Best Tri bike under $2000?

[rhodeshg]

Which bike and why?

[Sprocket Man]

Probably the Cervelo Dual. The brand has a lot of respect among riders so the potential resale value would be pretty good. But more importantly, it has a very good component package for the price. Of course, the term "best" is so nebulous when being applied to bicycles, so I give my recommendation with a bit of hesitation.

[Triguy]

The maret for sub $2000 tri bikes is shrinking slowly. Hell the Dual and Kilo are now $1800 or whereabouts, and those are both amazing bikes. The Felt S32 is best bang for the buck, and although I don't like the geometry(slack seat tubes) on the upper sizes, I would ride a 52 in a Felt which would fit me like a glove.

Really if you're looking in the smaller sizes then a S32 and Dual will fit similarly, and a Kilo will be slacker in the Seat Tube and maybe a touch longer in the top tube.

Cannondale has a bike in their as well as Trek, but neither will offer the componentry/cost ratio.


If you're looking for pure speed to dollar ratio I would suggest,

Either a Felt S32 or if a local shop has a 2005 closeout Tequilo or Kilo... as long as it fits...

Then you should have $600, get a Renn disc for $400, and then save up until you can get a front wheel(should be able to find them starting around $400)

If you want more help throw out what state you're in. Some states have astounding shops and some will take some searching. Most of all if this is your first tri bike, avoid purchasing over the internet.

[kuan]

How can you get a Dura Ace tri bike for under 2k when you can hardly get an Ultegra roadie for the same price? Weird.

[Triguy]

It's mostly the fact that STI shifters are about 4-5 times the price of bar ends, so when you cut the price of those off the bike you can pay for an upgraded rear derailleur and the addition of aerobars and reverse brae levers. Also, keep in mind that "Dura Ace bike" is thrown around loosely, most of these bikes have a dura ace shifter and rear derailleur. The rest is Ultegra and OEM parts.

[Triguy]

Also, if you want something really unique, with great attention to detail; check out Yaqui, their entry level bike is $1995, but tons of knowledge and personal service going that route. I've never heard a bad thing about Yaqui.

[rhodeshg]

Im in Charlotte NC. Ive doing tris for a little over a year now on a road bike. I love my road bike but on those flat courses I cant help but wonder if a different bike would help (and help my running). Ive been doing some research and the Dual, s32 and the QR seem to be the best deal for my budget. Is having carbon that much of a benefit? I know the frame is the most important component on the bike. I want to have a bike I can race on for 5, 6+ years. I can always upgrade the wheels, derailers ect. So should I go for a nicer frame and just save up for another 6-12 months? I notice the Cervelo's dont have much carbon until their 3k-4k models. Inside Out Sports is a couple hours away and I will probley end up going down there and getting fitted and test riding all their stuff.

[merlinextraligh]

Leader 735 TT for $1200 Then the remaining $800 on a Hed or Renn disc, and a HED 3 front. Guarantee it will be faster than buying a $2000 bike and racing on conventionally spoked wheels. http://www.leaderbikestore.com/pd_ld_730tt2.cfm

[SlowJim]

I would go with the Fuji Aloha 1.0 (http://www.fujibikes.com/2006/bikes.asp?id=141). Great components and Fuji makes a great bike. I have a Fuji Pro (Along with my Merlin Extralight racing machine) and love it.

Have fun spending $2000 :)

Jim

[rhodeshg]

Merlin,
You really think the wheels will make that much of a difference? I like the look of the leader frame, and its a good price, but I am hesitant not being able to test ride it. Thanks for the imput!

[merlinextraligh]

Merlin,
You really think the wheels will make that much of a difference? I like the look of the leader frame, and its a good price, but I am hesitant not being able to test ride it. Thanks for the imput!

The aerodynamic position of the rider is the thing that makes the most difference in speed. After that, aerodynamic wheels is the next biggest difference. Ultegra derailleur v D/A derailler equals no difference in finishing time. Disc and a Trispoke wheel vs. convetionally spoked wheels worth about 2 minutes over 40k. Take a look at this link: http://home.hia.no/~stephens/aero.htm
The interesting conclusion of the article I reference is 5 pounds of bike weight makes less time difference than aero wheels. (assuming a flat TT).
So my point in suggesting the Leader is if you're locked into a $2000 budget, I'd put money into wheels, rather than componets and a name brand frame. If you look around there are some other relatively inexpensive TT frames, or buy a used TT frame or bike on ebay, and some nice race wheels.

[StanSeven]

Im in Charlotte NC. Ive doing tris for a little over a year now on a road bike. I love my road bike but on those flat courses I cant help but wonder if a different bike would help (and help my running). Ive been doing some research and the Dual, s32 and the QR seem to be the best deal for my budget. Is having carbon that much of a benefit? I know the frame is the most important component on the bike. I want to have a bike I can race on for 5, 6+ years. I can always upgrade the wheels, derailers ect. So should I go for a nicer frame and just save up for another 6-12 months? I notice the Cervelo's dont have much carbon until their 3k-4k models. Inside Out Sports is a couple hours away and I will probley end up going down there and getting fitted and test riding all their stuff.

I agree. I saw a QR this weekend in a LBS for $2100. It was mostly DA with a FSA CF crank.

[2oz]

Im in Charlotte NC. Ive doing tris for a little over a year now on a road bike. I love my road bike but on those flat courses I cant help but wonder if a different bike would help (and help my running). Ive been doing some research and the Dual, s32 and the QR seem to be the best deal for my budget. Is having carbon that much of a benefit? I know the frame is the most important component on the bike. I want to have a bike I can race on for 5, 6+ years. I can always upgrade the wheels, derailers ect. So should I go for a nicer frame and just save up for another 6-12 months? I notice the Cervelo's dont have much carbon until their 3k-4k models. Inside Out Sports is a couple hours away and I will probley end up going down there and getting fitted and test riding all their stuff.

Inside Out Sports is what you want. It's worth the drive, and you won't get any bike shop around Charlotte (read: Bikesource) that will give the amount of detail that Inside Out Sports will. They'll sell you the bike, but they'll give you advice, they'll size you up and fit the bike to your body in the store. It's worth the 2.5-3 hour drive from Charlotte.

I did this when I bought my Dual, and it was a great great decision. I also suggest the Cervelo Dual for a bike. You don't need carbon to rock out, post some great bike splits, and have fun. Save the $400-500 for a wetsuit or other triathlon extras.

[Triguy]

You and 2oz have got it right. Insideout is the best I've heard as far as NC goes, they have a couple of Raleigh area locations. Don't sweat it I drove 3 hours for the first tri bike I got. Call ahead and let them know your budget and what you're thinking about, they'll probably give ou a time to be fit and it will ensure that someone is there to help you. They have the 2006 QR Kilo and Santo I'm talking about below and 2006 Dual w/Ultegra for $1650 and the 2006 Dura Ace Dual for $1900

Just a heads up... they have the Quintana Roo Santo, which is a TITANIUM tri bike, in your budget for $1995. It isn't aero tubed, but it will be comfortable(which is as big of a factor to speed as aerodynamics) and has a good parts kit. Titanium is known for its ride quality and its longetivity.

As far as carbon goes, lack of it won't slow you down and adding it doesn't make a bike better.