Help me find a “tri” frame/bike with a tall head tube

Triathlon Forum
1

I am looking for a tri bike for my wife. She was in a really bad bike accident about 18 months ago and has now finally recovered to the point that she can start riding again. Unfortunately her right shoulder will never be completely restored. I am not going to bore you with the details of why but the bottom line is that she needs a bike with a tall head tube. She likes to ride with a seat angle of 77-78 deg. If money was not a constraint then I would get her a Soloist (51). The head tube is 120 and with the seat post in the forward position and moving the saddle forward the seat angle requirements will be met. Well, we can’t afford a Soloist right now.

I looked at the Giant Aeryn Alliance (XS) and from a geometry standpoint it appears to work and it is much cheaper than the Soloist. I am looking for alternatives.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/women/2283/32107/

This is what she wants:
HT at about 120mm.

Can be ridden with an SA of 77-78 without using a Fast Forward or similar seat post.

Bike/Frame needs to be “aero” (Not sure if the Giant is “aero”).

Any suggestions?
-JM

2

Kuota K-Factor

http://www.kuotanorthamerica.com/catalogue/serie.aspx?id=11
.

3

Here are some reviews. There are more you can find in this section with the search engine.

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=1967119;search_string=giant%20trinity%20alliance;guest=52147659&t=search_engine#1967119

4

i have no idea how you’ve reached the conclusion that she’ll fit on both a 51cm soloist and an xs giant aeryn alliance. the bikes’ stack and reach are completely different.

stack and reach for the aeryn: 50.3cm and 39.7cm
stack and reach for a 51 soloist: 52.2cm and 37.0cm

a 51 soloist is 2.7cm shorter (horizontally) and 1.9cm taller.

my suggestion, then, is that you get her a proper bike fit to help figure out what kind of bike she needs. (you have not mentioned that you guys have done so, merely that she needs a taller headtube, a measurement that has no actual bearing on how tall the bike is as has just clearly been demonstrated.)

my guess is that with her shoulder problems, having a proper fit that’s closely dialed in will be even more important in her case than for your average AGer.

after that, go into the used market, or save up more money. getting her a bike that doesn’t fit won’t do her any good.

5

Kuota K-factor
Litespeed Saber
.

6

I am embarrassed to say that I forgot about Stack and Reach. You are right, the Giant will not work. Thanks for pointing that out.

She has been FIST fitted and was happy with her setup. After talking to the person that did her fit the conclusion was made that a Soloist would accommodate her new needs. The bike was setup and she rode it on a trainer in the store. As I am typing this I am starting to get the feeling that this problem needs a new approach. Thanks again.

-JM

7

I don’t know how you feel about a titanium frame. But Josh over at RMS Triathlon can probably build you something custom that would fit your wife.

http://www.rmstriathlon.com/

Check out the custom bike he did for a 7 ft. athlete.

http://www.rmstriathlon.com/SidewinderRoad.html

Hope this helps…

8

I don’t know how you feel about a titanium frame. But Josh over at RMS Triathlon can probably build you something custom that would fit your wife.

http://www.rmstriathlon.com/

Check out the custom bike he did for a 7 ft. athlete.

http://www.rmstriathlon.com/SidewinderRoad.html

Hope this helps…

this guy wasn’t able to buy a soloist because of the price.

do you guys who are suggesting these titanium bikes really think that you can get a complete Ti bike for $1750 (the $2200 is surprisingly close, though)?

lol

anyway, to the OP -

i re-read my post and i just realized that its tone comes off somewhat harsh.

anyway, sounds like you are on the proper path… seriously though, if a soloist fits her, try to find one used or on closeout. they’re great bikes - aero and relatively comfortable - so you can’t go wrong there.

good luck to you the two of you.

9

How 'bout a Titanflex?