Any feedback on the QR Lucero? Or, other carbon TT frames that would fit someone 5’7" (top tube ~ 50cm)… and still keep me in 700Cs? I am right at the border… already have 700C zipps, but I’m not happy with my Madone. It fits well for the road, but not a good fit with aero bars. According to the QR specs, it looks like I’d be a fit on the “S”… but need to find a demo. For the P3C, it looks like I may end up w/650s… if there’s not too much of a backlog. I’ve ridden the Kestrel Talon & know that I could get that set up for TT with 700s, but am concerned I may run into similar issues on fit … and then the Airfoil puts me back on 650s.
The 700s are not the only criteria, however, it would be nice if I could have road & tri bikes w/the same size wheels… otherwise, I need more storage for more toys…
Any feedback or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!
IMG, I rode a P2K for three years, 51cm 650. The bike fit me well and I was more than satisfied with my bike splits and scared to death to try something differn’t, or I should say buy something differn’t as I had tried lots of bikes over the past 3 years and nothing seemed to be better than what I already had.
After much thought between the Kuota, P3C, and Lucero, I took a big chance on the Lucero small 700c. After my first race, olympic in June, I had the fastest bike split of my life. My P2K went up for sale the next day. I’ve PRd every race I entered this year. Who knows if its the bike, I really didn’t think there was much more speed in these 45 yo legs after 3 years of doing tris so I was pleasantly surprised. As far as comfort, the carbon fibre seems to only be marginally more comfortable. I’m 5’6" (in the morning) and ride with the saddle all the way forward because I like being a little cramped up. With Zipp wheels my bike weighs under 17. I’ve never heard anyone say anything negative about a Lucero, the only thing more surpising than that is I never hear anyone say anything about there Lucero. Maybe people are afraid of the Cervelo bully’s, or maybe I’m the only person here who loves there Lucero. Just wish they would change the name. Lucero sounds to much like Lucern, which made some of the worst icecream I’ve ever eaten. Hope this helps,
have been on a Cannondale for way too many years (my babies have been good for me, but abusive on my bod). After discovering 2 possibly 3 broken bones (in addition to the previous 2 crushed vertebraes) in my back this past season I broke my piggybank/rainy day fund and bought an all Carbon ride–no more of this vibration effect post-ride. Got fitted for my Kuota Kaliber today. Took him for a quick spin around the parking lot and am in total love. I have NEVER gotten on a bike with just a seat adjustment and had something fit like a glove. Mind you Patrick at ALL3Sports knows what he is doing and pegged the bike for me–all I knew was I wanted Carbon to save on what is left of my back --and all the months of just lusting after the Kuota, finally came true. I can’t wait to see how it transpires next week for a long ride–am SUPER tempted to call in sick for work.
I think I am 5’6" with a 32" inseam (all legs no torso) and have configured bikes to fit my body for way too long. It is PURE heaven having a bike that you can just drop straight forward and EVERYTHING is in reach…I didn’t know that was humanly possible. I just accepted the fact that bikes aren’t made for long legs no torso. Patrick even ordered some kind of handlebars that place the brake levers closer–wild to not have to stretch my fingers out really far to reach things, its going to be nice to not be fatigued from that simple change.
I would suggest getting a bike that FITS over a namebrand. The bike could have said walmart on the side and I wouldn’t have cared, finally for the first time in my life I have a bike that fits.
—I don’t know jack about the Kuota other than he is gorgeous and he is finally mine, so I can’t answer anything specific outside of I got the small (Patrick thinks I am shorter than I think–think he’s right) and mixed the components with DA and Ultegra and slapped on compact cranks and a short Syntace aerobars (went with a road set-up).
Good Luck! Once you get a glove, its worth every penny!
Bought a Lucero (medium with 700cc wheels ) this past winter and absolutely love the bike. Had previously rode a QR tequillo with 650 wheels for several years. I’m 5’10" 150 lbs and do primarily IM distance races. The bike is comfortable for long distances and fast. I highly recommend it.
After riding my small lucero for almost 6 months I have no complaints, it still looks brand new, rides like a dream and has shown no signs of problems.
