Hi all…thinking of getting a new tri bike but can’t decide which one.
I am pretty open in terms of choices. Kuota Kaliber, P3C, Kestrel Airfoil Pro, Guru Tri Ti, or QR Lucero. Litespeed Blade is just too $$$$ for me. IM is my primary race. I currently ride an Aegis T2 (sweet bike!!!) but i feel that the top tube is a little too long for me.
Pls advise?
Thank you!
IM Student
Personally, I’d call for the Airfoil.
Those are all nice bikes, but for an IM, I’d lean for the Kestrel.
Have you eliminated the option of a Softride or Titanflex?
chris
Ze Gopha, can u educate me on why u prefer the Airfoil Pro? I know its seat angle is 76 degree but so are Lucero and Kaliber!!
Softride i will have to ride a 650c and i prefer to ride a 700c!
Rare.
UCI Illegal.
Solid Graphics.
Unique One-of-a-kind Design.
And Visually appealing in a techy sort of way.
Very few other people have Kestrel Airfoils. Its a great design. Kestrel got the paint right… All in all, it’s a cool bike.
Wouldn’t worry about what brand or model yet. Go get fit by a really good fitter and then see what frame suits your dimensions. When I bought my bike all I wanted was a Guru, but they didn’t fit me so I ended up goign with a custom Elite. Fit is the most important thing.
What kind of student could afford those bikes? When I was a college student it was top ramen and a Schwinn!
IM Student by that i mean someone still learning the ins and outs of racing Ironman distance!!
Thanx Chris. Point well taken!!
KALIBUR- fast forward, aero bladed, super light, comfy and can go long or short. it’s fantastic, fabulous and sweet all at the same time.
Well…ok then. Seriously all these bikes are top shelf. You are not going to win or lose a race based on which brand but you may if it does not fit you. You already indicated the T2 doesn’t fit so maybe you should find out which bike’s size and geometry is best for you.
Just trying to save Tom D some time here…
Thanx Mike. I totally agree with you. I have looked at all their geometries and they are not that far off from each other. But in any case, yes, fitting comes first. Looks like i will be heading to BSM…good thing they are not too far from me!
Speaking of Guru…why not go with a custom Guru? You’ll be virtually guaranteed a bike that fits perfectly, looks good, is well-made and has a straight-up company standing behind it. Quess what I ride?
Frank, I will for sure take that into consideration. I wasnt aware that Guru makes customized bikes!!
Their customs are only like $150 extra depending what you do. I have about 500 miles on my custom Guru Tri Ti and just love it, I find it every bit as comfortable as the Softride Rocket that I had before this ti work of art. It is comfortable, fits right, rides like on rails, but was near $3200 frame/fork.
They will custom anything in their line, carbon included. My bike arrived 3 weeks after the order was placed.
Can’t go wrong with all those choices, top of the ladder models.Suggest the one that your LBS services best. Or, in my honest opinion, the one that makes your heart skip a beat at first sight.
It will always make you feel good riding it.
For that kind of money, go for an Elite Razor. I’ve ridden most of the bikes on your list. I bought my Razor about a year ago and have never been happier with a bike. Dave Greenfield at Elite is awesome and will keep you in the loop throughout the fitting, manufacturing, and custom paint process. Plus you get the free tuneup at IMNA races from InsideOut Sports. They’re top notch as well.
All the bikes you have listed are in the sub 5 hour stud category. If you are that studly then cool. If not, I have to say that the P3SL is the smoothest bike I have ever ridden in the tri position and that includes Kestrel 200 roadbike, QR Kilo, Litespeed Tachyon, Softride powercurve, Guru Trilite and Cervelo Soloist. I still think that the P3SL is only for sub 5:30 studs. I have a way to go to get back to those speeds, but my recent half Ironman splits suggest that it is possible to do this.
I second the vote for the P3SL. The best thing about this bike is how you feel once you’re off the bike! After doing 5 and 6 hr rides, my legs felt great and ready to run. If you’re planning on doing an IM sometime in the future, this is definately something to consider. All the bikes you have mentioned are great bikes and obviously fit is the most important consideration. I only have experience with this higher end bike and so far I would not trade it for any bike out there. Plus, it has to be the coolest looking bike on the market. (even better than the P3C). dave