I am new to the sport (meaning I haven’t competed yet). I spend all of my free in the gym and on my bikes, I am really into dirt jumping/skate parks and freeriding, I also race motorcross so… my level of education on these bikes leaves something to be desired. I have spent the last few weeks reading up on things and have narrowed my choices down to 2 bikes but I would like some unbiased advice from some people that have some real experience. I’m open to checking out new bikes also if the ones I like right now are crap. A little more about me that might help out, I’m 5’8 at 215lbs. I’m sporting about 12% body fat so no fat jokes 
I only bring up my weight because I was told I should get a full carbon to “support my heavy ass” as the salesman put it. He also said it will smooth out the ride since I’m heavier, I will be at 185 to 190 come race time though. I have been training for a little over 2 months now on a friends old Quintana Roo Kilo (from like 1903 I think) but it serves its purpose. I am hooked on this swim bike run stuff, (wish I had gotten into it sooner) so I want to purchase my own bike. I’m trying to stick around the $2,000 to $2,500 mark. The bikes I have in mind are the Felt B16 at http://www.feltracing.com/09-catalog/time-trial-triathlon/tt-tri-series/09-b16.aspx or the Giant Trinity Alliance 1 shown at http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/road/2262/32195/. Thanks for reading and thanks for any help you can give me.
I’m here editing the photos for a review of the B16 we completed over the last two weeks. It will be on our site tommorow. We haven’t reviewed the Giant Trinity Alliance but at first blush it is a well concieved bike with greatly improved geometry for Giant. Due to the sloping top tube configuration it is a great long torso/short leg bike.
As for “needing” carbon fiber as opposed to aluminum, well, I might take on that debate especially in the value oriented price points. Operating under the theory that really nice aluminum (with a *lifetime *warranty we’ve never seen used on this bike) it may be worth rounding out your survey with a look at Cervelo’s P1 here:
http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/CerveloP1-2009.shtml
Once you collect some data on bikes I’d head on over to the Slowtwitch.com dealer listing of F.I.S.T. Certified Fitters and find the closest one to where you live. Even if you have to drive an hour or two (or five…) it is the best investment in time and research you can make. Get measured, get on a fit bike and get the insights of a good bike fitter you trust in your area. Build a relationship with them and you likely won’t go wrong.
Best of luck and, of course, we expect a full report on your findings My Friend…
I dont think your weight has anything to do with needing carbon, but if you are spending over 2K then thats what you get.
I would go for the felt (assuming it fits well)
-Adam
Thanks for the fast feedback, you guys are awesome!!! I checked out the Cervelo’s (that’s actually where I was when I saw the Felt) They were trying to talk me into the P2 but I told them that was a little more than I wanted to spend. When I ask about the P1 he explained to me the advantages and disadvantages of a non-carbon bike; he actually did a pretty good job talking me into the carbon bikes but I can’t guarantee he wasn’t trying to make a sale either. Aren’t the components on the Giant a little more high end? I think the Felt and the P1 are close though but I’m not to sure.
I will give you my opinion and the things I experienced when I started the sport.
First off, I was an amateur wrench at a small shop in my college days so I will tell you the same thing I told people then looking for their first bike wanting to get into the sport. For the most part any frame you buy from a reputable shop is going to be just fine, especially for a beginner. That being said, the thing that is most important for you is the fit second is then the components. If both of these bikes are in a similar price range, they will both have similar component groups or close enought that your not talking the difference between Dura Ace and Sora. If anything you’ll see some off brand cranks IE FSA instead of Shimano and brakes (probably will be TEKTRO regardless)…but like I said before the fit comes first.
Either find a good fitter in your area, or if you dont have one, look on here for the FiST fit. Then go ride the bikes and see what you like best and what feels best. Until you have a lot of miles in the saddle you wont know what a comfortable bike should feel like, but you do you know what is uncomfortable so it should be obvious if it’s not the right bike.
