I have just started training for my first Sprint, and the only bike I own is 12+ years old and no longer fits (my knees hit hit the handlebars!!). Money is tight for the next 4 months, until my better half is done with school and back to work. There is not a bike that I can borrow, as all my biker friends are significantly smaller than I am. Could I do all my bike training until April/May through spinning classes or an indoor trainer at the gym? I haven't been on a bike in at least 10 years and know I need a lot of ride time to get into Tri shape. Please help with any ideas you might have, thanks.
If you can't get a bike,
If you can't get a bike, then yes you can! Watch for the time limits gym's have on their bikes as sometimes you can only ride for 20m, but with a sprint you won't need super long rides. Good luck!
If you're starting from
If you're starting from square one, then you can definitely get by on stationary gym bikes for a while.
You'll be fine for a sprint
You'll be fine for a sprint on indoor trainers / spin classes. Don't sweat it.
Good luck!
Scour craigslist an
Scour craigslist an occasionally you will find a good cheap bike. But until the +1 to all of the above.
i agree with nsf, look at
i agree with nsf, look at craigslist. I got my trek super cheap. Sometimes people even give their old Schwinn 10 spds away. You could have some fun training with that. But ya, for a sprint, no prob with spin and stationary bike classes.
+1 to what everyone said so
+1 to what everyone said so far. I bought my bike 9 days before my first tri, which was an olympic distance. Good luck.
Thanks for the input, I'll
Thanks for the input, I'll wait on purchasing the bike. Just as an update - day 3 of training, and I'm really starting to like running (if you can call a 10min/mile running!) for the first time in my life. Swimming is harder than I remember, and I'll start on the stationary bike later this week.
keep it up man. Stay off the
keep it up man. Stay off the bike that is too small you will get hurt.
you can go to the local gym
you can go to the local gym and hit the stationary trainers. its important at some point to get a bike.
the bike leg in most races is 50% of the total time ie distance of most triahtlons. There are alot of great bikes out there for under $1000 dollars. A road bike to start with is fine maybe fitted with an aero bar. all in all just have fun
Well, tried the stationary
Well, tried the stationary at the gym for a couple weeks and hated every minute. Spent $1600 of my 2010 uniform allowance (hope my pants make it through the year!) and bought a 2009 Scott S30 plus all the extras (pedals, shoes, computer, bibs, and helmet) on closeout prices, plus a professional fitting. Thanks to the guys at Bothell Ski & Bike! I've only put 50 miles on it this last week, but I love it, worth every penny. Thanks again for you advice, but no more stationary bike for me!!!