Help one more time

[possum]

Started running again feels okay.
Swimming 3/4 of a mile 2 laps at a time.
43 years old not very flexible.
Have not ridden a bike in 20 plus years.
I went to a shop today set on trek road bike 54cm.
The dude said a 56cm would fit better, looking on ebay found this bike.
Will this bike worth a flip?

Airborne Zeppelin Bicycle 56 cm. Road Bike Chris King
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AIRBORNE ZEPPLIN TRI-FRAME

56cm ROAD BIKE
Titanium Color
Frame is Titanium 3AL/2.5V
Chris King Headset
Profile Julie FC Carbon Fiber Fork
Shimano Ultegra Deraileurs
Shimano Crankset
Shimano 600 Brakes
Shimano Mavic Wheels
3t Stem and Bars
Easton Carbon Fiber Seat Post
Selle Italia Seat Mythos
Panaracer Stradius Tires 700x23C
Forgie Stem
Ritchly Clip In Peddles
19lbs 9oz Total Weight
Excellent Condition, Like New
Under 500 Miles Since New

[auto208562]

I'm not even sure what your question is. You said you were told by your lbs that you should ride a 56cm trek road bike (which model?). Then you found a 56cm road bike on ebay but it's not a trek right?

I mean, different road bike brands (like trek vs. felt) aren't going to have the exact geometry or measurements and not even within the same brand with different models.

And for sure, a road bike is not going to be the same as a tri bike.

[possum]

My main question is about the bike. Is it a good bike? Is the componets okay? I want a road bike, but this says it is a tri-frame. Will it work for everyday riding? Is titanium as good as a carbon fiber? Will the ride be as smooth?

My statement was that I am out of shape and not flexiable and don't know jack about a bikes.

[LBonney]

seems very heavy for a Ti bike.

Component mix is also a bit old. Shimano 600 hasn't been around for several years. I'd stay away, it seems a bit of a mongrel.

What about the shifters, are they STI or bar end ? Makes no mention of cockpit configuration.

[cjbruin]

Would tend to agree with LBonney. If you don't know anything about bikes and haven't ridden, you're better off going to a bike store that can fit you on a bike properly. At this point I wouldn't owrry about carbon fiber or Ti as you will probably be just as happy with a steel or aluminum frame depending on the condition of the roads you ride.

[MHR]

seems very heavy for a Ti bike.

My Trek-TT is 18.8 lbs even fully loaded with Zipp Z999's, HED 1-piece Carbon bars, Dura Ace-10 speed Dura Ace peddels and Polar720i. My Cannondale IM 5000 with the most of the same equipment (different bars, stem, seatpost) is 18.4. So I dont think 19lbs is heavy for a Tri-bike at all. My road bike, a Trek Madone 5.9 is 15.4 fully loaded. Most Tri/TT bikes have more frame mass due to larger aero shaped tubes.

[auto208562]

I'm just worried about the fit. A bike with the best components will be negated by a bad fit. It's one thing if you saw the same bike at the lbs and tried it and now are trying to find a better price online. I would say go for it. But you never even tried the bike.

In regards to the components and parts, I think it is fine. I guess another question is what is the going price?

Regarding your concern about road vs. tri bike, I'm not familiar with this kind of bike, but a tri bike has a little more aggresive geometry. If you try to ride in an upright position for too long, your arms and shoulders will start to ache because tri bikes are suppose to be ridden in the aero position. You come up sometimes to stretch or brake, but the majority of time should be down in the aero bars.

Also, I agree with MHR, the weight is not bad. I have a Cervelo Dual 10 which weighs in at around 22 lbs with no upgrades or anything. And Cervelo is a pretty popular and reputable tri bike maker. Granted that my model is aluminum and towards the bottom of the barrel compared to their other models, but I think 19 lbs is a good weight.

[LBonney]

I ddin't mean it was heavy for a TRI bike, I thought it look heavy for a Titanuim bike. The bike in question is a ROAD bike.

[possum]

Thanks for the info. I will pass and go to another bike shop. This is worse than a candy shop (too many brands).

[auto208562]

Try looking at felts. They are a pretty popular bike company with reasonable price, fairly decent inventory, and I believe life time warranty.

Their entry level road bikes are the f24 and f90 which are MSRP $699. You might be able to find them cheaper on the internet, last year's model or used.

http://www.feltracing.com/06/home.html

[H2OChick]

My bike is technically a "tri" bike, with compact, tri geometry, but I have it set up as a road bike. I don't have aerobars on it. I have had a few issues with my elbows on longer rides - I think they're taking the brunt of the pressure of being in a fairly low position. But it's not just the geometry... it's also the frame size (too small for me) and the stem length, etc.

I'd be pretty leery of buying a bike sight-unseen unless you know exactly what it is (by brand and model). It's different if you know a ton about bikes. If you want to try to save some $$, you can look at consignment shops or craigslist or some such thing that might have bikes you can actually look at and ride, but for less.

Don't let the all the technical bike stuff deter you from your goal of getting into shape. Deciding to become active and start a new sport is a big deal, and while it can seem very confusing, the important part is that you get out there and do it! Kudos to you... carry on!

[possum]

I went to shop today and bought a Trek Modone. It has been a long time since I rode a bike. I hope it is a good bike.

[Sprocket Man]

I went to shop today and bought a Trek Modone. It has been a long time since I rode a bike. I hope it is a good bike.The Madone is Trek's flagship line. It's good, and you will enjoy riding it.