What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes
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2011-07-18 12:17 PM |
Veteran 362 CT | Subject: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes Everyone shows up to the races with these beautiful tri bikes and carbon fiber wheels that they only race in. Whenever I am out training I only see road bikes with semi normal wheels. Do people just bust out the tri bikes and carbon wheels for the races? The wheels alone cost more than my entire bike set up - given that I race a handful of times a year the investment doesn't seem worth it to me. If you are only going to have one bike it does not seem like you can just have a tri bike with carbon wheels. |
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2011-07-18 12:22 PM in reply to: #3601924 |
New user 529 | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes I ride my tri bike, with its racing wheels, on all my training rides, 2500 miles in the past year. I don't see the point in removing them. |
2011-07-18 12:30 PM in reply to: #3601924 |
Master 1799 Houston | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes
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2011-07-18 12:31 PM in reply to: #3601924 |
Extreme Veteran 635 Georgia | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes Are you riding in the hills? Tri bikes and their riders like the flats. |
2011-07-18 12:32 PM in reply to: #3601924 |
Pro 5755 | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes ctbrian - 2011-07-18 12:17 PM Everyone shows up to the races with these beautiful tri bikes and carbon fiber wheels that they only race in. Whenever I am out training I only see road bikes with semi normal wheels. Do people just bust out the tri bikes and carbon wheels for the races? The wheels alone cost more than my entire bike set up - given that I race a handful of times a year the investment doesn't seem worth it to me. If you are only going to have one bike it does not seem like you can just have a tri bike with carbon wheels. If you are only going to use them for races you should look into renting. I can rent Zipp's around here for $75/weekend, or $150/week. |
2011-07-18 12:34 PM in reply to: #3601924 |
Pro 6191 | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes I ride my tri bike all the time. It's aluminum, with a carbon fork. I don't have fancy race wheels, but if I did, I'd probably only ride them for my races and a small percentage of training. The $$$ I'd drop on some fancy carbon wheels would encourage me to not take them out on the road every day. I don't really need that extra aero/weight advantage in traning, and I'd be worried about somethign happening to them. Plus, I'd still have my aluminum wheels anyway. Anyone selling 650 race wheels? |
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2011-07-18 12:35 PM in reply to: #3601924 |
Alpharetta, Georgia | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes I only put my "fancy" wheels on for a race for 2 reasons: First, they are expensive. If I were to wreck and ruin the wheels I would be out a whole lot more money than if I were using my "regular" wheels. Second, I have HED3 Tri Spokes, which are a pain to pump. I have to use a "crack pipe" extension and have a 2nd person on-hand to help me. Not ideal for every day riding.
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2011-07-18 12:44 PM in reply to: #3601924 |
Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes I ride my B12 for all my rides. Got a set of TTR3 that came with the bike that I keep GP4000s tires on to train with. Got a POS set of $80 wheels that I keep trainer tires on to use on the rollers Got a set of HED 60s with latex tubes and Vittoria Open Corsa Evo Slicks for races. I also have a hammer with a claw back end to do general nail driving. A hammer with a ball peen head for more precise work. A 4 Lb sledge hammer to drive tent pegs. Different tool for different jobs. |
2011-07-18 1:01 PM in reply to: #3602030 |
New user 595 Connecticut Shore | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes DanielG - 2011-07-18 12:44 PM I ride my B12 for all my rides. Got a set of TTR3 that came with the bike that I keep GP4000s tires on to train with. Got a POS set of $80 wheels that I keep trainer tires on to use on the rollers Got a set of HED 60s with latex tubes and Vittoria Open Corsa Evo Slicks for races. I also have a hammer with a claw back end to do general nail driving. A hammer with a ball peen head for more precise work. A 4 Lb sledge hammer to drive tent pegs. Different tool for different jobs.
A four pound hammer is a great tool. Mass has a precision unto itself. I love m 30 lb hammer. |
2011-07-18 1:01 PM in reply to: #3601924 |
232 | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes It's all about what you have to spend on the sport. If you've got the money and you're competitive, you can do these things. For me, I train on my 1984 Schwinn LeTour road bike that I found on Craigslist. For races, I take off the kickstand and the lights If you're not expecting a podium finish, triathlon is as expensive or inexpensive as you want it to be.
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2011-07-18 1:14 PM in reply to: #3602066 |
Melon Presser 52116 | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes kbeddoes - 2011-07-19 3:01 AM It's all about what you have to spend on the sport. If you've got the money and you're competitive, you can do these things. For me, I train on my 1984 Schwinn LeTour road bike that I found on Craigslist. For races, I take off the kickstand and the lights If you're not expecting a podium finish, triathlon is as expensive or inexpensive as you want it to be.
