame Recommendation

Greetings,

I am looking for a tri-specific frame recommendations. I am currently riding a Giant TCR-C2, and have done a few tri sprints. I am looking to do more Olympic distance sprints next year and on, not progressing to half IM until maybe 3-5 years out. I am 5'9", 165 lbs.

My budget is ~$1,700 for the frame and I am looking to put on a pair of Zipp 404s. I am very comfortable on my road bike, and put about 5,000 miles on it each year. I am also planning to put my 10 speed ultegra crank on it. It seems that weight is not the #1 priority on tri bikes, so I am hoping to buy a DA crank and put it on my road bike. I'd like to build up the frame with the Ultegra gruppo. If there are any strong comments against this setup, I'd like to hear them.

- Thanks, Peter

Does the $1700 budget include Zipp 404s? Aren't those about $1400 a wheelset?

The Specialized Transition Elite is about $1600. It has mainly 105. Likewise the Cannondale Ironman 800 is about $1800 and is a combinatin of ultegra, 105, TruVativ and SRAM. I think that $1700 is a bit light to look to get a tri bike with ultegra.

The Cannondale Ironman 2000 is all ultegra and has mavic ksyrium elite wheels. It lists for $2900. The Specialized Transition Comp is $2600 and is dura-ace.

To clarify, the budget is for the frame only. Wheels, gruppo, etc. are separate. I am looking to get a nice frame that will last me a while. I can get the Specialized S-works Transition frame for that money, but brands like QR, Kestrel, Kuota seem to be more Tri/TT oriented. I am curious what is the advantage of those brands compared to the mainstream brands like Specialized, Giant and Trek. Thanks.

Get a Kestrel Talon frame and spend some more on the gruppo. This builds a fantastic tri bike! Kestrel just released the caron aero seatpost for the Talon's too. (the old one is great, but weighs a ton)

The Talon frame is a real bargin and you can easily build up a full tri set up under 18lbs (my 53cm Talon with Ultegra, Hed aerobars, FSA carbon crank, Renn Disc and X-Treme WindCheeter TriSpoke front weighs just over 18, but rides really, really nice!)

If it were me...I would go for the Cervelo P2 SL Frameset ($1,399)...or if you can afford to spurge...the P3 SL is $2,199.

http://www.cervelo.com/prices/usa.html

If it were me...I would go for the Cervelo P2 SL Frameset ($1,399)...or if you can afford to spurge...the P3 SL is $2,199.

http://www.cervelo.com/prices/usa.html


Cant say anything bad about Cervelo. I love my P3. The P2 SL is supposed to be great.

For your price point I would second The Cannondale Ironman 2000 (I have the IM5000 as my back-up bike). The Cannondale frame is fast and proven at IM Hawaii to be damn fast. If you go that route make sure you opt for the "SI" cranks - well worth the investment. Those cranks are the stiffest cranks I have ever ridden. Another point I wanted to make is the quality it very high.

I would second the P2SL or the P3SL if you can spend the cash. I have the P2K and it is a beautiful and fast bike (with full DA10 and easton attack bars, in a 61cm with 1700 gram wheels it is 19.1 pounds.

Cervelos are amazing, but with your money you could go with a Yaqui or Elite or something high end of that nature that is a little more unique. A yaqui octillo is around $1700 for a scandium frame with reynolds fork and I believe that it comes custom.

Consider a Kestrel Airfoil Pro.
Beautiful frame.
MSRP is $2249, so a bit out of your price range, but I bet you can get a deal.
Here's a link:

http://www.kestrel-usa.com/bikes/airfoil.php

Aegis T2 AKA Carbon Cervelo... for $1,295.00.

Aegis T2 Frame (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7173778258&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1)

Thanks for all the responses. I certainly have much to chew on.

- Peter

If you can still find them you should be able to pick up a 2004 Cervelo P3 for around $1700-1800, I don't think you're going to find a more aero frame for the money, even the Trek guys are impressed with it.

The HED TT Frame is worth a look as well at $1600, but has a fairly shallow seat tube angle and would require a forward seat post, not sure if you want to get into that or not but is worth a mention.

One more question: Can anyone recommend a tri shop (that will do a fit and carries Cervelo) in the SF area?

These places all carry Cervelo...

Lombardi Sports - 1600 Jackson Street - 415-771-0600
Montano Velo - 4266 Piedmont, Oakland - 510-654-8356
Front of the Pack - 195 Page Mill Rd., Palo Alto - 650-804-6680
Cupertino Bike Shop - 10493 De Anzo, Cupertino - 408-255-2217
Bikes for Life - 1344 Sunset, Antioch - 925-754-8025