Hi guys, I’d just recently finished some sprint triathlon races on my old roadie but I think its certainly time to upgrade the bike.
So… anyone has any suggestion on which aero road bike to buy which can be used for triathlon needs.
Also, what factors do I need to take note after buying a good roadie if I’m changing it to tri set up.
FYI: I’ve a budget of $7000 for total setup.
Thanks guys for reading this! Appreciate for all the help!
Also, I’ve been looking around some specialized bike and found the design appealing. But since performance is first and cosmetic is second, please feel free to recommend me other bikes 
If your buying a new bike to do tris, buy a Tri bike! Converting a road bike to do a tri or two is fine, but I wouldnt go out and buy a new road bike then convert it. You’ve already got the roadie it seems too. Hell buy a $3,500 Tri bike, and a $3,500 road bike!
@hullcb that sound pretty neat too! Any tri bike recommendation then? From my opinion, i would rather straight get a mid entry level tri bike!
Hell buy a $3,500 Tri bike, and a $3,500 road bike!
THIS!!!
The difference between a $3.5k bike and a $7k bike in terms of time savings is going to be very, very small. Instead of splurging on a super bike and messing around changing it back and forth, I would just get a sweet road bike, and a sweet tri bike and live life happily ever after!
Just gotta see what fits ya - your body style and how aggressive you want to ride.
I’m really liking my 2012 Specialized venge Pro Ui2. Aero road bike with a tri option. But now that I’ve completed my first IM on it, I’ll probably purchase a dedicated tri bike anyway. So I agree with the two bike suggestion.
Two treks, or cannondales or specialized or cervelo. Cant go wrong.
Get fit, then dcide.
But I certainly wouldnt blow 7k (unless you canreally afford it…meaning no credit cards) on bikes. You can buy great, barely usedbikes from here or ebay and get them both tricked out for 4 or 5 k.
Hell buy a $3,500 Tri bike, and a $3,500 road bike!
THIS!!!
The difference between a $3.5k bike and a $7k bike in terms of time savings is going to be very, very small. Instead of splurging on a super bike and messing around changing it back and forth, I would just get a sweet road bike, and a sweet tri bike and live life happily ever after!
this is a great idea. I would get the entry level Shiv, and whatever road bike you want. When you want to upgrade your Shiv just buy a set of Zipps. I own the S-works shiv and to be honest I think the entry level with a set of 808s would be about as fast.
Thanks guys for the friendly advices! Definitely helpful for a tr-newbie like me
Hell buy a $3,500 Tri bike, and a $3,500 road bike!
THIS!!!
The difference between a $3.5k bike and a $7k bike in terms of time savings is going to be very, very small. Instead of splurging on a super bike and messing around changing it back and forth, I would just get a sweet road bike, and a sweet tri bike and live life happily ever after!
this is a great idea. I would get the entry level Shiv, and whatever road bike you want. When you want to upgrade your Shiv just buy a set of Zipps. I own the S-works shiv and to be honest I think the entry level with a set of 808s would be about as fast.
By the specialized’s shiv model do you mean by this? http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/Shiv.jsp
One thing I don’t quite understand. It’s designed for non UCI-legal. Does that means I can use it in all triathlon races everywhere but can’t get into time trial races with this bike?
the only reason to buy a road bike and then convert it to a tri bike is if you can’t afford a good tri bike when you’re starting up(which is what I did; although I will add that the process was pretty fun). i would go with what several other people suggested-spend about $3,000-$4,000 on a true tri bike(i’m partial to specialized myself and would love a shiv). if you want a good set of race wheels that will hold up for everyday riding take another $1,500 and get a set of American Classic Carbon Clinchers.
There you go-that will cost you $4,500-$5,500 w/ $2,500-$1,500 left over (minus $100 or so for a good fitting; I would recommend Retul if it’s available in your area) for any other gear that you don’t have yet(wetsuit, aero helmet, a few tri kits,etc).
Good luck!
Hell buy a $3,500 Tri bike, and a $3,500 road bike!
THIS!!!
The difference between a $3.5k bike and a $7k bike in terms of time savings is going to be very, very small. Instead of splurging on a super bike and messing around changing it back and forth, I would just get a sweet road bike, and a sweet tri bike and live life happily ever after!
this is a great idea. I would get the entry level Shiv, and whatever road bike you want. When you want to upgrade your Shiv just buy a set of Zipps. I own the S-works shiv and to be honest I think the entry level with a set of 808s would be about as fast.
By the specialized’s shiv model do you mean by this? http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/Shiv.jsp
One thing I don’t quite understand. It’s designed for non UCI-legal. Does that means I can use it in all triathlon races everywhere but can’t get into time trial races with this bike?
in term of specific models, Shiv Comp Rival would be a good choice $3300K plus I think you’ll be able to find some discounted now (or in next few months) http://www.specialized.com/...d/shiv/shivcomprival
UCI: Yes correct could enter any tri but not use it for a cycling TT race that abides by UCI rules. When I first got into tri, I thought I would race a lot of cycling TT but I haven’t. The few TT that I have done, are pretty laid back and don’t care what bike you ride.
and if you want to stick with specialized for road bikes, the Tarmac SL3 is in a similar price range http://www.specialized.com/...sl3expertmid-compact
I’m about to get one of these to replace my BMC road bike that was recently smashed by a car. My LBS is selling it for $3499
Hell buy a $3,500 Tri bike, and a $3,500 road bike!
