Triathlon - Which bike is best for me?

Hi,

I'm very new to this forum thingy so bear with me.

I've just finished my first season of triathlon and currently ride a Wilier Escape Xenon. I want to move up to a Triathlon or tt bike but don't really know whats best.

I'm looking at £3000 tops really.

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Cheers,

Adam

My personal preferences:

trek portland - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/urban/portland/portland/

cannondale cross xr7 - http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8XR7C.html

Brodie Ronin '08 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2008/2008_bikes/ronin.php
Brodie romax '07 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/romax.php
brodie ronin '07 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/ronin.php

lemond poprad disc - http://www.lemondbikes.com/bikes/cross/poprad_disc.php

rocky mountain sherpa - http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2007/TOURING/sherpa-10.aspx

kona sutra - http://www.konaworld.com/08_sutra_w.htm

orbea diem drop disc - http://www.orbea.com/ingles/interior.php?tipo=1&familia=6&gama=13

focus cross disc - http://www.focusbikesuk.com/focuscyclocrossbikes/cyclocross_bikes_cross_disc.php
focus mares disc 2009 -

devinci caribou2 - http://www.devinci.com/10479_an.html

raleighusa sojourn - http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=427

rei novara element - http://www.rei.com/product/744808

co-motion mazama - http://www.co-motion.com/mazama.html

rocky mountain Solo CXD - http://bikes.com/2008_preview/2008_preview.html

rotwild rs1cx - http://www.rotwild.de/en/ (street bikes section)

fixie inc. pureblood - http://www.cycles-for-heroes.com/2008/download/pureblood.html

maxx roadmaxx custom (you choose the color and parts at the LBS and the factory puts it together, i.e., not a custom frame) - http://www.maxx.de/frmain_bikes.htm (road - roadmaxx custom)

Salsa la Cruz - http://www.salsacycles.com/laCruzComp08.html

Opus Sentiero - http://opusbike.com/site_route.php?lang=en (see 2009 bikes > road > cyclocross)

Genesis Croix de Fer - http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/series/croix_de_fer

Hmm those don't sound like TT bieksto me.

3000 #... man that is $5000 USD.

I would get a Cervelo P2C with a set of ZIPP 808 wheels with a wireless PowerTap.

one that fits is right for you.... for me it was a Argon 18 E-112

This question is way too hard to answer for one person. Did you check out the sticky at the top of the forum? I suggest Felt, Trek, Cannondale, Jamis, Specialized or Cervelo depending on how you want the bike to fit.

I was looking at Trek but my my LBS offered me a way sweeter Felt for not too much more so I went with that.

My must haves exclusive of fit for any tri bike:
1. close to 3:1 aspect ratio tubes. i.e. 25x75mm or 30x80mm
2. internal cable routing
3. narrow/deep headtube
4. rear wheel cutout

Things not to forget besides the bike:
1. a tight fitting race suit $100
2. an aero helmet $150
3. race wheels $1200-2500
4. race tires $100-200

GOOD LUCK

Theres alot of bikes that come in under that price so you have a nice selection to find the one that fits best.

For that price you could also get a nice custom one but if you can find a good fitting stock one I suppose theres not really much point.

Some good choices above. My advice is find some you like and take test rides to see what feels and fits you best. Fit is really important and no one else should tell you what to buy. If local stores don't carry a particular one you're interested in, check their web site for dealer locations and use travel and trips to take advantge of test rides. Enjoy yourself shopping.

It's most bothersome to read these "what do I do?" posts where people have done absolutely no research on their own...

My personal preferences:

trek portland - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/urban/portland/portland/

cannondale cross xr7 - http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8XR7C.html

Brodie Ronin '08 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2008/2008_bikes/ronin.php
Brodie romax '07 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/romax.php
brodie ronin '07 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/ronin.php

lemond poprad disc - http://www.lemondbikes.com/bikes/cross/poprad_disc.php

rocky mountain sherpa - http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2007/TOURING/sherpa-10.aspx

kona sutra - http://www.konaworld.com/08_sutra_w.htm

orbea diem drop disc - http://www.orbea.com/ingles/interior.php?tipo=1&familia=6&gama=13

focus cross disc - http://www.focusbikesuk.com/focuscyclocrossbikes/cyclocross_bikes_cross_disc.php
focus mares disc 2009 -

devinci caribou2 - http://www.devinci.com/10479_an.html

raleighusa sojourn - http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=427

rei novara element - http://www.rei.com/product/744808

co-motion mazama - http://www.co-motion.com/mazama.html

rocky mountain Solo CXD - http://bikes.com/2008_preview/2008_preview.html

rotwild rs1cx - http://www.rotwild.de/en/ (street bikes section)

fixie inc. pureblood - http://www.cycles-for-heroes.com/2008/download/pureblood.html

maxx roadmaxx custom (you choose the color and parts at the LBS and the factory puts it together, i.e., not a custom frame) - http://www.maxx.de/frmain_bikes.htm (road - roadmaxx custom)

Salsa la Cruz - http://www.salsacycles.com/laCruzComp08.html

Opus Sentiero - http://opusbike.com/site_route.php?lang=en (see 2009 bikes > road > cyclocross)

Genesis Croix de Fer - http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/series/croix_de_fer



No Offense but why in the world would you reccomend a bunch of cyclocross bikes for someone who is asking about a triathlon/TT bike?

To the OP, none of these bike are of any use to you, try the other suggestions in this thread....

Hmm those don't sound like TT bieksto me.

3000 #... man that is $5000 USD.

I would get a Cervelo P2C with a set of ZIPP 808 wheels with a wireless PowerTap.

What if he weighs 250#? Still want to recommend zips? While I also think the p2c is the best bike for the money, there isn't enough info.

With $5000, there's no reason to not get a professional fitting done. They'll ask you questions about your riding style, fitness level, goals, etc, along with taking measurements and fitting you to a bike according to your height/weight, proportions, flexibility, etc. Then they can make much more educated suggestions to possible bikes that will work the best for you. Plus, those measurements can help them set up the bike you do decide on based on your riding position.

P2C w/Zipp 808's is the best recommendation so far. IMO, there are very few triathletes out there that would not benefit from this setup.

What if he weighs 250#? Still want to recommend zips?

OK. If he weighs that much he should get the Zipp Clydesdales. The normal Zipps are actually very strong and unless you are racing crits, there's not much need to worry.