Buying a Bicycle II (Triathalon Edition)

Last year I crossed the full marathon goal off the bucket list. Next up... the triathalon. I used to be a mountain biker and still trail ride - but my bike is a 90's vintage mountain bike and while that is fine for making the over-equipped noob road riders on cycle night look silly ... I signed up to do an Olympic Tri this summer and there are no posers in the field - no laughs to be had by topping out at 20mph and bunny-hopping potholes. I need a real road bike.

I don't geek out over this stuff and I haven't bought a bike since the late 90s so I really don't know what is good, what is just bling and/or what storied name got sold to the chinese... or even how to size myself for something where you actually sit on it. I need a good, sturdy, reliable road bike that isn't new, isn't a 4 digit price tag used, and that fits me so I can train then race on it. I'm not playing to win - so I don't need a carbon fiber and unicorn eyelash weave frame but I also don't want junk that I need to fiddle with adjusting to change gears accurately or repair crap bearings every 15 minutes.

What is the Answer for road biking?

Also... I need a pool. Swimming a half a berkeleying mile is going to be way harder than biking or running the damn thing.

What's your preferred CL market?
We can sift through and make some suggestions.
Anything will require that you actually test ride to see if it fits you well.
How tall are you?
What is your pant inseam (eg 30")?

I've bought all my bikes (road and tri) used. They depreciate as fast or faster than cars, it would seem, so GRM mindset applies nicely.

As for spending a lot on a bike, don't be afraid to spend a decent amount. I bought a 4 digit tri bike, used it for 2.5 years (worked up to and completed a half-ironman) and then sold it for roughly what I paid for it (having originally purchased it used).

Ebay, CL and bike forums all apply. I bought my tri bike from slowtwitch.com.

Ditto what John said. There are a lot of people getting out of Tris now in this area - some of the hype has passed - so decent deals on roadbikes come up. Hopefully it's the same in your area. There's always house brand bikes and Bikes Direct too, depending on your budget.

EDIT: Bike Nashbar has a big sale going on their bikes right now. If you want to punch the easy button and have the scratch, these look nice. Shimano 105 11-speed, aluminum frame, carbon fork. A very respectable entry level bike at over half off list price.

In reply to JohnRW1621:

5'10", 31 inseam. 190lbs.

Scranton, PA CL

Fit is most important. Component quality is second and overall bike weight is third (IMO). In the Shimano components line, Tiagra is the previous generation of 105, and 105 is pretty good stuff. Ultegra is one step up from 105, and DuraAce is above Ultegra. Anything higher than 105 is just buying a few grams of weight savings. There are now electronic shifters which I think are just bling, but I don't know anyone who uses them so maybe I'm just sour grapes.

Be careful not to buy anything too old, as the same group names are used for many years and content / compatibility can be a mofo. Y2K Ultegra was 8-speed, current Ultegra is 11-speed, so dérailleur, shifter, chain, cassette, and rear hub will not update/ backdate.

Hit your local CL and search "Ultegra" and see what comes up. In Ann Arbor I found a Felt B12 Time Trial bike for $650:

You'll look like a poser if you're not fast on this!

And a full-carbon Fuji asking $895: Less douchey than the Felt

The Ultegra hits in my broader general area under $1k:

http://reading.craigslist.org/bik/5514336993.html

http://reading.craigslist.org/bik/5526306491.html

http://binghamton.craigslist.org/bik/5499146469.html

http://poconos.craigslist.org/bik/5518788707.html

https://scranton.craigslist.org/bik/5504576209.html
http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2002&Brand=Fuji&Model=Aloha&Type=bike

$1300 bike in 2002.
Now asking $500.
Offer $400

No mention in ad of size.

In reply to JohnRW1621:

Size request sent - thanks. If it's sitting on original rubber will I need to replace the tires without even looking at them?

I'd take it to a pro and have the whole thing gone over (lube, true, ect.)
Yes, I would replace tires. If you start to train on this you'll put some real miles on it. Anything you can do to offset roadside breakdown would be wise and tires are a very vulnerable item.

You're almost certainly going to want something in a 54cm size frame, especially once you adjust for a more tri-centric fit. The wrong size frame just isn't an option. no, you won't be able to "make it work". you need to start with something in the right zone of frame size that works for you (I'd say 53-55, depending on geometry).