THIS!!!
The difference between a $3.5k bike and a $7k bike in terms of time savings is going to be very, very small. Instead of splurging on a super bike and messing around changing it back and forth, I would just get a sweet road bike, and a sweet tri bike and live life happily ever after!
this is a great idea. I would get the entry level Shiv, and whatever road bike you want. When you want to upgrade your Shiv just buy a set of Zipps. I own the S-works shiv and to be honest I think the entry level with a set of 808s would be about as fast.
By the specialized’s shiv model do you mean by this? http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/Shiv.jsp
One thing I don’t quite understand. It’s designed for non UCI-legal. Does that means I can use it in all triathlon races everywhere but can’t get into time trial races with this bike?
in term of specific models, Shiv Comp Rival would be a good choice $3300K plus I think you’ll be able to find some discounted now (or in next few months) http://www.specialized.com/...d/shiv/shivcomprival
UCI: Yes correct could enter any tri but not use it for a cycling TT race that abides by UCI rules. When I first got into tri, I thought I would race a lot of cycling TT but I haven’t. The few TT that I have done, are pretty laid back and don’t care what bike you ride.
and if you want to stick with specialized for road bikes, the Tarmac SL3 is in a similar price range http://www.specialized.com/...sl3expertmid-compact
I’m about to get one of these to replace my BMC road bike that was recently smashed by a car. My LBS is selling it for $3499
Sorry to heard about your bike loss. Great suggestion, I shall aim for these two bikes then :). Btw I can upgrade my shiv’s groupset anytime right?
@clyde M Thanks for the advice, shall get a shiv frame and the components!
yip you can upgrade the components whenever you want. Personally I would put the training miles in on the standard kit then upgrade when you need to (or want to!) next year.
and if you want to stick with specialized for road bikes, the Tarmac SL3 is in a similar price range http://www.specialized.com/...sl3expertmid-compact
x2
I ride the SL3 because my back just won’t let me go into the full aero position anymore for any sustained (15+ mins) period of time. I can’t really do any training rides in my area without having my hands on the brake levers 98% of the time either (others don’t seem to mind staying in the aerobars on these roads, but I ride under the assumption that the drivers are deliberately trying to kill me, therefore I’m most comfortable staying with my fingers on the brake triggers), so for me, a dedicated tri bike isn’t really an option. But with a set of S-Bend aerobars, I’ve got a wide variety of positions, and the bike is light, responsive & climbs great! It’s the same exact geometry as the SL4 S-Works series, it just doesn’t have the top-grade carbon fiber lay-up of the SL4s. Even still, my bike only weighs 18lbs (with Reynolds Strike 66mm wheels). And I got a great price for it from my LBS.
Take care,
Brian
the only reason to buy a road bike and then convert it to a tri bike is if you can’t afford a good tri bike when you’re starting up(which is what I did; although I will add that the process was pretty fun). i would go with what several other people suggested-spend about $3,000-$4,000 on a true tri bike(i’m partial to specialized myself and would love a shiv). if you want a good set of race wheels that will hold up for everyday riding take another $1,500 and get a set of American Classic Carbon Clinchers.
There you go-that will cost you $4,500-$5,500 w/ $2,500-$1,500 left over (minus $100 or so for a good fitting; I would recommend Retul if it’s available in your area) for any other gear that you don’t have yet(wetsuit, aero helmet, a few tri kits,etc).
Good luck!
That’s not the only reason.
If you’re going to have only one bike, then a road bike may give you more flexibility when your not racing (group rides, long rides, etc.). This may be even more the case if you’re looking at primarily doing sprints.
But with a $7k budget, no reason not to get two bikes like others have suggested. I’d recommend a road and a cross.
the only reason to buy a road bike and then convert it to a tri bike is if you can’t afford a good tri bike when you’re starting up(which is what I did; although I will add that the process was pretty fun). i would go with what several other people suggested-spend about $3,000-$4,000 on a true tri bike(i’m partial to specialized myself and would love a shiv). if you want a good set of race wheels that will hold up for everyday riding take another $1,500 and get a set of American Classic Carbon Clinchers.
There you go-that will cost you $4,500-$5,500 w/ $2,500-$1,500 left over (minus $100 or so for a good fitting; I would recommend Retul if it’s available in your area) for any other gear that you don’t have yet(wetsuit, aero helmet, a few tri kits,etc).
Good luck!
That’s not the only reason.
If you’re going to have only one bike, then a road bike may give you more flexibility when your not racing (group rides, long rides, etc.). This may be even more the case if you’re looking at primarily doing sprints.
But with a $7k budget, no reason not to get two bikes like others have suggested. I’d recommend a road and a cross.
Very true about the flexibility issue…I was assuming the OP was wanting to make the jump to long course since a tri bike isn’t really necessary for short course
I have a $2000 tri bike and a $2000 road bike both with some upgrades I wanted. Both are Felt. My F5 gets ridden most. It weighs 16 lbs now with a lighter crank and wheels. I weighed every bike I considered at my local shop. They have scales in the showroom. I was shocked how much some bikes weigh. My B16 feels like it is made out of lead in comparison.