T Stew

So I'm hoping to maybe try a duathlon in '15. I've been an avid runner for the last few years and always wanted to try one (I doubt I'll ever be a swimmer so for now just looking for some local duos, although there are a few bike-paddle-run tris that I'd like to do as well since I do love to canoe and kayak).

I have tons of questions but lots of research I plan to do myself yet. For now though, I'm curious about the bike. I've only ever had mountain bikes until a few months ago I bought my first road bike on the cheap, a 1986 Scwhinn LeTour. I wasn't looking for anything specific and despite some research still was overwhelmed in bike terminology and tech. And I know its not high end but at least its not a complete low end either. I've never been fitted or anything, and I know its a little big but honestly it feels like it fits me fine and I like it a lot. I also don't want to sink a bunch of money into a bike at least until I get more proficient and think I'm going to do more races.

The LeTour is all stock, even had the original 80's tires on it when I got it, so I replaced those right away (had fibers bulging out of the sidewalls and such). I put on 1 1/8" Pasela PT. Oh and I changed out the pedals to barefoot friendly ones (yeah I pedal barefoot mostly, I know maybe not as efficient as fancy clip things but I like it that way, and should make the transitions a lot faster not having any footwear period lol).

So to get down to this question, what are the best bang for buck upgrades for a vintage road bike for racing? Should I get another set of skinnier tires? New wheels too (and convert to more common size with more availability than the 27 inchers)? Do those fancy aero bars really make a big difference? Or should I just leave it as it is and try a race? I'm looking for best bang for buck, willing to spend a couple hundred maybe for decent upgrades. Much beyond that I figure I'd better start looking for a newer used race bike. Just figured I might come across some deals around the Christmas season so if there is something I should be looking for I appreciate any advice.

Leinster

Short answer, ride your Le Tour as is until you feel the need to buy a more modern bike.

Get someone at a bike store, or who knows bikes, to help you with fitting. If you're riding it as it is in the photo, it's either too big for you or you have the saddle too low.

There's no reason you couldn't ride that bike in a duathlon. There'll be people also riding on older, less appropriate bikes than yours. If you've replaced the tires, that's a start, and make sure the brakepads have some tread on them, and that the chain isn't worn (you can google things like that).

Aero bars are an obvious upgrade for riding triathlons, but with the old-style up-and-over brake cables like you have, they'd get in the way. Probably better off just getting used to riding the setup you have as best you can. To be honest, any upgrades you would make to a bike like that (skinnier/lighter wheels, different gearing, clipless pedals) would be more of a hassle and expense than they'd be worth, and the most bang you'd get for your buck would be to save up and buy a more modern bike.

Also, the bike you have there, being all original, is an absolute beauty, and it'd be a shame to ruin it by trying to force some shiny aluminium or carbon bits onto it.

OldTryGuy

Agree with Leinster. Great looking bike for age. Frame appears to be a 23", center of crank to top of seat tube, so an inseam of 33"+/- would be appropriate for a good fit.

Set it up for a "best as possible fit", pedals on the bike will allow you to use your running shoes so no time lost in transition changing shoes, , flip the quick release on the front wheel so lever is on left side of fork, remove wheel reflectors and the frt/rr also. Upgrade if you really like tri-ing.

T Stew

Ok thanks for the advice fellas. I kind of figured it would probably be better to use as is, and then look for a better bike later if I find I continue with the tri/duo thing.

Yeah I've had a few say the frame looks a bit big for me, though to me it feels fine and I can stand over the frame - well barely. I also have a not flexible lower back so not having the seat up higher than the bars helps that I think. But for $80 and also a half hour closer to me than any other decent bike I found on craigslist I couldn't resist (I live about an hour from the city, and practically ALL bikes on craigslist are from within the city, it was rare to find this only about 15 minutes from me).

I was going to convert my mountain bike but this LeTour at 26 lbs as shown was already 10 lbs lighter than my mountain bike, so that's a pretty cheap drop in weight.

Leinster

For $80 + the price of the new tires, that's a steal.

Don't worry about handlebar height for now. Get your own position as comfortable as you can (there's loads of resources on this forum and the web in general) and as you cycle more, you'll gradually improve the aero-ness of your position.

And what OTG said about the shoes. You'll be able to just hop off the bike and start running. Quickest transition possible!

T Stew

Yeah, no time wasted in transition, but not because I wear running shoes for both, I wear no shoes for both! I think he (and you) missed my comment about being barefoot usually.

I know in some cases shoes are required in races (even though you obviously swim and run to/from the water without shoes) but I've talked with a few who have done it barefoot and generally seems if you ask the race director they are ok with it. So as soon as I decide which one to go for, I'll make sure its ok with the race director ahead of time.

I do know those pedals look a little out of place on vintage, sorry! But I'm not too concerned with looks. I get plenty of stares running and biking barefoot anyhow, I'm used to it. They are Ergon PC2 pedals by the way. I haven't a lot of experience on the road bike yet, but I've got several trips 20-30 mile range, and just a few over 30. Might use the mountain bike a little over winter, but as soon as spring hits I'll be trying to work on my mileage and speed. Already got the running down pretty good.

OldTryGuy

YUP! I missed the barefoot part, but be advised, if you get into trying longer tris, cycling shoes/pedals will bring down biking times.