I’m a long time cyclist but new to tri/tt bikes. I’m training for a 1/2 IM. I’m 5’10", long arms, moderately flexible and have been riding a 57cm road bike (56.5 cm tt, 10cm stem) quite comfortably for the last couple of years.
A friend at work has a slightly used tri bike for sale. It’s a Quintana Roo Kilo “Private Reserve” in size 57 (~55 cm tt, -13-cm, 0 degree stem). I believe it’s a 2001 model. Build kit is pretty much 105, Syntace aero bars, 650c Deep V rim based wheelset. The bike could pass for new.
Two questions:
First, is it reasonable to have the same sized bike for road and tri, 700c vs 650? I was professionally fit with tri bars and a fast forward seatpost on my road bike and should be able to come close to duplicating the measurements on the ‘new’ bike with a shorter stem, but it has a much deeper drop to the bars relative the saddle. I could raise the bars a bit with a stem with more rise, but I don’t think I can do anything to match my current road-bike-set-up-as-a-tri-bike setup. It’s not uncomfortable, but it is a lot different from what I’ve been riding. No problem zipping around the block, but I don’t know what it’s going to feel like 2.5 hours into my race.
Secondly, the price on the bike is $650. Is that reasonable for that bike in excellent condition?
First off, Welcome on board and thank you for some good questions.
You deserve credit for doing some good research and it also sounds like you have a good handle on the various factors that go into good bike fit and perfromance. Good job.
Hmmm. It is very tough to do any decent job of szing someone over the web or from just a few measurements, so that is a big grain of salt to anything I may say here.
That said, I am 5’9" and the largest frame I have ever ridden is at least three size smaller than what you mentioned (57cm). Now, there may be a number of reasons for that, one could be that you;ve been on a slightly too large frame for some time. That is more common than you may expect.
In general, avoiding a too-large frame can benefit you in a number of ways: The dimensions of each of the frame tubes and the “three points in space” should be commensurate with your body dimensions. A correcly sized frame will provide good weight distribution over the wheels so steering is neither too stable nor too responsive throughout the bike’s performance envelope. The frame should provide a reasonably flexible range of adjustments so different positions, at least within a small range, can be achieved. A properly proportioned frame is usually lighter, smaller, lower center of gravity and may have better frame stiffness than a frame that could be too large.
Aw phooey, I had a bunch more to add but I have to run.
I’ll check back in on this thread once it gets rolling. Good luck!