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Want to do a triathlon - bike options?
Posted on 2/19/24 at 8:04 pm
Posted on 2/19/24 at 8:04 pm
I have a goal of doing an Olympic length triathlon in the fall. Training is going well, but I’ve realized riding my mountain bike is not ideal.
I have no disillusions about being competitive, but would like to give it a good shot. I also likely won’t do another in the future, I’m in my early 40’s and don’t particularly like long distance running (although I do enjoy swimming/biking, so may do aqua bikes in future).
So with that in mind, what are my best options for getting a road bike? I don’t know if I want to spend thousands on a bike I may race on once.
I’m trying to convince a friend to let me borrow his, but not sure he will go for it.
Is buying a new “entry” level bike the way? If so, any suggestions on good options?
Or is scouring FB marketplace the way to go? If so, any suggestions on models I should be looking for or price points that would I should pull the trigger on?
I have no disillusions about being competitive, but would like to give it a good shot. I also likely won’t do another in the future, I’m in my early 40’s and don’t particularly like long distance running (although I do enjoy swimming/biking, so may do aqua bikes in future).
So with that in mind, what are my best options for getting a road bike? I don’t know if I want to spend thousands on a bike I may race on once.
I’m trying to convince a friend to let me borrow his, but not sure he will go for it.
Is buying a new “entry” level bike the way? If so, any suggestions on good options?
Or is scouring FB marketplace the way to go? If so, any suggestions on models I should be looking for or price points that would I should pull the trigger on?
10
Posted on 2/19/24 at 8:42 pm to LSU Delirium
Facebook marketplace for a used road bike in your size. Plenty to be had for cheap. You can get one a few years old for under $500 and it'll be more than enough for a one time race/casual rides later. Take it to the bike shop for a tune up and you're set.
Posted on 2/19/24 at 9:56 pm to LSU Delirium
There's bound to be many people like you who really just wanted to do 1 triathlon and then move forward to other things, so the re-sale market should be healthy. I've tossed around this idea for years, but never did much towards it. I ran 1 marathon in my life under similar circumstances of "I just want to do 1 to say I did it, and then no more." but after I ran it I kinda regretted it because I thought, "why didn't you just map out a 26.2 mile course and jog it on your own?" I didn't know until afterwards that I would have been happy with doing it that way. Running (or in my case, jogging...very very slowly) a marathon was just a box to be checked off in a way that satisfied me.
Have you thought about just doing your own triathlon? Map your own course and do it your own way? It would be much harder to do a triathlon that way compared to a marathon, but if you aren't competitive minded about it maybe the bike you have will get the job done. Then again, if you do find a lightly used road bike that serves you, I'd imagine you would have no problem selling it off to the next person who has a similar goal for themselves and similar concerns about over-spending on a bike.
Have you thought about just doing your own triathlon? Map your own course and do it your own way? It would be much harder to do a triathlon that way compared to a marathon, but if you aren't competitive minded about it maybe the bike you have will get the job done. Then again, if you do find a lightly used road bike that serves you, I'd imagine you would have no problem selling it off to the next person who has a similar goal for themselves and similar concerns about over-spending on a bike.
Posted on 2/20/24 at 5:55 am to DrDenim
Used bike market is in the shitter. You can find a descent 2nd hand tri bike on facebook for $2000-$3000
Posted on 2/20/24 at 8:10 am to LSU Delirium
quote:
FB marketplace
How close are you to Houston? That marketplace has tons of options, so does the Dallas one. If you're anywhere near either of these, do it.
Posted on 2/20/24 at 10:34 am to LSU Delirium
quote:
Olympic length triathlon in the fall. Training is going well, but I’ve realized riding my mountain bike is not ideal.
Sure, it's not ideal. But I've done half and full ironman races where people were on fat tire bikes. They're insane people doing it as a challenge, but it can be done. And putting an okay set of tires on mountain bike wheels with maybe a longer handlebar stem to get a more aggressive position isn't the end of the world for a 25 mile ride for an oly.
quote:
I don’t know if I want to spend thousands on a bike I may race on once....although I do enjoy swimming/biking, so may do aqua bikes in future
I'd suggest a used road bike if you are dipping your toes in. I started with an aluminum frame cyclocross bike not knowing if I'd fully jump in. Sold that bike and jumped into the expensive stuff afterwards.
