Originally Posted by
Eric F
My conclusions from multiple threads from the OP...
- Enjoys doing triathlons
- Pretty new to cycling
- Very limited budget
Yes.
Originally Posted by
3alarmer
.
...this was the year they ran the first Sacramento Ironman Tri. It was a big deal, that got cancelled last year because of a howling gale that appeared out of nowhere, like a curse from God. Anyway, I rode one of my ancient bicycles down to the venue, where the start/finish was set up, near the State Capitol. One of the tents was some service that assembles/disassembles the participant bikes. Many of those guys fly in from far away locales, for an official, sanctioned, Ironman competition. It was interesting to look at all the various bikes hanging up on the done and ready for pickup rack.
I have always had the impression that triathletes are generally not cyclists. I think the competitive ones are the men and women who can run a relatively fast marathon, not lose much time in the swim leg, and everyone just figures if they don't fall on the bike leg, they are doing pretty well. A lot of crashes right at the beginning of ours. There was significant gusting wind at times, throughout the morning.
To the OP: missing chips in the clear coat or paint on a CF frame are not a big deal, but it requires more expertise than I possess to visually determine if there is any underlying damage to the structure of the composite fiber. Probably not, but if you have to ask here, it's probably worth getting someone who knows this stuff tl look at the frame in person. If it's really cheap, maybe just take a chance, if you really need another bike. As stated, tri bikes get crashed, just like any bicycle someone races in competition. **** happens.
Interesting take. I think, in a way, you're right about the run part though. Being able to finish with a strong run really separates the athletes out from, well, me. My swim time has improved dramatically over the summer. My bike time has always been respectable, at least for me (averaging
around a 17mph pace), but by the time I get off the bike, my legs are like logs. In all fairness, they're only slightly better when all I do is a fun run. I've done a lot of self analysis in the last couple years, because I used to be much faster, and despite the fact that I weigh almost exactly the same as I did 30 years ago, the biggest difference is the spring in my foot. I mean that literally too. When my foot hits the ground, it hits like a sack of wet cement. Runners absorb and release that energy. I used to. Not now. My feet used to hit the ground with a "boing!" Now they hit the ground with a "splat!"
Originally Posted by
vespasianus
There are lots of people who do triathlons to say they did one and brag about it, but they are not fast or competitive in any way. But those that are competitive and are finishing in respectable time (people that qualify for nationals, etc), are very good cyclists for the most part and have the appropriate kit.
That is an old, cheap aero bike. Modern tri-bikes are wild looking, with crazy steep seat angles stiff as crap.
I am probably closer to one of those that you mentioned than a true triathlete. I've done several now, and hope to complete a half at some point in the next few years. But the reality is that I'm already on the wrong side of 50 so I'm a middle of the pack finisher at best and I'm just doing this for personal satisfaction/achievement.
Originally Posted by
Trakhak
To save VegasJen some redundant typing: she crashed three times when she first tried her clipless pedals. (My guess is that the spring tension on the pedals was either too high or too low, either of which could result in crashing, particularly for someone new to clipless.) Then, after giving up on the clipless pedals, temporarily or otherwise, she crashed one other time, quite a while later.
She probably knows what she's doing, but she can always look to you and others here for friendly advice should the need arise.
Thanks. Those crashes weren't my first time with clipless, but it was my first time with Looks. I actually put about 300 miles on SPDs without a crash (fell over once in my driveway, but I digress). The point was just that,
for me, I did not see enough benefit to outweigh potential risks. I've invested in several good flat pedals, and more specifically a slimmer athletic shoe that gets good traction on those flat pedals and I am quite happy with my set up.
Originally Posted by
vespasianus
Yeah, that probably came off wrong. If the OP wants to buy a tri-bike and ride it with flat pedals in a triathlon, he should go for it. There are definitely cyclists doing their own thing on these boards, and that is not a bad thing. But what other stated is true as well, that is not a bike I would want to be riding as my general road bike.
I currently have four road bikes, all equipped with aero bars. But not so much for the aero as just comfort on long rides. Riding on the drop bars for 20+ miles is just too taxing on my arms. And yes, I will be doing my own thing with my flat pedals.