I'm going to start doing triathlons. I don't really know much about road bikes, or tri bikes. I don't want to spend too much money, since I am in college...and don't have much to spend.
I have owned several mountain bikes, but this is completely new to me.
2007-05-22 03:25:11 · 7 answers · asked by JEHLERS 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
As a newbie, you don't have to spend much at all. If you're brand new to triathlons, make sure you like it before you go investing a lot of money in a time trial bike and a race bike. There is certainly no need for a K2 at this stage in your career!!!
You have a few options. First off, get fit at a bike shop so you know your bike size and measurements. most shops will fit you for free. SHops can also make suggestiosn that fit your build, activity level and budget. You can invest in a new, decent road bike if you want to. The shop can help you with shoes and pedals should you choose to go with clipless (shoes attach to pedals and increase efficiency).
You could borrow a bike for your first and second races from someone on your team or someone you know. Just make sure the bike is the right size or you'll have a heck of a time racing (that's why sizing is so vital!).
You could ride a mountain bike in your first race and then decide how much you want to invest in the sport. I did my first tri on a beat up Huffy p.o.s. mountain bike and had a blast! I lent that same bike to my friend to do HER first tri on and now it's like the traditional first-tri bike for everyone.
Your first race is a learning experience. You will learn more about yourself in that one race than you probably will your entire racing career. I started racing tris in college as well and went from my beater the first season (3 races) to a $400 roadbike my second and have gone upward from there. As you gain experience you will find that you will want better toys. It is too easy to spend mucho money on tri gear, trust me! Start small and work from there. You have plenty of time to save for the Quintana Roo Lucero (*drool*) so get some experience under your belt before you dive headfirst into that bill ($5K to start!).
Good luck!!!
2007-05-22 06:20:08 · answer #1 · answered by Kristy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your skills are what helps you win, but a cheap bike will be a burden. Study well and invest wisely because your bike will become a part of your body.
There are many great brands and styles.
Tri bikes are designed to GO, they are designed for closed courses where you don't anticipate much brake use.
If you need to train in the city traffic, find a bike that is comfortable to start and stop. (They all start, they all stop, the transition from start to stop and back is is where you'll feel the frustration if you make the wrong choice)
The DRIVE TRAIN is the most critical part of your decision because that is what changes your energy into motion. Learn about the different brands and their different levels. For example, Shimano is one brand and their best derailleurs are the "Dura-Ace" line. They're really cool. I don't have Dura-Ace, I could only afford "Ultegra", the next level down.
For your goals, you probably want at least Ultegra. Shimano has other lines too.
SRAM is a an American company that is making progress in the market, and Campagnolo is the renowned Italian masterpiece.
You should also attend Tri races and check out the equipment there. Keep asking questions. Firm up your budget. Good bikes usually run about $1500. Better bikes start around $2200 and can go as high as $10,000.
2007-05-26 01:09:23 · answer #2 · answered by Daniel W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good answers so far.
Ask around at local shops, see if they have any used bikes (it seems every triathlete is always looking to upgrade) Get properly fitted. I see a lot of newer triathletes riding new Scott's' right now, good bike for a good price. Any road bike can be outfitted with clip on aero bars. If your going to spend less then 500 I would not buy a new bike, you'll be looking to upgrade too soon. Even if you start out on an old beater, at least you wont have too much invested when you start looking for something a little nicer. This is one of those weird situations when you can, to a small degree, buy speed. So if you have a little money saved up use it.
2007-05-22 15:14:38 · answer #3 · answered by jffsbr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're going to be doing tirs, then you need a bike set up to do time trials and tris. K2 (being on the lower end), Felt and Trek have some deacent bikes that that are under 2k. If you're really strapped for cash, them you could try a cheaper bike, like the trek 1000) and add some aero bars so you can get down in to the position. The only draw back would that the gears are still on the break hoods rather than on the end of the aero bars.
2007-05-22 11:52:29 · answer #4 · answered by Argyles 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Borrow a bike and have fun!
If you enjoy it then think about buying one, as you are a student get one second hand (try joining a local triathlon club)
If you are doing short distances on hilly courses then road bikes actually fair better, whereas for long flat courses a tri-bike will save you lots of energy.
No matter which sort you go for, the most inportant thing is that it actually fits you properly!
2007-05-22 14:36:55 · answer #5 · answered by g fh 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you are serious about competing, you will need to spend some bucks to get a fast and light bike
check out Trek, Quintana Roo, and Lightspeed for good tri bikes
otherwise, Trek, Specialized, KHS, and Giant all make great road bikes
2007-05-22 15:59:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a FIT
2007-05-22 10:32:40 · answer #7 · answered by jorge r 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