Triathlon - Hello guys...new member needs help!

Hello guys, I just joined the forum today. Very eager to learn as much as poosible. I need some help... I'm new to sprint triathlons (just completed my 4th race), and am looking to take a step forward. I currently ride a Giant OCR2 entry level road bike with clip on aero bars. I love to ride, but just can't keep up with the local Miami riders. I'm usually very succesful in the swim and run, but can't hang on the bike. I'm looking to upgrade to a triathlon bike. I have a budget, and I'm between a 2008 Cervelo P2 SL Dura Ace, and a 2009 Cervelo P1 Ultegra. Both bikes are on sale for $1,600. I would really appreciate any suggestions. I graciously welcome any advise. Thanks guys!

2009 P1 versus 2008 P2? No question about it.... go with the P2.

There really wasn't any change between the 2008 and 2009 model years.

Another vote for the P2.

More importantly, I recommend working on the bike's engine. I routinely pass racers riding $$$ tri bikes on my 17-yr-old road bike.

Thanks guys. Is the bike really going to make a big difference? I've been getting varying opinions. I had guys tell me that just the bike upgrade will increase 5mph! I doubt that's true, but it's exciting! I've had other guys tell me to strictly work harder and really give my current bike a chance. I would love to get more input. Thanks..

Welcome!

[QUOTE=ROGERSANCHEZ;9338435]Thanks guys. Is the bike really going to make a big difference?/QUOTE]

It could but there are too many unknowns to say for sure. If your position on the Giant is already pretty aero, going to one of the Cervelo's may not result in much improvement at all. If your position on the Giant is not so good, you could speed up by quite a bit - I would say that 2 MPH is probably the upper limit of improvement, though, with 1 MPH being the expected value.

Although anecdotal, here is an interesting point of comparison. One year I stripped the derailer hanger threads on my tri-bike. I didn't get it fixed in time for my next race so I put clip-on aero bars and my race wheels on to my 24lb steel touring bike (I also took the rack off). My position wasn't quite as aero as the tri-bike but it was close and I ended up riding the same speed as I had the previous week on my tri-bike!

P2 Definitely. and no a new bike will not make that huge of a difference. If I were you I would stick with the Giant. IF the giant is old and squeaky bring it into the shop and get it overhauled. and same as above 24 pound touring bike vs a new tri bike-you get a higher top speed but the average is pretty close to the same

The fact that you're having trouble hanging on with the bike may mean you need to work more on your biking strength. I personally made it a point during last winter and earlier this season to strenghten my bike and since my last race in sept of last year to today i've increased my avg mph about 4mph over 50 miles. (Still use a road bike with aero bars)

I know getting a new bike is really freaking cool and if you've got the money then go for it (lord knows I would), but i'll just be the guy that shows up in the thread and suggests sticking with the road bike for now because if the 5mph increase is true, think if you're able to bring it up 5mph over the next year on your road bike and then get the tri bike what kind of gain you'll see then.

Thanks a lot for all of the advise! Much appreciated

p2 for sure. its a great bike. but its all about the engine. once you fine tune that the aero frame and wheels come into play when average speed is increased.
i can personally tell and see a change in speed when i train on my road bike vs my tri bike when i do the same routes.

if you can average a high speed then it will help and make a difference. until then work on gettign our speed up

Guys, the 2008 P2 SL is an aluminum bike. The 2009 P2 is what used to be called the P2C, a carbon fiber bike that is significantly more expensive than the 2009 P1 or 2008 P2 SL.

To answer the OPs question, the two bikes are very, very similar. In fact, they're pretty much the same frame. The 2009 P1 is a direct descendant of the 2008 P2 SL. So, my recommendation would be to get the one with better wheels, componentry, warranty, crash replacement policy, etc. Looks like that may be the 2008 P2 SL (with Dura-Ace components) but check out the wheels and the warranty on each bike.

This is, of course, assuming that they're both the same size and will both fit you the same.