Triathlon - Your recommendation?? Cervelo One ws Litespeed Bella???

Hi there....Im a female rider...finished one season of tri's last year (as well as a weeklong triathlon camp in Vermont through Total Immersion-Im hooked!!) riding a Trek 2100...which I've had for 6 years--purchased during grad school from a classmate who worked at a bike shop--got one of those **great deals**...but it's TOO big (55cm) and isn't fun to ride. When I moved to Los Angeles, I got it retrofitted....still not comfy. Darn! Im to the point where I'm ready to invest in a quality machine that I would look forward to getting on-and appreciate your input...

At the moment, I have the opportunity to buy a slightly used 2002 or 2003 Cervelo Soloist (54cm) from a friend in Oregon (you know, the one that claims to be able to switch from road to tri bike by moving the seat around)...my other option I've been considering is the Lightspeed Bella. Besides the recommendation of test riding these bikes, which I wont be able to do if I go w/ the Cervelo, what are your thoughts????

I like the Cervelo Soloist for the forward tri position option..Im planning sprints/Olympic for this season (with lots of group biking w/ non-triathletes in training). I like the Litespeed Bella for the 'female' fit option---one of the problems w/ the Trek was it was toooooo long of a reach. ugh. so uncomfortable. I've read that its sometimes difficult to put aerobars on a road bike and make it 'right'. I want to make the right choice...a big investment...can you help??

I'm 5'6" and i think my inseam was something like 85cm...

Thanks!!
Sadie

I would highly recommend the Cervelo due to the flexibility of the seat post. Cervelo actually has a short toptube by design... The difference btw. Solist and Bella (for similar frame sizes) is actually very small (looking only at toptube length...). The Cervelo will be a better tri bike

Sadie: Welcome! One quick question regarding the Trek - have you tried using a fast forward seat post on it? That would move you forward and more into a tri geometry than the standard road geometry.

Also, TI swimming is awesome! I'm converting to it by using the DVD and plan to attend one of the weekend camps next year.

Hey ZachJones...

Thansk for the welcome, and sorry about your foot....

Thanks for the suggestion...nope, I haven't tried a forward seat post....(but that was strongly recommended by a guy in our club who is FIST certified)...I think Im just to the point of not wanting to put more money into the bike, desiring to just 'start over' and admit that (though it was a 'deal') it was a 'bad buy'...I look at my bike, and have bad feelings. hehe. I want to look at it, and want to ride. I enjoy the riding, and would like to do more, its just been so uncomfortable over the past several years I feel like its limiting my potential.

As for the Total Immersion---ahhhh....it is great, isnt it?? Swimming can actually be fun, AND make me feel good! The Pose running method I recommended in my other reply to you is based on a similar fundamentals (as does Chi running, but Im not as familiar w/ that).

Take care and thanks again for your help!

Hey Sadie:

FIST = Fitness Institute of Sports Training ??? or what? Since you don't like your bike send it to me. That will allow you to buy a bike that won't be holding you back :)

hehe...

your offer to take my bike off my hands for me is toooooo kind!!! Way to step out and take one for the team! :) (you would be, you know, if you actually had to ride it!)

(FIST.... Fit Institute Slow Twitch... a certification for bike shop mechanics specializing in tri setup/fit...
http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/products/camps/fitcamp.html)

:)

hey audiojan,

just wanted to say thanks for your input....

Ive decided to wait on buying the used cervelo until I can get fitted and make sure it will work--but, as you suggested, I think I'll probably go w/ the cervelo soloist 105, instead of the litespeed bella. (only major difference is, bella is titanium...and about $700 more..)

Question for anyone, would you rather have a titanium-better frame, or an ok frame-and better components??? Will Shimano 105's be fine for me for years?? Im not planning on getting totally competitive, but plan to be doing this for awhile (and the competitive thing, well ya never know) :)

Thanks for your thoughts!

In general, I would recommend the frame that fits you the best (i.e. most comfortable), and then depending on if you going to have one bike for both road and tri's, I would aerodynamic properties ahead of quality if tri, but quality ahead of aero if you want to have one bike for everything... In terms of components... Look at the usage and spend money where it makes the most sense... You will use the rear derailler much more than the front, so a combination of ex. ultegra rear with 105 front saves money with little compromise.. You can save money if you are smart about it..
I would say that 105 is definately good enough for many years to come and if you decide to upgrade, a better crank and rear derailler isn't a major additional cost, but can be worthwile...

So, unfortunately, the answer has to be, it depends... Sounds like a consultant, doesn't it? :)

Hi! I'm in the same boat! I started with sprint tri's last season and am hooked. Possibly will do an Oly this summer.

Just rode a Bella yesterday and loved it! After riding Cannondae R1000 (liked best of all alum), Trek 5000 (carbon), steel Serotta, Lemond Zurich, Felt 60 or 65 (can't remember) and a Terry Isis, I got on the Bella and was in love!

Course, half the problem is being able to test ride something that fits. I'm a smaller woman, about 5'4" with short legs, long torso and short arms, so I was told. I found I can't just walk into a shop and find something to test ride. So how could I possible order a bike if I can't ride it? The Cervelo was also on my list, but I can't seem to find one!

I did find however, I like the feel of steel. And the Bella Ti is right up there with it.

So my questions are: Should I try to wheel and deal another day off from the kids to travel to Seattle (3hrs) just to look for possibly a steel bike around the same price?

Is $2,700 a good deal on the Bella with full ult and equippes?

Should I leap in with this Bella? I can't decide!

Please help! Michelle

Hi there,

Rec'd your email... :) won't email you back directly as requested ;) .

Im relocating in a few weeks to Oregon...so wont have the opportunity to try out bikes till I get settled...but am looking forward to it!! I cant wait to get one that FITS!!

I thought my bike was 55cm...found the original recp't, and its a 56cm! Im around 5'6". So naive when I purchased it!

Good luck in your search...great to hear you liked the Bella. I am attracted to that b/c of the women specific sizing....after my last uncomfortable ride, fitting like a glove sounds SOOOO good! I'll keep you informed when I try some out.

Take care!

busy5mom: "Let your fingers do the walking" as they used to say in the yellow pages ad. Search the 'net for bike shops in Seattle and call them and see if they have anything available for you to test ride. I'd do that before I made a 3 hour trip just to look for something that isn't there.

Sadie: No need to pack up that bike - I know where you can send it :)

Thanks Sadie! You'll love the Northwest! In fact, my friend and I are considering the Pacific Crest Oly Tri in Bend in late June. It's supposed to be absolutely beautiful. Anyway, around here, I've heard Portland is the place to go for great deals on bikes. Please tell me what you find out. Maybe we'll go for a ride sometime! Michelle