Decisions, decisions

[Running Mommy]

Hey wahine-
Since Tri is mainly what you use it for I'd consider going with tri geometry. Someone somewhere posted an article about the benefits of tri geometry in the long run. And I must say that since I've started riding tri specific I run off the bike much better than I used to (last weekend notwithstanding).

Is the green giant a road bike? If so I'd consider fixing her up as your hill bike, and then going with a tri rig. There are some good deals out there on last years models as well. I know my bike (QR Seduza) was 3k when I bought it last year and the 06 model is now down to 2k. So that might also be an option. Do you have access to any good tri shops near you? I'm lucky because I have tri sports a couple of hours to the south. Yeah it's a 2 hour drive, but when I was looking for a tri bike that was the place to go. Most selection and best fit. I could throw out there a million brands that *I* like, but bottom line is fit. ESP in a tri bike where you will be in your aerobars for a looonnnggg time.
But just cause I like oooggling over bikes, these are my favorite brands.

QR- cause that's what I ride and she fits like a glove

Elite- small company from the east coast. Great service and sexy bikes.

Kuota- OH MAN! These are just plain sexy! Norman Stadler should have been put in jail for bike abuse at kona in 05! (he couldn't change his tire so he threw a tantrum and tossed his bike in the lava).

Orbea- See above.... Actually I mostly like their road bikes, but MAN are they sexy!

[madisongrrl]

Hey wahine-
Since Tri is mainly what you use it for I'd consider going with tri geometry. Someone somewhere posted an article about the benefits of tri geometry in the long run. And I must say that since I've started riding tri specific I run off the bike much better than I used to (last weekend notwithstanding).

I second this...I don't do Tri's anymore, but when you have a tri bike set up well, you'll see the benefit when you hit the run.

[Crankin]

I have a Kuota road bike; not a tri bike. I love it! Compared to my Trek 5200, it rides like a dream. I always get asked if I do tris because of this bike, because not many shops in the US sell their regular road bikes. You should check them out.

[Wahine]

Thanks Ladies,

Keep 'em coming. I'm checking it out as I can.

anakiwa - I had a fitting done on the Jolly Green Giant by Eric Moen a PT that specializes in this sort of thing. He got me set up really nicely on Jolly so I'll likely try to duplicate the geometry. I may go for a "cheaper" full on tri bike for racing, nurse Jolly along and buy a really nice road bike a little later. Jolly won't convert to a "hill" bike very well, I don't think. She's a little heavy.

As for material, I haven't decided. That's part of the reason for the post. It's been a long time since I've been in market and things have changed a lot. I haven't kept up with all the changes. Jolly is an aluminum alloy (Specialized M4 material) with a carbon fork.

[anakiwa]

I may go for a "cheaper" full on tri bike for racing, nurse Jolly along and buy a really nice road bike a little later.

That makes sense. I currently have a road bike and a tri bike. If I had it to do over again I might have started with the dream road bike- put clip on aerobars on it- and saved the money from the second bike for something else. (While I've found I really like the aero position for racing- I much prefer training on a road bike- so while I love the tri-bike, I'm not sure that it gets enough mileage to justify its existence.) But then again- I only do a few races each summer.

As far as materials go- that's where it makes sense to do some test-riding- and I think you have to do a long ride. Personally, I'm not as big a fan of carbon- it feels great at first, but after a while I find it too dampened. (I've never ridden aluminum on the road- most of my riding has been on either steel or carbon.)

[kerrybelle]

I have a Kuota road bike; not a tri bike. I love it! Compared to my Trek 5200, it rides like a dream. I always get asked if I do tris because of this bike, because not many shops in the US sell their regular road bikes. You should check them out.

I have a Kuota Kharma and love it! Like, Robyn, mine is not tri specific. They have some great tri bikes.

Kerry

[knapplaura]

Wahine,

I bought a Guru Carbonia Tri last year and love it. They will do custom geometry if you want for same price as a factory frame. Mine was about $4K with all Ultegra components. It fits great and is so much lighter than my aluminum frame road bike.

I am really happy with Guru and suggest you check them too. Good tri geometry; i got 650 wheels and those have been a good fit.

best luck searching,
Laura

[Pika]

How is the quest going for a new bike?
When I had my bike fit the fellow gave me this article- thought you may find it interesting- it is long but a good read- unfortunately for me- it was a little late as I had already bought my bike and so we spent time "retro fitting" rather than finding a bike that fit my geometry - we tried to fit the me to the bike by making a few changes.
ah well next time- I will do it the other way around

oops could seem to get the attachment thingy to work- I emailed it to you instead

[Wahine]

Got the e-mail thanks. I haven't had a chance to read it.

I took a bike fit course from this guy:

http://www.bikept.com/

I may e-mail him for advice as well. His course is totally worth it BTW, if you're interested.