Triathlon - Need a Tri Bike! Suggestions.

I'm in the market for a tri-specific bike. I don't know what to get. I don't want to spend a lot (under $2000). I'm riding a store bought Diamondback. I just need some good advice. What is the minimun on components 105 or ultegra? I know I have to try some bikes to get a good fit, but I need to have some good info when I start looking.

The Cervelos are quite sexy.... they have the slickest aero framesets in the business. However, you should give us an idea of your skill level. If you are a beginner triathlete, I would reccomend just getting a regular road bike with clip on aero bars. and $2000 will get you a LOT of bike!!!

The Cervelos are quite sexy.... they have the slickest aero framesets in the business. However, you should give us an idea of your skill level. If you are a beginner triathlete, I would reccomend just getting a regular road bike with clip on aero bars. and $2000 will get you a LOT of bike!!!


I've been riding for two years. I have completed two triathlons, last year. I ride 60+ miles a week. I average 18mph.

Cervelo is a good suggestion. I ride the Soloist. With a flip of the seat post head I can change from road set up to more forward tri. The Cervelos incorporate real aero tubing. Some of the trailing edges you think you might cut yourself on. Excellent bike for any level of athlete. Team CSC rides the Soloist in the TdeF as well as other Cervelos but the Soloist is definitely the workhorse for them.
I'm running a Sram 970 12-26 cassette, FSA 50/39 rings, Campagnolo Zonda G3 wheels and perched on a Koobi Xenon. Bike is fast and responsive, nice and stiff, an excellent climber. It just looks like its made for speed. The Soloist comes in Shimano 105 or full Ultegra kit carbon forks and a carbon seat post is available but I dont know if it comes with the 2004 model.
The beauty of this bike is you can ride it as road and then go to tri set up and clip on your aeros. Check them out. They can be difficult to get sometimes.

I just made a deal for a 2003 Cervelo Dual. It only has 600 miles on it and the rear derailer has been upgraded to the Ultegra. $900.

Very nice. You're going to really enjoy racing it. TT/tri geometry rather than road bars and a steeper seat tube angle than the Soloist.
Enjoy!!

I just made a deal for a 2003 Cervelo Dual. It only has 600 miles on it and the rear derailer has been upgraded to the Ultegra. $900.

A racing triathlon bike has been "upgraded" to Ultegra. What was on there before?

I'm considering doing a triathlon. I have a Giant TCR1 Composite. Will that do? I'm thinking about doing a Sprint triathlon first and then doing the Olympic distance. Your thoughts?

I just pulled out my Cervelo book.....

The dual comes equipped with Ultegra as standard.


I have the Cervelo Soloist 105...it is very nice! Yes you can actually hurt yourself on the trailing edge of the Seat post...be careful!

The difference between the 105 and Team soloists is basically: the seat tube is fatter and more stiffer near the bottom bracket on the Team, and it comes with the Circuit wheels and Ultegra. Only a top level rider would notice the stiffness difference.

The vista wheels on the 105 actually have deeper rims than the circuits...these are OEM wheels and you can't buy them off the shelf :D

for a full line up go to www.cervelo.com

http://www.vectorstar.net/~porsche/RC/BJ/

Cycling maniac, I am unfamiliar with these races, or your bike. Could you tell me a little about your bike, and what these races involve, and how competitive you want to be.

Regards,
Brendon
P.S. pic is the dual.

Please also comment on this thread and help Mike!
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=420135#post420135

Brendon

I just made a deal for a 2003 Cervelo Dual. It only has 600 miles on it and the rear derailer has been upgraded to the Ultegra. $900.


Cool!

Are you doing any of the Piranha Sports races?

Hey Brendon:

Here is a pic of the GIANT TCR1 Composite: (Hope this works :D !)



Specifications:

color Natural Composite finish
frame Giant Composite construction, Compact Road Design,
fork Giant Composite SL fork w/carbon steerer
derailleur Front: Shimano Ultegra, Rear: Shimano Ultegra
derailleurshifters Shimano UltegraSTI, 9 speed
cranks Shimano Ultegra 39/ 53 T
pedals none
handlebar Cinelli Altera
stem Giant Composite
headset FSA Integrated, Cartridge bearings, 1 1/8"
brakes Shimano Ultegra
saddle Selle Italia Flite Trans Am, leather, Titanium rails
seatpost SL Composite aero w/ micro adjust
rims Mavic Cosmos
hubs Mavic Cosmos
tires Michelin Axial pro race 700x 23c
cassette Shimano Ultegra 11- 23T, 9 speed
spokes Mavic Cosmos

It is me again! SORRY! Clicked too many times!

The GIANT TCR1 Composite is a light compact frame. It is a Road Bike, not a Tri bike, but should be adequate for sprints and possibly even the Olympic distance. I'll settle (?) for this bike for now instead of risking divorce :eek:! I'm just breaking this bike in! It retails at $2999 off the shelf. Picked it up for $1800 from Local Bike Shop (LBS). I brought this LBS a lot of business and the owner has been very kind to me. It is a sweet ride.

During a time trial this last weekend, top speed was 36 mph. Felt like she had more speed in her. Had to pull up due to a series of blind S turns. :(

Seeing how you don't want a divorce (this is why I am hesitant about marriage later on, in particular kids: $$$$) Aerobars and If you can afford it, some aero wheels. Sounds like you are into TTs and Tri's which is great! You will notice a huge gain in aerobars, and another huge gain with some aero wheels. If you get some aero wheels for just Racing, get some Tubbies (Tubular, glue on tyres) cause they have less rolling resistance (=even faster!) Get a pro bike fit person to help set up some aero bars, it may involve adjusting stem etc, or even your seat post (he/she may put one on that gets you further forward). If you want to do it properly you might get an aerobar/bullhorn set up, but this takes alot of effort to swap over. I suggest get some good clip-ons, and put bar end shifters on them and re route just the shifter cables.

Also get a tighter cassette like say a 12-21 for closer gear ratios (really helps when you are stuck between using a 15 and a 17...a closer ratio selection might give you that 16!) you could stick this on some new wheels! make sure you get the tools for removing etc

You may want to look at a skinsuit for aerodynamics.

With aero wheels, there is a heap of variety, it all depends on $$$$. Deep Rims will allow you to road race as well on them, where as Tri spokes, Discs and Spinergy RevX's are generally TT and Tri legal only.

Note: there are some stories about RevX wheels failing, with uhh bad consequences, so think hard before buying any. They are prone to cracking around the rivets that hold the carbon blades to the hub.

Hope this helps.

PS what distances is a normal Tri and Olympic Tri?

Brendon

I have noticed two different approaches in this thread with gear ratios .. 50-39@12-26 and 39-53@11-23 .. I am currently running with (52-39)@ (23,21,19,17,16,15,14,13) .. yes this is a 8sp campi Rec .. and I usually run mix flat-hills with 33 kph race avg .. should I consider a change for a 50 or any other advice would be welcome .. thks