See Mom Run

Hi I am new to this forum and thought some experienced triathletes could help me out.

Somebody I know is selling her tri bike, QR Private Reserve, 2000 model year, with 6 ironman-worth training on it for $500. It has dura-ace throughout. Is it worth looking into this further to see if it fits me or not, or 7-yr-old bike is not a good idea? I currently have a entry level road bike (LeMond Reno, Tiagra/105) on which I raced for two years (up to Oly distance) and have been thinking about purchasing a better road bike or tri bike as I get more serious and interested in a longer race. Based on a kind of riding I do, a tri bike makes sense but I am not 100% yet.
If it is a potential good buy, how do I go about it? Should I take it to LBS and see if this size fits me (and make them do some adjustments and ride)? I don't have any 'close' relationship with any LBS and I am not sure if they would give me their honest opinion (they would rather sell a brand-new bike to me, I bet, than do fitting an used bike for some fee). Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

SMR

Sprocket Man

I don't know if you should really pursue this bike purchase. If the owner trained (and presumably raced) on it for 6 ironman races, that's a LOT of use. Wear and tear may be a consideration. QR makes really good bikes and Dura Ace is top notch stuff, but everything on a bike has a finite life, and 7 years of very high mileage (my assumption, based on IM training) may be putting the components near the end of their life cycle.

dogpound

$500 isn't bad.
I'd ask her about her training habits (my tri bike is 6 years old and has seen 3 IMs, but I only train the last 2 months or so before a race and race on it, so it doesn't see as much milage as my road bike) and if you're just getting into the sport, it might not be a bad entry bike to get use to a tri specific ride.

MaxBender

Ride it, see if you like it.

spyder

I have an older Mongoose Pro Morzine. Its not 7 years old, but its about 5. The only thing I've done is replaced the tires and had a minor tune up. Check the chainring and cassette teeth and look for play in both (including the crank). If its well worn, I would walk away.

See Mom Run

I tested it. I like it, but this is the very first tri bike I have ever ridden, so what do I know. It is in a very very good condition. The chain/cable has been replaced annually and everything is sparkling clean. I ride 45cm Lemond and this QR is 47cm and it seems fit. I took it to a LBS for thier opinion but the guy really didn't spend too much time other than measuring a few length and compared to my measurement in the system (I bought Lemond there) and said it might be slightly too big. THe fact is, however, 47cm is the smallest almost all tri bike manufactuerers make anyway, so somehow a setter has to find the best setup possible for a small person like me. no? The onlything I found a little difficult about this bike is to shift the front gear - it takes some strong finger force to move that thing.
My dilenma is, if I am to look for a bran-new bike with $2,500 budget, would I get a better bike? (This QR has Dura-ace throughout)? Would it really worth spending $2,500 for a new tri bike anyway (would I gain that much comfort and speed, compared to my Reno - I rode pretty flat oly distance at 19mph so I am not super strong rider yet, yes I am a runner)? It may be a good buy, but not sure 100%. Ahhhhhh.

bvfrompc

My thoughts:

No, a new 47cm $2500 bike will not buy you any more speed than the used bike, especially on flat TTs. If you get one that fits a little better, you might be a little more comfortable and a little more aero and a little faster.

The question about the used bike vs. your Reno, if you don't already use clip on aero bars, you will notice an immediate improvement in your speed. Depending on the fit you will likely be more comfortable after you get used to the new geometry as well. Its really up to you if you want to shave some minutes off your bike time.

See Mom Run

This may be a stupid question. My Reno has a bigger wheel set (700c) than this QR (650c). A simple math indicates to me that if I ride at the same rpm, 700c wheels takes me further compared to 650c in a given time. ********** Am I missing something here? Would I have to rider harder on 650c wheels compared to 700c wheels?

BTW, My Reno has a short aerobar and I like it.

bvfrompc

Gears, most 650 wheeled bikes will have larger gears, instead of a 53 on the front, a 54 or a 55. Since it wouldn't take as much energy to push the 650 around compared to the 700, you would find it easier to move up a gear.

dogpound

riding the new fit with different size wheels will take some getting use to, I always have an adjustment period going from my road bike to my tri bike.
I still think $500 is a good deal if you're inthe market

See Mom Run

Just to let you know.... I bought it at $450!!! The seat is too high (the seat post is too long - has to get shorten) and I will have to get this professionaly fit, but I am pretty excited about riding this machine. It will take a while to get used to ride 78 degree compared to 72.5 (?). Thanks for your help/opinion!

TysonB

My opinion? You chose wisely.

Enjoy it. After a while you will know what you like, what you need and what you are willing to pay for. If you walked away from this a year from now with a couple of tri's in it and no more than $750 tied up in it, what's the down side? (MAYBE you could have bought the perfect bike for $2500 and done better in a couple of races.)

Tyson