Tri Bike selection???
Wow am I lost! So many different brands, so many different options. I've reads lots of reviews and lots of "how to select the right tri bike". I ran my first few sprints last year on a 10 year of GT Rage, been training in the basement all winter on it and with miles and commitment I am pouring into this sport I have decided to take the plunge and purchase a new bike. My local dealer, who I'd prefer to buy from seeing as every-time I try to do fix anything / change anything to my bike besides change a tire I tend to break it, plus I know I'll be running in there in a panic to adjust this or get that item in a rush, and I'll feel like a boob if I don't buy the bike from them only sells Giant and Cannondale. I'm sure both of those companies make outstanding tri-bikes, but I was just curious what the EN groups thoughts were. Am I giving anything up by going with say a Cannondale Slice 3 Ultegra vs. a Cervelo P3 Ultegra? And if you all had to select between Cannondale or Giant, which route would you go?
Thank you,
Jonas McCluskey
Comments
Cannondale Slice is an amazing bike from the reviews i have read. The price point is great and you get heck of a good bike.
P3 is one of the most popular bikes for a reason. But then again, it is the most popular bike. In T1 you will have to hunt for your bike compared to your neighbors. (im just saying).
*** I known an Orbea Ordu***
Finding a good tri bike starts with a good bike fit. Some brands may work great for your body dimensions and flexibility whereas others may not work Better to get fit first and select a model based on that.
I can say that the mechanics at my LBS treated me like gold long before I ever bought a bike from them. My first 2 bikes I bought on eBay at a substantial discount to new and paid them to tune it. I also bought all of my accessories at my LBS and I take them beer! Jess and I also take the whole shop lunch over the holidays... You'd be surprised how much goodwill you can get out of a Panera Bread sandwich and cookie platter and box of Joe...
Cannondale makes a tall & narrow bike whereas Cervelo is low & long. The fit for each of these is very different. I got fit by Todd and found that that there were several bike that fit me but the Cannondale Slice (I got the 5 - 105 groupo) was my best option. Didn't hurt that my LBS gave me a HUGE discount.
Finding your optimum position, given your size and flexibility, before deciding what to buy is the single smartest $$ you can spend when considering a new bike. From the fit dimensions (stack and reach) your fitter should be able to give you a list of bikes and sizes that best match you.
Keep us posted.
Get a fit in which you'll get some coordinates and measurements and then look for the bike that best matches those numbers. Does your local dealer have a certified and respected bike fitter? If not, find one that does (or use Todd at TTBikeFit).
Giants aren't for most. Not that they're bad bikes but they're not a very user friendly bike, especially when it comes to long course, and they're a very finicky fit.
Fit and money are what your bike selection should come down to.
I have a Trek speed concept and I love it. I agree that fit is more important than brand name.
2x on J Withrow's comment about taking a 12 pack, or sandwiches to your LBS. I drop off Heineken to boys at the holidays, and they treat me like gold the rest of the year...get all sorts of mechanical adjustments and stuff "on the house".
You need to know your "stack" and "Reach". From there, most bikes, and all SUPER BIKES, will put you right in the fit envelope for the size frame and any dedicated aero bar set up. Plus a fitter like Todd that is unlikely to actually sell you the bike can give you his top three picks for you based on his impartial opinion and years of knowledge
This is a long and boring MARKETING document, but the last few pages explain exactly how you use your stack and reach to find the right size.
http://www.cervelo.com/media/docs/P5-Technical-White-Paper-cd55ee37-81a3-4d19-8b4f-39946cd71205-0.pdf
After ALL this work, then go out and buy a Cervelo.....
Jonas,
I hear you on not buying a bike from the shop you go to but don't get sucked in to either of those brands if they don't fit. I used Todd at ttbikefit in 2009. I gave him the 4 brands (and price range) that I had available locally and said if none of those worked I'd travel. He came back with a recommendation for my bike and I bought it never looking back.
I had just moved back home and had no reference to the qualitly of the shops or their ability to fit me. The peace of mind that I bought fot $50 (listed at $75 on his website now and I believe we get an EN discount) was more than worth it. Todd does not sell bikes and recommends what fits best period. I could have gone with either of the top two bikes but he recommended the specialzed transition as slightly better. The 3rd I could have made work and the 4th option was not really good. I walked in to my local shop the next day an ordered.
