Consistency Equals Success (Page 57)

I didn't find any comments from folks who bought a QR and regretted it. Not scientific survey by any means...but everyone seems pretty happy with their QR's.

I've been like a giddy teenager in love the last few days...can't wait to get the bike and set her up. I'm hoping the snow and ice holds off so I can freeze my butt off on a very late season ride!

Funny story - last night I told my 3 girls (ages 16, 12 and 4) that they needed to have a contest to name my bike. Without hesitation my 4 year old asserts that the name should be "The Traveler". I think I almost have to go with that name and I do like it. Now I have to find a company that can create me a cool decal to supplment the QR graphics.

Adding Tuesday trainer and Weds treadmill workouts.

Mitch - what model year is the bike? What components are stock on that bike? Looks great. The size sounds about right for you. I'm 5'9 and ride a 54 tri bike and a 56 roadie. Long legs, shorter torso. In terms of pedals, Speedplay - end of story. Wouldn't go any other way. I also ride Garneau tri shoes and like them sock less. You can find these fairly inexpensively on line when they have close outs.

Dennis - did several Olys on a roadie with aero bars with no problems. For a half, can't imagine it if you want to be aero. You just can't be that dialed in on a roadie with aero bar clip ons and comfort on such a long ride would suffer.

Joe 2 01:55:00
Jim 3 02:27:34
Mitch 2 01:30:00
Gabe 1 00:56:45
Ellen 1 00:45:00
Dennis 03 01:04:01

Joe - it's a 2015. Build Kit Specifications as follows:

Groupset Shimano
Front Derailleur Shimano Ultegra
Rear Derailleur Shimano Dura-Ace
Shifters Shimano Dura-Ace
Crankset FSA SL-K Light 53/39
Bottom Bracket BB30
Cassette Shimano Ultegra 12-25
Chain Shimano Ultegra
Brakes TRP Aero
Aero Brake Levers Shimano
General Specs
Frame QR SHIFT Series
Fork QR SHIFT
Headset FSA Orbit IS-2
Handlebar Profile Design Ozero Alloy
Extensions Profile Design T4+ Alloy
Stem QR
Seat Post QR Aero Carbon
Saddle ISM Adamo Time Trial
Pedals Sold Separately
Wheelset
Wheels Reynolds Strike Carbon Clinchers
Tires Continental Grand Sport Race

Mitch, I love my Adamo saddle. Have one on road and tri bike. Also, I'm a Speedplay Zero girl, have them on both bikes. Can't wait until you try it out. Get the bike fit!!!

Joe 2 01:55:00
Jim 3 02:27:34
Mitch 2 01:30:00
Gabe 1 00:56:45
Ellen 1 00:45:00
Dennis 03 01:04:01
Jackie 2 2:30:10

This is going back, but if I recall Ernesto's issue was weight on the older aluminum models and specifically either the tequilo or the caliente. I don't think it is an issue any longer, especially with a carbon bike.

Mitch- I like the name, your 4 years old may have a future in marketing. Btw, if you square things out with a boy you will have the same kid balance and ratio as us. That is not a suggestion, just an observation .

30' on the drainer this morning.


Joe 2 01:55:00
Jim 3 02:27:34
Mitch 3 02:00:00
Gabe 1 00:56:45
Ellen 1 00:45:00
Dennis 03 01:04:01
Jackie 2 2:30:10

Edited by trisuppo 2014-12-04 7:55 AM

Jim - nice thought....but it ain't happening! 3 girls are more than I can handle.

Boys are easier than girls, hey are kind of like having a talking dog.

50:40 on the dreadmill for runch

Joe 2 01:55:00
Jim 4 03:18:14
Mitch 3 02:00:00
Gabe 1 00:56:45
Ellen 1 00:45:00
Dennis 03 01:04:01
Jackie 2 2:30:10

Another decision.

I will now have a Trek 1500 road bike with clip-on aero bars and my new tri bike.

I am leaning towards using my trek 1500 as a trainer bike and using the QR as my outdoor ride. That saves me from dealing with tire wear issues on the QR and/or having to buy a new rear wheel specifically for using on the trainer (my current bike is 9 speed, new one is 11 speed). I'm already grappling with the fact that the crank spindle diamater on my power meter is 24mm versus a bottom brackt on my new QR that is 30mm wide diameter. A company makes a neat adapter that for $20 lets me use the smaller crank spindle in my new bike, good reviews too.

What are the groups thoughts on bikes on the trainer and whether I should keep the trek 1500 or try to sell it? Do you guys use a different wheel when on the trainer to avoid have to change tires or do you not worry about changing tires, etc.?

I may also be thinking of selling the crankset that comes with the new QR because I have no use for it (today...???). It's a FSA SL-K Light. It is not compatible with my powermeter crank system.

Joe 2 01:55:00
Jim 4 03:18:14
Mitch 3 02:00:00
Gabe 1 00:56:45
Ellen 1 00:45:00
Dennis 03 01:04:01
Jackie 3 3:24:12

#1 - Don't sell the roadie. You can't have enough bikes (like shoes for women (no offense Jackie)). Also, you will quickly find out that tri bikes handle like crap. If you want to ride hills, group rides, etc., you need a roadie - plus it is a nice change of pace. Just ditch the aero bars.

#2 - Always train on the tri bike. You train on what you race on. Also, you need to practice being aero - which really sucks ona trainer - all the best for practice.

#3 - I never use my carbon wheels on my trainer - not sure that it really matters except that I don't like to change tires and I don't want to burn out good slicks on the drainer.

#4 - Ditch that stock crank - not that great to begin with and you don't need it.

#5 - FWIW - I always ride outside on my carbon wheels. They are sturdy and I spent way too much on them to save them for just racing. That said, if it is real windy, I go with the stock rims for training rides.

