I have a friend who wants to get a dual purpose bike for road and tri’s. He has more or less decided on the Soloist. He is back and forth about what version to get. The carbon @ $4000, with Ultegra and Easton Vista wheels, or the Team (aluminum) @2200 with Ultegra and Easton Vista wheels. I recommended the team and then buy a set of Zipps, probably 303 for tri racing and climbing road rides (we live in a hilly to mountain area). He can definitely negotiate better on the carbon, as it is in stock, while the team would have to be ordered, so the final price on the carbon would in fact be a bit lower, by how much I dont know. If anyone has an idea how much of a break that he could expect this time of year, that would help too.
The bike would be used on road for group rides, metrics, centuries, and enthusiast type stuff (no immediate aspirations for road racing). The bike would be used for tris of all distances.
I wanted to get some other feedback to forward to him, to help with the decision. We have a great dealer in town for Cervelo. Willing to consider other brands, options, but sort of decided on the Soloist. Please chime in with your opinion. It would be greatly appreciated.
First of all, your friend doesn’t need to feel bad for getting the Soloist just b/c some knucklehead thinks they’re not ‘cool’ anymore. Those are the same idiots that say that Trek has no ‘soul’, whatever the hell that means. Ok, rant over.
Get the team, a powertap pro, wheel cover, and a moderately priced inexpensive deep dish wheel.
He can use the Vistas for the recreational riding he does - i’ve road raced on them a good bit this year, and they’re fine. Hope this helps,
You are correct, this is A bike forum. **Bikeforums **is www.bikeforums.net. The posting on Bikeforums states that this posting is also posted on Slowtwitch. Thanks for the response on the Team vs. Carbon. I like your powertap with a wheelcover idea. Thanks!
You are correct, this is A bike forum. **Bikeforums **is www.bikeforums.net. The posting on Bikeforums states that this posting is also posted on Slowtwitch.
Sorry, i can’t make my font pink to signal ‘sarcasm’ As for the bike stuff – You’re welcome! I’ve enjoyed my Team quite a bit this season, it’s a great road bike for sure.
I’ve got a Soloist team also, and your friend will want for nothing as far as the bike goes, it is fast and versatile. But, if he can afford the Soloist Carbon then I say he should GO FOR IT. I would buy that bike in a heart beat. Screw the race wheels, get them next year, I think it’s always better to spend the big bucks on the frame & upgrade where needed & wanted at a later date (it’s more fun this way too.)
Also note he’d have to buy the dual-position seatpost or negotiate with the shop to swap one in, since the SLC doesn’t come with it (though the Team version does.) Small potatoes, but good to know.
If he is willing to spend around $4K for a Soloist Carbon, why not buy the Soloist Team (or any other similar priced road bike), and then used the rest of the money for a dedicated tri-bike? That way he would have machines specific to their purpose.
Certainly something to consider. For 4000, you can certainly get 2 decent bikes.
I really do like the idea of getting the team and then upgrading the wheels to a powertap wheelset. Then getting an aero cover and a aero front wheel (H3, etc).
I’ve got the Team as well. I’d love the SLC, but my budget isn’t going to stretch that far soon, if ever.
With a $4k budget, I’d look at the team and some upgrades. I’d consider an Ergomo (upgrade the cranks while you’re at it, there’s lot of pretty carbon non-integrated stuff for cheap these days, consider strongly a compact if you live in hilly places) and some upgraded wheels. Also remember that the saddle, bars, and/or stem might not suit him right off the bat, so some headroom for upgrades is good. The carbon post upgrade is also worthwhile, and he might even go so far as to switch out the fork for something nicer when it’s new.
As for the bike stuff – You’re welcome! I’ve enjoyed my Team quite a bit this season, it’s a great road bike for sure.