How often do you upgrade your tri bike, and what is the reason? Obviously all of the pros riding the latest and greatest make for new bike lust, how when do you really replace your current bike with a new one? I am still riding a 2012 Cevelp P2 Ultegra 10 speed with rim brakes. It has no problems, no major damage or cracks. I have invested in Zipp wheels, and have a S2 road bike with rim brakes also so not making a move to upgrade any time soon to disc brakes, and as a city dweller do 90% plus of my training inside on a decade old Wahoo Kickr that works pretty well still. But would you upgrade to a new rim brake tri bike (I know there aren’t many left these days!) if you were still on a 10 year old bike?
I have the same exact bike with tririg front end
Am upgrading to a 2010 P3
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With that bike, you don’t need to upgrade, ever.
I think once you have a bike like that, the main time to upgrade if if something really breaks on it. I thought my Cervelo P2c would last forever, but I neglected to note that there is no replaceable rear hanger, and one day I accidentally snapped it off while delicately adjusting it with a hangar tool. (I wouldn’t recommend using that tool on Cervelos!)
Or if you have extra cash lying around and just want to try something new. Which will mean a fairly signficant outlay.
That said, I upgraded 2 years ago to my current TT bike, and got new aero everything with it and it has been awesome - and a lot faster in my case (probably more the non-frame parts contributing to that than the bike frame.)
About a year ago I upgraded from a 2011 Trek Speed Concept to a 2021 Trek Speed Concept. I wavered back and forth about a new bike versus upgrades to the old one, but am happy I did it.
The major factors for me were components upgrade (10 year old wearing down SRAM Apex components to brand new Ultegra), and the switch from a round base bar, standard stem, and exposed to front brakes to an aero base bar, integrated stem, and integrated front brakes. I switched from 10 speed to 11 speed (don’t see a huge advantage to this) which made my non-11-speed PowerTap wheel unusable, but it came at a time that I was looking to upgrade wheels and switch to pedal power meters anyways. Electronic shifting wasn’t a big deal to me and I specifically didn’t want disc brakes, so it was a good fit overall for my desires. A new bike was a slightly more expensive route, but I got the bike about 25% off and it wasn’t a financial hardship in any way.
When I bought my old bike, I had a general goal to use it for about 10 years before buying another one. I have that same goal with the new one. Seems like a pretty reasonable duration to me.
I have the same bike!
Added a tririg front end / converted it to 1x last year. Not sure there’s a need to ever upgrade unless I had a reason (or desire) to ride on wider tires
It’s plenty fast and super care free without batteries
I am on a 2016 Argon 18 E119 - rim brakes, Zipps 808/Sub9 disc wheel - tubulars.
The “new” disc version of the same bike E119 Disc has better brakes, yes. It has a bit better adjustment possibilites, but I am in a good position already. But the frame and aero advantages are almost 100% the same. It would hurt to put in 13-15K to “upgrade” - even to another super bike, like Canyon or Trek.
Never need to replace the bike. I have an old P3 with good wheels I’ll ride forever. Only change has been tires. I’m not dropping $10k to look richer in race pictures.
I just purchased a new setup for a few reasons. Going from a Quintana Roo PRFive to Trek Speed Concept. Three of my main reasons were to upgrade to a disc brake system for more safety in training and racing hilly courses, converting to a SRAM etap wireless system and to upgrade to a 12 speed drivetrain. This new drivetrain will allow me to switch to a single chain ring up front and completely take the front derailleur off. This will limit some of my gearing options for super hilly training but I think it will be best. Some other factors were the cleanliness of the front end and how the hydration system/bento box setup is designed.
Really love my QR and it’s still a really fast bike but I train and race often enough that I felt it was time for a new one. For reference, I bought my first bike (a guru) on craigslist August 2019, upgraded to QR May 2020, and just picked up a trek this week Jan 2023.
If the frame and wheels are good for you, upgrade the components. You can always get a couple more years out of the it then transfer the components to a new frame.
If its Canyon you’re seeking, about 6 months before you might actually need it for a race, given their lead times!
You’re over thinking this IMO. No one with a perfectly functioning TT bike “needs” to update their bike. But then no one NEEDS to buy a BMW when a Kia will suffice. But it you want to and have the means, then go for it. Even if you take away potential speed gains. It can be good for the brain to have a new bike that you want to go ride.
Disclaimer: I own a 2010 Giant Trinity and expect to buy a new Tri bike in the next 12-24 months or so. Wont be buying specifically for discs. But I expect it will have them.
Never need to replace the bike. I have an old P3 with good wheels I’ll ride forever. Only change has been tires. I’m not dropping $10k to look richer in race pictures.
A little hijack
Anyone reading this that has a 56 P3 frame for sale please let me know
Thanks
If you are happy with rim brakes, then there’s not much reason to upgrade the bike itself. Consider upgrading the front end though. Something like a Tririg aero brake, long arm cups (eg. Tririg, Culprit, Ron) or even the alpha one handlebar together with the Delta aero cover should make an aerodynamic difference and increase your comfort, making it easier to hold a good position.
Slowman wrote an article about the importance of comfortable aerobars on here not so long ago.
Never need to replace the bike. I have an old P3 with good wheels I’ll ride forever. Only change has been tires. I’m not dropping $10k to look richer in race pictures.