Even if you buy used, get a good fit done by someone who knows how to do tri fits. It will cost you, but be money well spent. Sometimes, if you factor in the price of a fit + used bike + deferred maintenance, you're at about the same place as a new bike from a shop w/ a discount fit (from new bike purchase) included.

long term goals? do you see yourself progressing up in distances to a half/full iron if you like it? you don't need a tri bike for those, but you'll likely want one if you're going to do those distances.

For a laugh, ask a bike mechanic about working on tri bikes. Makes for some great stories.

Roadies fetishize their bikes, triatheletes just look at them as tools that are expected to work all the time without maintenance.

Keith Tanner wrote: For a laugh, ask a bike mechanic about working on tri bikes. Makes for some great stories. Roadies fetishize their bikes, triatheletes just look at them as tools that are expected to work all the time without maintenance.

so. berkeleying. true.

unless you're getting paid to be a triathlete, just get off to pee. you wouldn't piss in your seat if you were stuck in grid at an AX and had to go, would you? sigh

Of those, I would go with the Bianchi.

You don't want/need a "Tri Bike" like that Fuji Aloha. The whole tri-bike thing is overdone. A normal guy who is just crossing triathlon off their bucket list doesn't need a tri-bike, just slap clip-on aero bars on a normal bike and ride. Most of your riding will be training miles and you want to be riding a normal road bike for that. Plus that Aloha was never a great Tri-bike to begin with, certainly not on the level of a Cervelo.

Second - don't go too old or the components will be a hassle to repair/upgrade. At this point all the major groups are up to 11-speed, so I would be looking for something with 10-speed at least to still be somewhat current. I say this as a guy with 2 9-speed bikes, the parts are drying up.

Third and final, as much as I like Trek and have owned several of them over the years, the 2xxx level aluminum frame were meh. If you want good aluminum, try for a Cannondale CAAD8/9/10, some of the higher end Specialized Allez, or maybe a Giant TCR. Trek is now making good AL frames in the Emonda ALR series, but those just came out last year and you aren't likely to find many used under $1k at this point.

AngryCorvair wrote: In Ann Arbor I found a Felt B12 Time Trial bike for $650: You'll look like a poser if you're not fast on this!

Damn! That Felt looks like a screaming deal. Maybe so good that it feels scammy.

bluej wrote: long term goals? do you see yourself progressing up in distances to a half/full iron if you like it? you don't need a tri bike for those, but you'll likely want one if you're going to do those distances.

Long term goals... really are to stay fit by doing a few races a year to give me a reason to go out when I don't feel like training. I ran a full marathon in October. It was a lot of work and a huge letdown in terms of feeling like I accomplished something. So, it's checked off the list. I did it. I won't do it again. Maybe the triathlon is the same thing - maybe I'll do two or three a year like I do now with half marathons. I like the short faster format without all the drama.

When I've done one - whether I decide to do another or not - I like to ride a bicycle so I should be able to use this bike for that too. Otherwise - I guess I can always sell it to the next cheap bastage tourist and get whatever suits a 30 mile morning ride best.

Keith Tanner wrote: Roadies fetishize their bikes, triatheletes just look at them as tools that are expected to work all the time without maintenance.

Triathelete or no, I think this fits my idea of a bicycle. Air tires, oil chain, lube/clean gearsets, snug cables... ride. If I have to do much more than that it's not going to be around long. My Univega mtn bike is almost 20yrs old and been smashed over logs, ridden down concrete stairs... 60 milers to the beach and dumped in salt water, ridden home. I'm not sure I've ever done anything to it but stick a spray can of lube's red straw into the bearings and change tubes when they pop. I have developed a strong affection for the tough old thing.

SEADave wrote: You don't want/need a "Tri Bike" like that Fuji Aloha. The whole tri-bike thing is overdone. A normal guy who is just crossing triathlon off their bucket list doesn't need a tri-bike, just slap clip-on aero bars on a normal bike and ride.

I think after I did a little reading on the differences between the bikes ... I agree with this. I'm not going to fatigue my quads to failure where I can't finish the run portion by riding a normal road bike, and for all other uses - it makes sense to keep my head down.

Huckleberry wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: Roadies fetishize their bikes, triatheletes just look at them as tools that are expected to work all the time without maintenance.

Triathelete or no, I think this fits my idea of a bicycle. Air tires, oil chain, lube/clean gearsets, snug cables... ride. If I have to do much more than that it's not going to be around long. My Univega mtn bike is almost 20yrs old and been smashed over logs, ridden down concrete stairs... 60 milers to the beach and dumped in salt water, ridden home. I'm not sure I've ever done anything to it but stick a spray can of lube's red straw into the bearings and change tubes when they pop. I have developed a strong affection for the tough old thing.