I’ve been riding a Blue Competition T-12 for the past few months now & I’m thrilled. I’m getting better & better bike splits (I broke my back last winter) & great runs. The carbon chain stays is very stiff & provides excellent power transfer. The seat stay is very supple & helps preserve the legs for the run. One cool feature is the three position seat post that allows you to go between 74 & 79 degree seat tube angles & then you have the saddle rails to play with. I think there was a previous post from Ian MacLean that talked about the seat post as it relates to bike fit.
I am almost the exact size as you are and I purchased a QR tequillo with 650s in 1998. It has been a good machine as it has gotten me through 4 IMs plus everything else from sprints to 1/2 IMs. Now that the kids are through college, I was thinking about making the upgrade. I was looking at the Lucero and was strongly considering going to the 700. What other bikes did you take a serious look at.
Sorry to hijack this thread IMgirl, I’ll take it offline if it goes on too long :)!
I’ve seen the Blue T12 advertised in Triathlete for a while now (impressive looking with the x-lab wheels) but not much in terms of reviews or history of Blue Cycles or pricing, etc. Wondering if you can help out on this info? Also, the large looks a little small for myself (6’4") as I usually ride a 59-61 depending on the bike. Any input on that? Just looking to add bikes to my wishlist (if only I could actually get all the bikes I’d like!).
I’m 5’7" short torso/long legs (37" inseam) and found a good fit on the Lucero S700, 14cm drop saddle-to-armrests with 2cm of spacers.
Yeah… you might need to be re-measuring that inseam there martinez! You’re only 67 inches tall and think your inseam is 37 inches? I’m afraid 30 inches isn’t enough room for your torso, neck and head unless you’re missing one of the three
Re: “What other bikes did you take a serious look at?”
I have been looking only at carbon (since I’m doing IMs & 1/2 IMs) – and had looked at Giant, Calfee, Aegis, Kestrel, Cervelo … and some other road bikes. Partly, because I do a lot of road rides & climbing as well… I was hoping for 1 bike that worked well for both. Instead, I’m finding that simply is not the case and forcing my road bike to work for tris by adjusting the stem & moving the seat is not leading to that perfect fit mentioned above. Now, I’m realizing if I am going to continue doing tris, I really should invest in a tri bike. I do care most about fit. The 700s is just a logistical item, as well as more $$ for another set of race wheels, more space in the garage, and a pain if you’ve flatted twice on a long ride to find someone w/a spare 650.
I liked the Lucero & the fit might work. I don’t know about the backlog on the P3C and had demo’d another Cervelo… and the 51 was too big. I have heard mixed feedback on the Guru – it is REALLY $$ – and mixed feedback on the Griffen. Haven’t checked out the Kuota yet… but will look into it as well…
I physically JUST walked in the door from my first spin on my new baby. I lied…the model is called Kuota KHARMA (no clue where I got Kaliber from?) and I am in total love. I can’t believe I waited this long for a Carbon ride. I feel like such a moron for putting off the purchase.
When Patrick set me up he said something about going more lax (no freakin clue what any of that means) versus tri. Slapped on the compact cranks which are supposed to help me with hills (will find out on Sunday) and a shorty Syntace bar. I cannot tell you how happy I am. First time in my life that I can recall just having a smile from ear to ear instead of crap my back hurts. And yes, I use 700c. The only problem I noted was turning radius. But I think that was just because I was high on endorphins from a quick short ride…or maybe this is the first time in my life I actually was ON aerobars comfortably and just not used to being crunched (or mantis position as someone called it).
So very nice to finally find a top tube that fits my body. Keep shopping until you find that right fit, then find a way to make it happen. Your body will thank you
I would tend to agree with you in that it would appear that the T-12 would be too small for you at 6’-4". Since bike fit rules, I would lust after other bikes. I’ll check to see if there are plans to come out with an XL in 2006. The pic does look cool with the X-Lab wheels. I have mine built up with S-bend HED aerobars, HED H3c (All carbon), Ultegra 10, FSA compact cranks. If I can;t go fast, at least I’ll look good doing it. BTW - at one of the events I was in this year, 3 out of the top 10 were riding T-12’s.
In terms of reviews & history of Blue Cycles, please check out their web site (www.rideblue.com). If you like, I could also ask a few T-12 owners to send you reviews of their rides. In terms of pricing, I could give you Canadian pricing but unless you’re in Canada that’s not going to help you much.