I hope you leave the honky horn on, though! Can't race without a lucky honky horn. Bonus if it's in the shape of something really slow, like a turtle or a fat fish. I've seen people with bikes with downtube shifters on TOP of the podium, and we're talking competitive tris in competitive AGs. Okay, technically, I didn't see them ON the podium because I came in way later than that. Then again, I made top three in a competitive tri in the most competitive women's AG on an old steel bike with cruiser bars and three gears. Is it rare? Sure. But a good engine sure trumps a lot of $$$ bike with less finely tuned engine. What's the point of fancy bikes, wheels, and helmets? Some (costly) speed. But if you have more time than money, you can get right up there, too. If you want to be sitting on top top top consistently, though, yeah ... you'll need the equipment the other pointy-of-pointy end folks have. |
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2011-07-18 1:15 PM in reply to: #3602066 |
Melon Presser 52116 | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes kbeddoes - 2011-07-19 3:01 AM It's all about what you have to spend on the sport. If you've got the money and you're competitive, you can do these things. For me, I train on my 1984 Schwinn LeTour road bike that I found on Craigslist. For races, I take off the kickstand and the lights If you're not expecting a podium finish, triathlon is as expensive or inexpensive as you want it to be.
I hope you leave the honky horn on, though! Can't race without a lucky honky horn. Bonus if it's in the shape of something really slow, like a turtle or a fat fish. I've seen people with bikes with downtube shifters on TOP of the podium, and we're talking competitive tris in competitive AGs. Okay, technically, I didn't see them ON the podium because I came in way later than that. Then again, I made top three in a competitive tri in the most competitive women's AG on an old steel bike with cruiser bars and three gears. Is it rare? Sure. But a good engine sure trumps a lot of $$$ bike with less finely tuned engine. What's the point of fancy bikes, wheels, and helmets? Some (costly) speed. But if you have more time than money, you can get right up there, too. If you want to be sitting on top top top consistently, though, yeah ... you'll need the equipment the other pointy-of-pointy end folks have. |
2011-07-18 1:16 PM in reply to: #3602030 |
Champion 4835 Eat Cheese or Die | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes DanielG - 2011-07-18 12:44 PM I ride my B12 for all my rides. Got a set of TTR3 that came with the bike that I keep GP4000s tires on to train with. Got a POS set of $80 wheels that I keep trainer tires on to use on the rollers Got a set of HED 60s with latex tubes and Vittoria Open Corsa Evo Slicks for races. I also have a hammer with a claw back end to do general nail driving. A hammer with a ball peen head for more precise work. A 4 Lb sledge hammer to drive tent pegs. Different tool for different jobs. You really need a quality framing hammer. If you've never driven a nail with a long handled framer, you don't know what you are missing. It's like a hammer on crack. When I was remodeling apartments during the summer while in school, I got to the point where I could sink a nail in two hits, one to set, one to sink. |
2011-07-18 1:27 PM in reply to: #3601924 |
Elite 3090 Spokane, WA | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes ctbrian - 2011-07-18 12:17 PM Everyone shows up to the races with these beautiful tri bikes and carbon fiber wheels that they only race in. Whenever I am out training I only see road bikes with semi normal wheels. Do people just bust out the tri bikes and carbon wheels for the races? The wheels alone cost more than my entire bike set up - given that I race a handful of times a year the investment doesn't seem worth it to me. If you are only going to have one bike it does not seem like you can just have a tri bike with carbon wheels. You are wise well beyond your low post count You have answered your own question. |
2011-07-18 1:27 PM in reply to: #3602097 |
Runner | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes graceful_dave - 2011-07-18 2:16 PM DanielG - 2011-07-18 12:44 PM I ride my B12 for all my rides. Got a set of TTR3 that came with the bike that I keep GP4000s tires on to train with. Got a POS set of $80 wheels that I keep trainer tires on to use on the rollers Got a set of HED 60s with latex tubes and Vittoria Open Corsa Evo Slicks for races. I also have a hammer with a claw back end to do general nail driving. A hammer with a ball peen head for more precise work. A 4 Lb sledge hammer to drive tent pegs. Different tool for different jobs. You really need a quality framing hammer. If you've never driven a nail with a long handled framer, you don't know what you are missing. It's like a hammer on crack. When I was remodeling apartments during the summer while in school, I got to the point where I could sink a nail in two hits, one to set, one to sink. Two words: Nail. Gun. |
2011-07-18 1:43 PM in reply to: #3602093 |
