So since Ironman I’ve been doing a fair amount of cycling, because I just absolutely LOVE it. I go out almost exclusively in semi-large groups and I’m getting a bit tired of taking my P2Sl out and not being able to ride him in the bars (and he climbs like a pig). My old road bike is a $650 POS with Sora components that shifts like crap (that thing drops chains like it’s his job).
Talk me off the ledge (like I can afford a new bike anyway…). Tell me to just suck it up and buy some new components for my Caad4! My issue is that I can probably buy a bike with Ultegra components for the price of new ultegra components for my old bike. Such a dilemma!
I drool over the Scotts, Kestrels, Cannondales, and Cervelos on my group rides. I am such an unfaithful wench…
I feel your pain. Group rides are the worst! Eveybody that I ride with has a full carbon road bike with DA or Record it seems. There are a few that ride with hed alps! Then there’s me on an $1000 c’dale with 105/ultagra. But I love that bike anyway.
The way Jonnyo talks about your cookies (chocolate chip?) a few bake sales should get you the “dough” to buy a new toy… but you gotta get something more flashy than that one…
Late Congrats on CdA!
The oft-overlooked point about tri bikes is that they’re not too useful for anything but tri riding. I bought a P2SL a while back, and ride it not so much in favor of the road bike. Maybe you could trade it in for a decent road bike and ride that for triathloning. On the other hand, why not train on the “bad” bike and enjoy riding the “good” bike in races and such. Or do your training rides like you’d be racing, by yourself in aero.
You can’t possibly lust after a Cannondale. I’m sorry. It just doesn’t work that way. What seems to be happening is that your dissatisfaction with your current ride makes any and every bike that isn’t your current ride appear to be bathed in a golden light, flawless and worthy of your dreams.
Surely there are many bikes out there that are worthy of your lust - but it a Cannondale they ain’t.
I’m not going to mention any truly drool-worthy bikes because you’re in school and don’t have that kind of budget. After you start working and can afford to buy and sell my sorry ass on a daily basis, then I’ll recommend drool worthy bikes. ;-p
For now, Tom D has a Felt F5C on sale for $1300, which is a fine bike at a damn fine price. https://www.bikesportmichigan.com/sales/index.shtml It’s an Ultegra/105 mix, but you get a pretty good frame/fork for the money, and components that won’t drive you up the wall.
Of course you could just visit your LBS to see what they have in stock as well, but this gives you a starting point for comparison.
I’ve been committing the sin of taking my TT/tri bike (a P2k that I train on … I race on a P3) to some local group rides. My P2k is a 51cm with 650 wheels. It doesn’t climb like a pig at all. In fact, I’d say it’s quite a little mountain goat … at least for shorter climbs and short, steep hills. I’m a roadie first and foremost, but I absolutely LOVE riding that P2k. It’s just a blast. My road bike is a Trek 5500 with a mix of DA and FSA carbon parts. It’s light, but not stupid-light. I’m sure the P2k outweighs it by around 2 pounds. But I believe the short chain stays and the smaller wheels help transfer power to the road in an exceptional way.
If your P2sl is a 650, you only THINK it’s a pig. Stop giving it a complex and change your attitude towards it. If it’s a 700, well, maybe it’s a pig and you need to open your wallet for a new toy.
Smurfette,
I totally agree with Billy. Check out the Felts. I have an F1 and it is a dream. They have a nicely spec’d carbon bike for 2G. Very tough to beat IMO.
Smurfette,
I totally agree with Billy. Check out the Felts. I have an F1 and it is a dream. They have a nicely spec’d carbon bike for 2G. Very tough to beat IMO.
they don’t make the f5c anymore
I vote for the Felt, too! You never regret the things you buy - only the things you didn’t buy - LOL!! And you should treat yourself because you are going to pull a lot of long hours soon - it will give you something to look forward to girl!! Go for it!!
