Training, Competetion and Budget
 

Im not a cyclist, but I'm going to become one before Lake Placid next summer. I need to start training, and for that I need a bike. I realize that with most things, there comes a point where a sizable investment only translates to a moderate increase in performance, making to a "sweet spot" of price and performance. In other words, I would like a bike where I can be sure I am mostly limited by my own abilities without getting deep into racing bikes. I was at a bike shop today and there was a bike called the Cadent 1.0 ($643) that felt good, and I was wondering if it would be a decent bike for a year of training and finally the race. Any other ideas?

Well a quick google on the cadent, brings up a raleigh hybrid bike. If I was you, I would search out a realy multisport store. It seems you want to keep the cost to under a grand, but i dont know how well a bike like that would hold up to a 180km bike portion.

So like I said, my recomendation is against that bike, and for you seeking out a proper cycling/multisport store for some better advice. Not knowing where you are located, means that I cant help you out with finding a store. Though if you just do a google search for a LBS you should find something.

You're going to do IMLP next year and you dont own a bike yet?

Talk about putting yourself on a suicide track.

Well I hope it wont be
Im just learning to bike (competitively) not getting into shape
My friend and I are marathon runners and we want to expand a bit
And a year really is a long time. They say a fellow can run a strong marathon after 18 weeks of being able to cover 6 miles
I also have the time to put in a minimum of 15 hours per week
You will either be amused or confused, Flak, but my friend can't even swim
I know he wont have trouble learning though, as he's very athletic

That said, any advice on the bike?

Given your price range ($700?) it pretty much sticks you in the entry level road bike range. Tri bikes tend to start at +$1000. No reason you can't do an IM on a road bike and just throw on some clip on aero bars, not ideal, but it works well enough. At that price point they're all going to be remarkably similar components and quality wise, which leaves the most important part....fit. 112 miles is a long way, so my only advice would be to test as many bikes in your price range as possible and try and pick the one thats the most comfortable. You'll spend a few months tweaking the setup yourself and should have it right eventually.

I didnt mean to be disparaging regarding your goal....it just seems ambitious to me, even with your running background. A marathon is one thing, a marathon after a century ride is quite another...but you'll find that out soon enough when you get some long bricks into you. :) Im sure you'll be fine though if you already have an endurance base. Tell your friend to buy the thickest wetsuit he can find! :)

Good luck in your training!

Coming from an athletic background, 12 months is doable.

I did a 10:23 in my first IM after 18 months training. Prior to that was a little running for weight management when I was doing a lot of rock climbing. And I did ride a bit when I was younger but hadn't ridden for ~10 years.

As for bike, ideally get fitted by your LBS who are proficient in Tri fitting. For the $, have you thought about going 2nd hand? Many TT/Tri bikes can be low mileage if they train predominantly on their road bike...

Ya, if you can wait, go to www.slowtwitch.com. Check their for sale section on the forums. In the fall alot of top US pros sell there stuff for pretty cheap.

Nothing wrong with ambitious goals, two friends of mine did Wimbleball half-iron on entry-level road bikes with clip-ons and were just fine.

I see three, possibly surmountable problems with buying a used bike on the internet. 1, I still don't know what to look for (although I have found I think I need 56cm) 2, I cannot guarantee condition 3, For some reason, triathlon bikes are not well suited for training? Ill probably go with Flak's idea, but still I can appreciate a real fine machine . . .

I think an entry level roadie will be fine for a first bike. It's not high end, but a $700 bike is still a quality machine. This way you get to ride different ones and get the one that fits the best. Buying used is a crap shoot unless you know exactly what you need geometry wise.

If I were you, and thank god I'm not becuase IM's scare me, but if I were, I would take a long look at the $750 road bike thread in the road bike section and decide which bikes I like and then go to a bike shop that I felt comfortable in, get a good fit, and get riding.

My wife has the cadent. I wouldn't call it a hybrid. I'm suprised it was listed as that.

There are some decent entry level bikes out there. I'm assuming you're not planning on winning your first IM.

The thing to do is go try them out. Find a bike you love, that you want to ride. Wether it's $650 or $3,000, if you love it you can make it work..

Anyway, best of luck.

You might want to check out the "Road Bikes for Under $750" thread over in the Road Cycling Forum...here is the link:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=268941

Good luck.

Sorry to be "That guy", but what were you two thinking?

I'm sure it's doable, but talk about putting the cart before the horse.

Sorry to perpetuate what might be a worthless thread, but I intend to post my training results at least monthly as its fun to be part of a community. My newest update is related to this topic . . .

I went to the bike shop today, and bought a Fuji Newest 1.0, last years model but brand new for $650. I don't know tiagra from shinola, but it was just at my budget niche. The fellow helped adjust the whatsits whilst I took crazily fun laps in the parking lot. Apparently I have a small, lower body to upper body ratio, a 54cm being almost too big for a 5'9-10. He said he moved the seat far back to compensate. I also got a pair of embarassing but surprisingly comfortable biking shorts and a matching helmet. Just took it out for an 11. First feew miles I was breathing hard with nothing to do with the workout. Next miles I was breathing hard with everthing to do with the workout. I know the purpose of a road bike is not to satisfy speed desires, but I was actually doing some of that. Im gonna do it again before it gets to dark.

Yep, they're fun and addicting. Now get to training! :D