Decisions, decisions

[DirtDiva]

Or you could buy the flashy race bike and fix up the Jolly Green Giant as and when you can afford it. Might take a few months and some eBay hours, but you'd have two bikes at the end of it...

[Wahine]

Or you could buy the flashy race bike and fix up the Jolly Green Giant as and when you can afford it. Might take a few months and some eBay hours, but you'd have two bikes at the end of it...

This is definitely one of the ways I'm thinking. The Jolly Green Giant isn't ready to be set out to pasture yet. But I will eventually need to change a lot of things to bring her back.

[KSH]

Well, I LOVE my Specialized Tarmac Expert. Simply love it.

It's a mean racing machine (OK, well the engine running it- not so much- but the bike is fast)... and is fun to ride.

I would strongly suggest going and looking at Specialized bikes. You can probably look at a nicer model than the Tarmac.

In the end though, it's all about doing a test ride and finding the bike that you love.

[Starfish]

Wahine, I'm afraid I don't have any wisdom to offer, but I am curious about something you said...(don't want to hijack...feel free to disregard or PM me...)

You said the Ruby was a good bike, but not for what you do. And, you said you would consider a road bike and just dress it up with the TT bars...

I'm sorta curious why the Ruby might not work for you? I'm not challenging...just curious. I know it isn't a Tri-bike, but could it be a good bike if you decided to dress up a road bike?

[wildstreaktn]

Have you checked out the Kuota Kaliber?If you subscribe to Bicycling Mag they review it on page 28 of their 2007 Buyer's Guide.It is $3700,a little more than your budget,but at the level you are competing at it may be worth a look.I am a true Trek devotee and it turned my head!Maybe later on when eating and living indoors aren't such priorities!lol.I just purchased a 2006 Trek Equinox 7 WSD and I love it.It's super fast and quite comfy for a tri bike,the only upgrade I plan is a faster set of wheels.That may also be a way to get more bike for your money.If you can find the bike you want,then look for a closeout deal on a new 2006 model if there is no change in components,etc.from the new 2007.It saved me over $800 on the Trek and I even like the 2006 color better than the 2007.Good luck on your search and on rehabbing Jolly!!

[Wahine]

Thanks for all the input ladies. I am going to explore Specialized thoroughly. My LBS carries 'em. The also carry Litespeed, Orbea and Trek. I'd like to buy from them if possible but not if I can't find the right bike. Jolly's a Specialized Allez Pro, and she's served me well. My last 2 MT bikes have been Specialized and I love(d) them.

Starfish - the Ruby was fast, light and lovely on the hills with the compact double. I think it's a very good bike. I can't put my finger on why it doesn't seem right for me. It may be that the top tube is a little short for me and I would feel scrunched if I tried to trick it out with aerobars. It just didn't feel right.

Thanks for the suggestion on the Kuota Kaliber. I do get bicycling mag but I haven't really had much reading time lately so I don't think that I saw it. I'll dig out my old issues.

[madisongrrl]

Look at Cervelos. They have an awesome line of bikes. Phil and Gerard are engineers who started the company and put significant amounts of time and research into their bike designs every year. Tom D of bikesport who is a very accomplished athlete, bike shop owner and world renouned bike fitter has some very extensive reviews of Cerverlos and also other Tri bikes that would fit within your budget.

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/index.shtml

http://www.cervelo.com/home.aspx

Also, if you go the tri bike route, get a fit from a decent fitter who specializes in tri positions (Fist certification). A good fit for Tri is worth it's weight in gold....and is a lot harder to do yourself without serious knowledge and/or video equipment.

[anakiwa]

Have you ever had a fitting done?

I'd definitely consider it before spending that much money on a road bike. (Especially since it sounds like you want something that will work for both road and tri positions).

What kind of bike (material-wise) are you looking for? (Personally, I prefer ti or steel, but there is certainly a diversity of opinions on this one.)