What bike should I buy for triathlons and training?

keithgalby

Hi, I've been getting varied advice from novices and experts on what bike to buy but I'm still not sure. I did my first triathlon last year and really got a buzz out of it so now I want to start this year with new bike as I borrowed one last year.

A member of my club suggested buying a Specialized Tarmac Elite (2010 Full Carbon frame 10 Speed) with the Shimano 105 group set but it would cost me around €1800. He recommended buying the Shimano 105 group set as he said it was the best.

I also found a Felt F5 (2009 Full Carbon frame 10 Speed) for €1700 with the Shimano 105 group set again but I am wondering if I would be crazy to spend this much for my first bike.

In saying that I found a Ridley Icarus SLS (10 Speed) for €1350 with the with the Shimano 105 group set again which I liked the look of. This has an alumninum frame and carbon fork. This seems to me like a good buy for an experienced or novice.

Next up I went to Wheelworx in Dublin and they recommended the Felt F85 Superlite to be good buy for a beginner like me at a price of €1000 with Tiagra gear set. It seems like a nice light bike but I am concerned whether I should bo going for a better gear set like the 105. Also this is only a 9 speed, do I need the extra gears to get me over those hills, should I be going for a 10 speed?

I enquired about the bike to work scheme as I a possible cash saver but my company doesn't do it. :-(

Can anyone help me make up my mind? Would I be crazy spending more than €1000 or would it be a good investment to buy the best now instead having to try sell and buy better later. I think it is something I will stick with.

Lumen

9 speed or 10 speed won't matter for the hills - you can get narrow or wide range cassettes in either.

SRAM and Shimano are broadly compatible. SRAM (Rival, Force, Red) is all 10 speed, Shimano is 9sp up to Tiagra, then 10 sp for 105, Ultegra, Dura Ace.

If you buy 10 speed you will be able to upgrade to fancier components later.

There are loads of ways to spend €1000-€1500 on a road bike.

You get better value buying from the internet (or Halfords) rather than a good local shop, but obviously the shop will give you better service. Most shops will service "internet bikes" they haven't sold, although they may moan a bit.

At the higher end, have a look through this to get an idea of what £1200-£1700 gets you.

If I was buying a new bike in that price range I'd probably get a Boardman Team Carbon from Halfords, or a white Planet-X.

keithgalby

Thanks for the advice. I have been warned that buying from the internet can be a bad idea if you don't know what your doing. It's a lot of money so I a bit scared to buy without trying it out.

I actually saw second hand boardman bike forsale on another site with full carbon frame, not sure about the gear set though. What do you think of second bikes?

Lumen

keithgalby wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. I have been warned that buying from the internet can be a bad idea if you don't know what your doing.

This is true. I bought my first bike in the wrong size and had to sell it on, losing hundreds of euros. However, that wouldn't have happened if I'd have consulted the hive mind of boards.ie first.

If you ask people on an internet forum where to buy a bike they'll likely recommend the internet.

Gavin

Lumen wrote: »

This is true. I bought my first bike in the wrong size and had to sell it on, losing hundreds of euros.

*Lights cigar with spare 100 euro note"

Lumen

^^ I think that answers your question about second hand bikes. Gavin was the lucky recipient of my shiny cast-off.