Decent Road Bike for Triathlon

too_sleepy

Hi

I'm new to Triathlon training but am loving it so far. As I cycle a lot anyway I've decided to make the jump to a more advanced road bike, at the moment I've got a hybrid for commuting.

I was very naive in thinking I’d get something decent for 500 Euro, very soon after starting researching a new bike I was looking at 1000 Euro bikes.

What I’d really like some help with is finding attributes of a road bike that would suit triathlon, i.e. when I stick aero bars on.
So far I’ve read that a short head tube is desirable, or put another way the difference in height between the top of the seat tube and head tube should be minimal, the lighter the better and if possible a steep seat tube.

Because of these few things it seems to cancel out all those compact road bikes, or does it. Would anyone have anything to add to this list, or even suggest a bike?
Right now I’m looking at the Focus bikes, Culebro and Cayo. Also the Boardman Team Pro is still on my list. For a bit more money I can get my hands on a 2008 Felt F3, seems like a great bike and they seem to be very popular with triathletes.
Any advice greatly appreciated.

griffin100

I have a Trek 1.2 which cost around €550 up north - http://www.wheelsnmotion.co.uk/

You can't order Trek bikes online so you have to travel up north to collect it if you want one but the plus here is that you can get properly sized.

I wanted a 'decent' bike without breaking the bank for a high tech bike whose potential I would never be able to make full use of.

It's an entry level road bike and not a specialist tri bike but I'm happy with it and its an ok price. You can always stick on a set of tri bars later if needs be (I plan to do so). It suits my level of 'racing' just fine.

It depends really what you want, a bike to commute on or to race/train on or both. I don't think speciclist tri bikes make great commuters. Other more experienced triathletes may be able to comment on this.

interested

griffin100 wrote: »

I don't think speciclist tri bikes make great commuters. Other more experienced triathletes may be able to comment on this.

Agreed - if you're in the drops and need to brake quickly you gotta change hand positions - as a result Id never use clip ons on a commuter. Its normal practice for people in groups on TT specific bikes not to extend out on the arm rests (unless they're doing a pull on the front for a bit) since the time to break is greater than if you're spinning along on something like a Trek 1.2 with your hands on the hoods.

Good advice about not going crazy with your first bike though. If all goes well it can serve as your winter / training bike if you decide to go more Tri specific.

chelleflife

Im in the same boat - total novice. Im doing my first Tri in Athy on Sat (what could possibly go wrong!!!) and can't wait!

Like yourself, I borrowed a bike for my first - a Trek 1.2 too! And I love it! Started cycling to work to get used to it and wonder now how I ever settled for buses or walking! So Ive just decided to go ahead and buy one. I wanted to buy the WSD (Women's specific design) Trek but they're more scarce than the men's and Id have to wait til Oct for the new 2010 model. So Im going for the entry level Lapierre R-Lite 200 (€745).

One thing I will say, is to make sure you're measured correctly. The French guy in CycleSuperStore spent about 20 mins making sure everything was right for me in all positions on the bike which was great. Ive heard its really important and as a novice, I wouldnt have a clue myself.

Oh and if you're lucky enough (like me) to work somewhere that allows you to use the Cycle to Work scheme - you'll save a packet! Nearly half price!

So thats my 'novice' 2 cent worth! Best of luck!

too_sleepy

Thanks forthe advice. Think I'll take a while to look around. Anyone had experience dealing with http://www.profirad.de/?

Thanks