After overcooking a hairpin and front-flipping into the verge in a 70.3 a couple of weeks ago I’ve decided I’m done with rim brakes, so I’m in the market for a new tri bike.
I’m M40, London (UK) based, FOP-ish cyclist (when keeping it the right way up), currently on a 58cm Felt IA10. Staying at 70.3 distance for the foreseeable, so on-board nutrition isn’t an absolute must.
I’m leaning towards the new P5, but also open to the QR V-PRi, Canyon SpeedMax (though availability is bad) or Trek SC.
I would like to race on it in Sep/Oct before Taupo in Dec, which may rule out the Canyon.
Main questions…
is there anything at this point to differentiate top frames from an aero perspective? The P5 seems to test consistently quick but I can’t shake the thought that it must be possible to make something tri-specific that’s quicker that’s not UCI-legal.
anyone have any strong views/experiences on the soft skills of packability (into a BBA EasyFit), handling, ease of travel, adjustability, compatibility with custom front-ends (Wattshop, D2Z etc.) etc etc?
is there anything else (or any other frames) I should be taking into consideration?
Far better fit range on V-PRi and P5 than the other two.
If you’re looking at changing the front end that will hamper the P5 on adjustability, but it will retain the ease of travel (pop out the mono).
Does anyone make adaptors for a V-PRi with other extensions?
Canyon may mean taking a risk with needing extenders as well as extensions
While it feels like ignoring the rules should yield a faster bike, at this point no one has proved that they’ve done it (unless you’re carrying a lot). Many tests have proved that the P5 is fast.
I went Speed Concept at the end of last year (ordered) / early this year (delivered). But in fairness that was for full distance where storage was on my ‘needs’ list. In fairness more so for training rides than race, but it was on there. Just a heads up, I did Project one order as initially it was listed as the same time (actually a week earlier) than a standard spec was going to be available in the country. In the bike arrived 2 months later. So whilst I love the Trek, especially appreciate the handling that is way more stable than the Argon it replaced (accepting lots of progress now on wheels as much as frame), then I’d suggest caution if Trek tell you it will be arriving start October.
Front end swapping can be done, but you are either tied to aerocoach who do an adapter, or getting something made custom. The speed concept thread on here has 60 odd pages of discussion and photos with some examples.
If something does get broken in transit to NZ then the Trek and the P5 will probably be easiest to get some parts within 5 days, canyon possibly but will be a nervous wait.
Final thing the specific water bottle, garmin mount and any extra spacers you want for the bars cost a mental amount (so if doing a P1 then make sure you order correctly). That said, the cost of replacement saddle rail ears (to fit oval saddles) was very reasonable (shared with the Madone).
After overcooking a hairpin and front-flipping into the verge in a 70.3 a couple of weeks ago I’ve decided I’m done with rim brakes, so I’m in the market for a new tri bike.
I’m M40, London (UK) based, FOP-ish cyclist (when keeping it the right way up), currently on a 58cm Felt IA10. Staying at 70.3 distance for the foreseeable, so on-board nutrition isn’t an absolute must.
I’m leaning towards the new P5, but also open to the QR V-PRi, Canyon SpeedMax (though availability is bad) or Trek SC.
I would like to race on it in Sep/Oct before Taupo in Dec, which may rule out the Canyon.
Main questions…
is there anything at this point to differentiate top frames from an aero perspective? The P5 seems to test consistently quick but I can’t shake the thought that it must be possible to make something tri-specific that’s quicker that’s not UCI-legal.
anyone have any strong views/experiences on the soft skills of packability (into a BBA EasyFit), handling, ease of travel, adjustability, compatibility with custom front-ends (Wattshop, D2Z etc.) etc etc?
is there anything else (or any other frames) I should be taking into consideration?
TIA
Simon
We have the new SC
Best tri bike we have had , and I’ve had a few
Comfortable, fast and light (in modern terms)
Very easy to break down for travel
I went 18 mins faster year to year compared to my s works shiv on slightly less watts at IMWA (ver flat)
The aero bars are rubbish , we have aero coach bars , in which they do adapter that makes it mega clean factory look and very comfortable
Watt shop , fast tt also do bars to fit
My misses has now stolen it for her bike so I need to get another