I have been doing tri's on a $400 road bike for three years, and after some local race success decide to upgrade - so I decided to invest in a new tri bike -should be fun right? It might be if LBS's where stocked like car dealers - i.e. they stuff on the show room floor to actually touch - otherwise you are buying from a catalog. Anyway, enough whining - I am buying a bike -superstoked. I have a preference for one particular LBS, they carry C-Dale and Orbea. So narrows the selection = phew, coz there are tons of bike at this price range!!
The LBS has an 08 C-Dale Slice 3 in stock (Frameset only) for $2000:
http://www.cannondale.com/bra/eng/Pr...-8RM3D-Slice-3
Alternate is the Orbea Odu @ 3000:
http://www.orbea-usa.com/fly.aspx?la...xid=66&pid=149
I am getting a break on the MSRP! Both bikes are basically full ultegra - the SLICE has carbon aero bars and (I think??) a better crank set. The difference is obviously the framset/full bike which is standard with reynolds strikes. So in my mind - the choice is down to fit and wheels.
With ordering from a catalog, I cant get fit - but based on my upgrade from an entry level road bike - both are going to be huge improvement and will work for me. So equal there.
It comes down to wheels.
Do I get the Orbea with Reynolds 66mm (
http://www.orbea-usa.com/fly.aspx?la...xid=66&pid=149)
Or marry the SLICE frameset with a pair of SRAM or even Planet X wheels?
http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-Planet-X-Pr...item19b52d19ac
This begs the question, that is perhaps better placed in another forum - whats with Planet X?? For a technically challenged bike rider - they look like the shisnet - but with the cheap price, where do they scimp?
So if it was you - would you buy the Orbea, stock standard - or go with the C-Dale and choose a slightly deeper wheelset - or would you prefer a Felt B12 or Fuji D6?
I wish it was still as simple as putting a clothes peg in my spokes!
\
Bret.