Tri bike options

Howard G
Howard G Posts: 3
edited October 2013 in Road buying advice
Hi fellas,

I know this may seem to be in the wrong section but it seems there is little traffic on the tri board. So here it is.

I'd appreciate some advise. I've decided that I'd like a tri bike and have narrowed it down to two options. Can I have your thoughts regarding value for money and spec.

Option 1 - Planet X Exocet 2 with dura ace, very deep rims (101/81mm) and tubs. No previous experience with tubs. Concerned the deep rims may make it very poor on the hills - usually where I excel. Mail order. £2000

Option 2 - Cervelo P3, new but 2012 model, ultegra, Mavic carbone SR's (50 or 60mm ish) with flat carbon spokes, clinchers. Are they deep enough to fly? From local specialist shop. £2600

I could afford either but don't know which makes better sense. Of course neither makes sense - I'd just like one!

I've been measured for a medium PX, and have ridden the Cervelo (very nice). Also rode a Cannondale Slice, which was ok but on rubbish wheels which may have not shown it in a good light. The Cannondale with the Mavics above would be £2200.

What do you think? Am I mad even considering it? I should add that I usually use my Felt F4 for racing, sprints, olympics and half iron dist tris. At the Cowman this year I averaged just over 20mph for the full 57 miles on my road bike.

Thanks

Howard

Comments

  • pkripper
    pkripper Posts: 652
    The cervelo
  • nochekmate
    nochekmate Posts: 3,460
    Out of the two listed, then I would vote for the Cervelo P3 also but as others will tell you, fit is key particularly on a tri-bike. Depends how seriously you are going to take it given the likely expenditure - you've clearly got a bit of ability to average 20mph over a half-iron distance so equipping your road bike with aero bars (which you may have done already) can make you competitive enough.

    The tri-bike may only see a gain of 1-2mph if I'm anything to go by and in fact my 10mile TT time on my Cervelo S1 with tri-bars and aero carbon wheels has still beaten any 10 mile times that I have done on my dedicated Felt B2 Pro tri-bike. I bought my Felt B2 Pro secondhand and like many tri-bikes it had seen very little usage and was immaculate and given that it was SRAM Red equipped and Zipp 404/808 combination, I thought that it was £1800 well spent. The price quoted for the P3 seems a good one IMO.

    The PX Exocet is a well-regarded tri-bike also.
  • rhaddo
    rhaddo Posts: 24
    I have an Exocet and it feels a bit budget and I had to send it back twice. Might be just my bad luck but I will not buy their home brand stuff again. Choice of wheels is a massive subject in its own right. I only use the PX deep wheels for flat races they feel a bit heavy going up and don't stop too well going down! But it is a personal thing
  • gary.hounsome
    gary.hounsome Posts: 296
    What about the 2013 slice 105, you could get this for £1200 from tri uk, then you have £££ left over for some 50mm Px wheels, or even something better, or a few part upgrades, for instance I picked up a carbon crank for £100
  • gaz047
    gaz047 Posts: 601
    Nice bikes on the short list. Provided it fits you right, I'd be going for the cervelo. Comfort is key, especially for half/ full iron distance and if you come off the bike in bits, this will impact on your run.
    As far as wheels go it's personal preference, but reckon 50mm depth is a good compromise, and will be more useable on a variety of bike courses and conditions than deeper/heavier sets. Which is another plus for the p3 IMHO.
    if it ain't rainin.....it ain't trainin
    Stick your 'rules' up your a%se
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    You'll see lots of PX Stealths at any triathlon you do. You can spec it up how you like - deep rim tyres rather than tubs if thats what you want. You can probably do the same with the exocet anyway.

    What races are you targetting - if its hilly ones - then yeah the deep rims won't be the best - but for most flatter races they'll be good.
  • rhaddo
    rhaddo Posts: 24
    I borrowed a PX Stealth a couple of times - they are pretty cheap but I am not sure they are a particularly aero frame if that is important alongside getting the right position. I seem to recall cable routing was external and the frame does not have much of the profiling of the usual TT frames. If i had the cash I would be going cervelo or possibly Boardman (get Bike Science to do the fitting at the same time)? 50mm tubs is my choice of wheel that offer flexibility and speed. If I did ironman I could be tempted by clincher for repairability.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    There is a new Boardman coming out in November that looks gorgeous.

    I'd not fret too much about external cables or profiles - the rider is probably about 98% of the drag on aero bikes anyway.
  • Howard G
    Howard G Posts: 3
    I really appreciate you all taking the time to respond.

    This is of course a vanity purchase and one that is entirely selfish. That notwithstanding, the value of the PX bike is relevant but not the whole deal.

    It was suggested that my average speed might rise by one or two mph - cutting my half iron split by 13mins if 2mph. Quite a lot infact.

    The wheels thing is still an unknown. Fact is that I might do both flat and hilly event. Only one set of wheels to do it all - deep rims could be off the menu.

    So, if any further thoughts arise, please let me know, otherwise it's just a short while longer to procrastinate before jumping in with both feet.

    A final problem is that I'll become that guy - you know, all the gear and no idea. Hmm

Categories