FIRST TRI HOW MUCH OF A BIKE DO I NEED ? CAN I RENT ONE?
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kakman posted 38 weeks ago.
Anything!
Don't take this the wrong way but you probably wouldn't win your first race even with an expensive bike so why worry? Just beg borrow or steal something from a friend - road bike, mountain bike, commuter, $10 Ebay beater whatever. There'll be people there with all sorts of things and nobody cares what anyone else uses.
Just get whatever you can and have fun - that's all that matters for the first.
/k
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2358 days
Joe_H posted 38 weeks ago.
I did my first on a borrowed mountain bike. almost any bike w/ two wheels is good (and you won't be the only one on a mtn bike either) good luck and have fun
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514 days
Iron Dan posted 38 weeks ago.
I did a race where a guy did the entire race with one of those BMX X-games type bikes. He actually did a fairly decent job considering how hard it must have been. The point is that no one cares what you ride, so just use whatever you can get.
The other option I have heard (and like) is to just swim faster than a majority of the field and take whatever bike you like best that is still left on the rack. :)
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988 days
gfd posted 38 weeks ago.
The other option I have heard (and like) is to just swim faster than a majority of the field and take whatever bike you like best that is still left on the rack. :)
Just make a mental note of which rack the Litespeed Blades and the Cervelo P3's are. Either of those should do the trick.
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272 days
STEVE LEE posted 38 weeks ago.
THANKS I HAVE HEARD ALL KIND OF THINGS SOUND LIKE A $50 BIKE WOULD DO THE TRICK IF I AM NOT TRYING TO WIN THE WHOLE THING!!
THANKS !
HOW ABOUT A WET SUITE, WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO GET EM AND WHAT SHOULD I PAY?
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514 days
Iron Dan posted 38 weeks ago.
It depends on if you are looking to rent or to buy.
Make sure that you are NOT getting a surfing wetsuit. The cut and design of them are completely different and while it may keep you warm, it will make you day alot harder than it should be. I don't really know of any good places to rent one, but at races I have heard people talking and have heard that they were able to rent their wetsuit for $20-$30 depending on what they get.
If you are looking to buy, they are expensive and can run anywhere from ~$150-$500.
859
Member
833 days
tsilcyc posted 38 weeks ago.
One day I'm going to do a sprint on a Big Wheel. THEN, when somebody asks what kind of bike do I need...
http://www.uncrate.com/men/gear/toys/adult-big-wheel/
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FlashRedGLS1.8T posted 38 weeks ago.
tsilcyc wrote:
One day I'm going to do a sprint on a Big Wheel. THEN, when somebody asks what kind of bike do I need...
LOL!
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341 days
longhair posted 38 weeks ago.
tsilcyc wrote:
One day I'm going to do a sprint on a Big Wheel. THEN, when somebody asks what kind of bike do I need...
Great stuff...It would be very ironic and funny doing a triathlon on a "tricycle" big wheel.
My true opinions is the same for the bike, and the wetsuit. I made that mistake, purchasing a great snorkelling suit for my first triathlon. What a terrible mistake. I did live to tell the tale, but it was not a pleasant experience. 26 minutes in cold New England water in June.
Good luck in your event, and welcome to the sport.
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430 days
Tri4thlete posted 38 weeks ago.
yep steve you can use any kind of bike you want, I did my first triathlon on a road bike I got for free, and most of the components were taped on lol...
oh p.s.... don't type in caps it usually makes it sound like you are "yelling", just saving ya for if you post on another forum, people can get quite mad when people type in all caps ;))
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gfd posted 38 weeks ago.
I had a hard time finding a wetsuit that fit. I took a few road trips so I could try them on. If you are within driving distance of a shop it is worth the trip. If not try some of the online stores linked on Trifuel.
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434 days
TryScott posted 38 weeks ago.
Most people won't have wetsuits, so don't worry about it. Take your time to see what other people are using and start collecting ideas for what you want.
My brother used my 10 year old mountain bike that I tried to sell for $5 at a garage sale, but nobody wanted it. It spent 5 of its 10 years outside my college dorm chained in the snow, rain, and whatever else, so I'm surprised it made it, but it did... and so did my brother.
179
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528 days
FlashRedGLS1.8T posted 38 weeks ago.
I have yet to buy a wetsuit, you don't need one. Do the tri without one. If you find that you are getting into the sport then you can get one later. They are not a must.
622
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514 days
Iron Dan posted 38 weeks ago.
It depends on where you swim if you will need a wetsuit or not. If you are in Florida or California, odds are, you can get a way with not using one. There are several swims around my area that are warm enough that you can get away with not having one, but there are also quite a few that are so cold there is no way you would want try it without one. Check the race website, they will usually try to post approximate water temperatures and you should be able to see from that if you are going to need a wetsuit or not.
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Member
271 days
Chiflado posted 38 weeks ago.
Unless the water is really cold just hold out on the wetsuit. I my first tri (and only tri so far) was August of '07. They had a door prize giveaway kind of thing after the race (they were giving away Quintana Roo wetsuits.) I got one (forget exactly what model and size)and then as we were walking off a guy came up and handed me an envelope for a Women's westsuit. (said I could give it to my friend or something... being that I'm a male. :P) Anyways, we emailed the contact person and asked if we could exchange that certificate for a women's wetsuit for a men's wetsuit. They said we could. Since the thing didn't specify what model, I went and found the most expensive Quintana Roo wetsuit, and we asked for that one. Well it took a while, and actually I had forgotten about it, but it came in last week. An approx. $500+ wetsuit for free.
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388 days
Sully800 posted 38 weeks ago.
That's a pretty awesome deal Chiflado!
I must agree with the masses though. A wetsuit is a nice addition if you can afford it but its not necessary unless the swim will be in cold water.
859
Member
833 days
tsilcyc posted 38 weeks ago.
Iron Dan wrote:
It depends on where you swim if you will need a wetsuit or not. If you are in Florida or California, odds are, you can get a way with not using one. There are several swims around my area that are warm enough that you can get away with not having one, but there are also quite a few that are so cold there is no way you would want try it without one. Check the race website, they will usually try to post approximate water temperatures and you should be able to see from that if you are going to need a wetsuit or not.
Maybe in southern California but in northern California, the bay and ocean are 50-60 degrees. I wear a wetsuit.
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Triguy98 posted 38 weeks ago.
I rented roadies for my first two races. Did all my training on a MTB. Did alright at the second race. Renting is a good way to figure out what you want in a bike.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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271 days
Chiflado posted 38 weeks ago.
Oh yes, and as far as what I road in my first tri (and again only tri so far)... I mostly trained on a mountain bike, and then borrowed a friends road bike for the race (and had it before the race too to get used to it. Also borrowed a different friends road bike when I went with some friends to ride the course... so I wouldn't feel so much like I was slowing my friends down who are both avid road cyclists.) I have my own road bike now.
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TonisFirstTri posted 38 weeks ago.
Biking is my weakest event. I always bike solo and have never biked in a group before. I keep hearing that "drafting" is a big no-no, but I don't know what it is or how to avoid it.
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833 days
tsilcyc posted 38 weeks ago.
See # 5
"http://www.usatriathlon.org/upload/pdfs/rd_2006_most_commonly_violated_rules.pdf"
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TonisFirstTri posted 38 weeks ago.
Thanks tsilcyc. That whole list was very helpful.
DO I NEED TO GET A EXPENSIVE BIKE? I DONT HAVE TO WIN THE RACE I JUST WANT TO COMPETE AND FINISH NOT BREAK RECORDS! WHAT WOULD BE SUFFICENT FOR A SPRINT TRI?