Pretty funny, but also well said. I have posted many times before that I have a nice Trek SC rim brake version and I don’t see a need at all for a disc brake bike. I have the black HED jets with the anodized brake track, which increases stopping ability. I’ve invested in wheels (added the rear disc early last year) and feel that with my bike, wheels, aero helmet etc that I feel I’m the limiting factor, not the bike. *I like my HED Jets so much I’ve considered selling my disc brake SL6 tarmac and going to a rim brake version. I haven’t done it yet, but it may be a possibility. Just gotta find the right frame.
But, I will add, I also LOVE the look of my bike. If the op doesn’t love the look and fit and feel, than consider an upgrade, but the upgrade doesn’t need to be disc brake bike.
Good luck.
I wrote a post a couple years ago on this topic, I’ll drop it below. Just for fun, I may switch back to my 2002 Cervelo P2K when my kid is done using it.
TLDR: In the real world for the average MOP, a super bike is not noticeably faster than a good entry level bike. Depending on finances you might enjoy the extra bells and whistles of a more expensive bike. The usual slowtwitch caveats, it has to fit properly, etc.
I recently upgraded from a 2002 Cervelo P2K (stock wheels) to a brand new Cervelo P3X with HED 60/90 wheels. My experience is that there is little, real world, difference in speed.
My position on the old bike was dialed in and I was comfortable. Same position on the new bike and I’m still comfortable.I was training hard before and I’m still training hard with the new bike.On the old bike I was consistently 2nd - 4th in local sprint races BUT on the new bike I’m … consistently 2nd - 4th in local sprint races.I’m loving the zero maintenance of the new bike. An 18 year old bike takes some TLC.It was getting harder to find replacement parts to fit the old bike.I like the 11 speed vs 9 speed.I love the convenience of the Di2.I love the storage on the P3X
With that bike, you don’t need to upgrade, ever.
I think once you have a bike like that, the main time to upgrade if if something really breaks on it. I thought my Cervelo P2c would last forever, but I neglected to note that there is no replaceable rear hanger, and one day I accidentally snapped it off while delicately adjusting it with a hangar tool. (I wouldn’t recommend using that tool on Cervelos!)
Or if you have extra cash lying around and just want to try something new. Which will mean a fairly signficant outlay.
That said, I upgraded 2 years ago to my current TT bike, and got new aero everything with it and it has been awesome - and a lot faster in my case (probably more the non-frame parts contributing to that than the bike frame.)
I have one of these coming to see if I can get it to work on the older P2
Let me know how it goes - I still have my broken rear hanger frame in my garage
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How often do you upgrade your tri bike, and what is the reason? Obviously all of the pros riding the latest and greatest make for new bike lust, how when do you really replace your current bike with a new one? I am still riding a 2012 Cevelp P2 Ultegra 10 speed with rim brakes. It has no problems, no major damage or cracks. I have invested in Zipp wheels, and have a S2 road bike with rim brakes also so not making a move to upgrade any time soon to disc brakes, and as a city dweller do 90% plus of my training inside on a decade old Wahoo Kickr that works pretty well still. But would you upgrade to a new rim brake tri bike (I know there aren’t many left these days!) if you were still on a 10 year old bike?
Female here so not sure if how often other avid female triathletes upgrade bikes. I just purchased a new QR in 2022 with electronic shifting, disc brakes and new Rolf Prima race wheels. I previously rode a used 2012 BMC Time machine. I purchased it from my tri coach in 2014 for my first year of triathlons. I also purchased Flo race wheels a year or two later. The bike served me well. It was super light and fast. But the BMC never really fit me properly even after a couple bike fits and I couldn’t stay in aero for a full IM as my neck would scream. It was awful.
My new bike is very nice but it’s not any faster than my old bike. It’s heavier with the disc brakes. Much heavier. With my new bike, my neck is a bit better but still sore after around 25 miles and I’ve had some other bike fit issues even after a professional fit by someone very reputable. I believe I’m an outlier with some problems that might never get resolved. And I may never be comfortable on a tri bike. (I’m almost 53 years old with a stiff, beat up body.) I upgraded to a new bike mostly due to bike fit issues with my neck. Also I felt safer with the disc brakes. I had a couple incidents with my rim brakes and just prefer the disc brakes (have them on my gravel, mtn bike and fatbike).
Some older bikes have limited adjustability on the front end. I’d say that is certainly an advantage on the newer bikes - you can really dial in your position a bit better. The inclusion of storage and hidden cables is also a good thing.
I’m on my third tri bike. The last two I have bought used at roughly 50-60% off retail for a bike with little use. You may want to go that route if you get a ‘new’ bike. New doesn’t have to be never used as long as it ticks off the boxes you want.
I just upgraded from a 2012 Speed Concept to the 2022 Speed concept…mostly for the disc brakes and wanting a dream build, but one of the BN cups was wearing, my rear der needed to be replaced, and it had little paint chips here and there.
I have the same bike and have no need/desire to replace it. That said i wanted to upgrade my wheels before options for rim-braked wheels start disappearing. (I have no interest in disc brakes.) Pulled the trigger on HED Jet Blacks, which brake as good as discs in the wet. This is the last bike i will ever need.