I am buying my first tri bike and trying to decide if I should spend the extra or just save it. I am looking at a used 2019 Argon 119 Tri, DI2, race carbon wheels, power meter, ect… for $5000. I am also thinking about just buying a much less expensive entry level tri bike for around $1500-$2000 with 105 and no race wheels and saving a lot. My question is would I see a huge increase in time and speed with the Argon 119 over a much less expensive entry level bike? Is the time save worth $3000 - $3500 dollars? Thanks.
Will the more expensive bike make you train more? If the more expensive bike encourages you to put in more miles than it will make you significantly faster. 
It’s been my experience, that once I buy up / I hate to go back down.
Was satisfied and fast enough on an entry level bike. Once I got a better bike, I stopped riding my entry level bike.
No. The aero penalty of riding something less than a brands super bike in the age of ‘peak aero’ is very VERY small. Positioning and training are magnitudes more impactful on the bike leg. Buy the bike that fits your body and not your minds eye. use the extra money saved and get a power meter and a year of trainer road. You’ll be a ton faster on the lower level bike with quality training to go with it.
Only you can answer “is it worth it”
I have that Argon with all the “cool” stuff. Its a great bike.
I also have a cheaper Argon for training.
The powertap you mention on the Argon and not the “cheap” bike is an upgrade you would want so factor that info the difference in price. It really keeps you honest when racing. Some-times you think you are pushing hard and your not…
My question is would I see a huge increase in time and speed with the Argon 119 over a much less expensive entry level bike? What is “huge”. You will see time savings, but a lot of that can some from bike and other equipment parts more than the frame itself. I don’t think–altough I don’t know–that the Argon 119 is a particularly fast bike so, you may not see the time savings you want. But, if you can get a solid bike with power, good wheels (disc/deep front), nice cockpit (Tririg, PD Ultimate Aeria, Speedshop 51), aero brakes etc. for under $5,000, then you probably made some good equipment choices.
Is the time save worth $3000 - $3500 dollars? That is question only you can answer.
TLDR: In the real world for the average MOP, a super bike is not noticeably faster than a good entry level bike. Depending on finances you might enjoy the extra bells and whistles of a more expensive bike. The usual slowtwitch caveats, it has to fit properly, etc.
I recently upgraded from a 2002 Cervelo P2K (stock wheels) to a brand new Cervelo P3X with HED 60/90 wheels. My experience is that there is little, real world, difference in speed.
My position on the old bike was dialed in and I was comfortable. Same position on the new bike and I’m still comfortable.I was training hard before and I’m still training hard with the new bike.On the old bike I was consistently 2nd - 4th in local sprint races BUT on the new bike I’m … consistently 2nd - 4th in local sprint races.I’m loving the zero maintenance of the new bike. An 18 year old bike takes some TLC.It was getting harder to find replacement parts to fit the old bike.I like the 11 speed vs 9 speed.I love the convenience of the Di2.I love the storage on the P3X
It’s amazing how annoying it can get to find bike-specific parts once your bike is 5+ years old.
This becomes a real issue on ‘superbikes’ that often have custom stuff that isn’t general to most bikes. Less of a problem with cheaper bikes, since they invariable use widely interchangeable and accessible parts.
Will the more expensive bike make you train more? If the more expensive bike encourages you to put in more miles than it will make you significantly faster.
This is the correct answer.
I am buying my first tri bike and trying to decide if I should spend the extra or just save it. I am looking at a used 2019 Argon 119 Tri, DI2, race carbon wheels, power meter, ect… for $5000. I am also thinking about just buying a much less expensive entry level tri bike for around $1500-$2000 with 105 and no race wheels and saving a lot. My question is would I see a huge increase in time and speed with the Argon 119 over a much less expensive entry level bike? Is the time save worth $3000 - $3500 dollars? Thanks.
have you been in the sport long and plan to stick with it? If you’re not sure I wouldn’t want to spend $5000 from the get go on a bike that may collect dust in a couple of years. but if you can afford it then who cares. I bought a 2014/15 cervelo p2 when it first came out. I’ve upgraded wheels, added power meter, changed cranks for fit. The bike is not holding me back from better finishes. But my goals are pretty modest compared to many here.
Fancier stuff totally worth it. It’s a hobby!
You’re not a commuter! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EE8m8mmq1k
What else are you going to do with this money (assuming you were able to spend it on a hobby in the first place and not take from hungry children)?!!
It may be worth it to you, if you have the disposable cash.
I’d rank a great number of things ahead of having a superfancy high end bike though in terms of speed.
race fees and travel
year-round coaching
bike fit for aero
nice training camp somewhere warm
something to keep my wife happy
one-on-one swim / run workshops
nutrition consult
Get a decent bike, add rear disc rear, deep front wheel and get a good fit. You will love it and go so fast. I spent $2000 on my 2015 P2 that way and absolutely love it.
how many times have you been out riding and thought…“i wish i really had a much cheaper less capable bike”…never
now i wish i spent more on almost every bike i own. i upgraded to a much better road bike after riding for 3 years, then added better wheels to that new bike. I wish i had spent another $500 on my cross bike - instead of buying a $700 new old stock machine with cantis. There isn’t much original left of the one tri-bike i’ve owned for 10 years. New wheels, 1x, bars etc.
the upgrade as you go idea ends up costing more than just buying what you want or need at the start.
if you are sure it is the tri-bike for you - fits well with some scope to move things without hitting limits etc then i would get the more expensive one.
what constitutes a huge increase in speed depends on context. if you train a lot and make a serious commitment to improving, irrespective of speed relative to others small gains can seem like a huge increase. I’m nothing special on the bike, but any equipment that would make me on average 10 -20s faster over 40K with no change in position and at the same power would be “huge”…even though it would probably be lost in the noise of variability.
