Triathlon - HELP, first ever tri-bike:

hey everybody,

I've trained and competed in boxing and recently mma, and even more recently have gotten into triathlon training with the goal of competing and seeing where things go -- I just registered for the upcoming Boston Tri. Thus, I've decided its time to indulge in my first bike :)

anyways, after looking at various bikes and individual reviews, I have narrowed it down to 2 choices:

06' Cervelo Dual or a Trek 5200 which I can get for 2k. I am going to be using the bike mainly for events or training for tri's; I'm 6 foot and weigh 185, if that should matter much on my decision. After reading some reviews the Cervelo seems to be the ultimate bike given value, but how does the Trek 5200 compare (which seems to get universally good reviews), as I know I am able to get it at the reduced price of 2k?

Between these two is there a clear choice? And if not, what factors might weigh in some1 chooses one over the other?

Any help/advice is GREATLY appreciated!

Cheers

Apples and oranges. The Dual is a dedicated tri bike. The 5200 is a road bike. The 5200 will be more versatile, while the Dual will be more efficient for it's given purpose. You can tri on the Trek, plus take it on group rides or race with it if you're so inclined.

Since you looked at the Dual, did you also look at Cervelo's Soloist? You can get an Ultegra-equipped one for just over your $2K 5200.

Second the Soloist if in the ballpark pricewise...

With the seatpost design, the bike offers a very versatile design (seat forward for tri's, seatpost back for road) and a reasonably aero frame.

The 5200 will need you to push the saddle as far forward on the rails or buy a forward seatpost to set it up for tris.

Can't comment on the Dual because I am not sure of this model.

Thanks for the responses guys, definitly helpful.

the ultegraSoloist seems like an outstanding bike and is also in my price range (albeit the upper end :p )

apologize in advance if this is a totally obvious question, but if I were to get the ultegra-equipped Soloist, would it be a viable bike to customize and tweek as time goes by if I were to get more serious, especially with respect to tri events?

thanks again guys, great forum!

apologize in advance if this is a totally obvious question, but if I were to get the ultegra-equipped Soloist, would it be a viable bike to customize and tweek as time goes by if I were to get more serious, especially with respect to tri events?

Don't see why not, though if you truely get the bug and are after a Tri specific bike. I would probably recommend converting the Soloist back to a road bike for training on and invest in a second steeper geometry triathlon specific bike for racing.

As the soloist with the seat in it's forward position is 76 degrees, where a triathon specific design will allow a seat to be more around 78 degrees or steeper.

Soloist set up as a tri bike...

http://www.fitwerx.com/Website%20Images/Client%20Bikes/Jon's-Soloist-Team.jpg

Good review on bike sport michegan site

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/soloist.shtml

Blurb from Cervelo

http://www.cervelo.com/bikes.aspx?bike=SLT2006#I

apologize in advance if this is a totally obvious question, but if I were to get the ultegra-equipped Soloist, would it be a viable bike to customize and tweek as time goes by if I were to get more serious, especially with respect to tri events?



In 2005, team CSC used the soloist team in the tour de france (This year they are using the carbon ones). Its a frame worthy of the worlds best components.

BTW, intresting username... I've always hated poetry!

Well, after weighing comments and delving into further research I'm going to aggressivly pursure the Team Soloist -- seems like the bike I could train on now and forever and also allow me the easy capablity of entering tri events with it....and down the road I could always invest in a tri-specific bike if I felt so compelled.

Now its just about time to start getting down to the nitty gritty of actual training! :D

Well, after weighing comments and delving into further research I'm going to aggressivly pursure the Team Soloist -- seems like the bike I could train on now and forever and also allow me the easy capablity of entering tri events with it....and down the road I could always invest in a tri-specific bike if I felt so compelled.

Now its just about time to start getting down to the nitty gritty of actual training! :D

Congrats on the choice. I did the exact same thing a couple years ago and haven't regretted it. I have gotten back to riding the Soloist as my primary bike after a year of using just for tris and I remember why I bought it in the first place. Great bike.

Good choice. Just don't accidentally buy the Soloist Carbon.

Good choice. Just don't accidentally buy the Soloist Carbon.


heh, I'm making sure I don't even read about the carbon until AFTER I make my purchase:)

A good thing, since if you bought it you might regret buying a bike that heavy. Cervelo recently announced the Soloist Carbon SL (Super Light) frameset- 200 grams lighter (making it under 1000 grams) than the regular Carbon Soloist. The list price for the regular carbon frameset is $3200, and the price I have seen for the new SL frameset is $4600. That translates into 7 ounces lighter, and $200 per ounce saved.

Anybody know what heroin or cocaine cost per ounce? They might be cheaper addictions than this level of weight weenie-ism. :D

Anybody know what heroin or cocaine cost per ounce? They might be cheaper addictions than this level of weight weenie-ism. :D


:roflmao: