General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Do it all bike? Rss Feed  
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2015-08-23 10:14 AM


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Subject: Do it all bike?
I have a 5 year old entry level Giant Defy road bike that I bought used from my neighbor. It isn't a horrible bike but I would like to upgrade. However, I'm on a limited budget and I want a bike capable of doing several things yet still be better than the Defy when it comes to doing triathlons/aqua-bikes. It should be noted that I'm not looking to win my AG or anything but I am looking to improve and be competitive. At this stage in my very early development of being a triathlete, I'll get the most bang for my buck by improving the engine vs. the gear.

With that said, here's what I'm wanting to do with my next bike:
- ride in the road
- use it for triathlons and/or aqua-bikes
- use it for gravel rides (I plan on training on the Katy Trail which is a crushed rock road that used to be train tracks). Drivers around here are downright scary and riding the Katy would let me get in worry-free training miles.
- I appreciate comfort over pure speed

Does anyone have any recommendations? Is there such a beast (I realize that a do everything bike is a compromise for any specific thing I want it to do). Below are my thoughts.


- Trek Domane (carbon version) Disc or other endurance-type bike. This has the isospeed decoupler for some comfy in the back and with the discs, I can put in some nice ,wide tires for the gravel and skinny tires for race day. My LBS tells me this would be perfect for gravel and road. I'm also thinking about getting the non-disc version which would limit the width of the tires (I think I could fit a 28 in it) but would allow me to easily find race wheels to rent if I was so inclined.

- Buy an entry level cyclocross bike and use the delta vs new bike to upgrade the Defy (it has aluminum fork so I'm thinking a carbon fork and some new drive train parts to start). My concern with this is I will have two bikes that I'll want to upgrade and the Defy can only get so good (although I guess I could upgrade components and then swap to a new carbon frame at some point).

Thanks!


2015-08-23 10:46 AM
in reply to: stipey169

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Champion
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Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: Do it all bike?
I would say either a cyclocross or touring bike would work best for your situation. For a rails to trails route, I'd probably go with a touring bike (but with a compact double not a triple) as you don't really need to worry about running really wide or knobby tires. Plus, you won't need to worry about fouling your brakes or having a ton of clearance in the frame for mud.

Having said that, a road bike will also perform well on the type of trail you describe - I routinely ride a bike with 25mm tires on crusher dust trails as well as in the snow and ice.

Shane
2015-08-23 3:41 PM
in reply to: gsmacleod


33
25
Subject: RE: Do it all bike?
Thanks Shane!
2015-08-23 6:20 PM
in reply to: stipey169


21

Subject: RE: Do it all bike?
For a cheap but very capable gravel road bike with disk brakes and shifter AND top bar mounted brake levers, you can't go wrong with the Giant Revolt. I just picked up one for $800. It's my only bike. I know most here would scoff at the thought of riding one of these for a tri but I take it on 12 mile rides without a single issue and do it comfortably. The tires roll smooth and are plenty good enough for road riding yet you can take it on gravel and dirt trails and it does just fine since it has knobbies on the sides. Plus the top bar mounted brakes are quite handy for the many different terrains I ride on. If you're going down a steeper dirt or soft trail, you want your hands on the top bar and butt over your back wheel. Difficult to do with the shifter/brake combo position.

I used to be a mountain bike snob so I get it but the bottom line is, if you aren't shooting for the podium and just want to have fun and aren't riding 50 miles at a time, you don't need those hyper-aero-ultralight-mega-expenso bikes. The revolt is probably cheap enough for you to have two bikes. For most people, there's no such thing as a true "do it all" bike. Very often two dedicated but relatively cheap bikes beats one expensive "do it all" any day.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/revolt.2/14818/6624...
2015-08-23 8:10 PM
in reply to: Somnospeed


33
25
Subject: RE: Do it all bike?
Thanks Somnospeed. I'll check the revolt out!
2015-08-23 9:02 PM
in reply to: stipey169


7

Subject: RE: Do it all bike?
I suggest that you go for cyclocross. Cyclocross or CCX, combines the speed and performance of road biking with the mud-gripping rolling efficiency of mountain biking. These bikes are designed for performance, both on and off road.


2015-08-23 10:41 PM
in reply to: 0

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Do it all bike?
I just picked up a 2015 Specialized Crux to do it all. Been super happy. Been riding 25mm road tires, 33mm CX, and 40mm adventure tires. I've been on range of single track, gravel and roads. The Diverge could be an interesting bike for you to look at too. They fit up to 32mm wide tires and come better equipped to mount fenders (if needed). Specialized dealers have been doing 30% off 2015 models.
I changed the stock gearing from 46/36 to 50/34 for more road duty. Depending on the model Cyclocross bikes come with varying stock gearing. The Diverges are more road focused and some have 52/36 gearing. If I had one bike only, it would be a nice Cyclocross bike.


