I’m looking to purchase my first triathlon specific bike in Jan. 2005. I’ve been doing olympic distance triathlons for about 2 years and I’m going to try some half ironman races this year. I’ve been largely considering Cervelo and Felt to find the best bang for my buck. I currently own a Felt F1 with D.A./ultegra mix for my road bike. I am a bike mechanic for a bike shop and have considered buying a frame and then getting selected parts, but this doesn’t seem to come out as cost effective. While it is great I get cost on bikes, I am a 20 year old full time student and only work 1 or 2 days a week and college is EXPENSIVE.
Nevertheless, I realize I must pay for quality. My budget is $2300 retail price. This puts many mid-range bikes in my sight, but it would be great to get some feedback from people to help narrow down my selection.
P.S. -Any sponsorship offers would be greatly appreciated.
I agree that the P2K or the Dual are one of the best WRT bang for the buck. I’d also suggest the S22 and S25 that follow in the same price range as the aforementioned Cervelos. The Felt’s use Dura Ace 10 speed and the Cervelos have Ultegra. I know there is an industry-wide Ultegra shortage so be certain on your delivery date from your choice of manufacturer.
Was in the same boat as you a little while ago. Ended up going for a GURU Cron’alu with Ultegra. I haven’t got it yet so unfortunately can’t tell you how it rides. Check em out though…
I bought a QR Tequilo last year, in November, for $1395 (got it as a year end deal). I have been incredibly happy with it, using it for everything from Sprints to Ironman Florida this year. This is my first year doing triathlons (and cycling), so I couldn’t justify spending a ton of money. I did, however, change to a carbon seatpost and an Azoto saddle at the time of purchase. It is a great value, and it is the time of year for those deals to be around again.
Another nice thing about the Tequilo, is that you don’t see hundreds of them at each race. I like to having a bike that is at least a little unique.
I went with the Guru Cron-alu w/Ultegra last Spring. Couldn’t be happier. My only advice is to order it earlier than you think you should…mine took about 3 weeks longer to get in than they initially forecast.
here is the score - get the bike from whoever is offering the sweetest employee purchase plan. in your position it is all about the sweetest deal. nevermind the rest of that garbage, one bike goes precisely as fast as the next bike - your position is akin to that of a sponsored rider . . . . ride whoever’s bike makes it worth your while.
now then, young man. let us move on to the next level of enterprise . . . . . . hypothetically, a fellow could, if he were so inclined, EP a 2300 dollar bike, take off the parts, sell them to a buddy, and parlay the profit into a leapfrogged ahead even better EP bike. you see where i am going here? do i have to spell it out fer ya? c’mon man, what do they TEACH shop rats these days, anyway?
If you are interested here is a very good deal on a 2003 QR Tiphoon. It is listed a little higher than your $2,300.00 price but I am somewhat negotiable on price and configuration.
I got the QR Santo in June. It’s Ti and has the same geometry as the Ti Phoon. I’ve used it in sprint and Oly distances. I understand the comfort factor makes it a good IM and 1/2 IM bike; I wouldn’t know. Great bike and comes in around 2350. Comes with FSA carbon cranks and a 105 ultegra mix. You can tweak all that stuff. Check it out.