Which road bike?

metamorphosis

Over the next few months i really want to focus putting all my energy by really getting into more Tris. I run a lot and have the stamina for cycling but now when it comes to buying a road bike and gear im all over the place.

Any advice first off and then which is a good road bike to get me on my feet. Price will not be an issue. Good gear also ...

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Tau

ULstudent wrote: »

Price will not be an issue.

TBH:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=34865

novarapid

ULstudent wrote: »

Price will not be an issue.

your really need to tell people how much you want to send? what level will you be competing at? National? Local? do you want to spend €4k on a bike for a few local tris?
Loads of great bikes to get you started on try the focus bikes on Wiggle, people on this site like them. make sure you get a size that fits.

metamorphosis

Tau wrote: »

TBH:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=34865

haha

i DIDNT MEAN THAT I WOULD BE WILLING TO SPEND THOUSANDS ON A BIKE BUT WOULD BE WILLING TO SPEND IN THE UPPER HUNDREDS ON A BIKE TO GET ME STARTED AND I CAN SEE WHERE I GO THEN

IM TIRED OF PUTTING ALL MY TRAINING WITH NOTHING TO AIM FOR AND WANT TO TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL REALLY TBH

Sorry about the caps guys. Im really coming from a no knowledge of material backround and so looking for a push in the right direction. Once i have the gear i will get in touch with the limerick Tri club as they do begenners rides and i figure joining a club will get me more into the competitive side hopefully.

MCOS

ULstudent wrote: »

Once i have the gear i will get in touch with the limerick Tri club as they do begenners rides and i figure joining a club will get me more into the competitive side hopefully.

Yep, Beginner group goes from the Parkway at 10am on Sundays. Head down to Liam in Cycle Pursuits on the Dock Road and he will measure you up electronically. He can then recommend the best size bike for you. He will even set one up in store to your spec and let you test ride it. There are still some Joey Try a Tri places left too so enter that and you now have something to aim for right at your doorstep

CheGuedara

Really a budget to work within would help but regarding a bike the general race bike scheme is steel framed < aluminium framed < carbon fiber framed < or = titanium framed (this is sure to cause consternation with the 'steel is real' and 'titanuim is king' camps).

Most people would start off with an aluminium frame, which now often come with a carbon fiber fork, or a frame with an aluminium main frame and carbon rear if pushing the boat out but if you're committed to getting on the bike and staying there carbon fibre is your next port of call.

Most here would agree that the Planet X SL Pro Carbon is a good, lightweight bike and is good value for the money (http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/SL_Pro_Carbon_-_Dura_Ace_Build_Unbuilt.html). There is an option to have it built for a small charge which would be worth it for someone new to the sport.

Re kit.

(1) Met or Giro helmet (not getting into helmet arguement - they do have their detractors)

(2) Cateye Wireless computer

(3) Lights, rear for visibility and a decent one for the front to provide actual lighting

(3) Almost any cycling kit you'd see on Wiggle.co.uk (castelli, dhb, descente etc are all quite good and if you're simply minted get Assos) but look out for reductions and pick up; bib-longs or bib-shorts, a short sleeve jersey, some arm warmers and a jacket suitable for the weather you expect to be cycling in (if something says '3 season' or similar that should see you right)

I think that just about does it - you'll probably want to get clipless pedals and shoes in the future but if you're not used to cycling a road bike I'd wait till im comfortable with the machine before taking that step.

metamorphosis

MCOS wrote: »

Yep, Beginner group goes from the Parkway at 10am on Sundays. Head down to Liam in Cycle Pursuits on the Dock Road and he will measure you up electronically. He can then recommend the best size bike for you. He will even set one up in store to your spec and let you test ride it. There are still some Joey Try a Tri places left too so enter that and you now have something to aim for right at your doorstep

Excellent. Cheers for that. yeah read about the joey hannon one. its organised by the PESS students here in UL i think-or that could be a different tri. ANywho going to look into that

metamorphosis

CheGuedara wrote: »

Really a budget to work within would help ]

Bike and gear wise i would limit myself to 1200e - maybe a little bit more

Funkyzeit

ULstudent wrote: »

Bike and gear wise i would limit myself to 1200e - maybe a little bit more

What sort of student are you !!

metamorphosis

Funkyzeit wrote: »

What sort of student are you !!

The sponging type!

Nice aul grant in the account

RobFowl

ULstudent wrote: »

CheGuedara wrote: »

Really a budget to work within would help ]

Bike and gear wise i would limit myself to 1200e - maybe a little bit more

Bring back fee's !!!!!!

72hundred

ULstudent wrote: »

Bring back fee's !!!!!!

BBBoooooooo!

metamorphosis

72hundred wrote: »

BBBoooooooo!

I think what you meant to say was BOOOOOOO-URRRRRRNNNSSSSS

Lumen

RobFowl wrote: »

Bring back fee's !!!!!!

Damn those students and their superior knowledge of apostrophe usage! :pac:

tunney

ULstudent wrote: »

CheGuedara wrote: »

Really a budget to work within would help ]

Bike and gear wise i would limit myself to 1200e - maybe a little bit more

ah so price *is* an issue now

Lumen

Don't underestimate how much you can spend on clothing and accessories.

It's very easy to spend €1000 on this stuff in about five minutes without really trying.

