Triathalon Starter Bike

MayoRoadRunner

Hi All, Long time lurker to this forum!

Would like your thoughts on what you regard as a good first road bike to use in Triathlons. I come from a running background and aim to complete a few triathlons over the summer. Have a budget of 1K in mind all in (i.e complete bike and wet suit) so would have budget of about c.700 euro for bike.
Options i have come accross include:

http://www.kearneycycles.com/galway-bicycles-details.php?act=viewProd&productId=316 specialised allez 18 speed 750 euro



http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Giant_SCR_1_Road_Bike/5360037570/ Giant SCR1 730 euro



http://www.mcloughlincycles.com/roadbikes.htm (2008) Trek 1.2 680 euro



http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=35&idproduct=17883 Lapierre S tech 200 670 euro



I have also come accross starter packs. These 'seem' like decent value given current exchange rate. Any thoughts?


http://www.sbrsports.com/896-636167 Starter Pack with Trek 1.2 £879




http://www.sbrsports.com/896-636168 Starter Pack with Trek 1.5 £1,050


Any feedback greatly appreciated. Not sure how to post this to triathlon forum. Mods you can move it if you think more suitable over there.


Many Thanks in advance

rughdh

The best value bike there is the SCR 1, but note that it's only available in a small size on that site.

lisaloo

Try boardman.ie

lisaloo

boardmanbikes.com sorry, nice range of bikes.

MayoRoadRunner

Thanks Rughdh. Take it the SCR1 would normally retail about the 1K mark so. I'm 6ft 1 so would need a 58 or large size i would imagine. Kind of had my eye on the Trek 1.2 2008 model. Is the spec of this any better than the rest of the options? Is there any bike that stands out around the 7-800 euro mark in terms of value and spec? Thanks

MayoRoadRunner

Hi Lisaloo. Yes was in Halfords (Sligo) earlier today for first time. They said they would accept sterling and give sterling prices on all the bikes which saves you about 30%! Don't think they are advertising this though. I understand Halfords have bad rep but was impressed at all the gear in there altough they only had about 5 road bikes in stock. Will look up Boardman as i know Halfords stock them usually

rughdh

MayoRoadRunner wrote: »

Thanks Rughdh. Take it the SCR1 would normally retail about the 1K mark so. I'm 6ft 1 so would need a 58 or large size i would imagine. Kind of had my eye on the Trek 1.2 2008 model. Is the spec of this any better than the rest of the options? Is there any bike that stands out around the 7-800 euro mark in terms of value and spec? Thanks

The SCR 1 retailed for 1359 in this country last year, but around 1k in the UK.

I would be looking for shimano 105 components first (although hard to get for that price), then Tiagra, then Sora, then 2200. The Sora and 2200 shifters are not to everyone's taste though. You can't shift to the smaller cogs in the drops.

MayoRoadRunner

Took a look at the Boardman range on Halfords website. This caught my eye and has the 105/Tiagra spec you recommended rughdh.


http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_501979_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

Would prefer to buy from a local independent shop tbh. Driving up from Mayo to Dublin today. Is there any shop in midlands worth popping into? Thinking of going for the Boardman above or else the Trek 1.2 (a 2008 model if i can get my hands on one)

MCOS

Hey I got the SCR1 off wiggle before xmas. Grand entry level bike and shimano 105 components. I got a 55.5cm and I'm just a shade under 6ft. 1300km done on it with no probs. This will be my first time doing Tri.

roscoe7

also look at bikescheme.ie, could get a bike through work, might be worth a look.

Funkyzeit

MayoRoadRunner wrote: »

I'm 6ft 1 so would need a 58 or large size i would imagine.

Hi There,
Just a bit of advice
Before you buy make SURE you know your size - get measured in a bike shop and then at lease you know what size frame you need - having the right size frame is vitally important... Can't go wrong buying off chainreactions/evans/wiggle etc...

MayoRoadRunner

Thanks MCOS. I had a look at the SCR1 on wiggle but only small sizes left and i understand its over 1K here. Looking at spending 7-800 ideally. Think i have gleaned enough info to know what to look for now. Thanks!

MayoRoadRunner

Funkyzeit wrote: »

Hi There,
Just a bit of advice
Before you buy make SURE you know your size - get measured in a bike shop and then at lease you know what size frame you need - having the right size frame is vitally important... Can't go wrong buying off chainreactions/evans/wiggle etc...

Cheers Funkyzeit. Will defo make sure to get measured before buying anything.

MayoRoadRunner

roscoe7 wrote: »

also look at bikescheme.ie, could get a bike through work, might be worth a look.

Thanks Roscoe. Have many people done this? Dos it cost the employer anything? I know they have to sign up to the scheme first. Say on a 1K bike you should save c.3-500 depending on tax bracket. Does the employer absorb any of that 3-500?

911sc

I bought a SCR1.5 (€900 in cyclesuperstore dublin from memory) last year, and must say i am delighted with it.

Though, i am finding hard to get a good setup for aerobars as i find the saddle being too far back. May be just me...

Highway_To_Hell

the scheme dosen't cost the employer anything in fact they make a saving as they have less PRSI to pay. From a lot of post on here not many employers are signing up as they say it is too much of an overhead. The Employer has to pay for the bike and take the cost from your salary in whatever way they want (over a 12 month period or all in one pay
packet.)

The bike is meant to be used for commuting to work but it is hard to police it.

Also the bike can be purchased anywhere in Europe and over the internet.

WLPD

You should check out Marrey Bikes in Ballinrobe. They will do a proper bike fitting. Have offered Tri- starter packs for a few years

blorg

911sc wrote: »

Though, i am finding hard to get a good setup for aerobars as i find the saddle being too far back. May be just me...

Have you tried changing the seatpost for an inline one? Most standard seatposts have 20mm layback, so you can move the saddle forward by that amount by going for inline (indeed they are often marketed at tri posts.)

MayoRoadRunner

Hi All,

Just said i would update you with what i was thinking of buying. Its a 2008 Trek 2.3. I cannot see any online but a link for the 2009 model is below:
http://www.wheelworxbikes.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=12&products_id=1613
Thinking of getting it from LBS and can pick it up for 1,100 euro which seems like a great saving. I had a budget of 800 euro for the bike but the deal on the 2.3 seems too hard to resist. I'm told it comes with full Shimano Ultegra. Anyways just said i would update ye all. Anyone out there think i would be wrong to go ahead with the purchase? Cheers

scottreynolds

MayoRoadRunner wrote: »

Anyone out there think i would be wrong to go ahead with the purchase? Cheers

Its a good bike and a great groupset. Its perfect for your needs. You'll have a ball with it.

RobFowl

Thats a perfect bike for your needs. Its good enough to road race on as well
Always like to see people using the LBS as well.