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Coming to the US, I need to buy a bike!
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 2014-08-24 2:17 PM |
 22 |  Subject: Coming to the US, I need to buy a bike!Hello, I am coming to the US from Europe, & soon starting my second triathlon season! Can't wait to start training again ! But at the moment the only bike I can use in the US seems to be my parents Hybrid bike, a VERY heavy "Giant Roam" with an heavy disk-brake... Doesn't seem like triathlon-material.... ??? So, I need an advice from you guys! Considering that for my first triathlon season in Europe, I was using a Ridley bike with alloy-frame, carbon fork & shimano 105 (old version) gears: 1) Would I really downgrade buying a brand new 600 dollars entry-level alloy-frame bike with Claris gears and alloy fork (I am considering the basic Specialized Allez, Trek 1.1, and Giant Defy). Would it be so different from my previous bike? Can it be "okay" just for training one year before upgrading to something "serious" ? 2) Would a 1000 dollars, second-hand, 2009 Scott Cr1 Comp full-Carbon bike with Tiagra/105 gears, be a far better choice? From the specs it seems a better deal...? Thanks for any advices! N. |
| 2014-08-24 5:14 PM in reply to: nils89 |
57 | Subject: RE: Coming to the US, I need to buy a bike! Do you have a budget in mind? Will you be in the US for the short term or for a longer time (say, 3+ years)? |
| 2014-08-24 7:07 PM in reply to: ginger1981 |
| 22 | Subject: RE: Coming to the US, I need to buy a bike! Well, I would say that my real maximum budget is roughly 1000 US dollars, but I would be happier if I could find an even cheaper bargain (around 600-700 US dollars). Long-term stay. As I am only a sprint-level triathlete, I would probably prefer to buy a very cheap bike for the first year, and then upgrading for something way better later on. I am trying to understand if a Claris-geared one (like the Specialized Allez) can be okay, or if it would be too basic. |
| 2014-08-25 5:43 AM in reply to: nils89 |
Pro 5892    , New Hampshire | Subject: RE: Coming to the US, I need to buy a bike! To basic for what? Any bike that has two functional brakes, two wheels and bar ends plugged will be allowed in a triathlon. The Allez is a good bike. For $600-700, you should be able to find a used bike that has better components than that though… I would look for something with Shimano 105, SRAM Apex or Campagnolo Centaur (Veloce works really well as well though). Most important, get a bike that fits YOU. |
| 2014-08-28 9:26 AM in reply to: 0 |
| 22 | Subject: RE: Coming to the US, I need to buy a bike! Thanks for the suggestions. was unsure whether to go cheap, 750US$ Claris Allez, or spend 300US$ more to get a 105-equipped Felt Z85. but I've just realised the price difference is worth it, for 300US$ more I get a lighter bike, much better equipped, and which will probably end up costing less money in maintenance on the long term! I tested the Z85 yesterday and really appreciated the smooth shifting of 105 and overall feeling of the bike. Edited by nils89 2014-08-28 9:28 AM |
| 2014-08-28 4:43 PM in reply to: nils89 |
Pro 5892 , New Hampshire | Subject: RE: Coming to the US, I need to buy a bike! If it was my money, I would go with the 105 equipped bike…. |
| 2014-08-28 5:04 PM in reply to: audiojan |
| 22 | Subject: RE: Coming to the US, I need to buy a bike! Yeah, I will go for the 105.. Actually I also went to the Cannondale retailer, just to be sure, and to get a 105 bike they wanted 1450 US Dollars. So, impossible to beat the Felt Z85 with 105 at 1100 US Dollars. I got my bike fitted today, and will bring it home on Saturday. |
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