I just sold my bike and am in the market for a new one. What is the best bang for my buck for around $4k?
A little more detail
–The bike is my strongest leg (< 57 minute 40k in a tri)
–I’m coming from a 2009 Scott Plasma 2
–I think I would like to get an 11sp, but I don’t care about all the electronic stuff
Thanks so much for the recommendations!
Cervelo P3. Ultegra 11 speed. $3950. I purchased one this summer. It’s a great bike!
I am sure you don’t need this advice, but for the general population I suggest a $3K bike and a powermeter.
What bike did you sell and why?
I sold a Scott Plasma 2 because I bought it when I was first learning about tri’s and it is too small for me. I already have a Stages PM will be switching over to whatever I buy. I live in a small town with not a lot of bike stores so it’s hard to try any out before i buy one.
Used P5.
What is the best bang for my buck for around $4k?
P2 with 105 ~$2500. Maybe less. Getting a really good frame there.
Bitchin front wheel ~$500. China or used.
Plastic disc cover ~$100.
Fast tires and tubes ~$100.
You already have a PM.
= $3,200.
Later upgrades… maybe base bar, brake calipers.
yeah I was gonna say P2 and a Zipp Vuka Stealth or TriRig Sigma/Alpha
Speed Concept 7 maybe
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If you were to change your mind and consider electronic I would say the 2015 Felt B2
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The P2 has a pretty awesome frame. Latest Cervelo design. Same as the P3 which gives up almost nothing to a P5 if you mount TriRigs. Nice base bar and wheels and you are there… superbike territory.
The SC7.0 might be even better though and not much more money. Don’t know if the brakes are a hassle or not.
Good question. Interested to see what others say (beyond P3)
I am about done with my 8-year-old Seduza & Flashpoints now (Perfectly decent setup, even now)
QR Cd01 anyone? Think they are close to $3k now.
A Shiv w lesser components?
Newer Plasma w lesser components?
Not to hijack, but is the reason for switching out the bars mostly aerodynamic or is there geometry/ comfort/ etc. in the equation? Are there general numbers thrown out for drag reduction on these bars vs. stock?
The brakes are a pain in the ass. Not worth the hassle IMO. I have an older Speed Concept 7.0. If I were buying a new tri bike, it would be a P2. Unless I REALLY liked the paint on a P3.
Everything I have heard, including the sales guys at my LBS, and tour riders, is that the P5 sucks compared to a P3. The P5 isn’t even as stiff as the “cheap” P3.
List on the QR CD0.1 Ultegra is $3,400 according to their website ($2,800 on trisports, could be cheaper elsewhere). Of course there’s always the option of picking up something used for cheaper and building it up the way you want. I’m very happy with my CD0.1 which I got throught the classifieds on here for $1,800 without wheels a few years ago. I’m still just riding a pair of Spinergy PBO’s I already had, but throw on a set of FLO’s and a power meter and it’d still be well under $4,000.
One that fits
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QR Cd01 anyone? Think they are close to $3k now.
A Shiv w lesser components?
Newer Plasma w lesser components?
Don’t think you are going to do much better than a P2 frame for aero, and you can get them cheap with 105. The Shiv TT and Plasma 3 are pricey. The QR isn’t in the same league IMO.
Entirely aerodynamic reasons.
I don’t have any data on the stock bars (I don’t think) but here are a couple reference points, from that great website aeroweenie.com :
http://www.tririg.com/articles.php?id=2014_08_TriRig_Alpha_Wind_Tunnel_White_Paper&page=2
http://aeroweenie.com/assets/img/data/aerobar.png
So you are probably looking at 30 to 60 seconds per 40k vs the stock p2 bars if you went with a super bar.
Not to hijack, but is the reason for switching out the bars mostly aerodynamic or is there geometry/ comfort/ etc. in the equation? Are there general numbers thrown out for drag reduction on these bars vs. stock?
Complete nonsense.
Everything I have heard, including the sales guys at my LBS, and tour riders, is that the P5 sucks compared to a P3. The P5 isn’t even as stiff as the “cheap” P3.
If you were to change your mind and consider electronic I would say the 2015 Felt B2 Ditto, if it fits!
For $3600, IIRC, this is the bike I wish I knew was coming out last year when I built a 2013 B12 frame with Ultegra 6800 11-spd.
I had the same question regarding my NP2 and decided to stick with the stock bar until I learn more and maybe find a good deal on one 
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