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I'm kind of a noob to triathlons, but I want to get a nice, lightweight bike for them. I want to spend just under or around $3000. It can either be a tri / tt bike or road bike. I currently have a 2008 Raleigh Gran Sport, and it's a pretty nice bike with an aluminum frame. I am starting to get really competitive as I am on a school team. Also, I don't want anything made in china. What is the "best" bike I could get for around $3000, and would I be better off getting a tri bike or a road bike?
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A Cervelo P2C gets good reviews and is $3,000 on the nose. Go Ultegra on it and you can shave it down to $2,500.
IMHO, this bike right here: http://www.cervelo.com/bikes.aspx?bike=P2C2008
(P2C DuraAce bike: $3,200.00; P2C Ultegra bike: $2,650.00)
One more thing; most (if not all) carbon fiber bike frames are made in Taiwan/China, so if you want CF, that's where they come from.
Go get a fit. Find someone who will listen to your riding style, your goals, your racing and so forth. $3000 is too much to throw down on a frame and components without having some personal thought put into the bike.
A long time ago I was fit steep and low. They told me I was young and it should work. I tweaked as necessary. I had a custom bike made for this position.
Last year, I walked into a qualified fitter who has been in the wind tunnel numerous times, has worked with hundreds of guys and listened to where I was at (former runner), what I raced (long course mainly), and how my body shape effected position. He advised me on a helmet or two. He told me how my fit would be different than what I was currently doing and how it should be better. My next race my hamstrings throbbed and were trashed, we went back a little too fast. However, my run was still good and I was very comfortable in my back. JACKPOT. I moved the seat back forward 1/2 of what we have moved it back, and have been moving it back ever since.
me, I'd get a Trek TTX 9.0, and for the $200 left over revamp the front end with a VT basebar and maybe a lower aerobar. It's designed to be ridden more "shallow". It's proven fast in the wind tunnel.
I would stick with the following bikes because they are proven wind tunnel performers and one of them should fit you...
Trek TTX
Cervelo P2C
Felt B12
Bikes that are probably pretty slippery but not proven like the above and aren't that readily available...
Jamis T2 ???
Specialized Transition Comp
Where are you located? I may be able to suggest a good fitter.
The nice thing about Cervelo is that everyone has one, so service on them is easy. The bad thing, in my opinion, is that everyone has one. I recently had the same budget, and chose the Felt B-12. (Pronounced B-1-2 to avoid confusion with the vitamin). Very similar to the P2C, but it comes with more aerodynamic (aluminum) wheels, so I don't feel the need to spend another $1,200 on carbon wheels.
If you want a set of standard aluminum wheels, and a set of carbon racing wheels, the Cervelo is the better value. by a couple hundred dollars. The B-12 costs me $2,699, so that left me with enough to cover sales tax and get a trainer.
Not that I'm an expert, but I think Cervelo makes a great bike. They are in Canada. Felt is American.
I've been looking at the Cervelo p2c and also the kuota k-factor. They both seem to have great reviews. I live near Houston.
i didn't notice the china remark at first.
U.S. made tri bikes...
TREK EQUINOX TTX
Lynskey Level 2
Yaqui
Litespeed (older models)
Canadian
Guru
You'll notice tat Trek is the only one that makes my "fast" and "non china made" list. Though, if you pick a bike based on where it's made you're askinig for disappointment.
The P2c and K-factor are opposite fitting bikes.
I would pass on the k-factor. Good reviews, poor aerodynamics. The Equinox is a similar fit.
Bike Barn sells treks though I've never heard about their fitters.
any thoughts on the Quintana Roo Seduza?
http://rooworld.com/2007/default-US.aspx
Seduza is nice. I think thats where it ends. It doesn't have the aerodynamic qualities of of the Felt, or the Cervelo or the Trek. It doesn't have a killer parts spec, it doesn't have "blow you away aesthetics". Quintana Roo came out with the Lucero(of which the Seduza has the same frame shape/molding) almost 4 years ago I believe. At the time, the only other accesible carbon triathlon geometry bike was the Cervelo P3C, so the lucero got a lot of attention. When the mold(what Carbon bikes are made in) was released at a lower price point in the Seduza, it was great news for those who had been lusting over the Lucero. However, a lot of those people were blind to the fact that Cervelo had taken the P3C's great attributes and snuck it in at the same price point in the P2C.
