Weighing options before my spending spree
1916
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1125 days
tri-ac posted 11 weeks ago.
...as long as we get to live vicariously through your toy purchases, I'd get a power meter.
The one that works in your bottom bracket, not on the wheel hub...i can't remember which one it is off the top of my head...SRM? I like the idea that you can still switch out wheels for training and racing.
558
Member
1430 days
vanjames posted 11 weeks ago.
My thoughts below.
1. P2C + a set of drop bars.
2. Wheels
3. Coach for a full IM. What you learn will be invaluable going forward into properly structuring training etc.
IMHO ditch the gadgets for the time being - chances are the coach will have you use some or have access to some. Either way personally my improvements came AFTER I dropped my HRM and stopped focusing on "the numbers".
261
Member
357 days
xc800runner posted 11 weeks ago.
Option 2 with power. Or if you can, get the option 2 framset and components, cheap but strong training wheels and build up a bike yourself for 1k less, buy the power meter, and a set of race wheels, all for under 4k. My replacement roadie has Ritchey WCS and SRAM Force components, power (Polar CS600), Reynolds Alta Race (Solitude) wheels, Fizik Arione saddle, Keo sprint pedals and a full carbon frame (Kestrel Talon), weighs in at 16.3 lbs in training (15.1 with race tubulars), and cost me $2800 total. The component spec is leaps beyond what you get on a stock bike, and for substantially less cash. The Pinarello FP5 I was looking at came in 1200 more expenside, wasn't as quick, weighed an extra pound, and had downgraded components when considering the saddle/stem/bars. If I had scrapped the training wheels and got carbon race wheels (and used my back-up training wheels from the tri bike) It would have cost about $3400, which gets you everything you want for the price you want.
127
Member
364 days
ryanweeg posted 11 weeks ago.
I second xc800runner with option 2 and power. That will be the best setup and get a solid pair of light training wheels, and I will drop the place that gives me a good deal on wheels which I have reviewed under equipment too...www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com
Anyways I had some of their light wheels on my p2c and averaged 23.4 for the oly distance I did last year on the p2c. I sold it on eBay since, but, it was pretty sweet, would have been even better with an SRM too!
"If one can stick to the training throughout many long years, that willpower is no longer a problem. It's Raining? That doesn't matter. I am tired? That's beside the point. It's simply just that I have to."
-Emil Zatopek
296
Member
122 days
jnrice posted 11 weeks ago.
just don't do #3, i hear you on the engine not the equip bit but how far will you get putting a hemi on a lawn mower (would be kind of fun though). Furthermore, a quality machine lets your body perform to it's potential. If your on a cheap-o bike you'll have to overcome geometry that wasn't thought out as well, components that get it done but leave you to grind out the extra resistance, etc. As for tons of toys... honestly you've been racing, the guy with way to many toys typically gets dropped by the guys who just train better because they know how to listen to their body.
#2 sounds reasonable. I dropped $2100 on my bike instead of $2800 because I found a shop with last years model in the basement, which is what I'd do if I were you. I always ask my LBS "have anything in the basement" because I don't care if it's one/two years old if it's new it's new.
#3 know that upgrading components one at a time is a scam and a 1/2! for giggles you should price out the cost of buying components separately vs as a package on a bike.
As for #1... you know you want to... just look at it... it's beautiful!
1275
Member
382 days
TriSooner posted 11 weeks ago.
jsk85 wrote:
Also, can you even get a carbon frame with at least an Ultegra blend gruppo in that price range.
Sounds like you should buy the frame, and the groupo, and the wheels seperately. I'm in the same position: Buying new bike over winter, same price point. I know what frame I want; I know what group I want; and I know what wheelset. You could get your LBS to order your frame and build it up for you with XYZ components. You don't need to buy it off-the-shelf.
Since you have a budget (a nice budget, BTW), you can mix-and-match and get exactly what you want. I'd forget all about the gadgets, coaches, etc. for now and use 100% of your bike budget for a bike. For example, P2 frame ($2,000), Ultegra ($750), Wheelset ($750) keeps in your $3,500 range. My thinking is that after you plop down as much as you can for a one-time bike purchase, the add-ons can come later.
753
Member
354 days
jsk85 posted 11 weeks ago.
Good advice all around. I'm all about customization and have been wandering around the web salivating over my options...my problem with that is this...
I haven't ever had a tri-bike before and fit myself to my road bike (relatively non-scientifically, other than the initial frame sizing the shop helped with long ago)...I always thought the LBS will fit me, but on some existing setup...do they normally fit, then order you what you need, based on the geometry you need? If that's the case, I could go in for a fitting, then work with them to piece part the rest of it together.
