General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Should I buy used or new TT bike (2008 Cervelo P2C or 2015 Felt S32) Rss Feed  
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2015-03-03 8:47 PM


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Subject: Should I buy used or new TT bike (2008 Cervelo P2C or 2015 Felt S32)
I have been doing a few triathlons a year for the past few years and have been riding an entry level road bike to train and race. I am a strong swimmer and runner and the bike leg has always been my weakest. This year I'd like to upgrade to a tri bike but am on a tight budget. I've been looking at used bike listings and have come across some decent bikes for around $1000 to $1200. Most recently I've come across a Cervelo P2C with Dura Ace with a few thousand miles on it. It appears to have been kept in good shape but I'll be going to take a look at it. The owner is asking $1200.

For about the same price, I could get a brand new Felt S32. Aluminum frame and shimano 105 components vs carbon and dura ace on the Cervelo.

Does anyone have any opinions on either being a better option? I've read a lot of great things about Cervelo but its seems there is something to be said for buying a 2015 bike over a 2008.





Edited by revtri35 2015-03-03 9:02 PM


2015-03-04 6:10 AM
in reply to: revtri35

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Subject: RE: Should I buy used or new TT bike (2008 Cervelo P2C or 2015 Felt S32)
Cervelo, as long as it fits you. The Cervelo bike should be a more comfortable ride, yet stiff for power transmission. 1000 miles on a drivetrain is practically brand new.
2015-03-04 7:09 AM
in reply to: revtri35

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Subject: RE: Should I buy used or new TT bike (2008 Cervelo P2C or 2015 Felt S32)

If you want to consider some other options, please check us out at www.mybikeshop.com. In the $1000 - $1500 range we offer many options that may be attractive to you. Thanks for considering it!

Brian

[email protected]

2015-03-04 8:25 AM
in reply to: Six000MileYear


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Subject: RE: Should I buy used or new TT bike (2008 Cervelo P2C or 2015 Felt S32)
Thanks for the reply. I keep seeing that fit is the most important thing. I am 6'2 and was fitted to a 58cm road bike frame. Was also told I could have sized up to a 61cm at that time but was more comfortable on the 58. I've read that some people size down for a tri bike, but I've mainly been looking for 58cm bikes. For the purposes of seeing a used bike in person, does anyone have any tips for determining whether the bike is an appropriate fit? I plan to look at standover height and take a test ride to get a feel for comfort, but having never ridden a tri bike before I don't have anything to compare to. I would think if the frame is generally the right height, a good bike shop could make some adjustments elsewhere to properly fit the bike to me.
2015-03-04 9:54 AM
in reply to: revtri35

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Subject: RE: Should I buy used or new TT bike (2008 Cervelo P2C or 2015 Felt S32)
Wow....what timing. Dan Empfield is in the middle of a series of artices on the Slowtwitch web site that may really help you. Here's a quote from one he published yesterday....

"If it's me, very first thing is I narrow the list through the bikes that fit me. This is the toughest part, because it's not easy to do this yourself... unless you know how to do this yourself. I'm going to devote several installments on how I would go about this, using me as the victim, er, the subject! You'll be happy to know this is a very solvable problem (the first installments you'll find in the "related articles" section just below)."

If I were on a tight budget, I'd buy a lightly used bike and save serious $$$. I'd also try my best to follow Dan's protocols to increase the odds that I'm getting the right model / size for me! You'll get a lot of advice about a professional fit to help determine this....but the $200-$300 this typically costs isn't in the budget for a lot of people.

2015-03-04 11:51 AM
in reply to: revtri35

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Subject: RE: Should I buy used or new TT bike (2008 Cervelo P2C or 2015 Felt S32)
Originally posted by revtri35
I would think if the frame is generally the right height, a good bike shop could make some adjustments elsewhere to properly fit the bike to me.


Unfortunately not that simple… you can make quite a few adjustments to a bike, but there's an "ideal" fit for every bike and the further you move away from that, the more compromises you have to accept.

Height is a very poor measurement for bike fit… factors such as body measurements do influence fit, but core strength, flexibility, riding style, race lengths, prior injuries/issues, etc. etc. etc. will all change the fit significantly.

You're simply better off getting a fit first and only after that get the bike that fits YOU.


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Well I said that I was not going to do it this season, but I cracked. I broke down and bought a new bike. I went out and bought a shiny new Cannondale road bike.