So is the Seduza not to be considered at all? no, if you want to consider it, do so. However, it's an old mold/design. In the last 4 years, carbon, internally cabled, narrow, wind tunnel designed, appropriate geometry bikes have become the norm. As compared with the Seduza - wide head tube, 30mm down tubes, only 3 sizes.
I'll tell you the good news, QUintana Roo did reup the fork for 2007/8. That combined with the nice bladed seatstays mean it isn't a "slow" triathlon bike. However, it does lack the refinements that are now the norm.
All right, thats all i got.
Also, I don't want anything made in china.
y not?
I'm looking to buy a Cervelo P2C online. I'm 6'2" with an inseam of 34". Should I go with the 58cm frame??
Thanks
Why not go to Shickluna's and have a look see at a Felt B12. SImilar price point, similar sizing, better wheels plus a bike fitter!
If you don't know what size you are, no one here can tell you what size you are.
Do you ride slack or steep? Low or high? long or short? Any flexibility, back or neck issues? Do you have wide or narrow shoulders(doesn't effect frame size, but does effect component spec)? Ahh buggers, get what you want, I would put you on a 56 though.
First of all, go to some stores and get fitted. Then take some for demo rides. You want something that fits. There's a lot more than just frame size so you need professional help in getting you set up.
Also you mentioned road vs tri/tt. You'll be better off in competition with a tri specific bike. However if you do a lot of training on the roads and like riding with groups (non tri), road bikes are better for that. You need to assess what your riding will be.
Cervelo makes a great bike. They are ASSEMBLED in Canada. Felt is ASSEMBLED in American.
fixed.
Felt is American.
american company....
my Felt had a "made in taiwan" sticker on it when i bought it.....
I've been looking around more and these are the bikes that I have now come up with:
Felt B12
Cervelo p2c
Specialized Transition Comp
Jamis Xenith T1
Argon 18 Mercury
Kuota K-Factor SL
I have a 56cm Raleigh Gran Sport frame right now, but I don't know about any of the other fitting specs. A professional just fitted it for me and adjusted as necessarry. Does anyone own one of these bikes or know a lot about them? I'm leaning toward the Cervelo, Jamis, or Felt right now.
i own the p2c and have ridden the felt and specialized.
they're all nice. i chose the p2c because it fell wonderfully and i was able to get it at steep discount. give this article a read: http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/2500wars.shtml
I've been looking around more and these are the bikes that I have now come up with:
Felt B12
Cervelo p2c
Specialized Transition Comp
Jamis Xenith T1
Argon 18 Mercury
Kuota K-Factor SL
I have a 56cm Raleigh Gran Sport frame right now, but I don't know about any of the other fitting specs. A professional just fitted it for me and adjusted as necessarry. Does anyone own one of these bikes or know a lot about them? I'm leaning toward the Cervelo, Jamis, or Felt right now.
im pretty sure every single one of those bikes is made in either china or taiwan. therefor you dont really want them.
Specialized Transitions are near impossible to get, much less finding a store that has it in stock to test ride.
I narrowed my choices down to the Quintana Roo Seduza and the P2C - I took delivery of my P2C yesterday afternoon after riding both.
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/288823882_mJauF-L.jpg
The reason why I didn't want to get a bike made in china is because almost everything I've ever bought in my life that was made in china was a piece of s***t. I've had extremely bad experiences with things made in china, although my Raleigh Grand Sport is holding up well. I guess it is different when it comes to bikes. Is there really any difference to how well these bikes perform, or is it just about how they look.
Felt B12
Cervelo P2C
Specialized transition Comp
Jamis Xenith T1
Argon Mercury
I decided not to consider the kuota as I am convinced now that for the price you can get a way better bike. I like the Felt and Cervelo, but I haven't read any reviews or heard about the other bikes. Are the Jamis or Argon bikes as good if not better than the felt or cervelo?
