Score!!

[Bike Chick]

How exciting! I can't wait to see pictures!!!

My tri bike came with a standard double and I really thought it would be too big and I would be changing it to a compact but that's not been the case. It would be nice to have a compact for a hilly course though. I use my Luna bike for that though.

[Triskeliongirl]

Actually, you don't need to swap out the crankset, just buy new chain rings. A compact will hold a 52 (or even larger I think), the rule is just that the largest gap you can have between rings is 16T, most use 14-16, i.e. 50/36 or 50/34, but nothing says you couldn't put other sizes on there. Ask your fitter for help, I don't think its a big deal, you just need to be sure to order chain rings that are compatable with the size of the bolt arms (I think that is what they are called, these are the things you screw the chain rings on, and they do come with different bolt circle diameters-bcds).

OK, so the bike arrived last night. It's bee-you-ti-full! I will need to cut the steerer tube (I'm going to contact my fitter about that) and all the cables still need to be routed. I also still need to buy pedals but for now, I'll just borrow the ones off my road bike.

The odd thing? It came with a compact crankset! Why in the world would they sell a tri bike with 650 wheels with a compact? I actually topped out on my road bike (also 650's) in a flat race this summer with a 52T large ring. On a tri bike? There is NO WAY a 50T ring will be big enough! I'm now shopping for a replacement.

Anyone have an extra standard double crankset with 165mm arms lying around unused?

Once I get it fully put together, I promise to take photos.

[GLC1968]

Actually, you don't need to swap out the crankset, just buy new chain rings. A compact will hold a 52 (or even larger I think), the rule is just that the largest gap you can have between rings is 16T, most use 14-16, i.e. 50/36 or 50/34, but nothing says you couldn't put other sizes on there. Ask your fitter for help, I don't think its a big deal, you just need to be sure to order chain rings that are compatable with the size of the bolt arms (I think that is what they are called, these are the things you screw the chain rings on, and they do come with different bolt circle diameters-bcds).

Ah, that's a good point and something to keep in mind should my new plan not work out to my satisfaction.

I've done a little research and I've opted to go with a different cassette and keep the compact crankset. I really wanted the higher end gear, so if I swap the 12-25 cassette for an 11-25, I can still have the same climbing gear, but I get another big gear for the flats. Plus, a cassette is way cheaper than a crankset!

I'll hopefully pick this up this weekend and get the rest of the bike put together. Then I'll take photos! (maybe... I might wait until after my fitter gets done with it next Friday). Soon, I promise!

[GLC1968]

Here it is!!


Fully fitted and ready to ride! I went out for a quick 6 miles today just to see how it felt (fog rolled in, so I headed home since I had no lights), and it was a ton of fun. Can't wait to do longer rides on it! Until I get another clear day though, it's going to be my trainer bike.

[OakLeaf]

drooooool

[kermit]

WOW, that's hot! Nothing better than bike porn with coffee!

[Blueberry]

She's fabulous!! I'm sure you'll log many happy miles on her. How does the aero position feel? I'd love to try a tri bike, but have been concerned about leaning that far forward...

[Bike Chick]

Ohhhhhh Aaaaaahhhh! Beeeeautiful! Ain't it a hoot to ride?

[HillSlugger]

Beautiful!

I'm not completely sure if I'm really faster on my tri bike, but it's So.Much.Fun!

[oxysback]

That's a sexy bike!

[Tri Girl]

SO GORGEOUS!!! Don't tell my P2C that I'm lusting over it... WOW!

I hope you enjoy that bike so much. What am I talking about- you WILL *LOVE* that bike!!!!

[colby]

Sexy!

[Owlie]

Ooh, very nice! ...and a teeny bit intimidating.

[GLC1968]

CA - it's amazing how comfortable the aero position is! My neck will have to get stronger to hold the position over long rides, but for now, I'm good for short periods. I plan to ride it on the trainer a lot this winter so that my body can get more used to the position before spring.

The only problem is that I'm all over the damn road when I'm in aero! I feel like a newbie cyclist all over again! It's going to take me some time to get used to how it handles. It's way more comfortable in aero than it is up on the horns though...which surprized me.

[Bike Chick]

GLC, I had the same issue when I got mine and it's kinda freaky. I found if I didn't grasp the aero bars very tight it helped. I'm still a little wiggly on mine. It takes a while to get used to riding these bikes but they are so much fun.