I am tempted to buy a new road bike!

[Bikingmomof3]

KSH,
If it is a sweet ride on Friday, I say buy it. Life is too short and it is one sweet deal.

[HappyAnika]

On the one hand, didn't you just get the new tri bike?

On the other hand, I love a good deal and $1800 for full carbon and Ultegra is a steal. The 0% might push me over the edge in your situation, particularly if it were accompanied by a raise, the extra could go toward paying off the bill every month . . .

What I try to do in situations like this is think if there are other things that are more important that the money could go toward. Unfortunately for me there are always other things . . .

Good luck, that's a tough decision.

[Tri Girl]

Ooooo...that's a toughie.
Here are my thoughts:

Pros:
-you're getting a raise and tax refund- so it's not going to be a financial strain
-it's one sweeeeet deal, and they don't come along that often
-it's a great bike
-you only live once

Cons:
-you just bought a new tri bike, so it might be hard to give = time to both and give them their special "you and me" time
-if you have other things that could be paid off/need to be taken care of, that may be more important
-you may attract too much attention out there on that sweet ride and so many people will want to ride with you that you won't get to ever ride solo

Ok- silly, but I always make a pro/con list when I have a hard decision.
The cons most always win because I know there's something else/better I could put the money toward. I'm a downer like that.


(shhhhh....secretly I say go for it)

[KSH]

TriGirl, I like those pros and cons- THANKS!

Anika, you had some good points.

The truth of the matter is that I was looking for a new road bike. The tri bike was really a one-off deal that I couldn't pass up.


Unfortunately, owning the tri bike, doesn't fix my issue with needing a nicer/faster bike for my group rides.

Honestly, the tri bike will only get ridden once a week until summer. Then it will be 2 days a week. Even now, I am giving up one of my favorite group rides, so I can ride the tri bike weekly. Otherwise, it wouldn't get ridden at all.

My old roadie, the Trek 1000, will still be ridden once a week until summer... then it will be 2 days a week.

So, my time is equally split either way.

I won't say this is a rational and great decision. I have credit card debt that I should pay off before I buy a new bike... BUT... that won't happen for another 2-3 years.

Honestly, I don't feel like waiting that long. Horrible, I know... and not 100% responsible, but I do pay more than the min. each month and I have 0% interest on my debt.

I can be responsible on many levels... but sometimes... I just feel like saying, "screw it... let's have some fun".

That is what got me to buy a Ninja a few years back. And you know what, I never regretted owning that Ninja... it was a lot of fun... and I cherish my memories on it.

Oh well, I will test ride the Giant on Friday and see if I love it. Maybe I won't?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Please excuse a DUMB question, but I really want to know- what are the differences between a tri bike and a road bike?

[KSH]

Please excuse a DUMB question, but I really want to know- what are the differences between a tri bike and a road bike?

Not stupid at all.

The biggest difference that makes a tri bike get snubbed from group rides, are the aero bars with the shifters on the end.

If you click on this link, you can see a picture of a tri bike.

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/dual.shtml

If you notice the handlebars are totally different from a road bike. The aero bars are not good for corners or climbing and you should NEVER ride in aero position and draft. Thus, these bikes are used in tri's or for time trials.

In the TDF, you will see road bikes in the mountains and "tri" bikes in the time trials.

Also, the geometry of a tri bike is different. It has a shorter top tube and you are pushed forward more... thus you are suppose to save your hamstrings for the run.

Hope I helped some.

[Artisan]

Having just bought two new bikes in the last couple of months, I say go for it. My husband surprised me with a new Rush, then I saw a Cannondale six13 deal that I could not pass up. I saved up half in savings, the other half I made up for by selling two older bikes and some items around the house. Maybe you could make some extra money by getting rid of some older items to help pay for the bike and keep any quilt or buyers remorse at bay.