Running Mommy- and other's with tri bikes

Hey Denise (and all you other tri-studettes),
Got a question for you. I'm getting a tri bike. Oscar (my road bike set up as a tri bike) was good enough for my first IM and couple seasons of tris, but he's just not going to cut it anymore. With another IM on the near horizon, I'm ready to make the leap and buy a bike that was meant to go the distance with me. Oscar's just never fit completely right. I'm borrowing a Cervelo Dual right now and I'm in LOVE with the tri geometry and fit of the bike. The difference in the two bikes is night and day. I can keep up with DH and have such power on that tri bike. LOVE it!!!!

My question Denise is: you have a Seduza, right? What do you think of it??? We're about the same height, and close to the same size, so I was wanting to know what you thought of it. You're riding 650's right? I'm not quite ready to go that high calibur yet (full carbon frame), but am thinking of going with a QR Kilo or Felt. I definitely want carbon bars, fork, and seat post, but the rest is negotiable (of course I want ultegra or higher components). Don't want to spend more than $2000 for the bike itself and then I'll add and change stuff as I go. Already have 650c carbon racing wheels, which are incredible and responsive.

I've done my homework, and am just wanting to know from some tri bike owners how they like their bikes. Silly things like color matter to me, so the current Dual is out (yellow) as are some other bikes for their color schemes. There's an full carbon Orbea on ebay for $2400 in my size (48cm), and I'm seriously drooling over it...

Any input you can give is great. It's like buying a car without test driving it- that's the scary part for me. I know fit is all-important and will go with what fits me- but some unbiased reviews of other bikes is kinda what I'm after. I can read all the websites and they all say how wonderful their bikes are (duh!).
Thanks for any words of wisdom you can throw at me...:)

Well, as you know... I have a Cervelo. I really like it. Although, it wasn't like I went shopping and picked it out of a line-up.

My friend recently bought a Kuota K-Factor and really likes it. She got a full carbon bike for around $2,000. Not sure about the components, but I saw that is has a Dura-Ace/105 mix. Seemed like a great deal for a nice bike.

Good luck on bike shopping! How very exciting!

Have you had a fitting? Before spending that much money on a tri-bike I'd have a fitting done. Once you know the numbers you'll be in a better position to look at bikes.

Kuota is another one I was looking at. Kuota is quality- and as long as the DA components are in the right places, a mix is okie dokie with me. Thanks for the input, KSH!

I haven't had a fitting done for the tri bike- still have all the specs from my road fitting nearly 2 years ago. I know I'll need a bike no bigger than 48 cm because of my height and very stumpy torso/appendages. Don't need a WSD (thankfully) if I can get the bike small enough. I need to decide what bike I'm interested in first. Depending on what shop I buy the bike from, they'll do the proper fitting. I'm not going to do what I did last time- pay for the fitting, then buy the bike from somewhere else, only to have them not look at the measurements from the other place- and do their own fitting anyway. Waste of money. I pretty much know what I need at this point- it's just a matter of finding a bike that I'm going to love. If I can find a bike that I want- chances are very good that I'll be able to be fitted to the right size.

Thanks for the input, ladies!!!!

Sorry for missing this thread! Sheesh I've been over there with those nobby tire girls too much lately and neglecting my tri buddies! :D

Ok, yes I have the Seduza in an XS. That is why it has 650's. The small comes with 700's. I LOVE my bike! And while I paid 2999.00 for it I believe that my model (last years now) can be had for around 2k if you can find any left. I'm thinking that in an XS you may actually be able to find one.
I now know three other people- two men, one woman- who ride my bike and they all give it a huge thumbs up. And one of them is a sub 11 hour IM guy, so such things matter to him.
I can't believe how comfortable I am on it.
Now as for the others. I covet the Kuota, but I spoke with the Rep down at the Trisports grand opening a couple of months ago, and he said I'm too small for their tri rigs. They do make a roadie that would fit me however. But you want a tri rig right?
As for MY stumpy specs... I am 5'1" with a short to medium torso length and stumpy arms and legs.
I would also like a Cervelo, but I ran into the same problem. They just don't make one small enough. Same with the Kestrel and Orbea that I looked at.
I was fit at the trisports store by Rudy, so we actually had a lot of choices in tri geometry, but the Seduza was the only one that would fit me without a ton of adjustments. The only bummer is that the triangle is so small I can't put a water bottle cage on.. Well I COULD, but no bottle would fit on it. So It's either a flatwing on the back, or an aerobottle up front. I use a never reach pod that mounts behind the seat. So it works out ok.
Ok, so there you go. Too bad you don't live closer. I could introduce you to the gang at trisports! They are great folks and IMO are the best for getting you fit up on a tri rig.
Ok, so that's all I know... Which isn't much?? I feel like I wasn't much help. But I do agree that you can really pick up some free speed on a tri rig! I know I did. And I also like having the multiple position options when I'm on her for the long haul.
Let me know if I can help you some more... You can find me over on the mtn bike forum talking full suspension and all that nobby stuff... :p
But rest assured- terra firma is in my heart and soul!

Thanks Denise! No water bottle, eh? That's a bummer- but at least there are plenty of other options. I guess I'm a couple inches taller than you, so perhaps the XS might be too small (and I HAVE to have 650's so that may rule out QR- I've got 650 carbon race wheels and I'm not getting new ones). Hmmmm.... good things to think about! The shop I'm probably going to get it from has Kuota, QR and Cervelos. Too bad I can't visit Trisports. Sounds like a GREAT shop! Would it be unreasonable to drive 23 hours one way to get a new bike? ;)
Thanks for the input! That's what I needed- inside info. Thanks!!!! :)

I've got a 2006 48" Dura Ace Cervelo Dual, if you are interested in buying it. It is in great shape, and I really love it. Unfortunately, I just don't think that I can handle the pressure that a tri bike puts on the ol' girl parts. Let me know if you are interested!

Hey Tri girl--
Just getting back to this thread... Trisports has a fly and buy program where they reimburse some (most I think) of your travel expenses if you come out to buy a bike.

Really??? That's pretty cool!!!! I may have to seriously look into that.
I just don't know if DH would let me buy a bike AND go to AZ... I may be pushing divorce...:p (then again- I'd get a new bike out of it). just joking- I don't want to have to break in a new bike and a new man.

Hey Tri Girl,
I also have a Cervelo that I'm going to be putting up for sale soon. It's a P3 (AL frame) with Team CSC colors (red, white, black) with 650 wheels (I'm 5'1", short legs). Ultegra components with D/A bar end shifters. Oversize D/A crank (56/44) that I love! My husband hates when I ride this bike with him b/c he's spinning away exerting all this energy as I'm just casually riding alongside him.

PM me if you want pics. I've only raced on the bike once (Florida IM 70.3). I absolutely love this bike. I had planned on keeping it for a really long time, but won a new carbon frame/fork (Aegis) at the Mooseman 1/2 IM this June so am going to sell Speedy (that's his name).

Also let me know if you want to full specs. Here's off the top of my head:
crank length: 170 mm
Vision Tech TT clip on bars: 230mm
Stem length: 100 mm
Ultegra front and rear derailleurs
D/A crank (56/44)
Ultegra? Cassette 12-25
D/A Bar end shifters
Cervelo brake calipers
Easton Wheels (Cervelo hubs? Have to check) 650cc

Thanks!