so i went into my lbs to see what all the fuss is about the cervelo p3c and the sharks smelled blood. i walk out with some zipp wheels dropping $2000, and i swore i would just windowshop. i just started cycling last june, btw.
i don’t even know wtf i just bought. the good bike shop guys almost convinced me to plop down a deposit on that $5000 p3c (for february delivery) and i almost did it too. i’ve been a triathlete for 4 freakin months; a cyclist for 6 months!!!
somebody tell me i’m gonna be faster with the zipps please…and that i don’t need the p3c. …i can do triathlons perfectly fine on my soloist with zipps…tell me this please…
You are my hero. Last fall, I walked into my LBS to “look” at bike frames. Before I knew it, I walked out with a receipt for a Litespeed Ghisallo with full Dura Ace, etc.
I think I’ll stop at the LBS on my way home from work . . .
Buyer’s remorse is a dangerous thing! The quicker you start using the wheels, OR return them for a refund, the quicker you’ll get over it! Ha, ha.
I’ve been in this sport for less than a year, and I’ve bought a mountain bike, a road/tri bike, and am looking at a dedicated tri bike, but I’m so damn cheap, I’ll be able to keep myself from buying one until they go on sale in the fall…I think…or will I?
Didn’t go with the $8K 2006 version. I got a “good” deal on a fully loaded 2005 with various “upgrades.” Needless to say, Christmas was good to the Mrs. It’s all about equality . . .
I’m thinking a set of Zipp 303’s would be a nice addition.
of course you need the P3C, but you’ll also need a power meter, a new wetsuit, some new shoes, a better HRM, and a nice Ti road bike so you don’t but too many miles on your race bike.
If it makes you feel any better - you WILL be faster with the Zipp wheels (I’ guessing 808s) over regular box wheels (or just about any other wheel for that matter). What probably won’t make you feel better is HOW MUCH faster you will be.
I got some magic go fast juice for sale, $100 a bottle, you need some of that too…just PM your credit card numer and I’ll ship it tomorrow.
The wheels won’t make you any faster, but you’ll think you’re cooler while you’re out there on your bike and if thats worth $2,000 then its money well spent.
Expensive equipment is 99% added cool factor 1% added speed.
Well let me just tell you that it gets much worse before it gets better. You in all likelyhood WILL end up buying the P3c and most likely alot of other really really cool tri gear and then at some point come to the realization that you, like all of us, are hopelessly addicted and that the majority of your equipment is worth more than your car (me). I’ve been at this for just over a year and I’ve got a P3SL, R2.5, Giant AC mtn bike, Renn Rear disc and about to get a set of Amer. Classic race wheels. But on race day just take satisfaction in knowing that you’ve got the coolest shite. It’s worth it.
When you do fall to the power of the P3C, don’t pay $5k for it. Its $4500 at almost any online retailer. You can probably find a coupon to get it cheaper than that.
dude your just like me, i started cycling around the same time. i bought my 2005 litespeed tachyon in june, road it stock till oct, did my first tri, got my ass handed to me. so i bought a polar power sensor to help improve. in december i got a power tap, upgraded it to full ultegra 10, and bought a set of blackwell 909’s. now i am start to look at a rotorcrank and a coach.
i need to stop. really i do. i try to stay off the ST classifieds but i can’t help but find myself there at least 3 times a day.
i have been in the sport for 7 months, done 1 race and have already spent 8-9k i think, i dunno really. i try not to look at the CC bill, i just pay the full balance and its forgotten till the next month. but my take on it is, i really don’t drink anymore (another thing because of tri) or don’t do drugs, so what else am i going to spend my money on. my wife has the new 45k minivan and i drive a 3k car. so if you have the money, treat yourself. =]
You will be faster with the Zipps! Buy the P3C and then you can get some FSA cranks, Dura-ace stuff, of course you will have to get the matching new Zipp aerobars, and then you will need a disc; of course Zipp to match. You will be 10 grand into debt and have the coolest bike in the transition area!
Just remember equipment will only take you so far …after that it’s all about the engine
I think you are setting yourself in a bad way. How will you ever be able to live up to your expectations and investment in gear with that little time to train ? I guess to more and more people it’s about looking good in the transition area before the race. What a yuppie sport this has become…
