Triathlon - You guys like the Cervelos, right?

I'm not new to triathlons--er, not brand new. ( I've raced 16 or so in 3 years). I think I've maxed out my racing performance on my current bike--a 20 year old Panasonic road bike. If I'm going to upgrade to a tri bike, I'm willing to pay around 3000 for a P3 if you guys say it's a reasonably guaranteed pleaser. I hold 22.5mph on my current bike over a 25 mile course. Would a P3 with regular wheels do the same or much better? Most P3 's at the 3100 dollar range don't include Zipp wheels(though everyone seems to advertise them with a rear disc and front aero wheel)--so, is it better to get a 1500 dollar frame--say, Quintana Roo) and add the Zipp wheels? I played around with a custom built program online and managed to build a $5800 Aegis...gosh, I'd be embarassed to not go airborne if I paid that much for a bike.

Thank you very much for any opinions you'd take the time to share.

In South Carolina,


David

If you want top of the line wheels, go for the P2K and upgrade the wheels or buy a set of race wheels for the price difference.

If you buy Zipps, you're not going to want to use those for training rides or group rides. Those will be your "race only" wheels. So, if you insist on Zipps, get a cheaper bike like the FELT and then get a 2nd set of Zipps.

L8R

Thanks, Bob...do you think it's the wheels or the frame that's more important?...I guess that's the question I should have asked. I'm 6'4" tall, so it's kind of silly for me to dicker about aerodynamics too, too much. Last year, by accident, I discovered that I was 1:30 per mile faster when I ran in racing flats(lightweight shoes) versus my regular tennis shoes--I cut almost 5 minutes off my 5k time. Since then, I've wondered if I could get as dramatic a time improvement by investing in a high-end tri bike versus my older (but race-worthy) road bike. I definitely don't want to spend 3000+ dollars if I'm not going to dominate...it'd really stink to have to find a different excuse for not winning if the newer bike doesn't make me win. ;-)

David


QUOTE=TriBob]If you want top of the line wheels, go for the P2K and upgrade the wheels or buy a set of race wheels for the price difference.[/QUOTE]

I got a kick out of your attached quote about skidding in at the finish line. :-) Thanks for taking time to reply.

David


If you buy Zipps, you're not going to want to use those for training rides or group rides. Those will be your "race only" wheels. So, if you insist on Zipps, get a cheaper bike like the FELT and then get a 2nd set of Zipps.

L8R

Thanks, Bob...do you think it's the wheels or the frame that's more important?...I guess that's the question I should have asked. I'm 6'4" tall, so it's kind of silly for me to dicker about aerodynamics too, too much. Last year, by accident, I discovered that I was 1:30 per mile faster when I ran in racing flats(lightweight shoes) versus my regular tennis shoes--I cut almost 5 minutes off my 5k time. Since then, I've wondered if I could get as dramatic a time improvement by investing in a high-end tri bike versus my older (but race-worthy) road bike. I definitely don't want to spend 3000+ dollars if I'm not going to dominate...it'd really stink to have to find a different excuse for not winning if the newer bike doesn't make me win. ;-)

David

I'm 6'2" so I hear ya on the aerodynamics.

People have won IM on the P2K. You will get deminishing returns for the very high end. I think race wheels will get you a lot more for your money. Also, make sure you have someone who is experience in setting up triathletes for your fit.

In the recent Ironman New Zealand, Swede Bjorn Andersson had the fastest bike split with 4hours33minutes for 180km - thats an average of 39.5kmh! He rode a Cervelo P3. The P3 comes with Velomax Circuit wheels, whereas the P2K comes with the Velomax Vista's... (not available in shops) which are 147gr heavier per pair than the circuits, but have 30mm rims as opposed to 28mm on the circuits. I feel from your posts that you are at a high level and want to go as high as you can in the field? And that at the moment you only have standard wheels? Perhaps contemplate getting the P2k and racing on the stock wheels (really fast anyways, have them on my Soloist 105) and then saving up for some really flash stuff (say disc and trispoke) or you could do what TriBob said and get some Zipps with what you saved on the P3.. although I don't know the price of Zipps! there are many options out there. A stock P2K or P3 with proper positioning may well be faster than other bikes with Zipps? hard to say. You have many options. Choose wisely.

Brendon

I'll go with the flow here, buy a little lower end bike and good wheels. If you really want the P3 get it with "standard" wheels and then pick up something like a Renn disc and an H3 for the front a little later, that combo should be as fast as a Zipp combo but with a weight penalty, but will cost only around $700-750.

Andrew

Have ya chosen yet?

Brendon

Disclaimer.
I am a cheap-skate
I am a retro-grouch

A frame is a frame is a frame beyond a certain point. Any quality frame that is not designed for touring or cyclocross is probably going to be adequate if you set it up right.

Rather than spending 3 large on a new bike see if you wouldn't be just as happy with 1.5 large on an upgrade to your current ride.

Put really nice wheels on the Panasonic, change the bars, maybe the crank and see what happens. If you need a second pair of wheels for training anyway you might find that you get 95% of the performance at 50% of the cost by doing a few swaps on your current bike and taining on your old wheels.

If that doesn't work then add the frame

An overlooked issue here is that you are comfortable on your current bike. If it fits you, you are used to the way it rides and handles then why replace it? Why not improve it. There is a certain pleasure in beating people on bikes that cost two or three times as much. Also if you loose you can blame it on your bike!

A last reason to do this is: Sponsors

I would hate to buy a new bike and then have sponsor "X" come and say "Hey can we give you a bike?"

i would get the p3 frame and some aero wheels. save up a little longer and get what you want. i know i saw a company that makes aero wheels for $400 new. can't find it though.

http://www.rennmultisport.com

Brendon