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Bike question from a newbie

Nate ParadyNate Parady
in Community Forum 🏠

Just finished my first season of doing tris and the bike I used was a relatively inexpensive one.  I didn't realize I would get so hooked and only spent about $650 on a Gavin Nouvo Tri bike.  It's really more of a road bike setup with aero bars on top.  I'm registered for Lake Placid in 2011. I see the gearing recommendations are for a compact crankset but I have a triple setup.  its a 52/42/30.  Not sure about the back.  I would guess its pretty standard.   I've only been biking since March 2010.  I've been making some pretty solid gains with every hour I put on my bike.  I like the bike I have in term of comfort but wonder if I'm way off the mark in terms of quality.  A little self Conscious since so many others have more high end bikes.  Is it possible that having a triple gear (Granny chain) setup might be an advantage at lake placid to spin up the hills??? I was thinking about investing more money in a bike maybe next year but is that a silly mistake with Lake Placid in my future..??

Also, I saw online an EN video of the LP bike course. It was a commentary of the course.  Is that still around on this site?

Thanks for the help..Time to get on my bike for an indoor session...

Comments

  • Tom GlynnTom Glynn
    Nothing wrong with a triple up front. With hilly courses, the more gears the better. Check the cassette on the back. Count the teeth on the smallest and largest rings. My guess is that it will be 12-25 or 12-27, which should be fine.

    If you like your bike and it fits well, stick with it. Bike envy never goes away image.
  • Gordon CherwoniakGordon Cherwoniak

    Nate,

    There's nothing wrong with a triple.  I wish I would have lost more weight or had one at IMC this year but that's another story. 

    If you have a good fit on the bike I would not worry about the price or the triple.  Here's my story:

    I did my first season on a mountain bike local sprints with nobby tires as it was borrowed from a friend.  Yes there were not many mountain bikes but nobody laughed at me, especially those on the nice bikes that I passed.  The second year I upgraded to a 10 speed increased to olympic distance.  Again a $60 10 speed with shifters on the down tube, all budget.  Finally the next year I signed up for Lake Placid, 2004.  I went out and rode the course early in the season and realized that I needed more gears, so I upgraded.  I purchased a used 98 cannondale (8 speed) with sti shifters for around the price of your bike and I still could have used more gears and definitely the EN execution. 

    I just retired that Cannondale this year and bought my self an nice specialized transition comp.  So all this to say yes you might feel a little odd with you budget bike but its all about the speed you build in the OS.  If the bike fits I'd say keep it and get a power meter otherwise start looking now for a used bike or a closeout deal. 

    I'm not sure about the video of Lake Placid.

    Gordon

  • jburbattjburbatt
    Bought my first "multisport" bike in 2005, a Specialized which was geometry between a road and tri bike with clip ons and a triple. Rode that for 5 years doing tris, including a HIM. This year I bought a used Specialized Elite and the only reason I bought the new bike was because I wanted aero bars with bar end shifters (and the cost of converting my other bike was about 75% the cost of the new bike). I'd still be using the road bike if I didn't find the deal image love riding that bike and there were definitely times during IMWI that I was wishing for that triple (and I have a compact!) Bottom line, if you like your bike and you have money to spend there are plenty of other better ways to spend it IMO (power meter (for sure), vacation race, etc.). And Tom's right, bike envy never goes away, there's always something lighter, faster, better out there!
  • Nate ParadyNate Parady

    thanks for the comments guys.  great feedback

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