I would love to have as much say in everything as possible, but alas I'm not that knowledgeable with all the individual components of a bike...I've been doing research, an am an engineer so should get the idea easily enough...but that's another reason why I hesitate to get too customized/over my head. Also, the engineer/math nerd in me is what makes power a draw.
261
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357 days
xc800runner posted 11 weeks ago.
Any shop will measure you up and order what you want if they don't have it in store. If you are looking for a general idea of what to get regarding a fit, you can check out the calculator on Competitive Cyclist here and then fine tune everything once you have the bike together. This will give you a pretty good idea of what frames will fit you and you'll be better prepared when going into a shop. Also know that most frames will fit most people, with certain tweaks here or there, as long as you get the proper size.
I feel you on the engineering geek part of things. I built/maintain all my bikes (including my fixie wheelset) and got the exactly spec package I wanted that would fall inside my budget. Your LBS will be able to get you a better deal than list for each individual component when putting together a bike, but it'll still be more than you'd pay doing it on your own. My SRAM Force group in my road bike cost $645 with a chain upgrade, where as list is closer to $1,300. Also know that Sooner's estimates don't include bars, stem, or saddle, and the wheels probably won't include tires, so you'll need to add on about 400 for all that too. Again, this is list, and buying as a package I'd expect a 20% discount on everything. But a custom job will almost always run you more than a stock bike if you get it from a shop.
And you'll definitely geek out over power when you get it.
1275
Member
382 days
TriSooner posted 11 weeks ago.
jsk85 wrote:
I always thought the LBS will fit me, but on some existing setup...do they normally fit, then order you what you need, based on the geometry you need? If that's the case, I could go in for a fitting, then work with them to piece part the rest of it together.
Since your OP was asking for our opinions, then here goes: When you go into an LBS, the existing inventory is purchased off-the-shelf by people who are new to cycling. But if you know what want/like, the original set-up is just a suggestion. You can - and should - feel like you can say, "Yes, I like this frame in this size. But I don't like X, Y, and Z. Please swap them out for A, B, and C." They should credit you the cost of the wheels, for example, toward the purchase of another set.
Another very common route, especially when buying a more exotic size, a boutique fabricator, or a more high-end frame they don't keep in inventory (e.g., How many $5,000 Pinarello Prince frames in 61 do you think an LBS keeps on hand?), is to get fit and have them order it. It is a win-win: You get the brand you want, in the size you need. The LBS gets the sale without having to hold it in their inventory. Then, when you order the frame you say, "I want this groupo, this wheelset, and this fork/headset. How much of deal will you give me to build this up?"
jsk85 wrote:
You can! You can customize it all the way down to the brand of carbon spacers on your steerer tube. You have experience as a rider, and you have a budget.
I would love to have as much say in everything as possible, but alas I'm not that knowledgeable with all the individual components of a bike.
IMHO, you start with frameset and buy they best you can, setting aside enough for groupo and wheels. From reading your OP, you seem to know what frame you want built with an Ultegra group. That's most of the heavy lifting right there. The other component parts that matter (IMHO) are: 1) wheelset, 2) fork ($250-$500), and 3) headset (Chris King because it will outlast your frame). In other words, don't cut into your frame budget to go high-end stems, bars, seatpost, etc.
(edit: it looks like xc800runner and I are essentially saying the same thing)
So, I've been storing away money for the past year + and am ready to go wild before next season. I am hoping to store away a little more before I go spending, so I'm looking at buying in January most likely.
Considering what I have saved, the economy, and my family financial well being, I am comfortable spending up to $4000, but would much rather be around $3500 or maybe less.
I will definately be getting a tri-bike...I have raced 5 years on an aluminum roadie with clip-ons (which I still love), but am moving into more focus on HIM and IM in 2 years, so would like the extra comfort benefit of the correct geometry. Also, since the rides will be longer, I'd prefer carbon fiber frameset to help with dampening the road vibration.
My options are something like this:
1) Nicest frameset I can buy that fits me well...with it's accompanying gruppo (probably Ult/DA) and it's stock wheelset
2) 2nd tier frameset (P2-esque) that fits with (~$1000) to spend on either wheels or training goodies (ie power, etc)
3) Entry level frameset (carbon) that fits well with (~$1500-2000) to spend on wheels and training goodies.
I'm leaning towards options 2 or 3 since I'm a firm believer in the engine over the equipment, and I've ridden my roadie to pretty solid results (22mph avg over Oly course) so I know my legs will get me much farther than the sweet lightweight frame.
My concerns with option 3 are that carbon frames that are well made will be hard to come by...I am a larger guy (~200lbs) and don't want to worry about frame integrity. Also, can you even get a carbon frame with at least an Ultegra blend gruppo in that price range.
Please weigh in on my ideas, and throw out other suggestions. I know I can always rely on you guys for solid advice, conversation. Thanks