I currently have a specialized tarmac expert, that i have used for a sprint and half IM, and will be doing another half later this year on this same bike. I have added aero bars and moved my saddle up and forward to get into a good position, which i noticed the differnce when I did my run, my legs where great right off the bike. My question is with doing an IM next may, which i think might be my only one at this distance is there a real value add in get a tri/tt bike? I am not fast in my last Half my bike split was right at three hours. any advise would be nice.
yes you should get one...and
yes you should get one...and don't get rid of your roadie
the question is: can you budget one?
ditto - tri bike makes a
ditto - tri bike makes a huge difference
comfort will be a factor so be sure to get a professional fit and train on it to adjust to a 6 hour ride
Uncle Sam needs the tax
Uncle Sam needs the tax dollars. Buy one.
And for the record, getting a "good (aero) position" on a roadie is nothing like getting dialed in to a good position on a TT/Tri bike (which you probably already know). I've tuned the best achievable position on my Allez, and it's significantly less effective than most of the TT bikes I've taken out for test ride. The Tarmac is a nice ride, so don't get rid of it. If you can afford one, buy one. If you don't use it, sell it. Despite depreciation, it's still an asset - and unless you completely mangle the thing you'll probably be able to recover 70-80% of the value for at least a few years.
I am in the EXACT (bike,
I am in the EXACT (bike, bars, saddle position, race distance) position. I just can't afford one right now. Good luck with the TT bike. Hopefully I have one soon too.
I was in your same position
I was in your same position last year, same bike too (2005 Tarmac Pro). I ended up going with the Cervelo P2C and absolutely love it. Even better is that once I took off the aero bars and forward seat post from the Specialized, I have more fun on it. It's great to have two bikes.
-Did I need it? Not necessarily, but need is a vague term :). (For instance, for some reason my wife always "needs" new clothes. Yet I can wear the same t-shirts and jeans for years.)
-Did I want it? Hell Yeah?!
-And could I afford it? I had saved my money so yes.
I don't think you'll find many people that will say "I wish I didn't have these two great bikes sitting in my garage, I was better off with just one." I say if you can afford it, go for it.
zagfan wrote:I was in your
[quote=zagfan]I was in your same position last year, same bike too (2005 Tarmac Pro). I ended up going with the Cervelo P2C and absolutely love it. Even better is that once I took off the aero bars and forward seat post from the Specialized, I have more fun on it. It's great to have two bikes.
-Did I need it? Not necessarily, but need is a vague term :). (For instance, for some reason my wife always "needs" new clothes. Yet I can wear the same t-shirts and jeans for years.)
-Did I want it? Hell Yeah?!
-And could I afford it? I had saved my money so yes.
I don't think you'll find many people that will say "I wish I didn't have these two great bikes sitting in my garage, I was better off with just one." I say if you can afford it, go for it. [/quote]
Take this response, sub 2004 LeMond Tourmalet for 2005 Tarmac Pro, and it's exactly my feelings/situation.
well looks like it is time
well looks like it is time to start saving my lunch money so i can get a new bike. i have looked at a few and my choice right now is between the cervelo p2c and the specialized transition expert. Any one have any opinion on way or the other. Thanks.
Which ever one fits you the
Which ever one fits you the best :)