cluelessdude

My friend and I are planning on doing several sprint triathlons this summer, and we both have really cheap/old mtb that ride okay (we put slicks on already). We love training but aren't sure we will stick with tris after this year (but it would be cool if we did). So, I'm looking for some advice on if we should upgrade to road bikes this year or stick it out until next season. If we upgrade, do we go with ultra-cheap used or new, or look online, or LBS. I'm happy with shelling out the cash if I stick with biking for a while but don't want a 1,000 bike in my garage that I don't ride any more. Here are some possible choices we have looked at:

Ultra-cheap but may work:
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ADME:B:EF:US:1

Something from bikesdirect.com or similar for a good online discount...

Some bike from LBS $600-800.

...or wait until next year to buy a sweet bike.

For those who have been through this, let me know what you think.

jennings780

I was in the same boat you were in a bit over a year ago.
I was looking at Dawes Lightening bikes and Windsor Leeds bikes on ebay for a few hundred bucks. I also trolled a few LBSs and was looking at $500 Raleigh road bikes.

Fortunately, a casual friend (now a good friend) is the manager of a bike shop. He gave me an in depth education about bikes in his shop after closing one day. He convinced me that buying a super cheapo bike was literally throwing my $$ away. He said that with near certainty I would fall in love with road biking and should spend my money on a decent bike I could upgrade. He wanted me to spend $1300 on a Cannondale with a pro quality frame. We compromised and I bought a Specialized Allez Elite. He gave me a good deal - $850. I love the bike. I love road biking. He was totally right, buying a really cheap bike off of ebay would have been throwing my $$ away.

In some respects the Specialized was a waste of money too. I recently bought a Cannodnale CAAD8 frame and will be moving most of my components from the specialized over to that frame. I also will be upgrading the wheels, rear derailleur, shifters and cranks. So, I would have been better off buying that Cannondale last year instead of the Specialized. The good news is that the Specialized is a decent frame and I'll be able to get $200 - $300 for it on ebay and get some cash for my 105 rear derailleur and shifters on ebay too.

I also bought a tri bike.

Another factor - if you don't know much about bikes (as I don't), you will need a lot of help and will need someone to fix it. Typically if you buy a bike from an LBS they give you a year or so of free maintenance (or you can get them to throw it in) and 10 - 15% off anything you buy in the store. Given all the adjustments a new bike needs and all the stuff you need to buy - this really helps.

Also - fit is more important than what bike you ride. If you buy a bike off of ebay I HIGHLY recommend that you go get a custom fitting. Its not just about moving the seat up and down. You need to have the right size frame, they may need to play around with which stem will work, and then the q-factor - which you do with cleat adjustment. A fitting will run you at least $100 but will be worth it. Of course, if you buy a bike from an LBS they will typically throw in a fitting.

So, my advice: (1) if you can buck up and spend $1000 - $1300 for a bike, do it - it will be worth it, (2) if you buy off of ebay get a bike with a good frame that is a few years old instead of buying a dawes or windsor or some new bike with a who knows what frame and very low end components - you'll need to know what size first - your LBS should be able to give you an idea. I'd suggest a used Trek 1200 or 1500, Specialized Allez, Giant OCR3, Cannondale R500 or R600, etc.

For instance: https://cgi.ebay.com/Specialized-Alle...QQcmdZViewItem

OR
https://cgi.ebay.com/Specialized-2004...QQcmdZViewItem

OR
https://cgi.ebay.com/Giant-OCR-3-Road...QQcmdZViewItem

OR

https://cgi.ebay.com/Trek-1200c-Road-...QQcmdZViewItem

Etc.

Jaybird

I would tough it out on a MTB or try to find someone who can lend you their road bike. I did both my first year.

I agree with Jennings regarding buying a cheap bike. I would avoid buying a bike online, only because it is your first. You won't know how the bike fits you, as you won't be hopping on it till it gets to your house. If it doesn't fit, it's too late.

I bought from a bike store 4 hours away, which was totally worth it. I bought the right bike for me and it was also fitted for free. I think it's worth the drive when you're dropping 1,000+ dollars. Some people have spent 4-5X more on a bike. Not to mention the possible free tune ups.

Wait till next year and hit a LBS.

rplong

I would stick it out on the MTB for the summer, if you still like it then upgrade. I did the BRAN ride on my MTB, then the next year bought a road bike. Now I am doing tri's on my road bike, debating whether to buy a tri bike. Regardless, the engine on either bike you ride on will be the same.

cluelessdude

Thanks everyone for your advise. I think I'll stick with the MTB this season and see how I enjoy the races - and then I'll start looking around for a pretty decent bike in the fall and next spring if I stick with this. I had a long bike ride today with the current gear and it was fine - I think the motor needs a huge lot of work though. :-)

Have a great rest of the weekend.

LiteSS

I would encourage you to train on your mtb, but borrow a road bike for your first tri. A lot of cyclists have an extra, and you will enjoy the race so much more when you are passing people and going much faster than you are used to. Even with a weak motor, there will be others slower than you, particularly if they are using a mtb.

I agree you don't want to buy an overly cheap new road bike. The cost difference between a low level road bike and a mid level bike is much smaller than that between a used low level bike and the new mid-level bike you want almost immediately after you buy the cheap bike. Like cars, bikes depreciate very quickly. And I bet you will be hooked after racing. Most people are.

bungeerick

To anyone who would like to reply... Im planning on my first triathlon and I have come across a Quintana Roo triathlon bike (USED) desent condition its a couple years old and I was wondering if this is a good bike to train and test in a super sprint race.

Ironwoman

Quintana Roo is one of the Triathlon staples. I've ridden one before, and several of my friends have Quintana Roo tri bikes. I think it would be a great bike for a short triathlon. A lot of people at Ironman ride Quintana Roo, also. They make great bikes.

I didn't buy one because I was looking for more comfort. On the Quintana Roo, I felt every bump in the road. I opted for a Carbon Fiber Calfee.

Jaybird

Ironwoman knows what she's talking about. I think if you can buy a tri/road bike used for the right price, it's a good idea to help you get started. You may want to move up from it later and it should be a good starter for the next person.