Newbie bike for Ironman - carbon/alloy?
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charlie6460 posted 19 weeks ago.
I am not by any means a bike expert, but that sounds like a sales spin to me. I’d suggest checking out another bike store for other options and opinions.
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jhudalla posted 19 weeks ago.
Spin alley! I can almost guarantee that at any given IM, 40% of the bikes are alum. And those people do just fine. Are the guys saying that to you IM triathletes?
Weary is the path that does not challenge.
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triNick posted 19 weeks ago.
I did my first IM with an alloy tri bike, no problem... I did the last 2 IM's with a carbon bike. My average mph went up but I spent a lot more time training as well. Even with all the additional training, I don't think it was 10-15% harder on the alloy bike, so it might be a slight sales pitch.
The bikes you are talking about are road bike and not tri bikes. I don't think they sell those brands here in the US. I've seen people do an IM on road bikes so that shouldn't be an issue. How much harder is it to do an IM on a road bike, not sure. All I can say is that it's nice to be aero on a tri bike.
I don't think an alloy or carbon bike is going to make a difference on your run, it will be the training you do before hand and the effort you put into the bike on race day.
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kylie posted 19 weeks ago.
I did my first 2 IMs on alloy and the last on carbon. The carbon is definitely a smoother ride -- I find I have to use my body to absorb fewer bumps with it. That does make it easier to stay aero, and makes for a more comfortable ride. Those in turn will help your run. Given a person with the same training, and an alloy and a carbon bike that both fit him the same, I bet he'd have a better experience and time on the carbon bike. However, I don't think it is at all necessary for an IM.
If you don't want to spend that much now, don't. I've never heard of the bikes you mentioned, so no help there, but a popular bike is the Cervelo P2 SL or P2C. The P2 SLewith Ultegra components is about the same price point: $1,650.00.
But with bikes, the most important factor in buying one is if it fits you. The best thing to do is go to all the shops around you and try every bike in your price range that they say is the right size for you. The one that is the most comfortable and that draws you to it the most is the right one for you: if you don't want to spend time on it, you won't be as good of a cyclist.
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Leroy Bonkers posted 19 weeks ago.
Total spin, complete BS.
First, not all carbon is created equal. Is crappy carbon better than good aluminum? I don't know.
Second, a lot aluminum bikes have carbon seat stays and forks.
Thrid, most of your touch points are padded: saddle and elbow rests/handlebars. So the vibration dampening is a moo point... you know, like a cow would make.
Similarly, when considering the stiffness of a bike you can't just look at the frame. The cranks and wheels make up a large portion of this. Not to mention tire pressure!
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kylie posted 19 weeks ago.
Just took a look at one of bikes you mentioned and noticed it is a road bike not tri. Is that the route you want to take, or was that based on what that shop had available and recommended?
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Leroy Bonkers posted 19 weeks ago.
In my humble, flawed, and often irresponsible opinion: If you are only going to have one bike it should be a road bike. Especially if it's your first "serious" bike. It will be much easier to learn good handling, you can ride with others easier and pick up pointers. And while the most ideal position is aero and on the aerobars, in practice a lot of courses get crowded and you have to ride the brake hoods. So a road bike is a good place to start.
But be wary of a shop that pushes carbon but doesn't mention the frame geometry. Geometry makes a bigger difference.
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jhudalla posted 19 weeks ago.
Or you could get a tri bike w/ a roadie handle bar setup, see article:
http://www.slowtwitch.com/Products/Chrissie_Wellington_s_Cervelo_P2C_466...
While that bike is priced out of your range, I'd recommend the setup [kylie] recommended:
"If you don't want to spend that much now, don't. I've never heard of the bikes you mentioned, so no help there, but a popular bike is the Cervelo P2 SL or P2C. The P2 SLewith Ultegra components is about the same price point: $1,650.00. "
That way you can easily switch to a full tri setup down the road.
