Help!! Anyone with advice is welcomed!!!
11
Member
613 days
longtall33 posted 1 year ago.
TT stands for "time trial." A TT bike is more aerodynamic than a typical road bike and is used in races where drafting is not allowed (eg most triathlons). I know others will weigh in, but buying a particular bike for someone else could be tricky b/c fit is so important. Maybe take them to the store and have him pick it out?
Comfort is the enemy of success
3
Member
482 days
yardenxanthe posted 1 year ago.
I knew about the fact that size and fit is important, but I was hoping that you can get a small, medium, or large and then work from there...let me expand on that....basically, if I know the measurements for the road bike he currently has, and I purchase the tri bike based on that, can other modifications be made as long as I have the overall size correct? I want to get him the best thing, but I also wanted it to be a complete surprise!
98
Member
588 days
peterwong posted 1 year ago.
Triathlon bikes are designed to be ridden long distances (in triathlons). Since you have already established that this is what you are going to buy, identity a price range and work your way from there. Bikes can range from 1,000-10,000+. The best bang for your buck value being in the 2k range.
Happy shopping!
147
Member
720 days
cuds posted 1 year ago.
I wouldn't buy the guy a bike unless it's fully returnable/exchangeable. Bike fit is extremely personal and you won't be able to tell what size he needs. You really can't judge a tri bike size off a road bike size, especially if you end up with a different brand. They are all quite different.
If I was going to do this I would make a personalized gift certificate telling him what the gift is and then let him get to the store to figure out exactly what he wants.
Seriously, don't buy a bike. 99.999% chance you'll waste your money!
87
Member
754 days
WanaBSpeedy posted 1 year ago.
I was in a similar boat last year for valentines day and this is what I did. My girl was very interested in a Bianchi 928 C2C, but she was currently riding a Cannondale, and sizes didn't fully coordinate. So what I did was, I called the bike shop (in VT), and told them my situation. What they did (after asking if they could), was they ordered 3 of the same C2C with the configuration I wanted (ie. sizes 54,56, and 58). Then when we took the trip over there valentines day, the bike store already had all the bikes lined up in their fitting area, and one of the staff members waiting to fit her. She had no idea that I had already paid for the bike, and just thought we were stopping in as we always do to just browse. I think she loved it.......SOOO, if you can determine maybe what brand/model he might be interested in(maybe ask him what he thinks of certain bike advertisments while looking through Triathlete Mag), you could call the nearest shop selling that brand/model and do the same thing I did. Just an idea, best of luck!!!
20
Member
663 days
TriMyBest posted 1 year ago.
Talk to your local bike shop. Maybe they would provide you with a bike that you could give him Christmas Day for the surprise, but then he would go back to the LBS after Christmas to swap out for the correct size? Even if you new exactly what size was right for him in a particular model, he'd still need to go back anyway for a fitting.
1130
Member
793 days
jsk85 posted 1 year ago.
+1 to the options above...see about the availability of swapping out when they return for the fit. BTW, this is a very lucky special someone.
508
Member
1739 days
triNick posted 1 year ago.
If you want to buy him a bike without the worries, you can try this as well. If you know what local bike shop (LBS) he visits and you feel confident he would want to buy from there get him a gift card. Then print just find a picture of a nice TT bike, don't worry about the brand or model. If you want to be really funny about it, see if you can get a bike box from the LBS and then put the gift card and picture inside and wrap it up. When he opens it up, he'll see the bike box and then gift card with the picture.
If you really bought a bike, it would really be hard to wrap, this might be easier and this way he gets the one he likes. Make sure it's the one that fits him too.
I wish I was getting a new bike for xmas...
TRImapper.com - visual triathlon finder
TRIJUICE.com - triathlon news and resource site
198
Member
687 days
azmojo804 posted 1 year ago.
I personally would rather pick out my bike and get fitted when doing so. Just as others suggested, if you do buy the bike, make sure you can return/exchange for something else for your special someone. :) Can I be that special someone? I'd gladly take a new bike!!! :)
5891
Member
2200 days
beads1985 posted 1 year ago.
I would get a small toy bike or perhaps and ornament of a bike and wrap that in a really small box, with the gift cad from the LBS.
They will need to fit them anyway.
'Nothing to it, but to do it!'
3
Member
482 days
yardenxanthe posted 1 year ago.
You guys are AWESOME!! Thanks so much for all of your help!! I think I am going with the small ornament or little "hotwheel" like bicycle and then give him the gift card for the bike shop. As for all of the peeps that wished they were getting a new bike....be REALLLLLY nice to your girlfriends or wives and I am sure you could get one too!! Thanks again!!
1130
Member
793 days
jsk85 posted 1 year ago.
yardenxanthe wrote:
As for all of the peeps that wished they were getting a new bike....be REALLLLLY nice to your girlfriends or wives and I am sure you could get one too!! Thanks again!!
I don't think it matters how nice I am since we are budgeting our gifts this xmas...$75 might get me a single break lever on my future bike...Enjoy your x-mas...your present will bring him great joy, no doubt
Okay. So I am not a triathlete and am not familiar with tri bikes, however, I have a special someone that I am buying a tri bike for for Christmas. Can someone tell me the basics on what to look for, what he needs in a tri bike and any other info that may be helpful in my purchase. He has been training for about 3 or so years and has been using a regular road bike. He NEEDS a better bike! Thanks!! Oh. And can someone tell me what a "TT" bike is??? Sorry...I am bike dumb....What is the TT?