What do you ride? What should I ride?

Brevi82
Brevi82 Posts: 14
edited January 2013 in Road buying advice
Hi, just wondering what people out there are riding and any suggestions / recommendations you can make?

I started triathlons a year ago, this year I have a few planned, I am going to the alps for a week training and I will be competing in Ironmanuk. I want a new bit of kit this year, I have been riding a Giant Defy but now I know I am serious about the sport and use it a lot I can justify spending a decent amount of money. I am not exactly in the know when it comes to specs of bikes so would appreciate your thoughts as its some what a mine field and what's the difference and is it justified spending 3k on a bike as opposed to half that? Road bike or TT bike?

Thanks!

Comments

  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    £1500 will get you something as competitive as you need, if you have the lungs & legs
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    I know very little about your chosen sport but I would have thought a TT bike is what you are after for competition - try Planet X bikes for eg: http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... trial_bike
    Also check out any local bike shops. 1-2k will get you something decent.

    In terms of day to day training & putting the miles in, I might just stick to the Defy & put some crud road racer guards on for winter.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • Grill
    Grill Posts: 5,610
    If you're mainly into Triathlons and IM then a TT/Tri bike is the only way to go (although don't take it to the Alps). From a price perspective, it's the same as with anything. You need to decide if it's worth it to you to spend that kind of cash.

    The Planet X is solid and this Vitus has got to be deal of the century: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=67809
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • Brevi82
    Brevi82 Posts: 14
    Thanks guys appreciate your replies and help! I am getting a real mix of opinions, some saying TT bikes and many saying road bike with added TT bars. I don't know enough to know the difference.
  • Grill
    Grill Posts: 5,610
    If you want to be remotely competitive in tri then you need a TT bike. The position alone accounts for the greatest aero gain which you can't properly replicate on a road bike. You already have a Defy so there's no reason you can't stick with it for training and other rides.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • Brevi82
    Brevi82 Posts: 14
    Would a TT bike be ok for 112 miles on ironman? Cheers Grill
  • Brevi82
    Brevi82 Posts: 14
    Oh and don't take it to the alps? Is that because a road bike is significantly better climbing?
  • Grill
    Grill Posts: 5,610
    Yes, TT bikes are the same as tri bikes with the only real difference being some of the aero profiling (TT frames conform to UCI's 3:1 rule) and other minor bits (integrated bladder in the Shiv), so perfect for IM (I do everything from 10mile to 24hr TTs on mine).

    A TT bike is designed to give the most aero position possible, thus the steep seat angles, shorter top tubes, and aero cockpit. You do not want to climb on a TT any longer than necessary. Having lived in the Alps for 7 years I can safely say that bringing a TT bike is an absolute waste and you'll end up hating yourself.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • Brevi82
    Brevi82 Posts: 14
    Ha, brilliant, thanks for your great advice! Exactly what I needed... Are you familiar with ribble cycles? Appear to be really well priced for decent kit but u would know a lot more!

    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/triat ... TTC&bike=1
  • Grill
    Grill Posts: 5,610
    Ribble are fine. Planet X are better.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • nochekmate
    nochekmate Posts: 3,460
    Brevi82 wrote:
    Would a TT bike be ok for 112 miles on ironman? Cheers Grill

    Depends on the course but Ironman UK should be suitable for a TT bike.

    I believe that the winner of Ironman Nice last year rode a TT bike but had previously won the event on a road bike rather than a TT bike due to the climbs from Nice into the Southern Alps.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Grill wrote:
    Ribble are fine. Planet X are better.

    And this is even better again.........

    http://www.canyon.com/triathlonbikes/bike.html?b=3069
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • Grill
    Grill Posts: 5,610
    bendertherobot wrote:
    Grill wrote:
    Ribble are fine. Planet X are better.

    And this is even better again.........

    http://www.canyon.com/triathlonbikes/bike.html?b=3069

    No it isn't. I'd take one over the Ribble, but not over a PX Stealth or Exocet 2. I prefer proven frames.

    Canyon aren't too serious about aero. They look nice, but they still can't be bothered to test their rigs in a tunnel.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • Brevi82
    Brevi82 Posts: 14
    Grill - just looking at the Exocet 2. Is there much difference between that and the stealth? It looks superb!

    http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... ed_edition
  • Grill
    Grill Posts: 5,610
    The Exocet 2 is a really nice frame for the money. The gains over the Stealth are incremental, but in long TT situations (such as IM distance) that counts for a lot. It has a much better aero profile, internal cable routing, BB30 bottom bracket (stiffer), and let's not forget it looks better! Be sure to stay away from the original Exocet frame as it had wheel clearance and seat clamp issue.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • Brevi82
    Brevi82 Posts: 14
    Great stuff - thanks... Good to pick your brain. Much appreciated

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