Ok guys I am looking for some advice. I am trying to decide between a few bikes and looking for some advice between those who may have experience. I originally thought my first road bike was actually going to be a tri bike and was super excited for the Argon 18 e-117. But after more consideration I think I should go with a more traditional road bike, never really bike a biker before and have currently been training on a 24" mountain bike. I also have never done a triathlon.
Ok is there anyone with experience with the Argon 18 Nitrogen 105. I like that it has the reversible seat post so that I could get an almost tri geometry but also have the versatility of a road bike when needed.
The other 2 bikes I’m considering are 2014 closeouts either the; 2014 Focus Izalco Team SL 4.0, or the Focus Cayo EVO 3.0. and if Focus is the way to go is the Izalco worth an extra $500. Not to sure on the components
These bikes may be overkill for a newbie rider but I’ve always kind of jumped all in when I do something like this. My goals are to do triathlons eventually. but right now I am still recovering from a torn Achilles. just putting it out there, I am 42 and currently 40 pounds over weight, but when I get down to probably the leanest I can be and be healthy I’ll be around 165 and only 5’6". short and stocky.
Any input would be greatly appreciated!! And I still love the Argon 18 e-117 so that is still a possibility, but it will also be in 105
Specs for Focus Cayo 3.0;
Frame Cayo Evo
Carbon Fork Focus CRF Carbon T4
Seat post Concept EX
Shifter Shimano Ultegra
Rear Derailleur Shimano Ultegra
Front Derailleur Shimano Ultegra
Brake Calipers Concept EX
Crankset FSA Gossamer Focus
Handlebar Concept EX
Stem Concept EX
Saddle Concept EX
Gearing front 50/34, rear: 11-28
Wheels Fulcrum WH-CEX 7.0
Tires Schwalbe Lugano 23-622
Specs for Izalco Team SL 4.0;
Frame Izalco Team SL P2T Carbon
Fork Izalco P2T Carbon T4
Seat post Fizik Cyrano R3
Shifter SRAM Force 22
Rear Derailleur SRAM Force 22
Front Derailleur SRAM Force 22
Brake Calipers SRAM Force
Crankset SRAM Force 22
Handlebar Fizik Cyrano R5
Stem Fizik Cyrano R3
Saddle Fizik Arione CX Manganese
Gearing front 50/34, rear: 11-28
Wheels Fulcrum WH-CEX 2.5
Tires Schwalbe One
Specs for the Argon 18 Nitrogen;
Bottom Bracket Shimano SM-BB71-41B
Brake Calipers TRP TKB-137/138
Cassette Shimano 105 5800
Chain FSA Team Issue
Crankset Shimano 105 5800, 50/34
Nitrogen Carbon Aero Frame Material 7003 HM Carbon
Front Derailleur Shimano 105 5800
Handlebar FSA Energy
Headset FSA 39 + 3D - 1 1/8"-1 1/4"
Rear Derailleur Shimano 105 5800
Saddle Prologo Kappa Evo
Seat post Argon 18 Aero SP-5000 Carbon
Shifters / Levers Shimano 105 5800
Stem FSA Energy
Tires Vittoria Rubino Pro, 700x25c
Wheel - Vision Team 30
I’m not familiar with Focus aside from the fact that they’re owned by the same holding company that owns Cervelo.
Argon’s 3D system offers 3 different headtube heights, so as those extra pounds come off (and gain flexibility) you can re-adjust your position accordingly.
I’m not familiar with Focus aside from the fact that they’re owned by the same holding company that owns Cervelo.
Argon’s 3D system offers 3 different headtube heights, so as those extra pounds come off (and gain flexibility) you can re-adjust your position accordingly.
I haven’t been able to ride these bikes, as I’m doing an internet order. However when using the internet fit stuff, I should be able to fit on any of the three within their normal adjustments
I am currently riding a Nitrogen and I am very happy with it because it is a very light and stiff frame. The brakes which some people think are not that good compared to “standard” front mount brakes are quite decent in my opinion. Compared to other road bikes the Nitrogen has a relatively short head tube (in its lowest configuration) which might become important when you put on clip on aerobars… When I bought it I also wanted to have a road bike that I could convert to a Tri bike if I wanted to. In the end I became so excited about triathlon that I bought a dedicated Tri bike on top, so that I don’t have to take any compromise in terms of tri position…Now I have a great road bike at least. Would I buy it again? If I had known in advance. that I would become infected by triathlon so quickly I would probably have saved some bucks on the road- and spent more on the tribike…
I am currently riding a Nitrogen and I am very happy with it because it is a very light and stiff frame. The brakes which some people think are not that good compared to “standard” front mount brakes are quite decent in my opinion. Compared to other road bikes the Nitrogen has a relatively short head tube (in its lowest configuration) which might become important when you put on clip on aerobars… When I bought it I also wanted to have a road bike that I could convert to a Tri bike if I wanted to. In the end I became so excited about triathlon that I bought a dedicated Tri bike on top, so that I don’t have to take any compromise in terms of tri position…Now I have a great road bike at least. Would I buy it again? If I had known in advance. that I would become infected by triathlon so quickly I would probably have saved some bucks on the road- and spent more on the tribike…
Can’t say anything about the other bikes.
What Tri bike did you get? I obviously haven’t ridden it but I really really love the looks of the e-117.
…I liked the 117 a lot as well but then got a really good deal on the new Argon e119-tri…so I had to buy it…from now on I will simply ignore these time savings per USD stats…
The Izalco is my next purchase! Very comfortable bike. Long, light, low, tour proven frame! And a damn good deal right now. Ive seen them at €1,800 (basically half off US price). Easy swap out of seat post & clip-on install gives you a more than capable tri setup plus an incredible roadie.
Doesn’t hurt that I’m an hour away from the factory & visit Cloppenburg about once a month! German engineering man, I’m telling ya. You really have to experience it yourself to understand. The Chrono Max is a damn good looking tt machine. But their cross & mb’s are the tits & ass!
The three bikes you are looking at have different geometries so it depends on your targeted riding position as to which will be better. The Argon-18 Nitrogen has a true racing geometry while the Izalco is a little less aggressive and the Cayo is less aggressive still. For comparison each bike has a frame size with a reach of 390mm at at this size the Argon has a stack of 520, Izalco 537, and Cayo 547. The 27mm difference between the Argon and Cayo represents a big enough difference it will affect the looks and feel of the bike but isn’t necessarily a deal breaker. Someone with your cycling background is unlikely to utilize the very low head tube of Argon to its full potential (this requires a lot of flexibility and takes time to get used to) in a road set up. However once you add clip-ons you may struggle to get especially the Cayo low enough in the front in to get a reasonable fit.
Unless you have a killer deal on the Argon I would I would steer you towards the Izalco. I think its plenty of bike for your needs without being overkill.
I appreciate you often go all in so were looking at leaping to a TT bike but I think you’re better off with a road bike at this point. It’s far more versatile meaning you can do tri with/without clip on bars (I’ve done both) you can do sportives, train in a group (you won’t be popular on a TT bike as you can’t brake as easily making you a danger to the group). I’ve only recently bought my first TT (Argon 116 at a good price) after a few years using my road bike with clip ons. I will now loose the smug feeling I get when overtaking the guy on a dedicated TT bike but now I’m more committed and have the fitness it should be a great marginal gain.