Hi all. I'm new to this forum (well, I've read off and on for a while, but this is my first post!). I'm amazed at the amount of great advice that I read all the time. So I figured I'd tap some of that knowledge for myself.
I'm looking to buy a new tri-bike for this upcoming season. I raced last season on a Giant TCR Composite road bike with some Carbon Strike clip-ons. I used to have a Cannondale Ironman 2000 the year before, but I sold it b/c I began to up my mileage (I'm pretty new to Triathlon - just a couple years) and the road vibration was kicking my butt whenever I got over 40 miles. So I sold that bike and went with the Giant. I was *amazed* at how much more comfortable it was.
I did 3 Olympics, some sprints, and some duathlons last year. I want to get a dedicated tri-bike for next season. For 2006, I'm doing IM Florida, and will probably do a few olympics and one or two Halfs as well. I've set my price range at about $3K, possibly a little bit more.
My question is whether I should just look at carbon or whether I should consider aluminum too. I've read that the Cannondale I rode was exceptionally stiff and harsh for aluminum so maybe it's not a very good reflection of how aluminum rides in general. But I know that my Giant rides ten times smoother than the Cannondale; I wouldn't dare do Ironman on that Cannondale.
I looked at the new QR Seduza and Caliente the other day. I liked the way the Seduza rode. I haven't had a chance to hop on a Cervelo yet, but I was hoping to soon. I know most people will say just head out and try it to see how it feels, but I don't think I'll be able to get out on a long enough test ride to really be able to tell how comfortable it is over a long ride. So as far as comfort goes, I'm hoping some of you might have some thoughts.
One other related question, and this will sound dumb... everyone always says fit is the most important factor in determining what bike to buy. That makes sense to me. But how do you tell if it fits you? When I take a bike on a test ride, am I to expect the store owner to spend hours fitting me perfectly for each bike before a test ride? That seems a bit unreasonable. So is it just that I select one bike that I like, that felt good on a short test ride, and that the salesperson recommends, and then have him fit me on the trainer to see if I can get comfortable on it? (and if i can't, then pick a different bike to try?) It may be a silly question, but any thoughts would be appreciated.
OK, sorry for the long post. I hope you guys can help! Thanks!
I'm looking to buy a new tri-bike for this upcoming season. I raced last season on a Giant TCR Composite road bike with some Carbon Strike clip-ons. I used to have a Cannondale Ironman 2000 the year before, but I sold it b/c I began to up my mileage (I'm pretty new to Triathlon - just a couple years) and the road vibration was kicking my butt whenever I got over 40 miles. So I sold that bike and went with the Giant. I was *amazed* at how much more comfortable it was.
I did 3 Olympics, some sprints, and some duathlons last year. I want to get a dedicated tri-bike for next season. For 2006, I'm doing IM Florida, and will probably do a few olympics and one or two Halfs as well. I've set my price range at about $3K, possibly a little bit more.
My question is whether I should just look at carbon or whether I should consider aluminum too. I've read that the Cannondale I rode was exceptionally stiff and harsh for aluminum so maybe it's not a very good reflection of how aluminum rides in general. But I know that my Giant rides ten times smoother than the Cannondale; I wouldn't dare do Ironman on that Cannondale.
I looked at the new QR Seduza and Caliente the other day. I liked the way the Seduza rode. I haven't had a chance to hop on a Cervelo yet, but I was hoping to soon. I know most people will say just head out and try it to see how it feels, but I don't think I'll be able to get out on a long enough test ride to really be able to tell how comfortable it is over a long ride. So as far as comfort goes, I'm hoping some of you might have some thoughts.
One other related question, and this will sound dumb... everyone always says fit is the most important factor in determining what bike to buy. That makes sense to me. But how do you tell if it fits you? When I take a bike on a test ride, am I to expect the store owner to spend hours fitting me perfectly for each bike before a test ride? That seems a bit unreasonable. So is it just that I select one bike that I like, that felt good on a short test ride, and that the salesperson recommends, and then have him fit me on the trainer to see if I can get comfortable on it? (and if i can't, then pick a different bike to try?) It may be a silly question, but any thoughts would be appreciated.
OK, sorry for the long post. I hope you guys can help! Thanks!