General Cycling Discussion - Here's my dilemma, PLEASE HELP...

Im going to be riding in a team relay triathlon event in June. Im responsible for the 30k bike ride. I dont plan on doing a lot of hardcore riding when the triathlon is over. Maybe some street riding with my wife but nothing serious. I may do several other team triathlons at most.

I THINK I decided not to purchase a traditional road bike. I feel that it might be to delicate when I am riding in the street and goofing around jumping off curbs.

A mountain bike would not be very efficient for the triathlon due to the weight and gearing. I can put road tires on it but I still feel that the gears would not work well for the triathlon.

I guess the bottom line is, I want options. I have narrowed it down to two bikes. The Specialized Sirrus and the Trek 7300FX. Both bike have 48/38/28 gears which seems to be as good as Im going to get with a "hybrid."

The Sirrus and basically a road bike with flat bars for a more upright position which is great for riding in the city. Im not sure how the frame will hold up if I decide to jump a couple of curbs or maybe some light trail riding.

The Trek 7300fx is a little more rugged or seems to be. It comes with larger tires than the Sirrus but I have the option of putting 28mm tires on it making it more versatile. I think I feel that the Trek would give me more options in the long run but the Sirrus is more efficient for the triathlon and a little cooler looking.

If you own one of these bikes please give me your opinions and advice. I would really appreciate it.

Thank you,

J

The treks have gotten some rave reviews...I actually ran into a couple yesterday with 2 7000 series bikes and they liked theirs...slvoid on here has a sirrus...the one downside to the sirrus is you cannot fit bigger tires on it.

Heya -- just my two cents where they're not wanted, but ride a few of the roadies around to test drive them too. I started as a mountain biker and "roadied" my mtb out for campus commuting, then got a Specialized Allez road bike. The difference is huge. A few curbs won't kill a road bike as long as you're not BMX'ing or hitting big trails (especially if your LBS has a warranty... :eek: ).

More in line with your actual question -- a friend of mine swears by his Giant Cypress, so you might wanna ride that one too.

Looking back, this post has helped you none. Sorry...

Try a Novara Randonee, it's a steel light-touring/tough-road bike with brazons for commuting/touring racks(REI says it even makes a decent cyclocross bike). If you deside you want to try flat bars after the race it's a do-able swap. and it has canti (MTB style) brakes for wider tires if desired and frame space for fenders. Two sets of reveiws for it here http://roadbikereview.com/Older+Touring+Bike/Novara/MPL_2317_1612crx.aspx

I have had good luck with my old Novara MTB, and REI backs it's stuff with a lifetime, no questions, full satisfaction type of warranty.

And no matter what you get base the size on toptube length not on seat tube or standover distance, because seats can be raised and lowered alot but the reach is less adjustable and requires new parts(stems) and generally a bit of a pain (not horrible though).

Suck it up, Johnny. If you're gonna ride, you've going to have to get more than one bike. How did you get this far without owning any? Buy a cheap road bike and a mountain bike, and a touring bike, a comfort bike and a cruiser, THEN you'll have some choices on which to ride on race day!

Seriously, you can get a fast, old road bike for a hundred bucks used, and maybe five hundred new (Fuji finest, and others.)

Hehe. You struck a nerve. OK maybe I can get you to really understand. Im getting married on April 30th, therefore, if I were to buy more than one bike, the $h1t would hit the fan. Im having trouble buying one bike as it is. I always tell my fiance if we werent together I would have all the toys, motorcycle, chopper, 2 bikes, porsche, and a boat.

So now you may understand where Im coming from. I need an all in one bike and a bike that wont hit the wallet hard.

[edit=add]
Take a grand from the wedding fund and tell her that a wedding lasts a day but a good bike just keeps on keepin on. and be ready to come back with something like- your not in it for the party your in it(the marriage) for her(which should be true). ;)


The Novara Element is similar to the Randonee in its goal and the same price but made of aluminium. If your a member($15 lifetime) you get 10% off. http://www.rei.com/online/store/Search?storeId=8000&query=*&cat=4500922

Or you could buy a hot used 2-4year old racin' bike and resell it after your done racing (Cannondale seems to hold their value quite well), then buy an all around bike.

Why not get her a bike while your at it?

Jamis Coda...like the Sirrus except it's more comfy (steel frame, carbon fork).

Hehe. You struck a nerve. OK maybe I can get you to really understand. Im getting married on April 30th, therefore, if I were to buy more than one bike, the $h1t would hit the fan. Im having trouble buying one bike as it is. I always tell my fiance if we werent together I would have all the toys, motorcycle, chopper, 2 bikes, porsche, and a boat.

So now you may understand where Im coming from. I need an all in one bike and a bike that wont hit the wallet hard.

Buy the bike anyways. If she really loves you she wouldn't mind.. :D

There's no doubt that she loves me but she also knows that every other hobby I get into has a life span of a year. Some of my other hobbies than I invested a lot of money into are golf, rc gas powered cars, cigars, paintballing, and a dog which Im still paying for. She doesnt mind if I buy a bike, she just thinks that it will be sitting in the garage in 8 months. Which she is probably right. But I need to get a decent bike to compete in this triathlon.

Thanks

J

Ah, the truth comes out. If you really think that you will lose interest after the triathlon, why not focus on the triathlon (as opposed to "jump a couple of curbs or maybe some light trail riding"). You can always sell the bike after the triathlon to cut your losses, and maybe buy a low-end hybrid for the occassional ride.

There's no doubt that she loves me but she also knows that every other hobby I get into has a life span of a year. Some of my other hobbies than I invested a lot of money into are golf, rc gas powered cars, cigars, paintballing, and a dog which Im still paying for. She doesnt mind if I buy a bike, she just thinks that it will be sitting in the garage in 8 months. Which she is probably right. But I need to get a decent bike to compete in this triathlon.

Thanks

J
Why don't you sell all the toys from those other hobbies - the dog and buy a road bike with that money if you have enough buy one for her too. Once you get the bug theres no turning back.

If you aren't going to stick with biking then why bother at all?

Yes the truth is out! :eek: Good point on just focusing on the triathlon. I think I am going to stick with the hybrid, either the Trek or Specialized. I wouldnt really profit from selling gear from my other hobbies. Although I am selling some golf clubs on ebay. I looked into selling my rc car but it isnt really worth it.

Being that Im involved with a team its important that I try my best for this event. Thats why Im looking into getting a decent bike for the tri and recreational use for afterwards. I think I am going to ride each bike and decide from there.

Thanks for the honest opinions from the ladys.