Road Cycling - New guy looking for bike/equipment recommendation for triathlon.

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exilio
02-28-04, 12:26 AM
Hey all.

I just signed up and I am looking for throughts on an inexpensive road bike.

I am entering my first half-triathlon this fall and need a bike to train and race with.

My budget is quite meager but I am sure something decent must be available.

In addition to the bike..what is the bare minimum equipment I need with it? I have a mountain biking helmet I can wear for now until i can afford a road helmet.

But do I need shoes?

My details:

Budget for road bike: $500

30
6'
185lbs
Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain.

Thanks in advance.

chenhao
02-28-04, 01:12 AM
Budget for road bike: $500How about Giant?
exilio
02-28-04, 01:23 AM
Budget for road bike: $500How about Giant?

I don't know..how about them? Heh heh. Not to be flippant, but I was hoping someone could recommend a bike they know about or have decend secondhand knowledge of.

I know Giant makes the OCR3 and Trek makes the 1000 as decent entry level bikes that are similarly priced.

I just wanted to see if there were any choices beyond those that would be worth looking at.

:D

chenhao
02-28-04, 03:03 AM
Exilio I can't give you more info to you, the bike which I familiar you can't buy it. Beacuse you are in America I am in China.I have heared something about about trek1000 ,some people of this forusm think it is nice for this level bike.OK I wish you find a suitable bike.happy biking!!
dexmax
02-28-04, 04:53 AM
another option is to buy used. you can check @ ebay..

Anyway, you need to get the right size. you can do a fitting to determine this.. height is not the only variable.

@ $500, you can get a slightly used 105 equipped bike, even an ultegra equipped one.

I'm sure there are lots of 2003 bikes left.. they sell it cheap, so you may be able to get a decent later model new bike for, say 600~800..

If you want value, try.. Fuji, specialized, trek, giant...

BTW, what is your preference? steel? al? carbon? ti? just asking.. :)
RonH
02-28-04, 06:16 AM
Have you asked this question in the Tri forum?
http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=7&f=191
exilio
02-28-04, 11:23 AM
Heya,

Thanks for the responses.

Ron, I tried the tri forum but it is fairly anemic on postings; so there is not much to sort through.

Dex,
Thank you for the suggestions. I am going to try and find a 2003 model as well...I think you hit the nail on the head with that.

And with regards to Al versus C versus steel frames..I didn't think I had the luxury of choice at my price level..I figure the lighter the better for me...right?