Which Tri Bike to Choose?
127
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1479 days
Geo posted 3 years ago.
4-5K?! you have quite a few options.
have fun with it
"As long as theres water...Chilly, Wet, Water!"
2817
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1217 days
bluebirdbiker posted 3 years ago.
Your asking the biased but Cervelo P3. To me, there is no better. It's an agressive bike. I wish I had that kind of $ :( Some day, some day :rolleyes:
BBB
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39
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1224 days
ForceFed posted 3 years ago.
Agree with the P3. I am riding a P2 SL and love it. Don't think you can really go wrong with any $4-5K bike though, as long as it fits.
Good luck, many would like to be in your position....
2336
Member
1235 days
Triguy98 posted 3 years ago.
QR Lucero or Tiphoon. I like the Ti. The Equinox 11 is a good time trial bike, the geometry is not tri specific at all. It would be nice if they did offer a carbon frame with the same geometry as the lower level Equinoxs, which ARE tri specific. I wish I had that kind of cash flow to blow on a ride, I would be laughing all the way to the shop to pick up my Tiphoon
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
33
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1162 days
triandsing posted 3 years ago.
Here's my $.02 (having only ever spent less than 1k on a bike).
Step 1: Visit the websites of each manufacturer, and look for some first impressions, as well as what they tout as the "selling points" of each of their bikes.
Step 2: Talk to as many human beings you know who've actually ridden one of the bikes you're interested in.
Step 3: Find bike shops where you can ride as many of the aforementioned bikes as possible(even if you have to drive a few hours for it).
Step 4: Sleep on it for a few days.
Step 5: Revisit any previous steps to resolve any lingering questions about any of the bikes.
Step 6: At this point, you're probably down to a couple choices, so sleep on it for a couple days again, and trust your gut. Ignore all the rationalizations you'll make to yourself about "this one has this widget" or any of the rest of it, and buy the one that at this point, you're probably already lusting after anyways.
That will be the one you'll be glad to spend 7 hours at a time on grinding up hills, flying down descents, and hammering into the wind. You'll be surprised-it'll whisper at you every time you walk by it in your house, sometimes even through the walls. If you leave it alone for a few days, it'll beg and scream until you get out there and ride it again.
Step 7: Sleep well knowing that you bought the bike that was just right for you.
This was my method, and within my limited budget, got me a great bike that I continue to be excited to ride.
Jason
129
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1199 days
Jeyradan posted 3 years ago.
Well... I've heard many very good things about the P3, so that is one of the two I'd advise. Other than that, I'm slightly biased toward Quintana Roo (my ride), and if you have that much to play with, go for the Lucero or Tiphoon... mmm... SO nice.
Official Hero: Tom Evans
1:12, 42.4, 3:46 1/2 IM
.jpg "tcrunner07's picture")
350
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1324 days
tcrunner07 posted 3 years ago.
Felt B2...i love it..i changed my aero bars from the carbon x to the hed aerobars and i love it..its so effn awesome
If you get a flat, and don't have a tube, Suck it up and run it in!!!
285
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1346 days
Great Greyhound posted 3 years ago.
triandsing,
Add #8 to your list, talk to the Shops Mechanics, and if possible the owner. If they are jerks, find another shop. Having a LBS that will work hard to keep you riding is a real plus.
The LBS Owner where I ride out of is always in the shop, and he also supports the local racing circuit.
Darrell "Legs 'n Lungs" Lenkner
in West Chester, Oh.
Check here for Images of us.
19
Member
1844 days
Tpup posted 3 years ago.
I just picked up a Cervelo P3-SL after doing a bunch of research and riding several bikes. I upgraded the front forks and brakes. So far I'm very happy with the bike, it's fast!
I do agree that in that price range all the bikes are good. Focus on getting a good fit, that's more critical than the bike imo.
Good luck.
Roy
806
Member
1294 days
thehitman posted 3 years ago.
"this sport really drains cash... I am looking to buy a tri bike in the $4-5K range." (with typo corrected)
spoonluv
Yeah, well, next time I drop 4 or 5 grand on a bike, I'm not going to be talking about how expensive the sport is. And I'll always have those memories of how I spent all of $100 my first summer, and under $1,000 the next season. And a year later I know that any additional equipment I buy is just gravy, because the most important equipment, the engine, really kicks butt, and it didn't cost me a dime.
thehitman
thehitman
“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” Mark Twain
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58
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1163 days
johnj919 posted 3 years ago.
I have to say...the Cervelo P3-SL is unbelievable. That thing is so fast that every time I ride it I just have to get off it and stare at it for a few minutes with a goofy grin on my face. My TT's improved by 3-4 mph after switching from a road bike to the P3. There is a really extensive review on bikesportmichigan.com if you want to check it out. There are also some reviews of some other bikes in your price range. Oh, and if you get the P3 you might just have enough to throw some Zipp 999's on there. Oh, man, I'm gettin' goosebumps just thinking about it!!!
John
350
Member
1324 days
tcrunner07 posted 3 years ago.
i guess my only bias to the P3 is if you get caught outn the rain or travel over somethng...the chances of geting debris stuck in the space between the rear tube and tire are pretty high
If you get a flat, and don't have a tube, Suck it up and run it in!!!
129
Member
1199 days
Jeyradan posted 3 years ago.
Interesting note... at the GWN Half-Ironman this weekend, about 75% of the bikes there were Cervelo. Out of those, easily over half were the Dual (followed by Soloist, One, and P3-SL). It's getting crazy popular.
Official Hero: Tom Evans
1:12, 42.4, 3:46 1/2 IM
414
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1280 days
trithis04 posted 3 years ago.
I'm another one of the 75%, I have a P3 and love it! In my opinion, after conducting some research before purchasing, I found it to be the best bike for the money. Hey, the SL model now retails at $3600 DA 10, so you can save a couple bucks or blow the buget and upgrade. Maybe some race wheels? I have not heard much it the way of reviews for the P3 Carbon, so I don't have more info. there. I just read an article in Triathlete on the P3-SL, I'm paraphrasing: "fastest standard diamond frame out there, to even get close you have to look at the (Softride) FasTT." In conclusion, you can't go wrong w/ the P3 (assuming you get a good fit).
[FONT=Impact]-Jason
"Fatigue will make cowards of us all!"
With my checking account finally having money in it (this sport really drains cash), I am looking to buy a tri bike in teh $4-5K range.
How does someone choose between all the brands and models out there.
How do i choose between the trek equinox 11, specialized s-works transition, litespeed saber, Quantana Roo Lucero, and so on.
Are some tri bikes better for flat courses and some better for hillier courses?
Do you tailor your choice of tri bike based on one race?
Any info on how to pick a tri bike, and reviews of tri bikes you may have would be appreciated.