It’s amazing how annoying it can get to find bike-specific parts once your bike is 5+ years old.
This becomes a real issue on ‘superbikes’ that often have custom stuff that isn’t general to most bikes. Less of a problem with cheaper bikes, since they invariable use widely interchangeable and accessible parts.
Great point.
I recently got a new road bike. And when looking around at options to go for, SOOOO many had quirky unique bits and pieces that are great for a world tour pro who tosses 3 or 4 bikes away each season and doesn’t have to pay for them, but which are madness for someone like me who keeps bikes for a good number of years (rather than chopping in every 18 months).
Seat posts, clamps, integrated stems, unique alu bolts, odd sized steerer tubes Canyon!). Makes adjustments expensive (300 notes for a 10mm shorter stem+bars combo anyone on a Scott Addict ?) And scraps an otherwise good frame for the lack of parts (unless you have a milling machine to hand and some time to make it yourself). I bought a Spesh Tarmac in part because they DON’T have any wierd components!
It would have to mean the difference between me being on the podium or not to drop that much more money on a bike. I would go with the less expensive bike and spend my saved money elsewhere, probably on future race fees. I shaved more time off my finishes by racing more often and learning transition/pacing than a super bike would ever save me.
It may be worth it to you, if you have the disposable cash.
I’d rank a great number of things ahead of having a superfancy high end bike though in terms of speed.
race fees and travel
year-round coaching
bike fit for aero
nice training camp somewhere warm
something to keep my wife happy
one-on-one swim / run workshops
nutrition consult
.
Yep,for me it is all about figuring out what I want out of the sport and after 35 years since my first tri and 29 since my first Ironman I look at the price tags of stuff today and shake my head in disbelief.
If a person has the cash to spend and is happy to do so then great go hard, but looking at all the gear I have and use regularly now, that $5K USD price tag would cover the following including my bike touring stuff as I often ride long distances to races.
Touring/ Tri training road bike (including pannier racks)
Aero road bike
Aero bars
BOB trailer
All camping gear
Two Garmin bike computers (bundles)
Garmin watch
Mavic Air Drone (bundle)
Three Lezyne 1500 lights + assorted blinky things
Wetsuit (Orca Open Water)
Two helmets (one aero,one touring)
Bike shoes (one Tri,one road)
Dumb indoor trainer
Beer
All that for the price of one bike? It is a no brainer for me…
Adding to the thread at risk of getting lost in the many posts…
Yes, getting an expensive bike is worth it and will make you faster. But, you have to be smart about what is making the bike expensive…
Lots of things can make a bike expensive, the one you mention has a few things that are good and worth it. Some are nice.
Expensive bikes often come with deep rim race wheels. Those are worthwhile.Expensive bikes often come with very good cockpits that are very aero and adjustible. Those are worth it.Expensive bikes can come with power meters. Those are worth it.Expensive bikes come with higher grade components and sometimes electronic shifting. I really like electronic shifting, but it is a luxury.
Expensive bikes have higher grades of carbon that make the bike lighter. That is not worth it.Some expensive bikes have a premium price because the brand has a reputation for speed. Those are not worth it.
If you get into the sport, you will eventually upgrade all the parts that make an expensive bike expensive. It is cheaper to just buy a fully outfitted bike than incrementally buy the upgrade stuff. If I knew then what I know now, I probably would have started with a high-value bike like the Premier Tactical for around $5K. Instead, I bought an entry bike and upgraded everything… twice.
This forum is a great source for lots of information.
I like it when folks share their efficient bike builds that actually work, and that didn’t cost them an arm and a leg.
Like this topic for example:
https://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/Slowtwitch_Forums_C1/Triathlon_Forum_F1/Time_to_get_into_position_on_the_%24250_Felt_TT_bike%2C_input_appreciated_P6806283/#p6806283
Plenty of other examples out there, I recall an older Alloy Cervelo P3 that was a great bike too.
Some of these “cheap” bikes (below $1500-2000.) are faster than stock new, “expensive” bikes.
Usually because lots of thought was brought into the build.
So, in short, maybe it’s worth it.
Depends on what motivates you and how you “see” it.
A cool project and way to learn and understand a few things along the path, or just a a purchase process with less hassle as possible…
Louis
how many times have you been out riding and thought…“i wish i really had a much cheaper less capable bike”…never
Actually, this type of thinking is exactly what lead me to sell a more expensive bike, avoid a new super bike and build a much cheaper, but still likely as fast, bike. And, I don’t think I’m alone.