Tri vs Road bike
 

Hi, I have been on the look out for a decent mid-range road bike. I recently did an Olympic Triathlon with my full suspension mountain bike, and it ... well, sucked! Recently, a friend who is training for his 3rd Ironman told me he had just purchased a new bike and wondered if I would be interested in his old one:


Giant Infinity Alliance 1 - Tri bike


It is in mint condition and the price is very good - $600. I would jump on this instantly, but my main concern is that I will likely just use it for a casual ride on weekends - I don't plan on doing another triathlon in the near future.


My question: Can I ride a Tri bike upright comfortably? Perhaps an hour long ride or so? I don't think I'll get this type of deal very often for a Carbon/fiber/Aluminum bike very often. I really wont to buy it, but I'm concerned that it is too specialized for Tri racing and I would not find it comfortable to ride (and I might look silly riding a race bike for a casual ride)


Any thoughts?


Max

I think you know the answer: a tri/tt bike is not going to be the most comfortable choice for just riding around.

Buy it and sell it for more?

That is another question ... might be tough to answer without viewing the bike or knowing the components (which I currently do not ... pretty sure they are stock) ... but for what it's worth, is $600 a good price. Is it likely I can sell it for more? (He said he was selling it for $900, but he would sell it to me for $600 cuz I'm a friend/colleage)


Max

What year? Bike Blue Book says a 2009 is worth $532 tops. (https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/sear....aspx?id=16695)

It's shady to get a friend discount then turn around and resell.

If you're not planning on doing another tri in the near future, get a road bike and add tri aerobars. I've seen lots of amateurs who simply use their road bikes.

Try Ebay sold listings to get a ballpark value for it:

Giant Trinity Alliance 1 | eBay

and then estimate it a bit. BTW, I think the name is "Giant Trinity Alliance 1", not "Giant Infinity Alliance 1." Also, I agree with @memebag on reselling is a bit shady. You should also see if its the right size for you.

Thanks, that gives me a better idea. I'm in Canada, so I could add another 35-40% to that $532 US. As far as screwing my friend after his discount, I couldn't agree more that is shady, however it was he himself to said "you could always flip if you don't like it" ... his ambition is to try get me to join him in an Ironman, which I'm not yet prepared to do.



Sound advice! Makes much more sense.


Thanks all!


Max

I've been playing around with a "Funny Bike". Think of your tri-bike, minus a couple of decades.

Anyway, there are a few critical adjustments like moving the seat forward to maintain the angle between the torso and legs. But, this adds weight to the hands.

I put bars on my bike that allow riding with several positions.

Attachment 566507

I wouldn't say the bike is particularly uncomfortable to ride. However, the forward seat position does put a lot of weight on the hands, and it is actually worse when riding on the tops of the bars than when riding in a more extended position in the drops.

You might be able to move the seat back on your Giant, and add a stem riser and drop bars to make it into a road bike, but you'll likely be limited with things like a proprietary seatpost.

Anyway, your Giant might make a great second bike, but perhaps not a primary bike.

I don't know what kind of relationship you have with your friend. But for me, reselling a bike for more than a friend sells to me, just to make a profit is kind of shady. But that's my opinion.

Perhaps you could buy from your friend, and give it an honest try until you know for sure it won't work for you. Then sell/trade in for a bike that better suits your needs. Either way, I'd be open with your friend about what you plan to do.

Just my 2 cents, take it for what's it worth to you.

Yes I agree Fett (and others). He and I have already had this conversation. I would never take advantage of a friend's kind offer. My main goal was to determine if I can have a Tri bike be both a daily ride and a bike for race day (if that ever happens again) which doesn't appear to be so. I've never rode a tri bike before. He is out of country for another week, and I can't see/ride it for a few days still, so I'm doing my own research until he gets back. He wants me to buy it in hopes that I will try another triathlon. He already told me that if I don't like it I could likely sell it for more that I paid ... the money means very little to him. He just bought a new $8000 tri bike.


I don't think I will buy it now that I know a good road bike is a better choice for a daily rider/trainer, however, I am remotely considering the option of putting regular handle bars on it and move the seat back as far as I can to try emulate a road bike. I would NEVER buy it simply for the purpose of making a few dollars ... a couple hundred doesn't mean THAT much to me either. I will take a look and give it a ride when I get the chance, but I'm leaning towards letting it go and start looking for a road bike ... sadly ... it's such a damn cool bike!


Max

Is there a Bike Exchange on this forum where people are selling their used bikes? I can't seem to find it if there is ...


Max

There is the "Road Bike Marketplace" but you have to have an "upgraded" membership.

My advice is thank your friend for his kind offer but pass. Buy a road bike and if you plan to do Tri's get clip-on aero bars.

Trying to convert a Tri bike to road is going to be fail.

Maybe if you ride a lot of time trials..