The economics of the bike that you want always make sense 
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The economics of the bike that you want always make sense
Right answer!
The other right answer would be to buy a Cervelo P1 or used P2 or P3( until recently the bikes that really set the bar high and where it had been for some time), a disk wheel and deep section front wheel, take the time to get fitted in the most powerful and aerodynamic position you can achieve and hold and, then train like a madman. Youāll come out thousands of dollars ahead in your pocket book and possible on the road and in the results sheet as well!
Two comments.
1- deep wheelsets are available for SC. Project One is only $5 more than accepting stock, that is until you get tempted to add this and that because itās better.
2- Having just ordered a good bike, {not great because of design limitations, but Iāll discuss that in a separate thread after I experience the bike},
Iām very familar with the range of thoughts about spending too much on just a bike. Itāll never be about economics. Itās all about what gets you excited to ride and do better. Itās like the same mental gymnastics drivers go thru trying to justify a BMW or Porsche over that Caddy, or heaven forbid, Chevy/Fiat options.
It may be a good value for you, but never because of straight accounting. Even if you get a bargain on a discounted price from the standard prices, you still wonāt be able to justify it by accounting. Focus more on how you will respond. Will you just ride it or will you love hammering away and get a trill out of it? If the later, go for it. If the former, reevaluate.
I built a Trinity Advanced SL with full SRAM Red, R2Cās, Fizik Arione Tr2 carbon/carbon, Zipp 808/1080 for under $8000 in Canada and had the left over Giant 40/carbon clinchers for training wheels. Now a few thousand km on the bike and it is great. The brakes actually work (contrary to the Shiv and SC).
This is the best value out there for a good tri bike. Iām surprised there isnāt more interest. Well then again maybe itās a good thing.
Trinity is a decent option. I donāt know about others, but I knocked it out because 1) limited availability which means snotty local dealers, 2) ugly color and 3) wife hated the looks of it. Besides that it needs a better marketing name, especially something shorter.
I built a Trinity Advanced SL with full SRAM Red, R2Cās, Fizik Arione Tr2 carbon/carbon, Zipp 808/1080 for under $8000 in Canada and had the left over Giant 40/carbon clinchers for training wheels. Now a few thousand km on the bike and it is great. The brakes actually work (contrary to the Shiv and SC).
This is the best value out there for a good tri bike. Iām surprised there isnāt more interest. Well then again maybe itās a good thing.
The Giant is interesting, however there is just something about the looks that I canāt get around. Something about the rear triangle and seat tube. Just not the most graceful looking of tri bikes. But it does provide a lot of bang for the buck.
I just wanted to make a note that I did not start this thread as a way to convince myself to purchase a particular tri bike. I am still completely undecided and trying to figure out which one to go with as a few will fit me. However anyone buying a bike that doesnāt take the cost vs. value into equation, well I donāt know about you but that is just as important to me as say fit and looks. I like making sure I get the most for my money.
And btw those of you who recommended a P1 or P2, I first road a P2 3 seasons ago, sold it to get a P3 which I road until this past month when I sold it as my season is over. So I am looking to upgrade over a P3 with a new '11 Super bike.
None of them are a good value. All of them are a good value.
At the end of the day itās an expensive toy, and like all expensive toys, the cost is not justifiable - and itās not supposed to be.
If you can afford it, and you want it, buy it.
I havenāt seen any evidence that the production version of the felt da is worthyof superbike status or faster than a P2 or speed concept 7 series.
I havenāt seen any evidence that the production version of the felt da is worthyof superbike status or faster than a P2 or speed concept 7 series.
I think the DA would be a superbike with the other 4-5 bikes. SuperDave always says it is the fastest UCI legal bike. Why wouldnāt you include the DA?
I think you answered your own question:
āSuperDave always says it is the fastest UCI legal bike.ā
They say itās the fastest bike, but havenāt presented any evidence justifying that claim. At least in the same manner as some of the other manufacturers (i.e. Trek & Specialized) have.
The felt is a very good riding bike, but the old version was significantly less aero than a p2. The da is claimed to be 14% faster which would still be 100+ grams of drag slower than the shiv, p4 or speed concept.
In the end it all comes down to fit and the Giant fits me perfectly. The P4 is too long and the Shiv (the bike I really wanted) has too much drop to the bars in standard form for comfort. I really donāt like the Speed Concept and Iām at a loss to explain itās popularity here on Slowtwitch. It looks too busy, I donāt think the headset is as well integrated as on the Specialized or Giant, and the brakes, although very aero, donāt work. If you are limber enough the Shiv is the fastest.
All my riding buddies actually like the look of the Giant in real life. Mine is the Silver/bare carbon frame and they say it looks āmeanā. I think the black Shiv is even gnarlier. The SC in my opinion is boring looking.
Thatās my three cents worth.
The felt is a very good riding bike, but the old version was significantly less aero than a p2. The da is claimed to be 14% faster which would still be 100+ grams of drag slower than the shiv, p4 or speed concept.
I donāt know about that. If you move the 2010 B2 line down 14% on the Trek White Paper data you have a very competitive bike.
0 degrees yaw - 2010 B2 = 650g, approximate 2011 DA = 560
10 degrees yaw - 2010 B2 = 630g, approximate 2011 DA = 540
20 degrees yaw - 2010 B2 = 675g, 2011 DA = 585
Now, who knows if the 14% claim is accurate, or consistent through all yaws.
The felt is a very good riding bike, but the old version was significantly less aero than a p2. The da is claimed to be 14% faster which would still be 100+ grams of drag slower than the shiv, p4 or speed concept.
The old DA significantly less aero than the P2?
http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/8756/scan00032.jpg
The old DA looks to me to be within 25-50g of the P2C and ~50g of the P3C. Not sure I would call that significant. That is probably within one standard deviation for the distribution of the windtunnel data.
data you have a very competitive bike.
0 degrees yaw - 2010 B2 = 650g, approximate 2011 DA = 560
10 degrees yaw - 2010 B2 = 630g, approximate 2011 DA = 540
20 degrees yaw - 2010 B2 = 675g, 2011 DA = 585
Now, who knows if the 14% claim is accurate, or consistent through all yaws.
Exactly, if the 14% is true then the new DA is very competitive with a P4. Now who knows what the new downtube on the DA does to the data.
I always compare the dollar value of a bike to golf. A set of nice clubs runs $1,000 not to mention golf balls. Throw in $50-$80 per round of golf and $5-$10 per bucket of balls on the range. A high end bike at $5,000 pales in comparison considering how much time one spends on their bike. Once I explain to my wife that if I go back to playing golf itās 5 hours per round starting at 8 am so sheās with the kids until at least 1 pm. On my bike, Iām usually out the door by 6:30 am and back before 10 am. The last point seems to resonate well with her.