My first tri bike?
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734 days
tsilcyc posted 14 weeks ago.
What's your price range? And how come you're against getting a road bike?
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206 days
charlie6460 posted 14 weeks ago.
Check out this place for reviews:
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=106
I did a review on one of them:
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=124646
Most of the bikesdirect.com bikes are road bikes. I think there might be 2 that are truly tri bikes.
5
Member
102 days
tbertrand posted 14 weeks ago.
I am not against road bikes, just unsure of the differences? My price range is $500-1,000. I will probably do mostly sprints, except for 1 olympic this summer. And I did have an opportunity to read your review charlie6460, and I thought it was very good. I will check out your other link now.
608
Member
416 days
Iron Dan posted 14 weeks ago.
With that price range and the fact that you are only doing sprints right now and the occasional olympic, I would look for a rode bike and maybe eventually put a set of clip-ons on the bike. You will likely get a lot more bike for your money than if you were to get a tri specific bike.
582
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387 days
theShiba posted 14 weeks ago.
Midrange roadie>>>Cheap Tri bike.
"Every journey has a secret destination of which the traveler is unaware." —Martin Buber
157
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659 days
fastdog5 posted 14 weeks ago.
Given your price range, check Craigslist for a used bike as well. When you have the money (& desire) to upgrade, you can sell it back to someone on Craigslist & get most of your money back. IMO, Craigslist is better than ebay because you can see the bike in person before you buy; you just have to be more patient depending on your market.
1049
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836 days
UFTriGator posted 14 weeks ago.
theShiba wrote:
Midrange roadie>>>Cheap Tri bike.
$500-1000 != midrange roadie.
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5
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102 days
tbertrand posted 14 weeks ago.
Sounds like mid-range roadie is the way to go. And, you are right about Craig's list. I have found what seems like many good deals on used bikes. Has anyone had any problems with buying a used bike, and not being able to "size" it properly?
10
Member
118 days
tresvite posted 14 weeks ago.
Yes, that would be my concern as well. I am very tempted by some of the bikes I see on Craigslist, but I want my bike to fit.
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1495 days
kylie posted 14 weeks ago.
With Craigslist you can often try the bike before paying. Perhaps take along a friend who knows how the fit should look/feel to help you.
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157
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659 days
fastdog5 posted 14 weeks ago.
This got me through my first season, after which I upgraded to a tri bike, which I had professionally fit. Please no replies telling me how stupid this is, blah blah blah, remember some of us are (or were) on a budget. This worked for me: Zinn (and many other sites) has an online fit calculator. You can enter your measurements & it will calculate top tube and seat tube lengths, etc. This should get you close, then dial in the fit with the other components, i.e. seat height, forward/aft adjustment, stem height & length, aerobar length, etc. The only part I screwed up was not taking into account my freakishly short torso (shoulda got a smaller frame); if you have a "normal" body type this can work. Hope this helps. Here's the website:
582
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387 days
theShiba posted 14 weeks ago.
UFTriGator wrote:
theShiba wrote:Midrange roadie>>>Cheap Tri bike.
$500-1000 != midrange roadie.
Or, whatever. :D
"Every journey has a secret destination of which the traveler is unaware." —Martin Buber
608
Member
416 days
Iron Dan posted 14 weeks ago.
For the proper size frame, go to a local bike shop and tell them what you are doing. They are usually more than willing to give you advice for what size a good fitting bike frame should be because they want your return business.
841
Member
264 days
ChunkyB posted 14 weeks ago.
I wouldn't worry about buying off Craigslist at all. That's where I bought my first real road bike, and I love it. When it comes down to it, there's really only one thing that matters, size-wise, and that's the frame size. The rest of it will have to be adjusted with stems, handlebars and the lot. If you get the right frame size for you, then you'll be fine. I'd definitely check out Craigslist.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
10
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234 days
reidthecat posted 14 weeks ago.
My Motobecane, with its very big ugly decal, was Carbon, light pretty good components,new wheels etc. is a nice bike. I got a new seat post but I have no regrets.
Anybody have any comments on Motobecane or Mercier bikes for a beginner? I did my first tri last summer on a mountain bike, so I am just looking for a cheap and reliable tri bike to start this year.