I am looking for a tri-bike, after doing a few races on a road bike. I know size is most important, but I am a big guy (6’5"), and so i am limited without special orders as to who still has 2011 60-62 cm bikes in stock. That being said, I have found a few options and would love to hear some feedback. As I mentioned, I realize sizing is the most important, but what I am looking for is, in a perfect world, which of the following bikes would I want: (All 2011 models) 1) Jamus Xenith T; 2) Cannondale Slice 5 3) Trek 2.5 4) 2010 Specialized Transition Comp.
Reading a bunch of reviews, it seems the prevailing thought is to buy for Frame/Fork and upgrade components later on. Thoughts?
I am looking for a tri-bike, after doing a few races on a road bike. I know size is most important, but I am a big guy (6’5"), and so i am limited without special orders as to who still has 2011 60-62 cm bikes in stock. That being said, I have found a few options and would love to hear some feedback. As I mentioned, I realize sizing is the most important, but what I am looking for is, in a perfect world, which of the following bikes would I want: (All 2011 models) 1) Jamus Xenith T; 2) Cannondale Slice 5 3) Trek 2.5 4) 2010 Specialized Transition Comp.
Reading a bunch of reviews, it seems the prevailing thought is to buy for Frame/Fork and upgrade components later on. Thoughts?
I would probably lean towards the Jamis or the Specialized, then the Cannondale, then the Trek.
Personally, I would choose based on fit, which means I’d go Jamis. I took a look at Jamis when I was shopping about a year ago. The hidden front brake is kind of gimmicky but the geometry is nice. The spec is decent for the money. It has been tested by a couple of people to be on par with the P3 but no official data is around.
Definitely don’t worry much about components. 105 components(especially on tri bikes where the shifters are essentially the same) shift almost as good as DA.
of those bikes the transition is probably the fastest, it has a bit better aero pedigree than the others. The Slice is also very good though, and both the slice and transistion have a lot of stack, which can often be helpful when you are very tall.
I would probably lean towards the Jamis or the Specialized, then the Cannondale, then the Trek.
Personally, I would choose based on fit, which means I’d go Jamis. I took a look at Jamis when I was shopping about a year ago. The hidden front brake is kind of gimmicky but the geometry is nice. The spec is decent for the money. It has been tested by a couple of people to be on par with the P3 but no official data is around.
Definitely don’t worry much about components. 105 components(especially on tri bikes where the shifters are essentially the same) shift almost as good as DA.
Thank you all for the replys. The Jamis is going to have to be ordered so I cannot look at my size, although the shop said he’d get it quickly. I will be able to see the Cannondale tommorow in person. My thought with the components was the same, that during the races, at my level, it wouldn’t be as important as overall aero or weight. I didn’t like the Trek, but was curious of the comparison.
What is your inseam? Your torso and limb lengths are very important in picking a frame and aerobars. If you have a long torso, you might be hanging out over the front axle of some large frames.
What is your inseam? Your torso and limb lengths are very important in picking a frame and aerobars. If you have a long torso, you might be hanging out over the front axle of some large frames.
Here are my measurements and recommended aero fit (Online), if anyone else has advice off of them I’d appreciate it. Seems as if the 3 bikes all would fit, as best as I can tell.
Measurements
Inseam: 36
Trunk: 28
Forearm: 14
Arm: 27
Thigh: 26.5
Lower Leg: 24.5
Sternal Notch: 63
Total Body Height: 76.25
The Aero Fit
Top Tube Range: 58.6 - 60.6
Stem Length Range: 8.0 - 10.0
Saddle-Bottom Bracket Position: 82.3
Saddle-Pedal Position: 99.5
Saddle-Ground Position: 107.3
Cranklength: 180.0
Aero Bar Size: M
I am looking for a tri-bike, after doing a few races on a road bike. I know size is most important, but I am a big guy (6’5"), and so i am limited without special orders as to who still has 2011 60-62 cm bikes in stock. That being said, I have found a few options and would love to hear some feedback. As I mentioned, I realize sizing is the most important, but what I am looking for is, in a perfect world, which of the following bikes would I want: (All 2011 models) 1) Jamus Xenith T; 2) Cannondale Slice 5 3) Trek 2.5 4) 2010 Specialized Transition Comp.
Reading a bunch of reviews, it seems the prevailing thought is to buy for Frame/Fork and upgrade components later on. Thoughts?
What is your inseam? Your torso and limb lengths are very important in picking a frame and aerobars. If you have a long torso, you might be hanging out over the front axle of some large frames.
Here are my measurements and recommended aero fit (Online), if anyone else has advice off of them I’d appreciate it. Seems as if the 3 bikes all would fit, as best as I can tell.
Measurements
Inseam: 36
Trunk: 28
Forearm: 14
Arm: 27
Thigh: 26.5
Lower Leg: 24.5
Sternal Notch: 63
Total Body Height: 76.25
The Aero Fit
Top Tube Range: 58.6 - 60.6
Stem Length Range: 8.0 - 10.0
Saddle-Bottom Bracket Position: 82.3
Saddle-Pedal Position: 99.5
Saddle-Ground Position: 107.3
Cranklength: 180.0
Aero Bar Size: M
You might want to consider 175s or even 172.5s Even Rappstar, who I believe has longer legs than you, is on the latter.
Why not a Felt or a P2C? Those leg lengths aren’t all that long for your height. I"m 5-10.5 (and shrinking) and inseam 33.5 and Dan’s fit put me on a 58 cm Cervelo P2C (or, a P3 (al)) among others. It sounds like yoiur proportions are similar to mine. .472 v .475 inseam/height.
All- Just wanted to thank everyone for the advice. I ended up going with the Cannondale Slice 5. Been riding it all month, has felt very good. Love the ride, got the pro fit, and I still have some room to adjust once I get more used to the aero-position.
I’m roughly your size 6’5"225 lbs. and I have a Specialized Transition Comp that I purchased this past winter. Can’t say enough good things about it. As a bigger guy, I wanted a stiffer feel to the bike, and I narrowed my search down to the Cannondale Slice, Trek 7.1, and the Specialized Transition. Haven’t regretted the decision for a second. That being said, I agree with the other posters, you need to find which bike fits best and what you feel most comfortable on.