used to road race, don’t do it now travel way to much and i guess i just don’t want to carry that much ‘health’ food that would keep me in good enough shape to be competitive. did a few tri’s in the mid-90’s, have 2 bad knees so running is out of the question. i still swim 2-3 times a week. i’m 6’2", 220lbs, not overweight, just big boned with dense meat. (it’s the pollack and german in me.) i’m finally far enough out of the city that i have a bunch of nice country roads to ride on so i’m able to ride quite a while with no stop signs, stop lights and even fewer cars most of the time. the roads are generally good but some are asphalt with that little pea-gravel laid on top so i get a high frequency beating for a portion of the ride. i’m on an old 58 or 60 cm klein.
here’s what i’m thinking, any suggestions would be appreciated. i’ve never even test ridden a carbon frame, heard it is nice at dampening vibrations but had kind of a dead feel. i love the stiffness of the klein but i think i’m taking a beating on the gravel roads i’m riding on. i’m willing to take a frame with more shock absorption and give up some quickness, i think. this is the biggest question i have, has anyone here switched to a carbon frame from something stiffer and disliked it? am i correct that carbon has kind of a ‘dead’ feel to it, and is that necessarily a bad thing? i went with the klein because of my size, when i was racing and in great shape i was about 210lbs and wanted something with a really stiff bottom bracket. a friend of mine was on a klein at the time, loved it and talked me into it and i’ve been real happy with it. i’m thinking a carbon frame would be stiff enough in the bb for me from what i’ve read and heard about how they can lay the stuff in different directions to adjust stiffness one way or another.
as for size, do i buy along the same lines that i’m measured for a road bike? is top tube length more critical since you’re down on your elbows? i’m looking in the $1500-2000 price range, any suggestions? i’m also looking at the used stuff here but want to make sure of my size in a couple of manufacturers before i contact anyone about their stuff for sale. i’m going to stop by one the lbs tomorrow and ride a few bikes, but i don’t know how many guys here are knowledgeable about tri-bikes. if you’ve made it this far i really appreciate your time. and if you’re ever flying southwest please ask if jason from aubrey, tx is up front, i’d love to say hey to ya’ and give ya’ the .02 cent tour of my cubicle if you’re so inclined.
Check out Felt S25, or I think the S32 is a little cheaper. QR tequilos are pretty sweet or maybe pick up a QR Caliente, basically a Tequilo with upgraded components. Other good options might be some of the Giant bikes for bang for your buck although they are a shallower seat angle so you’ll be reaching for the aerobars a bit more and general consensus on this forum at least is that a steeper seat angle is better for tris. I ride steep and like it. If you want a lively feel the Cannondale Multisport bikes are very quick, compared to my P3sl now I think the Cannondale I had before (same bike they are currently selling) was a lot more nimble feeling and jumped a little better when you stomped down hard.