I don't need a Tri bike but…

Oh mighty graphic designer, are we going to see  pictures of these potential bikes?? How can we help you make up your mind when we cannot see what you are looking at??

Steve was looking at both of those bikes and ended up paying the extra $$$ for the Tequilo. Reason was because the seatstays were carbon on the Tequilo, and the added comfort was worth it for the longer races he was planning on doing.

Funny thing is that the Tequilo is one of the very few bikes out there that will fit me, and I can't get it because then I would have the same bike as my boyfriend. And that's just cheesy. So I'll wait until they come out with new graphics. I've got to put a few more miles on my road bike first, anyway.

Here ya go Polly... Pam need to add that neither bike has a carbon seatpost. That's an extra 70 buck.

Tequilo
Kilo

The one that fits you best!!!

Barring that, a BLACK one!

Seriously, my suggestion would be to go get a GOOD fit first, like from Fabish. He will tell you which bike’s geometry would be best for you. (You don’t have to purchase from him!)

I know co$t is important but it should not be what you base your bike purchase on, unless you are comparing 2+ bikes that both fit you well. But, when it comes to $: Compare components on bikes to see which is the best value. Always more cost effective to buy better parts already on the bike than upgrade later.

My .02: Cervelo bikes tend to be a good value. (And I'm not just saying that because I own one!)




Edited by CptnJackSparrow 2006-09-21 8:44 AM

Prolong the pleasure of the shopping experience...make some calls, do some more research...

But in the end, get the pretty BLUE bike...everyone knows they're faster...

Rob will not quit until someone gets the P2SL...

Edited by PollyC 2006-09-21 8:45 AM

Do I have to post FIRM bike split times and corresponding bike colors???


If you want a good value in a GREAT Tri bike, you HAVE TO check it out!

Edited by CptnJackSparrow 2006-09-21 8:51 AM

I'm not knockin the P2SL...I almost got one...we could always paint it blue for you ...

Get the one that fits best. Rob's suggestion of getting a fitting first, have him/her look over potential bikes and recommend which can be adjusted to fit you best helps you make a smart bike buying decision. My bike fitter guy charges $95 and used to measure and design bikes for clients for Seven (probably the best known custom bike mfg or one of the best known).

I think you'll be faster on a red bike, so buy a slow blue or black one as you are either in my AG or soon will be

My Kuota K Factor is a very good value (I think it is the cheapest of all the for the carbon tri bikes)  for an all carbon tri bike....you need to be about 5'5" to fit on one the small though.

Edited by KathyG 2006-09-24 7:10 PM

Yes, I am going to try and ride many to determine best fit. Might even go to a fitter if that works out.

In regards to color—even if I end up with Blue or Black or yellow — I am going to ride it like it is red .

What age group are you in anyway…??

exmuse me...which color bike did you say was faster

Don't make me pull out cranberry times

Pam...be careful with Pig Iron. I am sure they have some good people there but I have come across two different people that were flat out sold the wrong size bike. I would go some place that does triathlon fitting. The number rule of bike buying is if they have you stand over the bike to see if it fits, then DO NOT buy a bike from them.

Mark

What I meant to say was " My engine is fast so don't matter what color the body is"

Mark—good advice I am hearing from all. I would'nt mind going to Fabish for a fitting and having him make a recommendation.

It's tricky cuz I want to get a year end deal too.

My C'dale (which I love and fits really well) was fitted at Cycling Concepts. I have them looking for closeout bikes for me too.

Are there any other shops in the area that you might recommend??

Hey Pam,

I was taunting Rob with the cranberry times...him and his slow black bike

You can always get a bike fitting from Fabish just to get the measurements and then see if a closeout fits. I know cycling concepts has a fit kit so at least they make an effort and have been getting involved in triathlon. Polly and I both got our bikes from Bethyl cycles and they do tri fitting as well.

Mark

Okay, been looking at Bethel Cycle site and I like what they have going on. I am going to schedule an appointment to go and chat with them about a TRI bike.

