I was looking at buying my 1st tri bike. A local bike shop near me has a new 2005 Specialized Comp Tri Bike they will sell me for cost (1500) because its been hanging around for 2 years. They sell motly mtn bike and road equip. Original components Mostly Ultegra with Duraace derailers. Carbon Forks and seat post. The 2005 fram is all aluminum compared to some (more expensive) lower end tri bikes that will have aluminum and carbon. Any suggestions?
I have a 2005 Transition Comp and I love that bike! I’ve raced it for the last 3 years, including 3 IM’s.
The 56 has a 76 deg. seat tube angle which is not as steep as most tri bikes and makes it a good choice for your first IMO. The Mavic wheels that come on it are virtually indestructible and will make good training wheels if you decide to upgrade later, they are also deep enough to make decent race wheels. For an aluminum frame it is a surprisingly smooth ride. The vibration dampening thing in the seatpost is the same as in their road bikes and it does make a difference. I also think that seat post can be flipped for a steeper angle should the urge strike you but I haven’t tried it. The aerodynamics of the frame are decent. I was flipping through an older tri mag last night that rated the aerodynamics of various frames and that frame rated fairly well. The only thing I was really unhappy with about that bike was the saddle. I’ve always been happy with Spec’s BG stuff, especially their saddles, but this one didn’t cut it. Other than that though, no complaints. I’ve never had a minutes trouble with mine.
I’ve recently upgraded to an all carbon high$$$ bike. The newer bike made me realize what a good value the Transition really was. Very good choice for your first IMO.
Nothing wrong with an aluminum tri bike. I have a P2SL and find it plenty smooth enough, even for long rides. $1500 is an OK deal but nothing to write home about. Bonzai Sports was selling the P2SL for 1350 this past weekend. Don’t feel like you will be missing the deal of the century if you pass this up. There are plenty of good deals on aluminum tri bikes in that price range. It is a good bike though and will work nicely if it fits.
Mike
Like the others have said, there is nothing wrong with an aluminum bike. I currently own both an aluminum (Trek Equinox 9) and a carbon bike (Kuota K-Factor). Both are fine bikes, but I’m racing the Trek and selling the Kuota based on how they both felt to me.
If the comp is 2 years old they want to see it GONE, lowball them at $1200 and I bet they say yes. Or if you go with $1500 say you will do it if they throw in a nice pair of pedals and cleats, along with at least 10% off anything else you buy that day.
I have ridden an all aluminum Felt S22 and a 50/50 Orbea Aletta at IM. The Aletta was a smoother ride for sure. I just got a P2C and it’s like riding on a cloud compared to the S22. My personal opinion (T=1) is that if the ride is more than 56 miles you are going to take less of a beating on a equally well fitting carbon bike than on aluminum.
Dave
I haven’t riden carbon tri bikes but love my Quintana Roo Kilo. It’s also a 2006 I bought in 2007 and got for $1200 new. My friend just bought a Guro Crono and my bike feels lighter those his is arguably more comfortable on longer rides. My road bike though is a Specialized Tarmac and it absorbs everything.
I think you can get a better deal.
There are no bad materials, only bad applications and designs. I’d rather have a really nice aluminum bike (Guru Cron-Alu, Guru Tri Lite, Cervelo P2SL or older P3SL) than a not-so-good carbon bike.
Focus on the fit and the design and you can’t go wrong.
As others have said, not a great deal but a good deal. I would rather have a used P3 SL…
If that bike fits you’ll be happy with it.
I agree with some other posts, low ball’em! If its a shop that focuses on mtb & road equipment they should be motivated to get rid of a two year old tri bike.
I didn’t pay much more than $1500 for the same year S-Works Transition with full DA. Shoot for $1200, as long as it fits!
Good luck,
Travis
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