I found a 2016 Fuji Norcom Straight 2.5 online for $1700, and the store just called me up to say the order can’t be fulfilled. I’m pretty upset because it seemed like the perfect entry level bike to me - I’ve been doing tris for a few years on a crappy old road bike and wanted to finally upgrade.
Anyway I’m back to square one and can’t seem to find anything decent online in the sub 2k range. Wondering if anyone has some recommendations for tri bikes or adapted road bike setups in this range. Eg, the same store is suggesting instead a 2017 Fuji Transonic 2.9 with aero bars for the same price.
I found a 2016 Fuji Norcom Straight 2.5 online for $1700, and the store just called me up to say the order can’t be fulfilled. I’m pretty upset because it seemed like the perfect entry level bike to me - I’ve been doing tris for a few years on a crappy old road bike and wanted to finally upgrade.
Anyway I’m back to square one and can’t seem to find anything decent online in the sub 2k range. Wondering if anyone has some recommendations for tri bikes or adapted road bike setups in this range. Eg, the same store is suggesting instead a 2017 Fuji Transonic 2.9 with aero bars for the same price.Can’t be fulfilled? WTF?
Turns out someone else ordered the same bike just before me, was an ex demo bike so one-off, but the system still allowed my order to go through… :(Who was the retailer? This could be just a case of bad timing, but this is the kind of bait-and-switch slimeballs retailers do.
Buy a used bike on Craigslist. If you search obsessively and jump on a deal when it comes up you can pretty regularly get bikes that are a year or two old in good condition for 50%+ off new prices. Only potential snags are if you need an odd size or live in a rural area. Otherwise I see 54-56 cm tri bikes popping up pretty regularly.
If you want the comfort of mind of buying from a dealer, look at pros closet or mybikeshop. Prices are often not as low as craigslist but still considerably less than new. To my mind the only real benefit to buying a new bike is getting it from an LBS than can help you fit it, service it, etc. If you are looking to buy online anyway, I’d definitely look used.
Evans Cycles in the UK. They’re a major bike retailer and usually do great customer service so I do think just a case of useless backend systems.
What do you think of their suggested alternative, spec here: https://www.evanscycles.com/...7-road-bike-EV280169Apples and oranges.
Buy a used bike on Craigslist. If you search obsessively and jump on a deal when it comes up you can pretty regularly get bikes that are a year or two old in good condition for 50%+ off new prices. Only potential snags are if you need an odd size or live in a rural area. Otherwise I see 54-56 cm tri bikes popping up pretty regularly.
If you want the comfort of mind of buying from a dealer, look at pros closet or mybikeshop. Prices are often not as low as craigslist but still considerably less than new. To my mind the only real benefit to buying a new bike is getting it from an LBS than can help you fit it, service it, etc. If you are looking to buy online anyway, I’d definitely look used.
I gotta say - I used to think going used was always the way to go, but I don’t think it’s such a good idea anymore unless you’re comfortable wrenching your bike.
I got my bikes new, but after several years of solid use, various parts got worn, fused, etc. I had washed the bike exterior and replaced the chain regularly so both bikes ‘looked’ new, but lots of badness had happened - headset couldn’t be removed (fused), headset bearings shot, pedals frozen on, ferrules stuck into the cable guides, etc. These are little yet seriously annoying things that will give you a big headache down the road if you’re not ready for them.
If you’re comfortable pretty much disassembling your bike top to bottom and putting it together back up, used bikes are great as you’ll quickly see the big problem spots and negotiate down the price if needed.
My LBS charged me $100 (and I think it was legitimately earned) for spending over an hour to unfuse my seatpost and headset. Fortunately, I had done the rest of the problem work, and it wasn’t easy so I saved a bunch of money that way (but spent it all in replacement parts and then some.)
Another vote for a used Speed Concept 2.5 if you can find one. Or a used Speed Concept 7 series. If buying new, a Transonic is really not a bad choice. Decent try bike geometry so long as you don’t need to get too low up front and it’s a sneaky fast frame. Tour magazine had a wind tunnel shootout with several aero road frames with different wheel sets and the Transonic was only a watt or two behind the Cervelo S5… which at low yaw I’ve been told is close to a P4. So, long story short, the Transonic is a fine frame choice.
Unless you’re very knowledgeable about what to look for in a triathlon bike, or have a friend to take along, I’d hesitate to buy something used…unless you know who you are buying from…too many potential issues to deal with. Where do you live? There are many online retailers where you can find a new 2-3 year old model for under $2k. I know Nytro has been mentioned here before and I bought my P4 from R&A Cycles in Brooklyn which does a big online business…check their “outlet” store. Again, be helpful to know where you live so others might be able to recommend a local shop.
Another vote for a used Speed Concept 2.5 if you can find one. Or a used Speed Concept 7 series. If buying new, a Transonic is really not a bad choice. Decent try bike geometry so long as you don’t need to get too low up front and it’s a sneaky fast frame. Tour magazine had a wind tunnel shootout with several aero road frames with different wheel sets and the Transonic was only a watt or two behind the Cervelo S5… which at low yaw I’ve been told is close to a P4. So, long story short, the Transonic is a fine frame choice.
Oh interesting. They’re setting it up for me to have a look on Monday so I’ll report back. I’m coming from a pretty upright 10 year old road bike so won’t be ready for super aggressive geometry just yet. Thanks
Unless you’re very knowledgeable about what to look for in a triathlon bike, or have a friend to take along, I’d hesitate to buy something used…unless you know who you are buying from…too many potential issues to deal with. Where do you live? There are many online retailers where you can find a new 2-3 year old model for under $2k. I know Nytro has been mentioned here before and I bought my P4 from R&A Cycles in Brooklyn which does a big online business…check their “outlet” store. Again, be helpful to know where you live so others might be able to recommend a local shop.
Thanks, I’m in UK so also searching some local forums. Definitely agree with your advice on used, I’m not knowledgeable and also want help fitting, warranty etc
As previously stated, look for used and be ready to jump on it when a you see a bargain. Otherwise check online stores for ‘new old stock’ frames going cheap. I have managed to score frames for a song this way, then build them up myself.