Pig Iron is a good shop. Ask for the owner, Bill, to do your fit for you. Other great shops in the area include Berlin Bike (in Berlin) and Pedal Power (Middletown.)

A friend of mine just purchased a bike from Cycling Concepts in Rocky Hill. They offered a two-year free tune-up, as opposed to the 6 months to 1 year for most other shops. On her $300 bike, that was a big selling point.

As everyone else has said, buy the bike that fits you the best. After that, look for a comfy set of aerobars and a used (not abused) set of race wheels. Don't worry if the bike doesn't have the most aero tubing, the lightest components, or the coolest paint job.

BEN

Most of you know how I feel about Concepts so I won't even go there...

Bill at Pig is a great guy and very knowledgeable. The problem is that his staff doesn't know JACK and he's never there.

I've never been a fan of Berlin Bike. And, although I would say "great shops" is an overstatement, I go to Pedal Power when I need something and that I can't wait to have delivered.

All of that being said, I wouldn’t go to ANY shop in CT to buy a Tri bike as none of them are Tri shops. At best, they figure out what a good road fit would be for you, then shorten the stem and maybe slide your seat forward. Yeah, it may feel good but it won’t be a popper fit. If you want a Tri bike, go to a Tri shop or bike shop that moves A LOT of Tri bikes. And, in my opinion, not that it’s worth much, that means you are going out of state (MA.)

Just my .02...

Edited by CptnJackSparrow 2006-10-09 9:58 AM

I think that was more like .05....

No extra charge.

Gosh Rob, You're making this difficult. I don't have time to drive 2 hrs to a shop in MA where they may not even give me the time of day (per Polly's experience).

Bethel is a tri shop and I assume they could help me determine what bike might be best and I bought my road bike at Cycling Concepts and that worked out well for me. And BillH at pigIron is a triathlete and I am sure he can help with a bike even if his staff cannot.

Maybe I will just put the aerobars back on my R1000 and call it a day.

Gosh Rob, You're making this difficult. I don't have time to drive 2 hrs to a shop in MA where they may not even give me the time of day (per Polly's experience). -- Had Polly listened to me and set up an appt with Jon, I KNOW she would have been satisfied! In fact, ALL my correspondence with Jon was done via email/phone. Then I went up there and bought the bike.

Bethel is a tri shop and I assume they could help me determine what bike might be best and I bought my road bike at Cycling Concepts and that worked out well for me. -- If you want a road bike, Concepts is fine. But if you want a Tri bike...

-- I haven't been to Bethel so I will take back my statement about having to go out of state.

And BillH at pigIron is a triathlete and I am sure he can help with a bike even if his staff cannot. -- Yeah, I said Bill is great. He's just never around--always training.

Maybe I will just put the aerobars back on my R1000 and call it a day.

-- To each his/her own...

Bill from Pig Iron is almost always around. However, he's not usually up on the sales floor. While Bill does put in the hours for his Ironman training, that doesn't mean he's neglecting his shop. Ask for him when you're there, or get on the phone and schedule a meeting with him. He'll be there whenever you need him.

I like Pig Iron, plus Berlin Bike and Pedal Power because they're willing to work with you even after the sale. If you've been riding the bike and find that it needs some more adjustements, they'll do those for you. They will switch out stems, swap seats, more and retape your brake position... Plus, they have lots of parts available to do this on the spot. No waiting for a new stem to come in.

But here we're talking bike shops, and I think you want an answer to what BIKE. Comfort is always the key. The more comfortable, the faster you'll go, both on the bike and the run. Now, comfort is relative, depending on what length of race you're planning to do. For sprint races with 10-12 mile bike rides, comfort is whatever will get you through the fastest. For 1/2 and full ironmans, comfort means hours in the aerobars hunched over your stem, reaching your water bottles, and keeping the front wheel straight in x-winds. All of these requirements should weigh in on your bike selection.

BEN

Pam...did you ever schedule an appointment with Bethel Cycles?

Mark