tri chick
07-09-06, 06:22 AM
I'm thinking my road bikes don't cut it. Should I fit my road bikes, or just go for a specialty tri bike? I only have about $1500 to spend if I have to buy, so what would anyone recommend?
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tri chick
07-09-06, 06:30 AM
As a P.S., can anyone recommend a bike for heavier females? Somehow, I think the average tri bike wouldn't be sturdy enough to handle heavier weights. And sometimes, I do like to do bunny hops and stuff. :p
enginerd
07-09-06, 07:15 AM
I'm thinking my road bikes don't cut it. Should I fit my road bikes, or just go for a specialty tri bike? I only have about $1500 to spend if I have to buy, so what would anyone recommend?
what is it about your road bike that isn't cutting it?
What distance tris are you doing?
What are your goals for tris - competitive or just trying to finish?
I'm sure you'll get recommendations on equipment and all, but it's important to understand what your current issues are and what your goals are to give reasonable advice.
what is it about your road bike that isn't cutting it?
What distance tris are you doing?
What are your goals for tris - competitive or just trying to finish?
I'm sure you'll get recommendations on equipment and all, but it's important to understand what your current issues are and what your goals are to give reasonable advice.
cjbruin
07-09-06, 09:43 AM
I have the same questions as enginerd.
With reference to your weight, you really aren't all that heavy as it relates to bikes. Anything in your price range will be plenty sturdy...assuming you don't buy it from Walmart.
IMO, the question whether to go with a roadie or a tri bike comes down to a few simple things:
1) Do you typically ride alone or with others?
2) Are you planning to make triathlons a normal part of your life?
3) Do you plan to do long tris in the future (Half IM, Ironman)?
Unless you do most of your riding by yourself, stay with roadie. You don't want to be in the aero bars when riding with others because it's not safe...and most tri bikes aren't as comfy when you're not in the aeros.
If you just plan to do a few tris and stay in the sprint/olympic distances, roadies are fine.
With reference to your weight, you really aren't all that heavy as it relates to bikes. Anything in your price range will be plenty sturdy...assuming you don't buy it from Walmart.
IMO, the question whether to go with a roadie or a tri bike comes down to a few simple things:
1) Do you typically ride alone or with others?
2) Are you planning to make triathlons a normal part of your life?
3) Do you plan to do long tris in the future (Half IM, Ironman)?
Unless you do most of your riding by yourself, stay with roadie. You don't want to be in the aero bars when riding with others because it's not safe...and most tri bikes aren't as comfy when you're not in the aeros.
If you just plan to do a few tris and stay in the sprint/olympic distances, roadies are fine.
Hazelmn
07-09-06, 12:07 PM
I was making this exact same decision at the beginning of the summer, and chose to keep my road bike as my primary tri bike. I did this for 2 reasons:
1) Investment: Instead of buying an expensive tri-bike, I updated my Trek 2000 with quality tires, pedals, etc. This came out to being alot cheaper, and it benefits my weekend / pleasure rides as well as giving me a serviceable tri bike.
2) Practicality: I just can't justify owning 3 high quality bikes (Mountain, Road, plus a tri?). Plus, I don't have the space to store it properly. Having 2 bikes hanging in my garage is about all my wife will allow before she gets fed up with this hobby.
Sure, I might lose a couple seconds off of my tri times without a $1500 tri bike. But in the end, I think it is about becoming comfortable on a bike and being able to be "one" with it during a race, and I feel my Trek 2000 gets me there.
1) Investment: Instead of buying an expensive tri-bike, I updated my Trek 2000 with quality tires, pedals, etc. This came out to being alot cheaper, and it benefits my weekend / pleasure rides as well as giving me a serviceable tri bike.
2) Practicality: I just can't justify owning 3 high quality bikes (Mountain, Road, plus a tri?). Plus, I don't have the space to store it properly. Having 2 bikes hanging in my garage is about all my wife will allow before she gets fed up with this hobby.
Sure, I might lose a couple seconds off of my tri times without a $1500 tri bike. But in the end, I think it is about becoming comfortable on a bike and being able to be "one" with it during a race, and I feel my Trek 2000 gets me there.
AzraelDOA
07-09-06, 02:14 PM
I'm new here to the forums. Personally I can't wait to get my first aero bike. However, I know this is one of those expenses and I concur with the safety issue of riding aero with your roadie friends.....which is where the sharpie comes in.
I have alot of friends getting into this and my advice for you is to go to a shop and fit on your bike. Then buy a decent set of clip-ons (aero-bars). Then have them re-fit with your seatpost backwards and seat forward. I found that this gives me a few degrees putting me comfortably aero on the bars. Mark both measurements with your sharpie and it takes less than a minute to adjust your seatpost and seat for whatever condition.
Another issue is your body shape. When I started tri's I was.....well fat. So the first time I borrowed a friends TT bike to try it out I was kneeing myself in the gut. So I waited and slimmed down and when I do purchase a tri-specific bike, it won't sit in the garage waiting for me.
Hope this helps
I have alot of friends getting into this and my advice for you is to go to a shop and fit on your bike. Then buy a decent set of clip-ons (aero-bars). Then have them re-fit with your seatpost backwards and seat forward. I found that this gives me a few degrees putting me comfortably aero on the bars. Mark both measurements with your sharpie and it takes less than a minute to adjust your seatpost and seat for whatever condition.
Another issue is your body shape. When I started tri's I was.....well fat. So the first time I borrowed a friends TT bike to try it out I was kneeing myself in the gut. So I waited and slimmed down and when I do purchase a tri-specific bike, it won't sit in the garage waiting for me.
Hope this helps
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