Entry level bikes

[wcnz]

Hi,

I have been lurking for months
and have been wondering if you have an entry level bike, when does it or if it ever becomes necessary to get a better bike?
I hope that makes sense

I have a sublime.1 and have been riding for about 18mths and I see all kinds of events that I think I will do that one day, but will my bike be just ok or would a new bike be better.

TIA

~slinking back to lurkdom~

[mimitabby]

wow, You've been lurking for a long time. Welcome to TE and we wish you'd tell us about yourself in the "getting to know you" place.

As long as any bike you own works and you're happy with it, you will probably keep that bike. But some of us get bike lust and buy new ones whether we need them or not. Others of us make the leap and buy a new bike and then grow tremendously in strength with the new bike and end up riding 100 mile rides and stuff. Some bikes are so heavy, or broken, or rusty that they make riding no fun. Those are the owners who buy a new bike and then just do amazing things because now THEY CAN.
It depends. But you don't HAVE to have a cool bike, it's just fun to.

I hope that helps.

[kiwi girl]

I've put in a link so some of the northen hemisphere ladies who haven't seen a sublime will know what you are talking about

http://www.sarahulmerbrand.co.nz/Bik...ness2_spec.asp


In almost any event (well maybe not the coast to coast) there would be someone with a 'worse' bike than that. Lots of people do Taupo on mountain bikes for example, and Le Race has a mountain bike category. I know yours is a fitness bike not a mountain bike but even though it is entry level your bike is proably lighter than a lot of mountain bikes, and the upright posture is the same.

Certainly if you are thinking of doing any of the women only triathlons around the place then the bike you have is fine.

So it isn't really a case of do you 'need' a new bike to do those events - on the whole you don't

Its more a case of would a better bike be better - the answer is yes.

Again a mountain bike is not the same as yours but I know that riding the exact same course with my road bike, or with my mountain bike with slicks (skinny tyres) I go on average about 3 km/hr faster on my road bike. The road bike is lighter, it has even skinner tyres and I can get more aerodynamic.

[mimitabby]

oh, Thanks KIWI
that's a sweet looking bike!

[wcnz]

Oh sorry Mimi,
thanks for showing the pic Kiwi girl. Yes I have done several womens tri's with the bike.

But what if you were thinking of doing something like this
www.aroundbrunner.co.nz

[li10up]

Hi, I have been lurking for months
and have been wondering if you have an entry level bike, when does it or if it ever becomes necessary to get a better bike?
I hope that makes sense

For me it started when I picked up a friends brand new bike. I didn't think my bike was all that heavy until I picked hers up with two fingers. It was sooooo light!!! Then I took a test ride on a $5000 bike...that's when the desire to upgrade really hit. I won't be buying a $5000 bike but it will be a sweet ride compared to my current bike. (Covering current bike's ears) No, it's not necessary-but I gotta have it.

[Trekhawk]

Oh sorry Mimi,
thanks for showing the pic Kiwi girl. Yes I have done several womens tri's with the bike.

But what if you were thinking of doing something like this
www.aroundbrunner.co.nz

Oh wow that will be one beautiful ride. How much elevation gain does it have?? I remember lots of big mountains in the South Island and the most beautiful scenery.
I think if your bike is comfortable you should have no problems on this ride.
I notice on the link they talk about teams, are you doing this on your own or as part of a team??

Dont forget to post a report after your ride - we love to hear ride stories.