I'd highly recommend Todd's services as well.
Gordon
Thank you for all of your input, trust me I will put it all to work for me!
Jonas McCluskey
Jonas,
Just returned home today after a "in person" bike fit with Todd at TTBikeFit. I echo everyone's recommendation about starting with a proper bike fit and using TTBikeFit. You can share with Todd the brands available at your local bike shop and I am confident he will tell you if they will work. If not (some other brand recommended) I would strongly recommend still trying to work with your bike shop- (i.e.have them order it or at least discuss it). If it is your "go to" shop showing support now will pay huge dividends down the road when you need them most. The margin for most bike shops is small and today increasingly they are losing business to the internet and nothing gets them more "jacked up" than when a customer brings in a bike bought at a bargain on the Internet that they now have to retrofit. Yes they will do it but they will "file it away" when you need a favor before some big race. Both my TT bike and two of my road bikes were not available at the shop but I worked with them in ordering them and I know they appreciate it. It's different if you do not have one particular shop but if you do and they are good guys I would everything possible to work with them. Good luck.
I've been busy on this bike selection deal, did the bike fit w/ Todd at TTBikeFit.com, excellent info along w/ gobs of helpful info to help me make an informed decision on brand now. He pretty much narrowed me down to a few bikes, and I'd say I've narrowed it down to 2 (below).
Cannondale Slice
Cervelo P5
Trek SC7 or SC9
Kestrel 4000
Specialized Shiv
The local dealer I prefer to buy from (mostly for support throughout the year in products and assistance w/ bike adjustments I'm not comfortable yet doing myself) carries Cannondale, but I've heard their frames compared to some of the other options are a little outdated? I'm no Pro who is going to squeeze every bit of technology out of any of these fantastic machines, but I can't help but feel if I'm going to throw down $3000 - $4000 I should go w/ the best I can. My dealer is seeing if he can get his hands on a Kestrel 4000 Pro SL Ultegra, from all I've read I believe this might be the winner. Unfortunately both weather and location makes it very difficult for me to ride either of these bikes, so much of my selection is going to based off fit & components on bike out the door. So if any reading this (if you made it this far
PS. Yes I know I am crazy and I like to over analyze the he** out of everything, just makes me feel better when I'm hammering down the road on whichever great bike I go with
Thank you,
Jonas McCluskey
Any of the selections Todd gave you will work. That is why you paid him. So at this point it really doesnt matter.
Youve narrowed it down to 2. Now break it down based on LBS convenience, price, availability , your personal feel on looks , and colors that you like. Your gonna spend alot of time on that bike and you wanna like it!
My experience was similar to yours. Todd gave me Trek, Blue, Felt. I wanted to buy Felt to support my LBS who has been very very good to me and is convenient. But I really wanted the Trek or the Blacked out special edition Blue. I ruled out the Trek for a variety of reasons, And then it came down to the Blue . I told myself if I could get the special edition Blue I would pay the extra and go that route for it but I wouldnt accept the standard color. Welll the special editions sold out and were not available . I went with FELT , LBS gave me good deal, I am very happy with my choice and supporting my LBS. Long story short , when I finally saw the standard color BLUE in person , I would have chosen it over the Special Edition model.
Cant go wrong. Tim,
You can pretty much rule out the Cervelo P5 and Trek SC at your price point. Which leaves the Slice, Kestrel and Shiv. I'd pick the Shiv over each of those bikes a thousand times over. It's the latest and greatest in frame technology with more user friendly features whereas the Slice and 4000 are five or six years old. The Shiv Expert with a mix of Dura-Ace and Ultegra components is actually cheaper than the Kestrel you're looking at.
There would be literally not one second of debate in my mind to go with the Shiv.
On second thought... I agree with Bob. If it were me, I'd also get the Shiv. It is like comparing a great bike (Slice) to a "Superbike" (Shiv)...
Fit and looks are most important. You can spend a lot of money and as you spend more and more, the less you get on your return.
Todd said if I went from my round tubed titanium to a aero frame, I might get a couple minutes in an ironman. I'd guess from going from a aero frame to most uptodate aero frame you would get maximum one minute.
Assuming that is true, get the cheapest, best fitting bike.