The reason why I didn't want to get a bike made in china is because almost everything I've ever bought in my life that was made in china was a piece of s***t. I've had extremely bad experiences with things made in china, although my Raleigh Grand Sport is holding up well. I guess it is different when it comes to bikes. Is there really any difference to how well these bikes perform, or is it just about how they look.
Felt B12
Cervelo P2C
Specialized transition Comp
Jamis Xenith T1
Argon Mercury
I decided not to consider the kuota as I am convinced now that for the price you can get a way better bike. I like the Felt and Cervelo, but I haven't read any reviews or heard about the other bikes. Are the Jamis or Argon bikes as good if not better than the felt or cervelo?
get a coin...assign one side to cervelo and the other to felt. flip it. go and get it. rest easy knowing you have one of the best tri/tt bikes out there regardless of cost.
Iwas riding a Cervelo Dual. Just picked up a P 2C and rode it 100K this afternoon. Great bike. My buddy just got a Trek Madrone for a grand more and I got the better bike.
Don't let the made in Canada thing get in your way. They are our friends.
Iwas riding a Cervelo Dual. Just picked up a P 2C and rode it 100K this afternoon. Great bike. My buddy just got a Trek Madrone for a grand more and I got the better bike.
Don't let the made in Canada thing get in your way. They are our friends.
Trek Madone and Cervelo P2C are very different bikes. Apples to Oranges.
Cervelos are no longer made in Canada, they are made in China. But I agree, don't let it interfere with purchasing.
Do aftermarket aerodynamic wheels really make you go faster? I do sprint triathlons, like 500m swim, 15 mi bike, 3 run. Will those type wheels really make a difference, because it seems a little rediculous for some of the prices on these wheels. And are the HED wheels just a good as zipp? I found a place where I could get the Alps ( http://www.hedcycling.com/wheels/alps.php ) for $300
Does anyone know if Argon 18 and Jamis bikes are any good? I can't find any information on them
You probably can't find any info becase they are so new. Argon 18 pushed back delivery dates a lot. If you want a tri bike soon, I'd look elsewhere.
I've seen a Jamis in person, there are somethings I like (downtube is sleek), somethings I don't(the behind the fork brake is super gimmicky), but for the most part it doesn't seem that different than anything else out there but it costs an extra $500 if I recall correctly.
what about the xlab bikes on nytro?
http://www.nytro.com/2007_Xlab_Avenger_Trithlon_Time_Trial_Bike_p/xlab07avenger.htm
anything special about them? As aero as the Cervelo P2C and Felt B12? They look cool too.
what about the xlab bikes on nytro?
http://www.nytro.com/2007_Xlab_Avenger_Trithlon_Time_Trial_Bike_p/xlab07avenger.htm
anything special about them? As aero as the Cervelo P2C and Felt B12? They look cool too.
unless you're going to be a professioinal, ANY of these bikes will do just fine as long as their geometry matches your body dimensions. seriously, all of these bikes are far more bike than you or i will ever need...we will never be limited by these bikes, the bikes will always be waiting for our skills to match the bikes capabilities....
so just buy the one that fits the best and looks the coolest to you. but if you want the 'it' bike, get the cervelo or felt.
that's all there is to it...
Is there any difference between the 2007 and 2008 Cervelo P2C models besides the color?
Ksi might be right, a lot of stuff from China is very bad quality, I've had my share of experiences. However, considering that most bikes are made (at least in part) in China, I haven't heard of major complaints about them. I can't say for myself... I have a Cannondale and on the frame it says in big letters "Handmade in the USA". But I guess the Shimano components are coming from Asia.
Ksi might be right, a lot of stuff from China is very bad quality, I've had my share of experiences. However, considering that most bikes are made (at least in part) in China, I haven't heard of major complaints about them. I can't say for myself... I have a Cannondale and on the frame it says in big letters "Handmade in the USA". But I guess the Shimano components are coming from Asia.
You will be happy to know that Cannondale moved their full carbon production to Taiwan/China. It's just really tough to make a full carbon bike in the U.S. and price it competitively. p.s. The Cannondale is a shorter reach bike that may be aerodynamic. I'd love to see one up close.
Is there any difference between the 2007 and 2008 Cervelo P2C models besides the color?
nope, same bike...
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