I am in the market for a new tri bike and am turning to the ST crowd for advice. Here it goes:
As background, I am a FOP athlete in my early thirties, who is 5’7 and 150. I currently focus on Olympic-distance and 70.3 races, though I hope to do an Ironman in the next few years. After more than a decade racing on a used bike that I bought in college it is time for an upgrade. I am not mechanically inclined nor do I have the time to assemble a bike, so I am looking to buy a complete build (ie I am not interested in buying a P3 and outfitting it with various TriRig components). I also dislike drinking through a straw and don’t want to deal with internal hydration systems. And whatever I buy, I plan on riding it for the next decade, making longevity and ease of obtaining replacement parts important.
For the reasons above, I have narrowed my choices to Argon 18’s 119 disc or Dimond’s Marquise. Putting aside fit (I have a fitting scheduled already), which bike would folks recommend? With Argon, I would get disc brakes and SRAM components; the Dimond would come with rim brakes and Shimano Ultegra. Recognizing that both bikes are incredible and that I am very fortunate to be making this choice, I would appreciate the advice of the ST community. Thanks!
I have been on Argon for like 15 years, so may be a bit biased. But when I mounted the E119, I have never felt so much pedalpower being converted to speed - it´s quite simply amazing.
Dunno Dimond, but I wouldnt change even if they gave me bikes for free …
I’ve had a Dimond Brilliant, Marquise and a Mogul, will be sticking with Dimond and won’t be converting back to a conventional frame any time soon. I chose and will continue to choose rim brakes on my tri bike as I see no need in going disc as the braking requirements on a tri bike are far less than a road. Not that I have converted on the road yet not seeing the point as I don’t live near any mountains. I have ridden for several days training in the European Alps over HC climbs and have had no issues with braking. The feeling of riding down the road and looking for bumps on my first Dimond having no rear stays and the dampening effect I wish I could bottle. If you get to know TJ and his team at Dimond they are great if you have any issues, need help in any way and for advice.
The only consideration for me is what wheels may do going into the future for rim brakes but I have several sets of race wheels and I figure they won’t disappear any time in the near future.
Why does it have to be rim brake if it’s a Dimond? (I agree with Shambolic that rim brakes are fine, superior overall for most situations, but Dimond does make disc brake bikes)
Also note: Dimond does make an adapter so the frame may be used on a traditional trainer.
Both are great bikes. I’d choose based primarily on fit. And if you go Dimond I’d get Marquise disc instead of rim brakes. Not that you need to use brakes much in most IM races, but disc brake is the way the world is going, so you’ll end up with more future proofing.
If both bikes fit, Id get the bike that you find hotter. Youll like it better every time you look at it or ride and you wont be thinking about “what if”.
Thanks for your input. I have decided not to pursue Cervelo for two reasons: They lack integrated storage for a flat kit, and I don’t love how the cockpit fits with the bento box (as compared to Argon or Canyon, for example). Minor issues, but at this price point they are sufficient to go with a different bike.
Thanks Shambolic and Lambi for sharing your experiences with Dimond. They’re very helpful. Regarding rim brakes, it’s mostly a matter of price - the Marquise with disc brakes along with other planned upgrades is above my budget.
Both are great bikes. I’d choose based primarily on fit. And if you go Dimond I’d get Marquise disc instead of rim brakes. Not that you need to use brakes much in most IM races, but disc brake is the way the world is going, so you’ll end up with more future proofing.
I still ride rim brakes, but after doing a race with my carbon wheels in moist/damp conditions, I really, really want disc brakes. The moisture made the stopping power of my bike downright scary on downhills, and there was one short but steep section where even with my brakes squeezed to the absolute max, I was easily going 10mph+ while trying to navigate a 90 degree corner at the bottom. Yikes.
Love riding my 90/disc but I’ve been doing only local races in Northern CA where it rarely rains, but I’m already worried that if I do any travel races (like St George!) where it rains, it would be hazardous. I literally would not even want to do ANY rainy condition or wet condition race right now with my 90/disc, not because I dont like wet, but because the braking is too sketchy on carbon wheels.
I’m almost certainly going to get HED black 90/90s for alloy-power braking in the near future, but this would all be solved instantly with a disc brake bike.
I had a Dimond Brilliant and just upgraded to the Marquise last year. I really like it. Very comfortable to ride and it fits me well. The integrated storage and tools area is perfect for my needs. Before I bought the Brilliant I looked at the Argon but my fitter told me it wouldn’t be a good fit for me so took a gamble on the Dimond. As long as both will fit you, you probably won’t go wrong with either.
I can’t speak to Argon, but Dimond has the extra appeal of being a company owned and run by a very likable and approachable former pro in TJ Tollackson. He and the Dimond team are at a lot of expos and are easy to find if you have an issue.
I also own a Dimond Marquise, with disc brakes. I have the trainer adapter and ride it on my Tacx all the time, no issues. I love my Dimond and have really enjoyed working with TJ and Eric over there. They’ve been outstanding.
I have owned a Dimond for about 5 years now and the love affair is still there. The Tri Rig brakes are wonderful no issues with braking. Thought about a Mogual but mine is custom painted and I do not think I would gain that much.
I am in the market for a new tri bike and am turning to the ST crowd for advice. Here it goes:
As background, I am a FOP athlete in my early thirties, who is 5’7 and 150. I currently focus on Olympic-distance and 70.3 races, though I hope to do an Ironman in the next few years. After more than a decade racing on a used bike that I bought in college it is time for an upgrade. I am not mechanically inclined nor do I have the time to assemble a bike, so I am looking to buy a complete build (ie I am not interested in buying a P3 and outfitting it with various TriRig components). I also dislike drinking through a straw and don’t want to deal with internal hydration systems. And whatever I buy, I plan on riding it for the next decade, making longevity and ease of obtaining replacement parts important.
For the reasons above, I have narrowed my choices to Argon 18’s 119 disc or Dimond’s Marquise. Putting aside fit (I have a fitting scheduled already), which bike would folks recommend? With Argon, I would get disc brakes and SRAM components; the Dimond would come with rim brakes and Shimano Ultegra. Recognizing that both bikes are incredible and that I am very fortunate to be making this choice, I would appreciate the advice of the ST community. Thanks!
For my money it would be the Argon. Just a sexy rig period.
