Bikes for Tri's

bstamps12

I am a triathlete and the bike is my weakest leg. I finally have the $$ to get a bike of my own instead of borrowing bikes for the races. Budget is about $800. I'm a 5'5" female, 134 lbs, I don't ride in group rides (very small town!) and I don't race in bike events only. I am debating between a tri bike and a road bike with clip on aero bars. What are the pros and cons of each? Anything else to consider? Any features to make sure I get?

Thanks in advance! I'll check back to answer any follow up questions.

TDSeest

Sorry, I'm not going to be of much help. I have a Kona Sutra touring bike and love it, but it is out of your price range.

I can relate to the small town though. I love riding through small towns, and live in the country near a town of 800 people.

Welcome, and I'm sure someone will have a better answer for you.

Ant_M76

Hi

A road bike with clip on bars would be more versitile, for training rides and other things, for sure. Not sure how much advantage you will get from a full-on TT bike but I'd imagine you have to be at quite a reasonable level to make it a viable purchase? Not saying that you're not at that level, of course... just that I'd go with the more versitile option?

Good luck

bstamps12

Thanks TD & Sittingduck!

The bike is by far my weakest leg of the tri and as of right now, I'll only be doing Sprint & Olympic distances with whatever bike I buy now. By the time I am ready to do a Half Ironman, I'll have a much larger budget to purchase a high end bike.

Ant_M76

If it was me I'd get an entry level road bike and maybe upgrade the wheels to something lighter and get as good tyres as you can afford. Not sure of the cost of bikes there, compared to the UK but you can grab Tiagra level bikes in the sales for a similar equivalent amount. The new Tiagra is 10spd and will offer a closer ratio cassette than 9 or even 8 spd. That said you will prob be fine on Sora, hmmm... decisions decisions eh?

broadsword7

Hi, and welcome! If it were me I would lean toward an entry level road bike. But the biggest recommendation I have is to find a quality, reputable local bike shop and visit there, talk to them, and try some different bikes. Don't make a decision real fast if you do not have to. Come back on different days even, try different bikes. The good bike shops will work with you on your budget. They know you will be a return customer. They want to know you and you really want to know them. You are going to be buying their services just as much as you will be buying a bike from them, and most important, you will be establishing a relationship with them. My bike shop guy knows me. He's done rides along with me even. He knows the type of rider I am, knows what I like, and makes recommendations. He never over sells me and he has even talked me out of spending money needlessly. I trust him with my life. Literally, because my life and my health very much depend on the equipment he sells me and services he provides me. All that did not happen overnight. We have spent years knowing each other. And it is worth it, in my opinion. So that's my main recommendation. Find a great local bike shop who believes in you, and you can believe in them, and trust them. If there is not one in your town, then I would Google the nearest town, and find one. It is worth a little extra drive to get exactly what you want, within your price range. And maybe even forge new relationships in the bargain.

Good luck and happy riding, no matter what you decide!

TheBigYin

Definitely a +1 on the good local bike shop - at $800 I doubt that anything massively Tri-Specific is in your price range anyway - I'd concentrate on getting a decent quality entry level road-bike, and leaving some budget for a good helmet, clip on tri-bars and shoes/pedals.

CDGolden

Hi, and welcome! If it were me I would lean toward an entry level road bike. But the biggest recommendation I have is to find a quality, reputable local bike shop and visit there, talk to them, and try some different bikes. Don't make a decision real fast if you do not have to. Come back on different days even, try different bikes. The good bike shops will work with you on your budget. They know you will be a return customer. They want to know you and you really want to know them. You are going to be buying their services just as much as you will be buying a bike from them, and most important, you will be establishing a relationship with them. My bike shop guy knows me. He's done rides along with me even. He knows the type of rider I am, knows what I like, and makes recommendations. He never over sells me and he has even talked me out of spending money needlessly. I trust him with my life. Literally, because my life and my health very much depend on the equipment he sells me and services he provides me. All that did not happen overnight. We have spent years knowing each other. And it is worth it, in my opinion. So that's my main recommendation. Find a great local bike shop who believes in you, and you can believe in them, and trust them. If there is not one in your town, then I would Google the nearest town, and find one. It is worth a little extra drive to get exactly what you want, within your price range. And maybe even forge new relationships in the bargain.

Definitely a +1 on the good local bike shop - at $800 I doubt that anything massively Tri-Specific is in your price range anyway - I'd concentrate on getting a decent quality entry level road-bike, and leaving some budget for a good helmet, clip on tri-bars and shoes/pedals.

This is good info here^^^^^^^^^^

I would agree with the best road bike you can afford with helmet, tri bars, and shoes/pedals.

At the Sprint and Olympic distance a Tri bike is pretty specific and the geometry is going to be different from a traditional road bike. If you have it fitted to you, you can mark the seatpost height / saddle position and change it back and forth between road and tri fitting as you race and train. Not ideal but cost effective.

bstamps12

Great information, everyone! Thanks

beyg

here is my view: you are not going to find a tri bike for under $1500.00 not likely unless some one really likes you. So what can you do? Check different bike shops for a entry level bike or event a shimano 105 equivalent (used) may be more affordable. The bike shop can measure your body, and find a bike that may fit you great. Unfit bike can be a reason to even hate biking all together. With $800.00 if you can get a Aluminium with 105 equivalent you will be happy, before aero bars try a good fit. Shoes and there are plenty of good bar that can easily be added to the handle bar and are great for tri's. hope this helps.