New Bike Suggestions - Triathlon Week

Shyrie · 03-28-2007, 09:18 PM

I wanna buy a new bike. I dunno what kind to get.. I think I want to get one from Human Zoom in Ardmore - as that's where I spend most of my "quality" time. My last few bikes I got from Bike Line (which Human Zoom split from). Cadence, where I do my triathlon training, also sells bikes. Bike Line has more shops - ie more places to go for a tune up. Generally, I don't think I want to get a bike from Cadence - tho they may have "better" bikes. I don't know.

From Human Zoom, I'm looking at:

Cannondale CAAD9 Optimo 2
$1,799.99
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Trek 5000
$1,749.99
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(except, there's a WSD - women specific design that I'd want)

From my trainer at Cadence, he responded to my query about types of bikes to get:
" It's a road bike by Wilier called the Escape.
The complete bike is about $1200. There is another one by a company
called BMC that is a bit more...around $1800"

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I think Cadence sells component bikes. I know very little about components. Does anyone know about bikes.. Or know anyone that knows anything about bikes?

I don't know much if I'd want aluminum or carbon, or if i really want a WSD or not. I just want a bike that's pretty sturdy and light for fair weather, weekend use - including triathlons, and the 150 mile MS bike tour, and possibly some longer bike tours later. I'd want it to last 5+ years with no major problems. I'm looking in the $1500-2000 complete bike range (computer included in that range would be nice).

Suggestions, please.

pyschosyd · 03-29-2007, 11:04 AM

In that price range the frame doesn't matter too much. As long as it fits properly. You will want to look at the quality of the compenent that are on teh bike. You will want ultegra (shimano) at the least.

Quintana Roo has some really good bike in aroun that range. The Kilo and Tequilo both are great bikes.
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Kuota also has a good deal on right now on the k factor.
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IF you are comfortable ordering on line you can go to a place like all 3 sports. They can size the bike on-line for you as well.

www. all3sports.com

Hope this helps
Syd

sfricks · 03-30-2007, 12:37 PM

Try excelsports.com too. They have a unique fitting program that will put you on a bike in your price range that will likely fit you better than even your LBS will. Good luck.

DOUBLE DOWN · 03-30-2007, 01:21 PM

Shyrie,

Depending on your height, you may want to look at the Specialized Allez series. One of the girls I train with rides an Allez. She is 4'11" and it was pretty much the only bike that fit her right.

The other bike to look at is the Giant series of womens bikes. I rode a Giant TCR all of last year and loved the bike. I have seen the womens bikes and they look very nice and come in many sizes.

Eddie

Shyrie · 03-30-2007, 07:08 PM

Yeah, size.. I'm 5'7" (215 lbs) and have large hands (glove size) and wear about size 42 shoes. So, I'm somewhat concerned that WSD will make the handlebars too short/small for me, and possibly the shoes and the front wheel will not get along with eachother. But, my body is short (compared to my legs) so maybe that's where I want to go.

I'm probably going to go with the Trek 5000 WSD, tho. Overall, the bike shop I live near has a $60 5 year maintainance plan, and I go there a lot. So, all of my tune-ups for 5 years would be free.

Are there any women with WSD experience?