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Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike -
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 2007-10-31 7:18 AM |
Veteran  258   Long Island |  Subject: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike -I have a FELT S32 and I'm looking to upgrade some components. What is the best bang for the buck ? Vison Tri Bars ? New Crank ? Spend the $$$ on wheels ? I just bought new tires and I want to get a bike fitting, but I would like to upgrade before the fitting. Any ideas ? Suggestions ? |
| 2007-10-31 7:57 AM in reply to: #1031049 |
Extreme Veteran 739 Westlake, OH | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - you should do the fitting before the upgrade. A better fitting bike will pay more back then anything you can add to it. Curious, why didn't you get the fitting when you bought it? As far as upgrades go, in order, areo riding outfit, an areo helmet, then finally wheels. |
 2007-10-31 8:03 AM in reply to: #1031049 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2007-10-31 8:05 AM in reply to: #1031092 |
Champion 19812  MA | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - JeepFleeb - 2007-10-31 9:03 AM
x2 Don't spend any money on your bike before the fitting...see what they have to say first. |
| 2007-10-31 8:17 AM in reply to: #1031092 |
Champion 6539 South Jersey | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - JeepFleeb - 2007-10-31 9:03 AM
x3 I will have 1 - 4 this year; 5 and 6 will wait 'till next. |
| 2007-10-31 8:26 AM in reply to: #1031114 |
| Champion 5575 Butler | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - LaurenSU02 - 2007-10-31 8:17 AM Dumb question but why not move the aero helmet to 3 since it is significantly less in $ than the power meter? Just wondering.JeepFleeb - 2007-10-31 9:03 AM
x3 I will have 1 - 4 this year; 5 and 6 will wait 'till next. |
| 2007-10-31 8:36 AM in reply to: #1031124 |
Elite 3088 Austin, TX Gold member | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - If you're looking at bang for the buck, I'd put the aero helmet second behind the fitting. The fitting can make a HUGE difference in both comfort and speed. The aero helmet will also pay big returns for the modest $150 or so it will cost you. A coach can help tremendously, but he or she is also a much larger investment. I'd agree with Aaron on the rest of the list. |
| 2007-10-31 8:39 AM in reply to: #1031124 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2007-10-31 8:48 AM in reply to: #1031137 |
| Champion 5575 Butler | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - dgunthert - 2007-10-31 8:36 AM If you're looking at bang for the buck, I'd put the aero helmet second behind the fitting. The fitting can make a HUGE difference in both comfort and speed. The aero helmet will also pay big returns for the modest $150 or so it will cost you. A coach can help tremendously, but he or she is also a much larger investment. I'd agree with Aaron on the rest of the list. That is my thought even though the helmet does not help out that much, maybe 60 seconds on an oly but get the cheap stuff out of the way first is my opinion. |
| 2007-10-31 8:52 AM in reply to: #1031142 |
| Champion 5575 Butler | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - JeepFleeb - 2007-10-31 8:39 AM I do agree definately alot more bang for the buck. My thought is though if you have $150 a month to spend on Tri items and your goal is a helmet and a power meter get the helmet month 1 and then save $150 a month until you can afford the power meter as opposed to waiting 8-10 months to buy the power meter and the then helmet the next month. If you have the $1K+ to drop day one get the power meter and then the helmet the next month.kproudfoot - 2007-10-31 8:26 AM Dumb question but why not move the aero helmet to 3 since it is significantly less in $ than the power meter? Just wondering. More buck for the power meter but a lot more bang as well, and it will effect your run while the helmet won't. Just my $0.02. |
| 2007-10-31 9:02 AM in reply to: #1031114 |
| Champion 8540 the colony texas | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - LaurenSU02 - 2007-10-31 8:17 AM JeepFleeb - 2007-10-31 9:03 AM
also lots of razor's to shave your legs with... x3 I will have 1 - 4 this year; 5 and 6 will wait 'till next. |
| 2007-10-31 9:08 AM in reply to: #1031049 |
| Master 1277 | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - http://tri-talk.com/weblog/?p=36 Breaks it down pretty good. Improving aero position is top overall, then comes engine, followed by weight of rotating equipment, but after aero position (fit, helmet, disk wheel) the returns from the rest are diminishing. |
