Going Carbon at my age!!!

Sitomas

Hi Peeps,
After reaching my half century I have decided to indulge myself in a new road bike. I'm hoping to compete in some triathlons next year for fun and social. I'm a chunky rugby sort of build but still can whack the miles out on my hybrid or old racer. I'm after a stable quick bike to do low key time trials, odd triathlon and summer cycling, def not going down the uncomfortable Tri cycle way!
I've been given some advice to look at the Trek Domane 4.5 disc Road bike. I like the idea of disk brakes and it has the seat post flex isospeed decoupler which at my weight certainly would help my saddle sore rear end! :shock:
Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this range of cycles? All advice greatly appreciated!

Laters Si

Grill

Get a Felt AR. Flip the seatpost for TT's and Tri's. Still don't see a need for disk brakes on a road bikes*, especially as they're detrimental in the aforementioned disciplines.

*don't want this to turn into a disk vs. rim debate. Just one man's opinion.

lostboysaint

Grill wrote:

*don't want this to turn into a disk vs. rim debate. Just one man's opinion.

Probably best not to write it then

Matthewfalle

Will discs be allowed in these events or will you risk buying a bike and then find you can't use it?

Grill

Matthewfalle wrote:

Will discs be allowed in these events or will you risk buying a bike and then find you can't use it?

They're not allowed on UCI events and I don't believe you can use them on BC events either. Fine for CTT, just counterproductive.

popularname

Hey Si

I've got a Domane 4.3 - used to ride a Madone 5 series before it got nicked and the Domane is very cool and compares really well. I'm 55, 6 ft 5in and 200lbs and the ride is outstanding. I was a bit uncertain about getting it at first because I thought the isospeed decoupler would make the ride too spongy after the Madone but it doesn't at all. And it's true that you don't really notice it that much.

I'm a little less supple than I was and so I appreciate it.

Can't quite recall what the difference between a 4.3 and 4.5 is but I don't think its the frame (higher quality carbon on the 5 series I think). Group set? You might want to bin the wheels - the ones on the 4.3 are famously cheap and I had problem with mine from the off. I replaced them within weeks, upgrading to Ksyrium Elites.

So a thumbs up from me for the Domane. Go buy and enjoy...

Matthewfalle

Keep the stock wheels and ride to bits, get some Planet X 80s for competing on - look ridiculously cool, stiff as anything, roll really well, very good price. Job jobbed.

Sitomas

Peeps,
Great advice from all! Suppose I just got used to disc brakes but never had a prob with rim ones, so for Tri's I'll go for rim brakes. Keeping with the Trek Domane.....Felt AR looked far to professional for moi!! Nice to hear a proper feedback from a Domane owner, was wondering about spongy ride! Good advice about the Planet X 80's! Thanks for all your input

Cheers Si

poacher13

Here you go, cant do better than this offer. £700 off! I just bought one.
http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/bikes/road/mens-road-bikes/focus-cayo-evo-20-c-2014/

team47b

How old will you be when you are allowed titanium?

Bordersroadie

If you just turned 50 then you have to buy a custom ti frame. It's the law.

That was my excuse anyway.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your new bike!

Sitomas

Already got a Ti cycle!! Did John O'Groats to Lands End on it but it's twitchy as hell, it'll provide the pennies for the new one!!

Grill

What size stem are you running?

Sitomas

Haven't a clue! Sorry! It's a Sabbath September and I love it but you can't relax at all on it, take a hand off the handlebars and prepare to die!!

bontie

I am no expert, but it sounds like your weight distribution is uneven. If you move saddle backwards a bit my experience is that the abovementioned will improve. A riding mate has a September and I’d call it a lot of things, but twitchy isn’t one of them.