As far as a full carbon bike to support your fat ass…well I dont agree. Others may but I dont. Carbon will dampen the ride because it will not transmit the vibrations from the road the same way aluminum would, however needing one to support that big ol’ fat ass of yours I think is totally false. But dude if it’s in the budget get it…you wont be disappointed. My TT bike is aluminum…I love it…I wont be selling it anytime soon and when I bought it I was about 190…done plenty of 100+ milers, five 1/2 ironmans, one Ironman and countless shorter stuff just fine…would I buy carbon now…yeah if I had the coin to buy a new bike I would but this bike is fine and it fit’s me very well.
As far as the two bikes you are looking at; both are fine. They are made by good companys. I didnt bother to look at what they are spec’d with because honestly in my opinion for a first bike it really doesnt matter as long as you dont pay too much for it ( IE the shop is jacking up the price on you, which is pretty hard to do these days). Also if you can save yourself some $$ by going with a bike you like just as much, then trust me you will spend that money elsewhere…helmets, gear, wheels etc.
My final recommendation would be to consider a road bike for your first bike. This is the lesson I wish I had known when I first started and here is why.
-not always but generally they are more comfortable to ride, you arent bent over all day
-For a beginner they are “aero enough” if you know what I mean, and there are some nice clip on’s out there now.
-They are easier to handle and develop your bike handling skills
-Down the road you will probably want to do some group rides, these in MY OPINION are easier, safer and more fun on a road bike especially as a beginner.
-So to summarize you can still do all you would be able to do on a Tri/TT bike and more…ride it for a year or two then once you have really gotten into it…and trust me it will get much worse…then buy a Tri bike.
either way enjoy and prepare to open up the wallet for every new fangled carbon product invented, and remember it’s all about the engine not what the engine is riding.
Cheers
Greg
I am new to the sport (meaning I haven’t competed yet). I spend all of my free in the gym and on my bikes, I am really into dirt jumping/skate parks and freeriding, I also race motorcross so… my level of education on these bikes leaves something to be desired. I have spent the last few weeks reading up on things and have narrowed my choices down to 2 bikes but I would like some unbiased advice from some people that have some real experience. I’m open to checking out new bikes also if the ones I like right now are crap. A little more about me that might help out, I’m 5’8 at 215lbs. I’m sporting about 12% body fat so no fat jokes I only bring up my weight because I was told I should get a full carbon to “support my heavy ass” as the salesman put it. He also said it will smooth out the ride since I’m heavier, I will be at 185 to 190 come race time though. I have been training for a little over 2 months now on a friends old Quintana Roo Kilo (from like 1903 I think) but it serves its purpose. I am hooked on this swim bike run stuff, (wish I had gotten into it sooner) so I want to purchase my own bike. I’m trying to stick around the $2,000 to $2,500 mark. The bikes I have in mind are the Felt B16 at http://www.feltracing.com/...i-series/09-b16.aspx or the Giant Trinity Alliance 1 shown at http://www.giant-bicycles.com/...es/road/2262/32195/. Thanks for reading and thanks for any help you can give me.
Have to agree with ATC and Tom - carbon will give you a smoother feel on the ride, but your weight shouldn’t be a factor in the decision. Nor should brand. I’m sure you’ve heard it a thousand times - get to a bike shop that carries the bikes you’re interested in and get your butt on them for a short ride. Most of all, get a professional bike fit once you’ve decided on your ride. The P1 is a good first-time ride, not carbon but saves you some $ to put into a wheelset. Which, if you stick with the sport, you’ll quickly realize is the next best investment.
Ok so here is my situation.
I’m using my road bike for tri races, and seriously thinking about upgrading to a tri bike. I’m training for an ironman so here is my question. Is riding 112 miles in the “aero” position comfy? I mean I’m trying to decide if its going to be worth the time saving but it may be more painful. I’ve test rode a Cervelo a few months ago, and just kinda felt weird.
And honestly, I’m dont really like the “aero” bars. Will I get used to it, of course I only rode for about 12 miles as I was just “testing”, and didnt really get too dialed into it. More of a ride to see if I like it.