| 2007-10-31 9:58 AM in reply to: #1031049 |
| Veteran 258 Long Island | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - Thanks for all the feedback. It seems everyone agree's the Big fitting is #1. I bought the bike used, so I didn't go for a fitting. I raced with it this year and figured I should buy my "toys" now before the fitting. Now...after reading this blog it seems I should go for the fitting now - Intesting. This was more a bang for your buck question. We all know the Zipp Wheels are OUTSTANDING, but if I pay 1K for them for a 60 second improvement then this may not be the best route for me. I was looking at the Vision Carbon bars - I think they look awesome, but are they worth $350.00 ? That is the question. |
| 2007-10-31 10:58 AM in reply to: #1031286 |
| Champion 6962 Atlanta, Ga | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - I was looking at the Vision Carbon bars - I think they look awesome, but are they worth $350.00 ? That is the question. They are if you have already had a fitting, a coach that knows how to coach with power and an Aero Helmet. THEN...they are worth the $350. |
| 2007-10-31 1:52 PM in reply to: #1031049 |
| Veteran 258 Long Island | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - |
| 2007-10-31 2:23 PM in reply to: #1031049 |
| Champion 10668 Tacoma, Washington | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - I agree with JeepFleeb except that I would swap wheels and helmet. And it's a personal thing, I know, but my thoughts are that the wheels will be of benefit no matter what else you do on the bike, position or whatever. The helmet is going to be of most benefit if you can keep your head in position constantly (not moving around) and WHICH helmet is going to be very dependent on how it interacts with your position. |
| 2007-10-31 4:10 PM in reply to: #1031049 |
| Elite 3498 Chicago | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - I would read this:
http://www.petersenperformancelab.net/getting_faster.htm
It's from the USA Cycling Club Coaching Manual. |
| 2007-10-31 5:11 PM in reply to: #1031049 |
| Pro 3673 MAC-opolis | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - If I was going to spend any $$ to upgrade, I'd start with wheels. Disclaimer: I don't have the experience other posters here have. I do like myself alot, if that means anything. Edited by Big Sexy 2007-10-31 5:12 PM |
| 2007-10-31 5:32 PM in reply to: #1031049 |
| Master 2202 St. Louis | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - Fitting is number 1, but that also may involve spenging money on a stem, or new bars.. etc. If the bike fits well, Id probably get a set of powertapped wheels. If you are pretty new to the tri scene, I wouldnt waste money on a coach. You can get enough good advice from the training bible, and some online programs. If you have a few seasons down and you are trying to peak your performance then a coach is a good investment. Since its the end of the season, I wouldnt bother with an aero helmet yet either... wont reaally help you train for next year... Id invest in things that you can use now rather than later. Just my .02. |
| 2007-10-31 7:12 PM in reply to: #1031049 |
| Veteran 281 | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - Since I am a newbie my .02 is probably worth, oh .00001. But here it goes. After I put some miles on my bike I went back into the shop to have it re-fit (turns out the saddle was too far back and my knees were behind the spindle). Anyway, I was discussing this with the tech and the conversation turned to wheels. His opinion was not to invest in aero wheels until I can average 24-25mph. He went on to say that any gains at lower speeds would not be great and when you take into account cross winds, aero wheels could hurt your time. Disclaimer: the following was not in any shape or form my opinion or the opinion of anything related to me, other then that tech that did my fitting... yada yada yada |
| 2007-10-31 7:19 PM in reply to: #1032366 |