FYI: I ride a road bike w/ a shorty aero bar-ITU setup, and I am very happy with it. I'm planning on riding it next year at IMWI and HIMCa. Bottom line. Would Wellington/Armstrong be as strong on a alum bike vs. carbon. No doubt. It's about the engine/training that makes all the difference.
Weary is the path that does not challenge.
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hamish posted 19 weeks ago.
Thanks for all of that.
Both of the bikes are road bikes, which eventually I'll put aero bars on.
Think I've just saved a bit of cash and will go with the alloy.
Cheers!
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Leroy Bonkers posted 19 weeks ago.
Don't forget the proper accesories: spokey dokes, streamers, and a little bell. When you get a carbon frame you can add a license plate from a box of Super Golden Crisp.
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hamish posted 19 weeks ago.
Already got the streamers off my childhood bike. The bell was slightly rusted so I think I'll have to get a new one of those. Super Golden Crisp? Can't get them here!
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thesonicson posted 19 weeks ago.
hamish wrote:
Pretty new to this triathlon thing (I've never even done a 'fun run' before) but am going to do the NZ Ironman in March 09.
That's a hell of a way to get broken into the triathlon realm!!! Much Luck!!!
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Leroy Bonkers posted 19 weeks ago.
No Super Golden Crisp?! No sugar bear!?! No crunch with punch!? but plenty of Vegimite I'm guessing. sorry friend, you got a raw deal on that one. I heard sugar bear runs a 2:40 marathon, you know.
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jonovision_man posted 19 weeks ago.
hamish wrote:
Both of the bikes are road bikes, which eventually I'll put aero bars on.
Check out the Cervelo Soloist... it's got a flippable seatpost that is meant to switch to a more tri-friendly geometry, but gives up nothing as a road bike. It's sweeeet... if I were only getting one bike, that's the one I'd get.
jono
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Tri Fanatic posted 19 weeks ago.
The cervelo soloist and dual are one in the same. I don't think they offer the dual anymore, but it was the same from as the soloist. They just matched it with some aero bars instead of the roadie drops. I ride the dual and I love it. It is the only bike for the road that I own. Don't let anyone tell you that you should do most of your training on a road bike and then just ride the tri bike a week or so before to get used to it again. Plus, if you start out on the aero bars you will be an expert with them instead of trying to get used to them after getting comfortable on the hoods.
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Tri Fanatic posted 19 weeks ago.
The cervelo soloist and dual are one in the same. I don't think they offer the dual anymore, but it was the same from as the soloist. They just matched it with some aero bars instead of the roadie drops. I ride the dual and I love it. It is the only bike for the road that I own. Don't let anyone tell you that you should do most of your training on a road bike and then just ride the tri bike a week or so before to get used to it again. Plus, if you start out on the aero bars you will be an expert with them instead of trying to get used to them after getting comfortable on the hoods.
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TryScott posted 19 weeks ago.
hamish wrote:
(I've never even done a 'fun run' before) but am going to do the NZ Ironman in March 09.
Here I am going one step at a time. First Tri last year. First HIM this year. First IM next year. I feel like I'm underachieving :)
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hamish posted 19 weeks ago.
I'd say you're being far more sensible that what I'm being!
Guess I just can't help myself...when I do something it's gotta be BIG.
Hi guys
Pretty new to this triathlon thing (I've never even done a 'fun run' before) but am going to do the NZ Ironman in March 09.
Running and swimming wont be an issue, but, I don't have a bike...
I've basically decided on the bike I'm going to get but want to double check my choice. I'm going to spend approx US$1700 on either the new Avanti Quantum or the Azzurri Uno. I can't find many reviews of either bike - has anyone got any experience of either bike/brand? Am I way of base with either of these as a first bike?
Secondly, I sort of wanted to spend slightly less on the bike. The only way to do that I guess is to by an alloy frame rather than a fully carbon bike. If I was to go with an carbon alloy frame how much more difficult would I be making the run/how much less energy would I have?
The guy at the shop said it would make it maybe 10-15% more difficult. Is this just sales spin trying to get me to buy the bike from him?
Thanks!!