If you don't budget for this, you'll probably spend it anyway and end up even poorer.

edit: in fact, if budget is a concern, delete your boards account and walk away now. This place is dangerous.

novarapid

you should look at a getting the best value you can. I bought a cheap starter bike and now am looking to upgrade, i'd have been better off getting a better bike, but you live and learn.
have a look at the following, trek 1.2, specialized allez, Kiron scandium, Giant scr1 , Focus Variado (prob left out some other good ones) all good started bikes that will get you stated out and be ok for a few years.
look for shimanio 105 and carbon forks as someone else said.
€200 should get you helmet, clothes to start however you could spend all you budget on gear easily. Alot of gear is expensive

tunney

novarapid wrote: »

you should look at a getting the best value you can. I bought a cheap starter bike and now am looking to upgrade, i'd have been better off getting a better bike, but you live and learn.
have a look at the following, trek 1.2, specialized allez, Kiron scandium, Giant scr1 , Focus Variado (prob left out some other good ones) all good started bikes that will get you stated out and be ok for a few years.
look for shimanio 105 and carbon forks as someone else said.
€200 should get you helmet, clothes to start however you could spend all you budget on gear easily. Alot of gear is expensive

doubt 105 is an option on this budget?

Tau

I've heard that this is getting very good reviews:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=31039

novarapid

tunney wrote: »

doubt 105 is an option on this budget?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Kiron_Scandium_2009_Road_Bike/5360037396/

Lumen

novarapid wrote: »

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Kiron_Scandium_2009_Road_Bike/5360037396/

Only in 52cm.

In December/early Jan it was possible to get 105 on an alu bike for €500, but all the 2008 bargains are gone now.

novarapid

yeah the Beone storm if i remember correctly was reduced to that price, just showing its possible. it will help the OP to know what he's looking for. I didnt have clue what diffence it all was when i started.

blorg

tunney wrote: »

doubt 105 is an option on this budget?

You will get 105 comfortably for €1,200 if you go online or buy second-hand, maybe even on a carbon frame (e.g. Focus Cayo 105 from Wiggle); even in an Irish LBS you will get an aluminum-framed bike with 105 for under €1,200 (the Giant Defy 1 from CSS for example.)

This of course presumes you are spending the full €1,200 on the bike.

Lumen

ULstudent,

Just a thought - what size are you?

I'm selling my nearly-new 54cm Veloce-equipped Kinesis Racelight TK as soon I can get an advert together.

c0rk3r

ULstudent wrote: »

gear also ...

Helmet http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Giro_Monza_Helmet/5360032021/ €70
Sunglasses http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/dhb_Triple_Lens_Sunglasses/5360021749/ €30
Jerseys x 2 probably €40 each
Shorts dhb Finchdean Bib Shorts €74 + dhb Earnley Cycling Bib Shorts €40
Shoes http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/dhb_R1_Road_Shoes/5360033177/ €42.49
Gloves about €20 per pair. Get two
Cycling computer + heart rate monitor Polar Cadence 200 monitor is about €120
Energy bars€30
Water bottles €10 x2

Think thats everything you'll need. With the glorious weather you wont need overshoes, arm/leg warmers and jacket. Save yourself €100

Grand total €546
It certainly isnt a cheap sport

petethedrummer

Ah you don't need a computer/HRM thingy. I think people get a bit obsessed with these things. But that's a debate for another day.

Cycling seems alot like my other hobby, drumming. People get very equipment obsessed very quickly and for marginal benefit. That also is a debate for another day.

*Puts lid back on worm can*

danburke

petethedrummer wrote: »

Ah you don't need a computer/HRM thingy. I think people get a bit obsessed with these things. But that's a debate for another day.

Cycling seems alot like my other hobby, drumming. People get very equipment obsessed very quickly and for marginal benefit. That also is a debate for another day.

*Puts lid back on worm can*

Whatever about a HRM a cycling computer is a must!!

\End Rant

Ghost Rider

Personally, I'm impressed that we all managed to give the old helmet debate a wide berth.

Oh crap...

c0rk3r

Oh i forgot about the bike bag, tyre levers, spare tubes, puncture repair kit, track pump and hand pump.

Add another €100 to the total

Which makes a grand total of €646

+ €1200 for a full carbon bike your looking at spending in the region of €1846 oh and also €42 euro entry fee into the wicklow200

€1888

Welcome to the cycling world. Enjoy

blorg

Technically all you really need are a pair of shorts and a jersey, I've even seen people make do with a Ballygowan bottle although TBH a proper water bottle would almost be cheaper A computer is good motivation but you can get one for under €20.

You can get stuff for cheaper than c0rk3r suggests and it will do to start (although in fairness in the main he _has_ listed reasonably entry level stuff.)

Get the bike first and worry about the accessorising later. That is what Boards is for.

Besides which if you have already entered Triathlons you must at least have clothing and a helmet, I am presuming

ROK ON

On the basis that you have the OP has stated money no object here is my two cents worth.

Bike
Viner custom made, or at the very least a classical Italian frame (take your pick, but I wld go for Bianchi or Colnago). If not try a Mercian to be retro old skool.
Shoes - sidi (must be white)

Clothing
Assos or Rapha - nothing else will do.
Glasses - Oakleys are passe. You must try Tag Heuer sports glasses.

You will also absolutely need a year round tan - this must be a real tan not a fake job. This requires Winter training in a different climate. Try South of Spain, but you really should go Southern Hemisphere thus always in summer.

Hope this helps.:D