| Master 2202 St. Louis | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - snowriderinfl - 2007-10-31 7:12 PM Since I am a newbie my .02 is probably worth, oh .00001. But here it goes. After I put some miles on my bike I went back into the shop to have it re-fit (turns out the saddle was too far back and my knees were behind the spindle). Anyway, I was discussing this with the tech and the conversation turned to wheels. His opinion was not to invest in aero wheels until I can average 24-25mph. He went on to say that any gains at lower speeds would not be great and when you take into account cross winds, aero wheels could hurt your time. Disclaimer: the following was not in any shape or form my opinion or the opinion of anything related to me, other then that tech that did my fitting... yada yada yada Aero wheels are actually still more aero in a yaw situation... when airflow is not head on. Simple answer is better wheels will make you faster, and the gains are greater the faster you are. Also, most aero wheels will have significantly better hubs than your stock wheels(not always, but often). |
| 2007-10-31 11:59 PM in reply to: #1031049 |
| Regular 107 Las Vegas, NV | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - I'm sorry but I have to disagree with the general direction of the thread. I agree with fitting being number 1. An optimized position will gain the most speed for the least amount of money that you can possibly find. An aero helmet is a good number 2 choice. You'll gain speed no matter what from having one, how much speed depends on the fit and discipline to keep your head in position. 1-2 mph is not unreasonable. Wheels should be next. Wheels will add speed as well. Guaranteed. How much will depend on wheel selection. 1-2mph here is not unreasonable either. A power meter is not an upgrade to your bicycle. It's a data collection device. It alone will not make you go faster. You won't see any IMMEDIATE returns on your investment. There is no question that power will allow you to train smarter once you have done the requisite research to understand the data and how to use it to your advantage, but a powermeter alone will not make you faster. Coaching is one of the least cost effective ways to get faster in MY opinion. There is more than enough information out there on what it takes to get faster. Generally speaking, the one thing that coaching does is forces people to spend more time in the saddle than they otherwise would. With a little attention and homework on what intensity you should be riding at during your training schedule and a little effort to find group rides in your area you could save the money on coaching and improve the same amount. |
| 2007-11-01 4:59 AM in reply to: #1032381 |
| Champion 9407 Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - ranger5oh - 2007-10-31 9:19 PM Aero wheels are actually still more aero in a yaw situation... when airflow is not head on. Not necessarily - this is highly dependant on the wheel; however, the general consensus is that a stalled aero wheel behaves no worse than a non-aero wheel. Shane |
| 2007-11-01 9:52 AM in reply to: #1031049 |
| Pro 6582 Melbourne FL Gold member | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - Nothing new to add here other than you can buy an Aero-helmet for $70+SH through Nashbar . I bought my LG Prologue from Nashbar this summer on sale and did my 1st race with it in last month and loved it. Felt has new 40mm wheel set that will be $700, same wheels used on the '08 B2 (TTR2 IIRC). Superdave posted this on the B12 thread. If the S32 you have has 105 components, nothing wrong with it. If it's not a 10spd then that would be something to upgrade too. I personally cannot afford a powermeter. Best thing I did for my training was to buy a cyclocomputer with cadence. Cateye Astrale 8 is a good deal, I bought a wireless model. I'm lucky that I can ride year round. Still a trainer ($200-$300) would be great for even more time in the saddle (T.I.T.S.), nothing beats it for upgrading the biggest component & reducing time in a race!
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| 2007-11-01 10:11 AM in reply to: #1031049 |
| Master 1404 Atlanta, Ga | Subject: RE: Best Upgrade for a TRI Bike - Take this from first hand experience.. forget what all the sheep are saying above.. good advice, but not what you are asking. First and foremost, coaching is not a Tri-bike upgrade. It's a personal choice and if any kind of upgrade, it's a mental one that will help you train better.. not dissing it. I am a USAT certified coach myself. As far as Tri-Bike upgrade: Absolutely get the new Cockpit.. the vision bars you are interested in.. I upgraded mine on my felt S25 (to profile design carbon x), and the bike went from good to great for me. Then I got the fitting, and I was completely ready to go. I just simply did not like the base and aero bars that came on the bike. The upgrade made a huge difference. Be happy with your bike, THEN do everything else mentioned above. You will not regret it. |
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