I just thought I'd put a couple of thoughts out there in response to people's comments about what kind of a bike I should buy. I had no idea my bike would cause such a passionate response!
Bill - Re: Patching a tire with a dollar bill rather than a Target receipt
The Target receipt was what I had lying around. I'm about to buy a new bike. Do you think I can spare a dollar to cram into my tire? I don't think so. Who uses cash anymore anyway? My debit card wouldn't fit in there.
Rocketpants, Iron Matron, and others - Re: Tri bike vs. Road bike
In addition to an ironman, I'm also doing at least 3 centuries this season, plus a 7-day, 545 mile ride to fight AIDS (to make a contribution or leave a message of support, click here). I absolutely love road riding. You know, pace lines and the whole deal. I'm a climber and I don't want to be sitting at the bottom of a mountain with my mean-looking tri bike that's useless for climbing. Also, aerobars and bullhorns are prohibited in many road cycling races. I'm not ready to give up being a part-time roadie just yet. And re: mountain biking, well I KNOW you need a different bike for that, silly!
Angry, Bob, CVSurf - Re: Brands
I'm not going to spill the beans on brand names and models just yet. Obviously there's enough peer pressure out there to buy the kind of bike someone else loves. I've done my research, I'm in capable hands, and I have a pretty flexible budget. Not to mention, I'm a weird size, so I'll have to buy new. There'll be no finding a great deal on a used bike that's not right for me. And you'll be happy to know, my bike shop doesn't sell Cervelo.
Benson - Re: "Over half of a triathlon is on the bike so over half your salary should be spent on a bike. Duh."
Your comment wins the prize.
6 comments:
For the ride on Saturday, the Pat Griskus Sprint triathlon course is just up the road, it has a 10 mile bike loop ( not doing the loop because Woodbury uses sand on the roads and they don't sweep until April) and a 5k run( 1.6 miles out out 1.5 miles back. It goes down Te 64 I can show you it before the ride if I get out on time.
I've been in the market for a new bike as well. Road bike, not tri. I'm also limited because of my size (only one off the rack bike brand comes in my size - I'm thinking I might have to wrestle a parrot off the one he's riding across a tightrope at the freak show) - so I'll be very interested in touching base with you on your research and to hear what you end up with! Oh, and it has to have a name... so start thinking about that too. And gender - will it be male or female? These are important details.
What is the thinking around tri bikes not being good climbing bikes? Mindy--something to think about-- tribikes can have 650 cm wheels--much easier for little people to handle. I have a road bike and a tri bike, and my tri-bike's 46 cm frame and 650 wheels are way easier to handle than my slightly larger road bike.
If you're planning on doing the centuries and you are really a roadie--then I get the no tri-bike thing. I get dirty looks when I show up to road events with my aerobars clipped on to my road bike...
sorry about the mountain bike comment. I was confused! I actually would like a mountain bike...x-Terra looks fun...
Ironmatron - thanks for the info. I have looked a bit into the 650 wheels, but not sure I want a tri-bike. Another option is to go custom, but I might have to win the lottery first!
I'm late in the game in this one, which is just as well since I don't even know, much less where to find, jack shit about these bikes.
However, i went to a bike fit workshop a few weeks ago, and the speaker suggested Serrato bikes. I'm probably not wrong if they are out of anyone and everyone's price range, but that's the only name I have to drop.
But thank you for the 'dollar bill' fixit story, I heard that one this week and actually know what the hell you're talking about. My swim instructor (who is a triathlete and thus relayed the story) made an additional comment that 'if you want to spend more money on fixing your bike, use a fifty'. High-larious... These people need better material...
I look at it this way, if you're going to drop a mssive amount of dinero on a bike it should be the one that serves the most purposes. A road bike is good because clip on tri bars and aero wheels and volia instant tri bike...if you find yourself starting to gravitate more toward tri ( more than 5 a season) then a time trial bike is a good investment but to start off a road bike with aerobars works. ( especially if it's lighter than my 23lbs. road )bike
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