There's a difference between used and maintained vs abused and neglected. Knowing a little bit about your machinery will save you a lot of pain.

I've done a tri on my normal road bike. I've got a set of aero bars that I bought in 1989. Properly set up it's comfy and aerodynamic. If you're a mountain biker, then you'll have the ability to put a little more power through the pedals when needed, most triathletes seem to be cyclists because they have to be in order to complete the event. As a cyclist who happens to swim and run, I found the bike portion almost relaxing and easy pickings.

Huckleberry wrote:

SEADave wrote: You don't want/need a "Tri Bike" like that Fuji Aloha. The whole tri-bike thing is overdone. A normal guy who is just crossing triathlon off their bucket list doesn't need a tri-bike, just slap clip-on aero bars on a normal bike and ride.

I think after I did a little reading on the differences between the bikes ... I agree with this. I'm not going to fatigue my quads to failure where I can't finish the run portion by riding a normal road bike, and for all other uses - it makes sense to keep my head down.

yeah, do NOT "just slap on aero bars". you need to get your fit adjusted for it.

If you don't see yourself doing more than olympic distance tris, I wouldn't bother with the expense and the compromises that come with adjusting your fit for clip-on bars.

Triathlons and marathons so often seem like fitness goals. As much as I support my wife in her pursuit of wanting to do a triathlon, its because she sees it as a bucket list item. Something to impress herself and others with. She isn't doing it for the thrill of competition, she's doing it because it sounds rad to say you've ran a triathlon.

As an avid mountain biker who only went a few years not riding regularly, the idea that you need a goal in order to feel satisfied with your fitness is a bit funny. I like to shred. If I can get stronger and ride longer and faster, awesome. If not, no big deal.

I also like to be in shape, to climb mountains, swim lakes, cliff jump and backpack. Riding MTB is a great full body workout, but I admit, I've gotta do more pull ups, push ups and other workouts to really compliment my lung/leg strength.

Obstacle course runs seem the most appealing to me. Competitive, yes, but just finishing should be a reward in itself. Full body workout. No need for special equipment. Laid back atmosphere.

I commend you on your fitness goals as I don't have that type of discipline. I also commend you on not assuming you need the very best, the most expensive, etc. You can compete without it. Good luck!

bluej wrote: yeah, do NOT "just slap on aero bars".

Maybe "slap" was a bit careless. Perhaps "carefully apply" is a better term

In reply to PHeller:

The races are fitness goals to a certain degree - but really they are progress reports. At 47... you gotta keep moving to stay ahead of the reaper. The end game is really just to be fit enough to do whatever I want but I have to admit that I'm pretty competitive with myself and it's always nice to lay a good natured smackdown on others if I can. Training for "something", whatever it is - makes me go out on a cold rainy day like today when I'd rather get finished with work, pull a tap handle, order the wings and watch the band. I will do that - but I'll put 2k calories of sweat out before I get there. (actually, it's Artie Lange and Bob Levy stand-up tonight... stoked).

As far as the hardware goes - I want "good enough". That point right before the cost/return curve starts to look like a vertical line. Then, slightly used. It's worked for race cars, motorcycles, mtn bikes, tools, my house... no reason it won't work out well for cycling. It's the swimming thing that will be my undoing. Man, 1500m is a long way in a cold lake. I'm going to have to work for that leg.

It's funny how times have changed. My road bike was considered a tri bike back when it was built. It was named after arguably the most famous triathelete who ever lived.

I updated it to 10 speeds and sprinkled a bunch of DuraAce components on it to update it and bling it a bit. But, point being, in 1988, it was a tri-bike, now in 2016, it's a road bike.

Huckleberry wrote:

bluej wrote: yeah, do NOT "just slap on aero bars".

Maybe "slap" was a bit careless. Perhaps "carefully apply" is a better term

that's better You're basically looking for the bike equivalent of a sunny weather driver that'll do the occasional HPDE. Sure, you could slap some race slicks on it, but it's kinda missing the point.

Bikes are all a system of simple machines/mechanics. you're a part of that system as much as a derailleur or brake lever. people should look at adjusting and maximizing their fit the same way they do tuning up the drivetrain or getting the wheels trued.