232 | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes I hope you leave the honky horn on, though! Can't race without a lucky honky horn. Bonus if it's in the shape of something really slow, like a turtle or a fat fish. I've seen people with bikes with downtube shifters on TOP of the podium, and we're talking competitive tris in competitive AGs. Okay, technically, I didn't see them ON the podium because I came in way later than that. Then again, I made top three in a competitive tri in the most competitive women's AG on an old steel bike with cruiser bars and three gears. Is it rare? Sure. But a good engine sure trumps a lot of $$$ bike with less finely tuned engine. What's the point of fancy bikes, wheels, and helmets? Some (costly) speed. But if you have more time than money, you can get right up there, too. If you want to be sitting on top top top consistently, though, yeah ... you'll need the equipment the other pointy-of-pointy end folks have. Forgot the honky horn! I'll need to get one of those! Yep, I've got the downtube shifters and toe cages. Chromoly frame. State of the are 1984 technology. I weighed the bike Saturday out of curiosity - 27.2 lbs all in. Not sure what new bikes weigh, but I presume it's a good 10 lbs less. But I do this to stay in shape and have fun, and I simply don't have the discretionary income to go crazy on the sport. But I did splurge yesterday - got shoes, cleats and clipless pedals on eBay for $56. Now I just have to figure out how to put all that together. Shoot, that'll take my total investment in the bike over $200. Edited by kbeddoes 2011-07-18 1:44 PM |
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2011-07-18 1:49 PM in reply to: #3601924 |
Veteran 362 CT | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes Like some people said I guess it is about what you are willing to spend. I would love some carbon wheels or crazy stuff like that but I have a hard time justifying it if I am going to use them 4 times a year. However, it seems I am in the minority as when I go to races it seems that most people have these setups. |
2011-07-18 1:51 PM in reply to: #3602159 |
Champion 11989 Philly 'burbs | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes kbeddoes - 2011-07-18 2:43 PM But I did splurge yesterday - got shoes, cleats and clipless pedals on eBay for $56. Now I just have to figure out how to put all that together. Shoot, that'll take my total investment in the bike over $200. ...and that's how it all begins. |
2011-07-18 1:59 PM in reply to: #3602180 |
Veteran 329 El Paso, Texas | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes mrbbrad - 2011-07-18 12:51 PM ...and that's how it all begins. NOW you tell me. Edited by Far Left Texas 2011-07-18 2:01 PM |
2011-07-18 2:09 PM in reply to: #3601924 |
Veteran 559 | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes Started with a 1980 vintage roadie, few years later and there is carbon all over the place, in the shoes, in the wheels, in the bike. It is just a sport that grows on you, not because you can afford it, its a change in lifestyle. To get back to the OP, fancy wheels with tubbies I use for racing only. Tubbies are to expensive to train on. I really dont feel like wrecking that expensive wheelset in a random pothole. I also like the sound they make while riding so when I race, I sound faster. |
2011-07-18 2:14 PM in reply to: #3601924 |
Veteran 273 Monadnock | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes My kids will heartily attest to the fact that I am an unabashed skinflint, so I was thinking there should maybe be a podium category for lowest total-gear-cost per minute. So let's say we have a sprint and I finish in 80 minutes and the overall winner takes it in 60 minutes. However, total cost of all my gear used in the race is $600 and his is $2000. Result: I crush him with my $7.50/minute to his $33.33/minute. That's how us cheapskates think..... |
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2011-07-18 2:31 PM in reply to: #3601924 |
Pro 5011 Twin Cities | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes When I only had one bike, it was a tri bike. (Although I had two sets of wheels--one stock training wheels and one set of zipps) Now I have more than one bike. and the only time I ride my tri bike outside is during a race. Outside, I ride my road bike or MTBs. |
2011-07-18 2:33 PM in reply to: #3602231 |
232 | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes I've thought about a "budget" category as well. For everyone with less than $600 total cost of gear, or whatever amount is just over my total investment. I think it would be fun, but absolutely impossible to administrate. |
2011-07-18 2:36 PM in reply to: #3602216 |
Veteran 148 | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes I am not sure what the wheels are, but I know when I am about to be past by an expensive set of rims because they make a whub-whub sound. But, there is nothing like the sound the biker makes when once of these wheel sets hits a pothole - let the swearing rip...
(I am a strong swimmer, so all the "bikers" catch up eventually and fly past...) |
2011-07-18 2:41 PM in reply to: #3601924 |
Pro 4360 Baton Rouge area | Subject: RE: What is the point of fancy wheels and tri bikes Areas I ride I see equal number of tri bikes to road bikes (plus a healthy dose of other types). I ride a tricked out tri bike (okay it was $1000 used including shipping) and I have two sets of wheels, one for trainer and the other for everything else. Mainly as I buy cheap tires for training and nice tires for racing. Its pretty much the same as the person driving their $70,000 car to work and parks next to my 2005 Pick-up. If you have the cash and want a nicer ride (or multiple rides) why not spend it? |
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