I currently have a Trek Madone road bike with Shimano Ultegra components and clip-on aero bars. It's only a couple years old with not a ton of miles on it. It has served me very well as a tri bike. It fits great and is comfortable for long rides in the aero bars. Late next summer I will be doing my first full Ironman. The question I have is: With limited funds and a wife with a limited taste for more gear would I be better off buying a set of deep rim wheels (I have been riding with the crappy wheels the Madone came with) OR picking up a sale tri bike with a decent frame (like a Felt B16 w/105 components) and swapping components from the Madone? A gently used tri bike I guess would also be an option.
Thoughts and suggestions are welcome. Also welcome are recommendations for brands or models and potential outlets with good deals.
Sorry this will bore some of you to tears. Everyone else with helpful suggestions - thank you. (D - just move on, you're not needed here right now.)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
Do you know anybody that you can borrow race wheels from? I borrowed race wheels for years until I started racing enough that I really annoyed all my friends. :) (and also when we finally had my bike paid off :) If you aren't going to race much and are only going to use the race wheels once or twice (that you can hopefully borrow), I would buy a tri bike frame. Difference between coverted road bike and tri bike is BIG in my opinion. Not just in bike time split but also how you can run off the bike. Good luck with your decision!
buy a bike. The difference between the tri and the road bike with clip ons is huge. Should be way more comfy for you over 112 miles. you probably don't need to swap out the components, certainly not all of them. 105 vs ultegra isn't that huge. Borrow or rent some wheels and pick up an aero helmet and you'll be set.
Have Frayed Laces negotiate your bike purchase for you. She's got skills in that department.
I'd say bike. Some of the entry level tri bikes are really reasonable and you could probably sell your existing bike to help pay for it. Borrow wheels or rent them for 1 day.
What Charisa & Maggs said. Bike split might not be much faster than it would have on the Madone, but the run might be huge
Actually, I AM needed here. Wanna buy my bike? Yes, I'm serious. Holla!
Agree with everyone above. Bike. Then just rent the wheels. What bike size are you? May be able to help you out. You too D!
tn
Team Buy Bike.
I say buy a whole tri bike so you can keep the road bike for training too. Unless you know how to swap all the parts yourself, you're going to spend quite a bit having it built anyway. Giant has some decent ones that aren't too pricey.
team buy bike
Plan A: Divorce the wife.
Okay, okay...maybe not an option.
Plan B:I hear baking cookies for the boys at the local bike shop works great for negotiating deals, but I guess it only works if you have boobs and a ponytail
Guess you're SOL, buddy!
Seriously though, check the slowtwitch forums classified for deals on bike. Look for sellers who have been around for awhile. I trust ST.
Post a Comment