looking for beginners tri bike
 

i was just wondering about a few things, as i believe upgrading would be handy for next season;

1) can you buy clip on aero bars reasonably cheap?

2) do you wear tri suits in all three events?

3) do u need a triple chainring/would it be handy in a tri?

4) should i buy top the range tri shoes, or normal bike shoes?


thanks,

john

1. Yes, check out performancebike or nashbar. Profile centuries are like 50 bucks.

2. I personally don't wear a tri suit. I have a pair of desoto tri shorts and an underarmour top. I do wear them in all three legs.

3. Some people switch to a triple ring if there are alot of hills or climbs. However, it's going to add weight so many people switch to compact instead.

4. You don't necessarily have to buy top of the line, but I would buy tri shoes. I personally bought some tri shoes from nashbar for under 50. However, the more you spend, the more probable you will get a carbon sole, which is more efficient.

thanks for your advice.

my plans are to purchase a Learsport 8000, and upgrade the parts slowly - seatpost, saddle, bars, stem etc.

i would like clip on aero bars because i also plan on road racing, and apparently they are illegal in normal races. would it better for me to purchase a tri suit, or a similar outfit to what you wear?

finally, would it be worthwhile purchasing a disc wheel on ebay? i found a few zipps for around AU$500, which didnt seem to bad to me?

thanks,

john

I'd skip the triple. Most triathlons do not have the kind of climbs that need very low gearing. As for the disc, I'd save my money for a triathlon specific bike rather than buy a disc. (as a second bike, I think your plan of buying a road bike makes sense)
A rear disc is going to make less difference in performance than rider position. Also the disc is only going to be useful in races without significant climbing, and when the wind isn't heavy. And some races (such as Kona) don't allow discs. If you're spending money on aero wheels, the front is more important anyway. For wheels, I'd invest in a set of deep dish wheels (Hed Alps, or Zipps) before I bought a disc. A lot more generally useful.
My 2 cents, buy a decent road bike and clip ons. Ride it for awhile, do some events, and then decide on your next purchase

I agree with Merlin on the wheels.

Regarding what to wear, that's your preference. My reason is that I can use the shorts and top outside of tri without looking wierd. For example, the tri shorts are black which look like bike shorts and also swimming jammers so I can wear them for training at the gym. The under armour top I can use for training also at the gym. I've never seen anyone wear their tri suits at the gym or for training outside.

Here's my two cents...

I bought a brand new 2003 Quintana Roo Kilo (in 2005) for a beginnner tri-bike and I am extremely happy. If you decide to go that route instead of buying a road bike and adding aerobars. But now I would love a standard road bike to do some Crits in the area and groups rides.

I don't think you need a triple chain ring. Your standard double will definitely due.

I wear tri shorts and switch shirts during T2. I would recommend a pair or actual bike shorts for longer training rides or long indoor training sessions, unless you happen across an awesome saddle that you absolutely love (I haven't found one yet). I'd stick with the tri shorts myself they are versitile and relatively inexpensive/

I have a pair of regular Specialized road bike shoes and find they work just fine.

As far as wheels......I have only used my Velocity Deep V's that came with my Kilo. I'd like to get some Hed 3's one day.