Edited by magic 2015-08-23 10:45 PM




(CruxFB.jpg)



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2015-08-24 3:01 AM
in reply to: stipey169

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Do it all bike?
+1 for a nice cyclocross bike.

Can always throw slicks on it too for racing in a tri
2015-08-24 6:20 AM
in reply to: magic


33
25
Subject: RE: Do it all bike?
I like the look of the Crux - I thought it was a road bike until I looked at the website. I may have to go throw a leg over it..
2015-08-24 6:33 AM
in reply to: stipey169

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Champion
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Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: Do it all bike?

Many bikes out there to choose from. Kona Rove or any of the Jake series. The Red Zone will take 28's and fenders, so you might even be able to squeeze 30's in there. The Specialized line is good, though sorry Magic, that rear brake cable routing gives me fits.

There are many people around here who road race on their cyclocross bikes. A quick swap of tires (or wheels) and they're ready to rock on the pavement.

2015-08-24 3:56 PM
in reply to: briderdt

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Subject: RE: Do it all bike?
Originally posted by briderdt

... sorry Magic, that rear brake cable routing gives me fits.




I'm too smitten with the way the bike rides and UDi2 to even notice the brake line routing Not sure my road bike is gonna see daylight until next road race season.


2015-08-25 12:00 PM
in reply to: #5136411


17

Hickory, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Do it all bike?
http://www.gravabike.comRide everything
2015-08-25 2:45 PM
in reply to: BryanDuckworth

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Champion
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50005000
, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Do it all bike?

I can't answer all your questions, but in my experience it is possible and fine to ride a regular road bike with skinny tires on a crushed limestone trail.   I do it all the time.    I prefer to use my aluminum Trek over the fancier carbon bike due to the amount of cleaning required with dust and potential mud if it's wet.  

Happy shopping!

2015-08-25 4:11 PM
in reply to: #5136778

Member
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Subject: RE: Do it all bike?
Do it!!! I only have one bike, a Ti cross bike that I slap aerobars on for tri's and it works well. Took the bars off a couple of weeks ago and went to France and rode 763 miles (w/ 35000 ft climbing) n 79 hrs. Worked great for that, too. CX bikes rock.
2015-08-25 5:52 PM
in reply to: danimal123


21

Subject: RE: Do it all bike?
DISK BRAKES!! I can't stress that enough. Your tire options are limitless.
2015-08-26 8:52 PM
in reply to: Somnospeed

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New user
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Green Bay, WI
Subject: RE: Do it all bike?
Personally I think you got it right out of the gate. The domane would be a great bike. I rode my buddies and loved it. Very comfortable and pretty fast.


2015-08-26 9:55 PM
in reply to: danimal123


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Subject: RE: Do it all bike?
Originally posted by danimal123

Do it!!! I only have one bike, a Ti cross bike that I slap aerobars on for tri's and it works well. Took the bars off a couple of weeks ago and went to France and rode 763 miles (w/ 35000 ft climbing) n 79 hrs. Worked great for that, too. CX bikes rock.


Hi Danimal. What kind of TI cross bike did you get? I've always wanted a Ti bike and see that bikesdirect has some. Wondering if you have one of those?
2015-08-26 10:49 PM
in reply to: stipey169


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Subject: RE: Do it all bike?

I have an entry-level Defy as my commute/errand bike. It was $650 from the LBS. (My racing bike is a Cervelo)

 

I would say you already have the bike you need in that Defy. You can race FOP with the Defy, and train your tail off on it with no compromise, even if it has old Sora-level components (mine does.) Aside from the lack of the TT-aero position from lack of aerobars, there is nothing on that bike that will limit you, even if you were a budding elite racer. 

 

The gravel riding may require some tougher tires (Gatorskin) and possibly wider (25c) tires for improved stability, and no it won't be ideal but unless your gravel is really long and messy, it'll do fine. If your gravel roads are really that tough, then you'll have to decide whether you want to proritize racing with the road bike setup, or commuting with more of a x-country/cyclocross bike setup that won't be as fast a racing bike (but still will be plenty fast.)

 

2015-08-27 8:34 AM
in reply to: #5136837

Member
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Subject: RE: Do it all bike?
Stipey,

I have a BD Motobecane Fantom Team Cross. Different RD, Chainring, Wheels, Cassette, Saddle/Post, Handlebars than stock, but the stock frame/fork are phenomenal.

Got it for randomneuring, but stripped down w/ clip on aerobars it holds its own.
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