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Beginner Triathlon

Berae
Berae Sendmail

Most affordable triathlon bike?

posted 6 months ago | Report

Hey, all. I'm considering getting a triathlon bike this summer and ideally I'd like to spend under $1000, much less if it all possible. Any suggestions?

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11 posts

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  • Bryce H.
    Bryce H. Sendmail

    Might look on bikes direct.com and also Nytro Multisports seems to be having sales at this time. I personally own a Cannondale Slice 5 (full carbon, w/105's) and saw they were on sale for a bout 1500.00. I absolutely love mine fast and smooth plus the handling is fantastic really seems to want to stay under you. Just some food for though.

    posted 6 months ago

  • Joe H.
    Joe H. Sendmail

    check w/ a good local bike shop they will help you find one that fits you and your budget.

    posted 6 months ago

  • Chris A.
    Chris A. Sendmail

    My wife found me a tri-specific bike on RoadBikeOutlet.com for $579 shipped. I'm 99% sure its an interweb company (Gavin), but the web reviews were well and it rode well on my first ride last night.

    posted 5 months ago

  • Morey B.
    Morey B. Sendmail

    Firstly- tri bikes aren't like regular road bikes. Fit becomes much more critical, and they all fit differently. But- let's say it does fit. For a road bike, Aluminum is still a pretty good option and quite a bit less expensive than carbon fiber. But for Tri bikes, they're getting pretty good at molding the carbon fiber into really aerodynamic shapes that are less drag than what they can do with aluminum- so if that last 20 seconds of a 40Km race is important to you- consider spending more. There are some great deals to be found, such as the aforementioned 2011 Cannondale Slice 5 for ~$1500. Or, an '11 Felt B16 (if you've got a longer torso- most women don't) for about the same price. In Aluminum- a Cervelo P1 isn't much over $1K and would be a very cool bike.

    Sub $1K, you're getting pretty bottom of the barrell stuff for racing. If you could spring $1500 and get something on sale- you could get a really great bike.

    posted 5 months ago

  • Bryce H.
    Bryce H. Sendmail

    Morey B. You are completely correct on the different fit and it is much easier to come off of a tri-bike than a regular bike to a run.

    posted 5 months ago

  • Chris A.
    Chris A. Sendmail

    Nashbar.com offers some deals on road bikes - geometry is a bit different than a tri bike. There is a used market out there for tri bikes. You would want to get hooked up with a local bike shop to make sure you are fitted properly though.

    posted 5 months ago

  • Berae
    Berae Sendmail

    After some research, I decided to go with a general entry-level roadbike - a Specialized Allez. I decided a tri-specific bike probably isn't going to make that much of a difference since I'm just doing my first sprint triathlon this coming July and I think I'll get more use out of a roadbike. Entry-level bikes seem exceptionally cheap this season! Ooh, I also want an MTB! Ohhh, one at a time, one at a time.

    posted 3 months ago

  • Berae
    Berae Sendmail
    in reply to what Berae said:After some research, I decided to go with a general entry-level roadbike - a Specialized Allez. I decided a tri-specific bike probably isn't going to make that much of a difference since I'm just doing my first sprint triathlon this coming July an... read more

    Nashbar has a front suspension MTB for under $200 though! Eek!

    posted 3 months ago | edited 3 months ago

  • Morey B.
    Morey B. Sendmail
    in reply to what Berae said:After some research, I decided to go with a general entry-level roadbike - a Specialized Allez. I decided a tri-specific bike probably isn't going to make that much of a difference since I'm just doing my first sprint triathlon this coming July an... read more

    good choice. the Spec. Allez is a fine steed. If you get hooked on tri's, eventually you can put a set of aerobars on the front to get your body down out of the wind, but for now, a regular road bike setup is far more versatile. I've podiumed a couple of times using a regular road bike with nothing aero on it. You'll see plenty, if not most of the competitors will have regular road bikes.

    posted 2 months ago

  • Berae
    Berae Sendmail
    in reply to what Morey B. said:good choice. the Spec. Allez is a fine steed. If you get hooked on tri's, eventually you can put a set of aerobars on the front to get your body down out of the wind, but for now, a regular road bike setup is far more versatile. I've podiumed a... read more

    Ooh, very encouraging! Thanks, Morey. And nice job getting up there on the dang podium!!! Impressive!

    posted 2 months ago | edited 2 months ago

  • Chloe M.
    Chloe M. Sendmail

    I'm in the same boat right now and thinking I'll probably end up getting a more non-specific road bike as well. Especially because I'm not too interested in really *competing* more completing, beating PRs, personal fitness, and having fun! I'm also more interested in bike touring... I'd be interested to know how it turns out for you, maybe it will help me determine what I should get.. I'm buying a new bike in a few weeks for my tri later this summer. :)

    And Morey, I agree, what you said was very encouraging. :)

    posted about 1 month ago

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