Triathlon - First time on a bike

OK. i plan on competing in my first triathlon in may. I bought a $20 dollar 80's FUJI bike a week ago and i have been training on it. I was reading some articles on bike weight and i just thought it was funny that people were making a fuzz about bikes being 17lbs vs 19lbs. My bike weighs 30lbs :) and i just want to know from you guys how badly this will affect me and what scenarios could make it worst. I'm not competing to win obviously but i want to place fair to my training and effort.
also, i bought some tires that cost me $7 bucks and on the side of the tire it reads 70psi. the tires really dont feel that much inflated to me. will they burst if i go higher, like 100-120psi? theyre made by BELL.... :rolleyes:
i know i sound like total amateur and a cheapskate but thats just the truth. any advice on what minor cheap investments that could make this a smoother ride?
thanks
Pablo

Austin, TX

I don't think it would be smart to go over that much.

As for the bike, if you just want to finish I think you will be fine. I have centuries on my 35lb dualie mtb with 2.5" knobbies.

how about the tire pressure issue? do i have to follow spec?

pgm 13,

Have fun. I did my first tri with about as much preparation 25 years ago. It was Oly distance and I had a ball. My bike was similar.

What I found out was that Tri's are heavily weighted in favor of the bike segment. It is the longest segment and is the one in which equipment differences play the most significant part. You are giving up quite a bit of time on similarly qualified athletes solely because they have invested big $'s on bicycles. Expensive shoes make almost no difference. Wet suits make some. Combine that advantage with the fact that they have actually trained on the bike and you will be miles behind quickly.

That said, your Fuji can be made to go significantly better with narrower wheels like 700x23's. Air pressures are not a direct correlation to rolling resistance, but modern tires in that size run PSI's of 110-140. Hand-me-down tri bars can help if you have time to practice a bit. If you are a swimmer and good runner, start working on the bike tonight! Your biggest improvement gain will be in your weakest area in this instance because the improvement curve at this point is rapid. My bike is a 27 lb behemoth that I like. On flat courses I feel like I give up very little. However, this bike is only heavy and old. It has modern aero wheels, tri-bars and is fast. On hilly courses, I always wish I had the bucks to own a 17 lb bike and had stayed on my personal diet! :eek:

Anyway, have fun. That's what it is all about for most of us.

Tyson

thanks tyson!

Smoother? That's kinda hard because it's really a combination of the frame, drivetrain, and wheels that make that happen. Just use what you have and keep the recommended tire pressure as is.
In my first few Tri's (Olympic distance) back in 1984/5 I rode a Schwinn Prelude which was all of maybe $400 (new) for the whole bike - my tires and wheels not much different than yours. I still placed in the top 25% of all cyclists for the races I entered that year. More importantly - I still had fun.
Not too bad considering - so I don't think you really need to anything for your first couple races. The second year I used the same bike, but added an aero-bar and a rear wheel cover - If your going to do any upgrades this is where I would start first, Bars then Wheels.
If you decide you have a passion for Tri's and make them part of your lifestyle - then start thinking of a new mid-level bike, and maybe even a Tri/TT-specific bike. I went through a few upgrades then on to new mid-level bikes as both my interest and skills (as well as income) grew in the sport.

Now, several years later, and like 24-Olympic, 7-1/2 IM's and 3-IMs later I now have a pretty nice ride where the bars on my Tri-bike cost more than my first bike did. Is there really a difference? Sure - but it's something that takes both time and experience to really appreaciate.

Good luck in your first Tri!

thanks again.

The second year I used the same bike, but added an aero-bar and a rear wheel cover

MHR: Would that happen to be a UNI Disc wheel cover? I used to run one of those. CH-AERO makes one but I haven't tried it yet.

MHR: Would that happen to be a UNI Disc wheel cover? I used to run one of those. CH-AERO makes one but I haven't tried it yet.

Yes - UNI Disc wheel cover, I only used it in maybe 3-races. It’s life was cut short when I had my bike attached to the rear of my car on my way to a race – and the heat from the exhaust burned a hole right through it. Oh well, I really didn't think it was that great anyway, but it looked cool.

Yeah, I've got a similar old bike 10spd, and I'm starting with my school triathlon team this term. Unfortunately the distance lost will be humungous. I've tried a group ride once, and I could keep up for 30k before I was dropped off panting. I was very proud of that achievement. But that wasn't a race, they could easily crank it up in a race environment. My bike simply wouldn't be able to stay with the pack, and I'm not sure yours will either.

BUT, besides all that I've said. Do at least half a year or so on your old road bike, because then when it comes around to buying a new bike, you'll know exactly what you want.

I was talking to a guy who was selling a bike in the trading post. He bought a bike as soon as he started racing triathlons (an ocr3). His friend at the shop set him up with a 50cm bike, (where he was 6"2'), when he needs more like a 60cm bike. He didn't even know the size of the bike, or any of its specs.

So yeah, start off on the old one, at least for a bit.