Can selecting a Tri Bike be compared to choosing Running Shoes?
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Tamara posted 1 year ago.
I'd never thought about it, but personally I think it's a great analogy. You can make any bike "fit" you in that you can sit, reach the pedals and the handlebars at the same time. But that's very different from finding a bike that really works with your particular body type, style of riding, etc...
My first real bike was my road bike I bought at a national chain bike store. It "fits" and I've ridden it for a few years now. But last year after learning a lot more about cycling I test rode a few other bikes. Now I know what a bike SHOULD feel like if it's right for me. So, when I bought my tribike this year I took the time not to get fixated on a brand (or let the LBS get fixated for me).
To me, that's another important point. Make sure you shop at different stores. your average LBS is going to carry maybe 3-4 major brands and they'll want to get you on one of their bikes. If your local store sells Trek, Specialized and Cervelo, take the time to go test ride a QR, Scott and Cannondale. Point being - don't settle for the best fitting bike among one store's options. It's a big $$ investment and a lot of hours and miles sitting on it...take the time to do it right!
good luck! Post a picture once you buy it!
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Tikal Dog posted 1 year ago.
An interesting post.
But I remind you there are no adjustments you can make to any particular shoe but to tight your laces.
Diferent with bikes. I guess there are things like size that would matter but i don't believe a frame would fit only X type of person.
It all depends if you are looking for a complete bike or buying a frame and adding components.
I guess with bikes like Trek and giant (for example) that usually are sold as complete bikes one could think there could be certain components that would not fit your particular case, in those cases I would think you might change that particular part and be ok with the frame.
You can't change your running shoe sole, etc.
I will continue to shop for bikes based on quality of the product and have my LBS fit it to my needs.
Hyperactive Trifueler!!!! (I refuse to let the status go :p)
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TryScott posted 1 year ago.
I'm not an expert on bikes, but my first thought was exactly what Tikal said about not being able to adjust shoes, but you can adjust bike settings.
I'm pretty sure that my LBS would suggest a bike that they felt (no pun intended) had the best components for the price range I was looking at. Frame geometry would be less of a factor. They would also only look at the 3 - 4 brands they deal with regulary. Hopefully you have a LBS that is a little better. I buy energy gel and tubes at my LBS, but when I buy a tri bike, I'm not sure where I'm going to go for a professional opinion.
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stewarba posted 1 year ago.
I guess my question is more in line with understanding that my LBS carries 3-4 brands of bikes, but am I better off saying that I want a particular brand of bike and letting them measure me for that particular brand or would I be better off letting the bike shop recommend a brand of bike that best satisfies my measurements after the measurements have been taken?
I don't know much about bikes, but I get the impression that not all bike brands are created with the exact same geometry and while I may think I want a Cervelo, my measurements may dictate that Felt offers the optimum bike geometry for me based on my personal geometry - I could be wrong on this, but that is what I am trying to figure out.
Pain is the sensation of weakness leaving the body!
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Tamara posted 1 year ago.
Nope - you're on the right track. Get measured, try different bikes within your budget and go from there. Don't walk in with one and only one bike or bike brand in mind.
Hey guys, I’m thinking about spending some money on a new Tri bike. After allowing myself to get addicted to this sport, I feel that it wouldn’t be something I spend a lot of money on and then have it sit unused in the garage.
The reason I am posting this is that I am curious what the general consensus is on the approach to buying a new bike. I have heard and read articles that bikes are like shoes with regards to fitting. In other words, go to a bike shop, get fitted and let the bike shops folks tell me which bike is best for me and not be so committed to a brand of bike. The impression I get when I hear this is that there is enough difference in geometry between the brands of bikes that brand X may fit one person perfectly but may not be best for me. It’s been my experience with shoes that I let the run shop assess my running technique/gait/style and bring out two or three different brand of shoes that support my running style and let me basically fine tune the fit/feel of the shoe a select.
So, I guess for those of you who have experience in this area, do you go into the bike shop and get fitted for a certain brand of bike (Something like “Hey guys, I would like to buy a new Cervelo P2 SL can I get fitted”), or do you go in and get fitted and have a brand recommended to you (“Hey guys, I would like to get fitted for a new Tri bike that costs in the neighborhood of $1500. What can you do for me?”)?
Pain is the sensation of weakness leaving the body!