Posted on 2/20/24 at 1:02 pm to LSU Delirium
Bike shops around me (Dallas) will rent a good road bike to you.
Posted on 2/20/24 at 1:10 pm to LSU Delirium
25 miles? In my experien r with street tires you can do about 13-14mph without putting out a lot of watts on a mountain bike. 14-15 if you are a strong cyclist. Above that average you are going to want something more aerodynamic as the aerodynamic drag is what really gets you above that speed. A good aero road bike you can get 16-17 easy. So figure a 20-30 minute penalty with a mountain bike.
Posted on 2/20/24 at 1:25 pm to LSU Delirium
paging crazyLSUstudent
Posted on 2/20/24 at 1:55 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
I missed the part about this being Olympic distance… yea disregard my last comment, dont spend 2000-3000 on a bike.
Posted on 2/20/24 at 2:21 pm to LSU Delirium
I know someone in Morgan City selling a 2009 Fuji Aloha 1.0 on FB
Posted on 2/21/24 at 5:27 am to tke_swamprat
Thanks everyone, FB marketplace scouring it is. Not many great options in my area, but my parents are near Hammond and looking there gets BR and NOLA. I’m completely ignorant on decent starter bikes or “good deals”, anyone have some pointers or feedback on the ones below?
Most of these aren’t going to fit me, but trying to stay under $500 here are some options I see:
P1 cervelo racer bike - $450
Trek 1.5 alpha madone - TALL SIZE 61CM - $500
2017 specialized allez - $500
Trek Bike 54 (one series 1.1) - $500
specialized allez 54cm medium - $450
Triathlon Bike (2009 Fuji Aloha 1.0) - $450
Most of these aren’t going to fit me, but trying to stay under $500 here are some options I see:
P1 cervelo racer bike - $450
Trek 1.5 alpha madone - TALL SIZE 61CM - $500
2017 specialized allez - $500
Trek Bike 54 (one series 1.1) - $500
specialized allez 54cm medium - $450
Triathlon Bike (2009 Fuji Aloha 1.0) - $450
Posted on 2/21/24 at 7:52 am to LSU Delirium
First thing, go spend some time browsing in a bike shop. Stand over a few bikes to get a feel for your size. If you ride a 56cm bike, then you'll have to find a 56 cm bike. Most bike shops understand that you are shopping and will help. Just let them know you aren't buying today, but trying to get a feel for what you need to do more research. They can help get your sizing if you are completely unfamiliar and then shop online from there.
If you are going with a triathlon bike, it's even more detailed on how to achieve the right fit. In your situation, I'd stay away from tri bikes since you don't think that would be something you continue with on top of the more detailed fit requirements. When I still rode, I would take my road bike over my tri bike 10 times out of 10 if it was just for enjoyment and excercise. Tri bike was wayyyyyy faster, but harder to ride (both technically and for comfort).
If you are going with a triathlon bike, it's even more detailed on how to achieve the right fit. In your situation, I'd stay away from tri bikes since you don't think that would be something you continue with on top of the more detailed fit requirements. When I still rode, I would take my road bike over my tri bike 10 times out of 10 if it was just for enjoyment and excercise. Tri bike was wayyyyyy faster, but harder to ride (both technically and for comfort).
Posted on 2/22/24 at 10:16 am to LSU Delirium
quote:
2017 specialized allez - $500
If I'm looking at used tri bikes, 2017-ish is about my cutoff year, especially in the carbon realm.
Posted on 2/23/24 at 7:38 am to LSU Delirium
For an olympic, I would just buy slicks for your mountain bike. It's not that far a ride, and the slicks will lower your resistance. When you step up to a 70.3, I would look into a road bike with aero bars, or a tri bike.
This post was edited on 2/23/24 at 7:41 am
Posted on 2/24/24 at 12:36 pm to LSU Delirium
If going for comfort look for an endurance type road bike
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