Calling all Gear Heads - Help is Needed

Brenda Ross

Hi folks, I have a friend (non EN member but I think that will change next year) who needs some help. She sent me the following on FB.

She is looking to purchase a new bike, but is limited in funds. She presently trains up to HIM distance but is looking at participating in a IM some day. What are your thoughts on the bike below?  If you are not a fan on this bike, what would you suggest. She is petite, so keep that in mind. (5foot 2 inches)

It's a 2008 Giant Aeryn Alliance -- women-specific, multi-sport race bike featuring forgiving and efficient composite and aluminum Alliance technology with Compact Aero Road Design. Extra small -- top tube is 50.5 cm. Aluminum main frame/carbon rear.



They are asking $1000. Retail price $2100.



Multi sport or a full out Tri ? This is such a big decisions! As I am sure I will not be purchasing another bike for many years. I want to make the right decision. I value both of your opinions so highly! And appreciate any input you might have!



Thanks!

Michelle

Giant Bicycles Archive

www2.giant-bicycles.com

 

Coach Rich

What does "multisport" mean, with regards to this bike? Slacker seat tube angle?

FWIW, when I set up Joanne on the bike that she never, ever road (grrrr) it was a 48c Calfee tri frame with bullhorns, STI shifters, and shorty bars. I wanted her to have a variety of comfortable hand positions and knew that she wouldn't be in the aerobars very much. Turns out I was correct 

Brenda Ross

good question Rich. I will propose that question to her. Sorry that J is not riding what sounds like a great bike. Bad bad wife.

Coach Rich

Posted By Brenda Ross on 19 Jul 2013 11:58 AM


good question Rich. I will propose that question to her. Sorry that J is not riding what sounds like a great bike. Bad bad wife.

Oh, no worries. I sold it a couple years ago to buy more motostuff. It took her about a year to notice 

William Jenks

Depending on the direction she wants to go, I would still be very tempted to look for a Cervelo P2SL if she wants a straight tri bike. My son owns one (his second, having outgrown the first), and I would seriously consider trying to buy others for my up and coming teens if they want to stay in triathlon. It's a very smooth riding Al bike with a legit Cervelo pedigree. Because it's Al and a few years old now, they sell pretty cheaply. Just looked on Ebay, and it's the $600-1000 range.

John Withrow

Brenda, is that bike 'new' just of old stock from a LBS or is it a 5yr old used bike? It's certainly an okay bike and your friend could absolutely do a HIM or an IM on it. But if it is a 5yr old used bike it is overpriced. It's probably reasonably fairly priced if it is new. However, I have seen plenty of 3-4 yr old Carbon Fiber tri bikes trade on eBay for right around $1,000. For my money, I'd rather have a 3-4 yr old used Carbon Fiber bike than a new 5yr old AL bike, even with 'softening technology' in the frame.

It also depends on how quickly she wants/needs a bike. It's July, so many people will do their bucket list race, then sell their bike, but that's unlikely to come through before September or so. Y can also get better deals if you are patient and can wait on a great deal. Shipping to Canada might also cause a bit of a headache for her if she buys on eBay from many sellers.

How tall is she? Many 48cm bikes come with 650c wheels. That's fine, but if she's in between sizes (51 maybe), getting a bike with 700c wheels instead just simplifies things from a compatibility standpoint. Heck, Jess has a 51cm Blue Triad hanging in our basement that we would give her a good deal on depending on her height...