I’m getting a bit sick of the nuances of the superbikes in terms of wrenching so I’m throwing this out to get some good old ST wisdom. What’s the best triathlon or TT bike that doesn’t fall in the superbike category? I’m talking easy wrenching, fast, stable, good-looking, anything… And GO!
Wish I still had my 2001 Cervelo P2K that gave me my ST handle. That bike was revolutionary in its day even if the 650 wheels on a size 54 frame is not in vogue these days.
Cannondale slice, easy, shifts well, nothing crazy, “comfortable” still won some big races last year.
New P2/3 frame.
BMC TM02 is one.
Parlee TTiR
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The Plasma “superbike” is easy to wrench imo.
If you want to go older you can’t beat the P3.
-New P2/P3
-Felt B12 or B14 (2013 onwards uses the DA mold but conventional front end)
-BMC TM02 (TM01 frame but conventional front end)
-Old speed concept 7 series
-New Speed Concept 7.0 (the one without the integrated front end…looks ugly IMHO so maybe not the best choice)
other options:
-Cannondale Slice
-Old P2
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-BMC TM02 (TM01 frame but conventional front end)
It’s actually the integrated brakes that make the TM01 time-consuming / stressful to wrench (although, yes, the frontend is not exactly straightforward either)
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true according to trisports: http://university.tri-sports.com/2010/10/13/scott-plasma-3/
Up to you OP!
Shiv
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probably the new p3/p2.
Brakes mount up top in the standard way, front end is completely normal. So nothing weird about it wrenching wise.
BH GC aero, great looking bike, and very stable. Stiff enough to go when you want, but is still comfortable cruising around on all the chipseal crap they are throwing on the roads around where I live. I wrench my own bikes and have no complaints - standard brake setup etc. RD cable routing is nice as it goes through the top tube and down the stay vs. through the BB. It is tall in the front end though, so if you are suited to long and low bikes its not for you. But if you are 6-2 and all leg like myself its nice to ride something that doesn’t require a stack of spacers. Eneko Llanos and Angela Naeth dropped some serious fast splits when they were riding it, so it’s fast enough for me!
I’m getting a bit sick of the nuances of the superbikes in terms of wrenching so I’m throwing this out to get some good old ST wisdom. What’s the best triathlon or TT bike that doesn’t fall in the superbike category? I’m talking easy wrenching, fast, stable, good-looking, anything… And GO!
I have two picks, with a caveat. Previous Cervelo P2/P3 (pick based on fit) - if they had two bottle cages. Not everyone needs two, but it is very nice to have the option (even if only for training). Those bikes have standard brakes, relatively easy cable routing (still not as easy as external… I’ve been left fishing before), and no nose cones or any strange fairings. The downside is that they do not accommodate Di2 without modification. I’m not suggesting that the new P2/P3 aren’t as good or easy - I just don’t have any experience with them yet to weigh a personal opinion. Aside from that, I think there are still some great options out there in the custom world.
Parlee TTiR
As a TTi I owner I would have to agree. It is a head turner., fast and easy to work on. Mine is all blacked out on FC 404s and I could not be more in love. Sure there are faster bikes but the bike is not what will keep me off the podium. I also liked the fact that there seem to be very few of them in transition but that is a double edged sword with resale value. A Trek and Cervelo will hold a lot more value.
BH is definitely something I am considering. Thanks to all for the input.
Cannondale slice, easy, shifts well, nothing crazy, “comfortable” still won some big races last year.
X2
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Rob English.
I wish
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I have a Valdora and absolutely love it. It is fast and looks good. I have never had a regret about the bike since I’ve had it (3.5 years) and always recommend it to those who are looking for a new bike.