Need some advice. Getting back into tri’s after a 15 year break… …I am targeting the 70.3 Taiwan in November, 2016. My longest race (way back) was the Vineman Half that took me over eight hours to finish - so I am totally non-competitive! My only goal is simply to enjoy myself, get fit, not get injured, and to finish.
I am 45, 168cm, 64kg and only interested in olympic or longer races. Club rides are just for fun as a break from training. 95% of the time, I only need the bike for training and for tri’s. I remember from the past that I loved using aerobars, but I had trouble looking up on a LeMond Alpe d’Huez with attached aerobars. This gave me neck pains - I don’t know if a fitting would have helped much as I was stretched out. I hope to get fitted on a properly sided TT bike this time to avoid these issues.
Note that where I am (Taiwan), I can get decent prices (as all the frames are made here), but cannot test ride any of these bikes, so I’m looking for opinions from others who have owned or ridden these bikes. Considering the following carbon-fiber bikes (prices include tax):
Argon-18 E112 (USD2200) - SRAM Rival 11. I would have bought this bike already if it were available in white or red. Unfortunately, this year is black. I wonder when the 2016 bikes will be released.
Giant Trinity Composite 1 (USD1870) - Ultegra 11S; the best value of the bunch. The black/white/grey color scheme is ok. If I had to decide on one today, I would probably buy this one, but I would have to buy it blind (on order) as no shop keeps this bike in stock.
Ceepo Mamba (USD2050) - I like the interesting design. The smaller geometry may fit me well, but it seems overpriced. According to Ceepo, this bike is meant for olympic or shorter races, whatever that means.
Giant Propel Advanced 1 (USD2020) - not a TT-bike, but rather an aero-road bike: I could add shorty aerobars here. I put it on the list as it appears to be a good value and almost convertible to a TT-like bike. One advantage would be easier group rides (mountain climbing here) on drops.
I was also considering the aluminum/hybrid Argon-18 E80, but at USD1730 for Apex, the Trinity for USD1870 with Ultegra 11s looks like a much better value.
Note that splitting hairs regarding aerodynamics are not my primary concern as I simply don’t ride fast enough (would be ecstatic if I can go steady at 30kph on flats) - I favor comfort/fit in the aero-position over minute frame aerodynamics. I am not even 100% convinced that I should get a TT-bike as I am not fast at all, but I am hoping that the TT geometry will be more comfortable over the aerobars.
Thanks in advance for any insights, especially from owners.
Have you thought of a Culprit Bullet? I am based in Taiwan and can try to work within your budget mentioned. Also, bikes are all paint to order so you can get the color scheme you desire.
I only have a 56 build up which is too big for you. Where are you in Taiwan. Come to our show room in Changhua and I can talk you in more detail or the phone. All bikes in our warehouse are raw carbon unbuilt, delivery is 4 weeks for a complete bike. go check us out
If you want a bike fit. There is truly only 1 good fitter in Taiwan. Winstom Tam at Friday bike fit. Can help cover some of his fee with a bike purchase. Test riding a short ride will never truly give you a proper fit. Best to get a retul fit and know you are getting the best bike for you dialed in. I also will be racing 70.3. We will have a booth at 70.3 Taiwan expo as well.
Sorry - this is the first time I have heard of your brand - but this also means I haven’t made a proper evaluation of your product yet.
I am located in Taipei, but when I head down to Taichung in a month or two, I can try to swing by Changhua. fwiw, I plan on participating in the 2016 70.3, but I can’t make it down there for this year. My time-frame is to get a bike in the next 3-4 months so there is still time.
I have heard of Winston, but his NT12,500 fitting fee is rather steep for me. Perhaps his cost of doing business in Taipei is high.
Please PM me with your LINE. Thx for the quick reply.
Regards,
Ken
(PS, btw, what happened to the Culprit Legend?)
I am curious how you came up this list of bikes. You are unable to test ride any of them but test rides will help little other than if it fits well anyways. Is it visual?
Seeing that you do group rides, mostly shorter distances and relativly new to the sport I suggest the Giant Propel aero road bike (if it fits). As far as Shimano vs Sram the Sram has more bling factor IMO.
I am curious how you came up this list of bikes. You are unable to test ride any of them but test rides will help little other than if it fits well anyways. Is it visual?
Seeing that you do group rides, mostly shorter distances and relativly new to the sport I suggest the Giant Propel aero road bike (if it fits). As far as Shimano vs Sram the Sram has more bling factor IMO.
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Thanks for your recommendation. As of now, I don’t plan to do many group rides (not enough free time), so it’s not a strong deciding factor for me, but I am leaning towards the Propel or the E112.
My list is mostly on availability, price, reading reviews/visiting shops, and perceived value for the price. I have seen a few other brands (eg Kuota - I hear that they are more popular in Europe than in the US) that I am not familiar with, so I drop them. Ceepo I have only seen locally here in Taiwan. Cervelo is available, but too expensive for me (they may be exported and then imported back in, so no price advantage).
Yes, I ended up with a 2016 Giant TCR Advanced 1 KOM for 53,380TWD (1,655USD or 1,473EUR), Ultegra 11S, compact geared for climbing 34/50 11x32.
Here is how I came about on my decision:
Taiwan is mountainous, so this gearing helps on group rides.
I’m not fast at all - not even MOP, so any of these bikes are way beyond my potential as a rider - I went for the TCR over the Propel for the comfort, not that the TCR is a slow bike, by any means.
Also, the same reason I chose a road bike over a tri-bike: this is my only bike and since I am not competitive, I decided to go for a more general road-bike configuration that I can use in all types of courses (not just flat/fast) and conditions (wind, bad weather). I have used clip-ons in the past and I love the positioning, but I really detested the visibility that came with head-down posture (my neck has zero flexibility). In a race where traffic is cleared, I feel okay using the aerobars, but in training, I actually feel stressful using them even in light traffic. So I’ve decided to just go road bike and perhaps add redshift aeros in the future, if I feel I really wanted them.
Great value for the price and fits me really well (168cm seems to be smack in the middle of their S size).
TLDNR: I bought a more general, but light carbon road bike bike - didn’t optimize too much because in my case, training will be more important than all else.
I will pick it up tomorrow from a mom-and-pop LBS, after a fitting with gear.
Ken
(next thing I am looking at is trainers and wheels: probably a KK R and R or the plain road, and some Campy Zondas)