New to Tri's...have many questions!
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ebit posted 1 year ago.
Pick up Joe Friel's Triathlete's Training Bible. It's a great resource for self coaching. Also, finding and joining a swim club of sorts is a great way to improve your swimming fitness.
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theShiba posted 1 year ago.
If you're looking for a TT bike, why are you converting a road bike? I think that for 2600 you could get a Cervelo P2SL, or a lot of other bikes that are pure TT bikes... then you just have to add pedals and be done with it, rather than swapping out bars, adding clip-on aero bars, etc...
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roadrunner1659 posted 1 year ago.
well i dont want a pure TT bike b/c then thats all i have it for...at this time since i will be in the beginning stages of tri's and whatnot i would prefer to completly upgrade to a great road bike, that i can simply convert over to a TT bike when needed...then i can use the bike for anything and everything...ie. road riding, Tri's, commuting to work or school...
plus the swapping of bars and aero bars aren't costing me anything so it doesn't bother me...
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psychosyd posted 1 year ago.
Seems like an Ok deal. If you are not certain about getting into the sport why don't you look at used bikes? Triathletes are notoriously anal about maintaining their bikes, and you could get something full carbon and race ready for the same price. Many people upgrade every year! (I guess triahtletes are rich, or constantly broke!)
Check out some used postings and you could find an amazing deal, especially this time of year.
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Fourth Street posted 1 year ago.
Hey Roadrunner...I have to agree w/ Shiba. If the LBS does not require you to also trade in your road bike, I'd simply buy a TT and use the current road for group rides and such. From everything I've read on this site, there is a significant difference between a converted road bike and a true tri bike (i.e. positioning). I tried to convert mine a while ago but wasn't comfortable enough to stay in for long periods of time so not really worth it (now just trying to save up for something new).
If you do need to trade in the Fuji, I'm in complete agreement with your route and the deal does sound good. Good luck.
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stewarba posted 1 year ago.
What Tri distance are you primarily looking at doing? That would make a difference in my book. Also, you may want to sign up for a late fall Sprint and use your current bike to see if you enjoy it enough to drop that kind of money into a bike.
Pain is the sensation of weakness leaving the body!
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roadrunner1659 posted 1 year ago.
stewarba i have no idea what distance i would be doing b/c i've never done one...i would guess that i would get a few shorter ones under my belt for experience and then slowly but surely move up to a full ironman one day...
i understand about doing a sprint...not sure if any around here although central pack, NYC is have a duathlon of run bike run...2,12,2...maybe i could do that...
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Mike20124 posted 1 year ago.
Some thoughts from a Synapse owner:
I bought a Cannondale Synapse new last year when I first got into tris and have used it from Spints up to a recently completed IM. I added clip on aeros for the IM -it worked great. However, I was brand new to biking when I began and I already feel as if I've outgrown the bike. The Synapse has a slightly more relaxed geometry than Cannondale's CAAD 8/9. If I had to do it over again, I would go with the more agressive CAAD 8/9 frame (about same price). The relaxed frame was good for starters but now I want to be more agressive. I'm looking to upgrade to a TT bike.
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roadrunner1659 posted 1 year ago.
in general i want to purchase a new bike anyway...and being that i will be a beginner in tri's im not going to be overly picky...now, if i get big into tri's then yes i will look for a tri specific bike but for the time being i would like a really good road bike that i can use for tri's...
but i mean at this time, i need a do it all bike...for commuting to and from work, possibly commuting to and from work if i really want to work myself, training, and tri races...i dont do alot of group rides b/c my schedule is all over the place...
what do you mean by slightly more relaxed geomerty?
and like you said, your looking for a TT bike right now but you still have a great training and do anything bike...
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Mike20124 posted 1 year ago.
Don't get me wrong, the Synapse is a very good bike but the CAAD 8/9 is also a good road bike with a more agressive geometry for races. I think it would work for your other reasons as well.
roadrunner1659;80476 wrote:
what do you mean by slightly more relaxed geomerty?
I'm not a bike guy but as I understand:
The Synapse has a slightly longer head tube than conventional road bikes (the somewhat vertical tube beneath handlebars). This causes the top tube to be a little longer and slightly angled up so you sit back somewhat when compared to other road bikes. This is done for comfort for either beginners or longer rides. Cannondale calls it "all day performance comfort." Perfect for me last year when I started but now I want to be more forward or agressive (as I said I've outgrown it). I think I want to move up to a more aggresive bike and instead of staying with a road bike I'm going all the way with a TT frame.
I can't knock the Synapse, however - I really enjoy riding it.
Good luck.
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roadrunner1659 posted 1 year ago.
well i understand about the slight drop that the head tube has from the front to back...
but even so, you could move the seat forward and have it raised a little to make it more aggressive...
i do know that the LBS is going to give me a second stem for TT setup...they are swapping out the stock handle bars for a set of bontragers...and the mavic ksyrium elite wheels will be put on...and for TT setup i am getting a set of ironman cf aero bars ...
and then if i truely get hooked then i will later invest in a true TT bike...just like what your doing now...
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roadrunner1659 posted 1 year ago.
today i went around to a few other shops and while doing so i got on a Cannondale SystemSix...OMG what an amazing bike...simply wow! so light weight, yet stiff and very responsive...
So i will either be getting the 07' left over they have if they still have it in a week or two or i will have them order a new 08 ' for me!
WOW i wish i was working full time rather then part time and in school haha b/c i want this bike now!
Wanted to start off by saying hello to all!
Lets see where do i begin...how about were im at now...
For the last two weeks i have been on a schedule of riding sun, tues, fri, and running mon, wens, sat. (thurs is my off day)
riding - been riding off and on all summer and i feel i have a fairly decent base and im able to avg. 20 mph over a 20 mile ride...(and thats on a heavy alum frame)...
running...well before 2 weeks ago i haven't ran in almost 5 yrs...let me just start by saying that running comes super easy to me and its very natural...i have about 6 runs under my legs ranging from 3 miles to 6...all of which avg mile pace is right around 6:40...40 mins...(like i said running is natural)...
swimming...prolly the one thing i would have to work on the most...im not a bad swimmer but i know im not a great swimmer in any means...
Questions i have...
1.Currently i am seraching for a new road bike that can covert to a Tri/TT bike and the other day the LBS put a bike on hold for me b/c i feel in love and they are hookng me up big time...heres the deal...i currently ride on a Fuji Finest Al (04')...its an amazing bike but just wouldn't cut it for competiting...so this is whats on hold and what the LBS is going to do for me...
Cannondale Synapse SL2 (53cm)...they are also going to swap the handle bars with a set of bontragers, because i want TT bars, which they are going to put on a set of ironman cf aero bars (clip ons), and a set of shimano pedals for 2k even...
then i am going to upgrade the wheels to mavric ksyrium elite wheel and a really good set of tires...
to make the grand total of 2600...
what do you guys think? by the way this bike retails for almost 3k and with the upgrades im prolly looking more towards 3800-4k...
2.Training...i dont know where to begin...i mean i can easily stay on my current run/ride schedule and i know that somewhere in there i would need to begin swimming, but can anyone help in this department of training routine for tri athletes...
This seems like a good start so i will leave it at that!
Thanks!