Newbie bike recommendations
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run2race posted 27 weeks ago.
Your best option might be to go to a very good triathlon or bike shop and get measured- find out what size bike will best fit your body. This will cost some money, but once you know what bikes to target you can be patient and wait for a deal.
If you live in an active tri community you should be able to find a great deal on a used bike that you can have checked out at the same shop where you were measured. You can use the required upgrades to negotiate the price. Also, there are great deals online for still-in-box older models. But first you have to know what frame will fit your frame.
872
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884 days
tsilcyc posted 27 weeks ago.
+1 on what run2race said. Get fit first.
If you want to buy used, there are plenty of bikes to be had in your price range. If you want new, I'd look at road bikes.
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Anton posted 27 weeks ago.
Ok, kwyjibo What'e going to be...water bottles at dawn? Frame pumps at high noon?
We have to settle this avatar problem! ;)
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
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ChunkyB posted 27 weeks ago.
Anton wrote:
Ok, kwyjibo What'e going to be...water bottles at dawn? Frame pumps at high noon?
We have to settle this avatar problem! ;)
Yeah, It's been a little confusing lately. I thought Anton was answering his own questions and what not.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
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cayman posted 27 weeks ago.
Anton wrote:
Ok, kwyjibo What'e going to be...water bottles at dawn? Frame pumps at high noon? We have to settle this avatar problem! ;)
Thought I was seeing double.
john
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Anton posted 27 weeks ago.
You thought YOU were seeing double?..I was beginning to suspect a split personality! (wouldn't be the first time!)
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
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Kwyjibo posted 27 weeks ago.
run2race wrote:
Your best option might be to go to a very good triathlon or bike shop and get measured- find out what size bike will best fit your body. This will cost some money, but once you know what bikes to target you can be patient and wait for a deal.If you live in an active tri community you should be able to find a great deal on a used bike that you can have checked out at the same shop where you were measured. You can use the required upgrades to negotiate the price. Also, there are great deals online for still-in-box older models. But first you have to know what frame will fit your frame.
Would i be able to decide tri vs road bike if i get measured? I mean, will sure get measured before any buy, but, how it would make a difference for my choice?
By the way, anyone knows if i can find a ver good triathlon shop in Dallas?
Thanks run2race for youir quick response!
G.
17
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194 days
Kwyjibo posted 27 weeks ago.
tri-ac wrote:
get a road bike until you are sure you want a tri frame. if you're not able to afford the tri bike later as a second bike, you can ebay the road bike and upgrade to tri geometrystart with the roadie; it will serve you well for a long time.
So a road bike would be a better pick for a begginer or because of my budget? I'm ok with that (my wallet sure is), just want to be sure to buy the best bike that meets my needs. BTW if it is a road bike, do you have any recommendations in my budget range?
Thank you tri-ac for your response.
G.
17
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194 days
Kwyjibo posted 27 weeks ago.
Anton wrote:
Ok, kwyjibo What'e going to be...water bottles at dawn? Frame pumps at high noon?
We have to settle this avatar problem! ;)
Oh, sorry Anton, i wasn't aware the avatar was already chosen. I've just changed mine to avoid future confussion. I just hope i this is free.
Cheers!
2950
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1368 days
Anton posted 27 weeks ago.
Cool! I love it! Goofy is always appropriate.
If I decide to change in the future...you'll be the first to know!
And a road bike for about 1.5K...I like Giant. Specialized is good too. Blue cycles are sort of new but seem to have some nice stuff. Be careful of nice frames with so-so components. Look for Shimano Ultegra or at a minimum 105.
You can always shop around... you might find a used bike that will fit your needs.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
1012
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1204 days
PJT posted 27 weeks ago.
Most of the time the advice for someone looking for a first bike is to go with a road bike. And most of the time, that advice is correct.
However, since you plan to buy 1 bike and use it for several years, in multiple races, up to and including an IM, and be competitive in your AG, I think you should at least test out a tri bike to see if it works for you. If you have good handling skills from your MTB years and if you are sure that you are going to stick with tri racing, you might be the exception to the rule. (Just be aware that you cannot use a tri bike for most road bike races.)
My advice: test ride both road and tri bikes and see if one of them feels better to ride. Go with that one.
For 1.5k or less, Felt and Cervelo make some great aluminum-frame tri machines.
1841
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tri-ac posted 27 weeks ago.
Kwyjibo wrote:
BTW if it is a road bike, do you have any recommendations in my budget range?Thank you tri-ac for your response.
G.
I got a Felt F75 with pedals and shoes for $1500
http://www.feltracing.com/08/product.asp?catid=1504,1515&pid=8665
Adam
Tri-ac
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Kwyjibo posted 27 weeks ago.
It seems that the best thing to do is to test a road bike and a tri bike. Unfortunatelly here in Mexico i haven't found any store that will give me a bike for test drive, so all i've got is friends bikes to test and the frames they've got are not my size (smaller).
I've used a road bike (friend's) with a small (at least for me) frame, would i notice any difference if I try out a tri bike with the same frame size? Or it would not be enough?
Thank you all for your advice!
G.
1841
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1090 days
I'm plannig to buy my first bike for triathlon use in the next couple of months, but i'm not sure if i should buy a road bike or a tri specific bike. What would you recommend?
My profile:
I've been riding MTB for about 4 years and started with my first triathlon last month (sprint) with a friend's road bike. I need a bike i can use for at least 3-4 years, and it would be the only bike (besides my MTB) i'll own, unfortunatelly i can't afford to buy a road bike and a tri bike. I'm planning to run my first olympic this november (ideally with the new bike) and next year i would run at least 2 olympics and a half ironman. If possible i will want to run the complete IronMan two years from now (with several olympics in the way)... all this with same bike.
So, which bike would you recommend? a road bike or tri specific bike? My budget is very tight, about $1,500... but if the better choice to fit my needs is to go for a bike near $1,800 (give or take), ill adjust. I don't want to buy a $1,000 bike that will need another $1,000 in upgrades, but neither want to buy a pro bike that will be to "big" for me.
Finally i must say i want to be competitive in my age range, so take that in account when giving me your recommendations.
Thank you all!
G.