I apologize if this is a repeat post, probably a common topic, if there's is something I missed in my search feel free to point me there!
I'm in the market for a new bike, I do 2-4 half iron tri's a year, maybe working up to a full IM, and ride in centuries, group rides, etc. I'm looking at the aero road market for a bike that primarily does well for road, but can be converted to a decent tri bike with a saddle adjustment to get a tri seatube angle (reversible post, forward clamp position, etc) and clamp-on aerobars. I've pretty much narrowed it down to three: Cervelo S3, Felt AR2, Giant Propel. Here's what I've learned about each:
Cervelo S3: From reviews and data, sounds like a great road bike with stiffness and sprinting advantages over the more aero S5 (and I like to paint scheme better). The stock seatpost only has one clamp position (20mm offset), but I can swap it out with the S5 post that gives me 40mm and 0mm offset clamp positions. Main question with this bike is how close to a 76-78deg seat tube angle will I get using the fwd clamp position (zero offset) and a tri saddle set forward in the clamp? Seat tube angle is road typical 73deg with the stock post at 20mm offset.
Felt AR2: Aero road bike designed to be easily converted for tri's, 2014 model has a reversible "Varimount" seat post that takes the 73deg seat tube angle to 78deg, looks like the easiest bike to get both road and tri positions optimized.
Giant Propel: From what I've seen online, the "Vector" seatpost can be adjusted from 25mm to -5mm offset. Similar to Cervelo, not sure what the actual seatpost angle will be in the 5mm forward offset position with a tri saddle.
I'm leaning torward Di2 to allow me to put on the aero bars and easily add bar-end shifters, or even swap out the handlebar with tri bars with easy Di2 connection and reconnecting brake cables.
Just thought I'd see if anyone has tried this with these bikes, done something similar on another bike, or knows any technical details that would help me determine a solid road bike that can hold it's own in a tri...or any other info/suggestion! I know fit is the most important, this week I'll be visiting dealers and hopefully getting a Guru fit and a ride on each of these bikes, which may narrow things down. I've learned alot from visiting bike shops and online research, but sometimes fellow cyclists have the most experience. Thanks!
Mike
I'm in the market for a new bike, I do 2-4 half iron tri's a year, maybe working up to a full IM, and ride in centuries, group rides, etc. I'm looking at the aero road market for a bike that primarily does well for road, but can be converted to a decent tri bike with a saddle adjustment to get a tri seatube angle (reversible post, forward clamp position, etc) and clamp-on aerobars. I've pretty much narrowed it down to three: Cervelo S3, Felt AR2, Giant Propel. Here's what I've learned about each:
Cervelo S3: From reviews and data, sounds like a great road bike with stiffness and sprinting advantages over the more aero S5 (and I like to paint scheme better). The stock seatpost only has one clamp position (20mm offset), but I can swap it out with the S5 post that gives me 40mm and 0mm offset clamp positions. Main question with this bike is how close to a 76-78deg seat tube angle will I get using the fwd clamp position (zero offset) and a tri saddle set forward in the clamp? Seat tube angle is road typical 73deg with the stock post at 20mm offset.
Felt AR2: Aero road bike designed to be easily converted for tri's, 2014 model has a reversible "Varimount" seat post that takes the 73deg seat tube angle to 78deg, looks like the easiest bike to get both road and tri positions optimized.
Giant Propel: From what I've seen online, the "Vector" seatpost can be adjusted from 25mm to -5mm offset. Similar to Cervelo, not sure what the actual seatpost angle will be in the 5mm forward offset position with a tri saddle.
I'm leaning torward Di2 to allow me to put on the aero bars and easily add bar-end shifters, or even swap out the handlebar with tri bars with easy Di2 connection and reconnecting brake cables.
Just thought I'd see if anyone has tried this with these bikes, done something similar on another bike, or knows any technical details that would help me determine a solid road bike that can hold it's own in a tri...or any other info/suggestion! I know fit is the most important, this week I'll be visiting dealers and hopefully getting a Guru fit and a ride on each of these bikes, which may narrow things down. I've learned alot from visiting bike shops and online research, but sometimes fellow cyclists have the most experience. Thanks!
Mike