General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Need help from the experts - entry-level bike upgrade Rss Feed  
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2016-02-04 9:54 AM

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Subject: Need help from the experts - entry-level bike upgrade
Calling on the bike experts! I have an entry-level 2012 Scott Speedster s30. I typically ride 2,000 km/year and do 3-4 tri races (sprints+olys) + maybe 1 charity or century ride. I want to keep this bike for a little longer as I love the fit but I’d like to upgrade it a bit to gain speed. I only can spare up to $500 max for upgrades and am looking for the best bang for my bucks.

I hesitate between clip-on aero bars or new wheels (the only bad reviews for this bike are about the wheels). But is there anything else I should consider? Powermeter? New bike shoes? (obviously not for speed but better training/transitions?)

LBS recommends new wheels, but I don’t have the $1,000 for brand new ones - maybe buy them used? Which ones would be suited for my bike?

I ride/train mostly on flat terrain but my A races (Mont-Tremblant, Magog) are on rolling / hillier courses.

Specs for the bike are below, the only things I changed are the stem and the saddle.

Thanks so much for your help!

FRAME Double.butted 6061 alloy tubing
FORK Speedster Carbon/Alloy, 1 1/8', Alloy steerer
HEADSET Integrated Steel Cup
REAR MECH Shimano Tiagra,
FRONT MECH Shimano Tiagra
SHIFTERS Shimano Tiagra,
CHAINSET Shimano Tiagra, compact
BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano Tiagra
HUBS Scott Comp 20H
CHAIN Shimano Tiagra,
CASSETTE Shimano Tiagra, 10-speed, 12-30-tooth
SPOKES CN - Standard, Black, 2mm 20 front, 24 rear
RIMS Alex Race 28 Aero Profile,
TYRES Continental Ultra Sport, 700 x 23C


2016-02-04 11:27 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Need help from the experts - entry-level bike upgrade

Strictly based on speed being the primary objective and $500 being the limit, I'd do the following:

clip-on areo bars (~$100), new fit for position (~$75-???), wheel cover (~$100), aero helmet (~$150).

If you do the fit change and aero bars make sure you get the measurements/coordinates for both road and aero set ups so you can go back and forth as needed.  Wheels are nice, cool and look fast, but the above will vastly out-speed new wheels alone for far less money.

Some other lower cost items if you still have $$$ are race tires and tubes (~$125), a used aero front wheel (to go with the rear cover).



Edited by Sous 2016-02-04 11:30 AM
2016-02-05 1:49 AM
in reply to: Sous

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Subject: RE: Need help from the experts - entry-level bike upgrade
^Pretty well what I would have said.
2016-02-08 2:33 PM
in reply to: Sous

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Subject: RE: Need help from the experts - entry-level bike upgrade
2016-02-08 6:14 PM
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Subject: RE: Need help from the experts - entry-level bike upgrade
the advice you got is good advice, usually

but for those two courses, not as useful as most courses

5150 Tremblant is a big climb up and descent x2. On the climb up all the aero stuff will have little benefit and on the way down, I'll bet you'll be sitting up and not going the 70km/h you could if you were full aero

Magog is very similar, maybe not quite as bad.

If you were doing Esprit, Drummondville, Valleyfield I'd say the advice you got is great. But for those 2 courses, not as much.

A tri bike has very little advantages on those 2 courses. If I was doing 5150 Tremblant I would go with my road bike. For those that have done IMMT, it's Duplessis x2

Edited by marcag 2016-02-08 6:18 PM
2016-02-17 6:15 AM
in reply to: isabella969

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Need help from the experts - entry-level bike upgrade
Wheels would make a big difference… Those wheels are sturdy, but slower than heck and anything but fun to ride. Personally, I HATE Tiagra… never shifts perfect and a nightmare to service (you think you got it all perfectly tuned and only a week or so later it's all messed up again…).

Here's the challenge though… if you start to spend money on wheels and components, you should just sell the bike and get a better used one… the out of pocket will be about the same, but you end up with a significantly better bike.


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