Joe 3 02:55:00
Jim 4 03:18:14
Mitch 3 02:00:00
Gabe 1 00:56:45
Ellen 1 00:45:00
Dennis 03 01:04:01
Jackie 3 3:24:12

Joe - thanks for the great feedback! Sounds like course of action likely to be sell crankset that comes with bike and use funds to buy wheel to throw on QR when on the trainer.

Long term plan is to buy another roadie (titanium!). It will take a few years for my admiral to digest this purchase. Agree - correct # of bikes to own is n + 1 where n is the current # of bikes you currently own.

Joe -nice Trainerroad ride today!

Joe 3 02:55:00
Jim 4 03:18:14
Mitch 3 02:00:00
Gabe 1 00:56:45
Ellen 2 01:06:00
Dennis 03 01:04:01
Jackie 3 3:24:12

52' on the drainer. Trainerroad Tallac. Was supposed to be 3x15' @ Sweetspot power but ran out of time in the morning. Cut the 3rd interval short.

Joe 3 02:55:00
Jim 4 03:18:14
Mitch 4 02:52:00
Gabe 1 00:56:45
Ellen 2 01:06:00
Dennis 03 01:04:01
Jackie 3 3:24:12

Edited by trisuppo 2014-12-05 8:45 AM

58' run this morning at 4:45 am - temp was 29F.. It made me realize how much I have missed the isolation of running in the early morning. It was cold, but envigorating. The quiet and alone time really connected with me and allowed the mind-body to focus. The effort spent on my meditation practice is really yielding great benefits in my life. Not every day is nirvana but the good days are better and the bad days are not as worse. Not sure what the path forward holds, but it is curious and worth exploring.

Joe 4 03:52:00
Jim 4 03:18:14
Mitch 4 02:52:00
Gabe 1 00:56:45
Ellen 2 01:06:00
Dennis 03 01:04:01
Jackie 3 3:24:12

Adding this mornings inside track run to the challenge.

Question: The local bike shop I would like to buy my Tri bike from(if I go new) carries Specialized, Fuji, and Krestel, Any thoughts on these 3 manufactures? They carry a wide range from the entry level $1500.00 Krestel all the way into the fancy smancy $9000.00 Krestel or Specialized Shiv. I looked at the Fuji Norcom Straight 2.5 and it seemed to be a good entry level bike with a $2000.00 price tag. Anyone have any experience with these three brands?



Joe 4 03:52:00
Jim 4 03:18:14
Mitch 4 02:52:00
Gabe 1 00:56:45
Ellen 2 01:06:00
Dennis 04 07:10:01
Jackie 3 3:24:12

I have a Specialized Transition and I have been very pleased with it. Having said that, I am being sponsored by Big Sexy Racing this year and from what I understand, I get a significant discount on a QR bike and Reynolds wheels. People get in and out of tris all the time. You can definitely get some good deals on the Online Swap Meet and Craigslist this time of year. I would rather have a bike a few years old that is not entry level rather than a brand new entry level. Just my two cents.

30' in the pool this morning.

Joe 4 03:52:00
Jim 4 03:18:14
Mitch 5 03:22:00
Gabe 1 00:56:45
Ellen 2 01:06:00
Dennis 04 07:10:01
Jackie 3 3:24:12

1 hr tempo run

Joe 4 03:52:00
Jim 5 04:18:14
Mitch 5 03:22:00
Gabe 1 00:56:45
Ellen 2 01:06:00
Dennis 04 07:10:01
Jackie 3 3:24:12

I have an older Kestrel. I really like it. Its a solid ride and light. I agree with Jackie about a better used bike over an entry level new bike. But I'm cheap.

2:20 ride in the hills with local Tri group. Thanks for the advise Jackie & Joe, this is a big decision for me and I want to weigh all options. Below is a pic of the "entry level" Fuji the salesmen wanted me to "try out". They did have a 2014 Specialized Shiv on closeout marked down from $3300 to$2500 and I have to say that looks like one SWEET ride!!



Joe 4 03:52:00
Jim 5 04:18:14
Mitch 5 03:22:00
Gabe 1 00:56:45
Ellen 2 01:06:00
Dennis 05 09:33:00
Jackie 3 3:24:12





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Dennis - A couple of pieces of advice in making your decision:

- Don't ride in the shop - get that puppy on the road and see how it handles. Find a hill or two and check the handling.

- The geometry of each bike and each manufacturer is different. Sometimes the differences are marked. You need to fit the bike and the bike needs to fit you. Are you an aggressive rider and able to ride With flat back and feel comfortable with your pelvis on the nose of the bike? If so, than aggressive geometry would work well (it is not a knock on your ability if you aren't just - just a realization of your own physiology). Find a bike that's right for your body and riding style.

- If you can afford the expense, buy the bike with the greatest value. Again, value is a relative term. Is the purchase intended to be interim or longer term. The more bike you buy the less you will need or want to upgrade going forward. First Key consideration should be components as they tend to drive cost within a designated frameset. Bars, shifters, seats and crank all matter as well, but these can be more easily upgraded over time and on a one off basis.

- Lastly, once you get the bike (unless you are lucky like Mitch) you will immediately start to think about wheels. Stock wheels all kinda suck and upgrades to carbon rims make an enormous difference (and are very costly but the are some good lower cost options). Also consider whether you will want to train with a power meter - there are some good inexpensive crank based options in $500-600+ zip code that are now out there.

To sum, fit and budget should be your guide. If you fit better into the more expensive option, then that's where I'd focus my rationalization. Remember, you don't "need" any of this stuff and the guy with bigger engine and crappier bike will always pound us on the bike.