Tired subject: Which bike? Difficulty: fatboy training for sprint triathlon
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Shmoo
Hey guys. I actually did run a search, so I wouldn't be making the same tired ole posts I'm sure a lot of people do. I cross-posted this with the big boy section, if any admins care.
Anyways onto the question. I'm looking for something sub-$1500 for a road bike. I am pretty green in the biking scene itself, as I have only gotten into biking within the last 3-4 months (I have a GF Big Sur mtn bike). After reading a little bit in this section, looks like I can go either way (tri-geometry or road geometry) as far as design.
I am training for a sprint triathlon in Aug/Sept, I don't need anything hardcore...at least at the moment. My LBS that I deal with only carries Trek and Specialized. So I'm kind of stuck between these two brands.
So I've been looking at the Allez and 1.2's up to the Equinox 5. I'm 5'7 - 230. I have read some posts of fat boys ruining wheels...so maybe I'll have to upgrade that. I do realize that more $$ = better components and weight.
But for training and mini-triathlons, would an $800 bike get me through it as well as a $1500 bike? I know coming from mtn bikes, I'd much rather have a $1500 vs. an $800 bike.
If anyone has any experience in this area, I'd appreciate your input. Thanks.
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
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Why not ride the MTB? :) I see alot of new people riding their MTBs at sprint distance triathlons. Granted, it's going to be slower, but for your first few events, time shouldn't matter much. Then you can decide if this is the thing for you and if it's going to be worth it to spend the $$$ on a bike for triathlons. :D
On the other hand, if you're just looking to add a road bike to your stable for more riding options (not just triathlons), then i'm going to have to say there's alot of ~$800 bikes that are just as good as more pricey bikes. Generally, as prices start going up, most of what you're paying for is weight reduction or exotic materials/design. :)
celerystalksme
ride the MTB...
it's your first triathlon...who knows if you'll like it enough to keep doing it or not. so save the cash and ride the mtb. also...you're not a professional triathlete...you're not in it to beat other people...you're in it to have fun, do the best you can, and beat your personal bests in future events.
having said that...i have to admit, gear is definitly part of the fun!
cjbruin
At 230, I wouldn't worry too much about you destroying wheels as I was in excess of 230 for a lot of my training. I have Mavic Ksyrium Elites on my roadie and while they are bomb proof, you may not find a bike in that price range that has them. On the other hand, my tri bike came with Easton Vista (or Velomax) wheels which are very inexpensive, somewhat aero and also very strong...I think these are becoming common on a lot of bikes.
cooker
Just get the thinnest, smoothest tires the bike wheels can fit.
bvfrompc
I weighed more than you during my first couple of tris, first one I did was on my MTB with slicks, then next one I rented one of those $800 bikes. Then I bought one of those $1,500 bikes, then I bought a Tri bike, so there you go.
I would see if you could rent one for the race, going fast was a lot more fun for me.
Shmoo
Thanks for the responses. I was leaning towards getting a road/triathlon bike so I could train on it, also. Perhaps I could train out on the trails, and rent a bike on race day as bvfrompc stated.
cooker
and rent a bike on race day as bvfrompc stated.
Hmmm...maybe rent the same bike once or twice beforehand to be sure of fit and comfort.
Shmoo
Good idea...but do you think that rental places keep them all in stock form? Just dont want to rent the same 'frame', but get a different everything else, which may change my reach and such.
Seamus
My recommendation would be if you think you want to get into road biking anyway, find a road bike that fits at your local shop, and ask them to make you a deal on a set of clip-on aero bars. This will set you up for both long fun/training rides and the preferred aero position of TT/Tri. I used this configuration for my first two seasons, and was plenty fast (at least my equipment wasn't holding me back any). I just recently upgraded to a dedicated TT bike, so hopefully I can show significant time gains this year. ;)
Jim
bvfrompc
Hmmm...maybe rent the same bike once or twice beforehand to be sure of fit and comfort.
Its a Sprint Triathlon, comfort shouldn't even come into the equation and its not like he's going to get a 5 hour ride in where the fit has to be dialed in beyond seat height. Just get in the drops and hammer for 40 minutes. I could ride my wifes bike for 40 minutes and wouldn't expect to have any ill effects. Its not that complicated.
Thinking back it was kind of funny, I am standing outside the bike shop explaining that I was planning on riding this bike in a tri the next morning and I ask the guy "so, how do you shift this thing?' Luckily I only had one climb on the route and I kept it in pretty much the same gear most of the ride.
RE: Training on the MTB
I did all my training for my first year of tris on the trails and did just fine, you will as well. Just make sure you head for the hills, in my case I was living in Park City at the time and had plenty of hour plus climbs to work on that LT.
Shmoo
Thank you very much for the replies, fellas. I have been riding on the trails more with the mountain bike...it is the best I can do until I get a road bike. I did have a small set back, as I went over the bar in the rock garden, and got pretty beat-up.
I can get by w/o an aerobar, correct? As 'bvfrompc' put it, I wouldn't be on the bike for too long during the event; but I do want to train for a couple of hours (or more) on riding, so maybe it would be a good idea to get an aerobar.