Bike Brand Reputations - Triathlon Week

gfd4925 · 01-09-2006, 09:51 AM

I am looking for any help as to the reputation of the follwing bike manufacturers. Are there any major positives or negatives concerning any of them? I am planning on making a bike purchase this summer and am looking to spend no more the $2000. Before I visit the bike shops in my area I would love to know what experienced triathletes think about each brand. My ultimate goal is to use the bike for an Ironman distance event in the next 2 years. The brands available in my area are the following:

Trek
Cervelo
Quintana Roo
Specialized
Cannondale

I would like to purchase from a shop as I have no experience servicing a bike. Thanks for any help.

sfricks · 01-09-2006, 03:30 PM

GFD,
These all ALL great brands. You can't lose with any of them. Forget bike weight so much and look for componantry - Ultegra or Dura Ace as much as possible. Ideally you'll buy "as much bike" as you can but don't forget rule #1. "If it breaks, who will fix it?". I always advocate buying local and patronizing that biz. The bike will carry you as fast and as far as you can push it but it won't carry you anywhere if it's not working. Our LBS offers free tune-ups for a year and 2 free cleanings with purchase. That's worth a few hundred on top of whatever good deal you can strike up. To keep them honest look on the web and find a good price on the bike you want, print it, take it in and tell them you want one like this but you want to buy it from them. Expect to pay a little more (not always) and don't sweat the pennies. Lastly, DON'T forget a shop that offers pro bike fitting. Skip this step and you'll wonder why the 80 year old, one legged lady from the geriatric center just passed you on her 1972 40lb mountain bike! Good Luck!

Tony Merritt · 01-10-2006, 03:25 AM

I couldn't agree more with the above comments. If you plan to do ironman you'll be putting in some serious distance on the bike and a good fit is essential. Without it you're likely to get more than your fair share of pains and injuries. I'd spend a bit less on the bike and pay for a professional, independant fitter who can give you the right measurements. Then find which manufacturer's frame is closest to the one you need. If you can afford a custom built frame then all the better.

You'd need to think about whether you buy a time trial frame or a standard road frame. Most bunches (in Australia anyway) won't let you ride with them with your arms on the bars. That means that if you have a tt bike you'll need to avoid bunch training rides (not sure if that's the same in the usa). I've also got to say that I get a bit lost with the whole desire for a time trial frame for people doing ironman. I race olympic distance so being in the TT position for 40km is fine for me. However, I can't see why you'd want to be jammed in that postion for 180km. A time trial frame has a steeper seat post angle and the reasoning as I understand it is that the steper angle makes it easier to run off the bike. As I say I've never done an ironman but I would have thought that a comfortabler 180km ride would make for a better run, especially in a non-eilte athlete (sorry for making assumptions!)

Make sure that you buy a bike with either ultegra or dura ace, or the campag equivilants of centaur, chorus or record. Also look for a shop that you like. As the other poster said, it's worth a few extra dollars to deal with someone you like and trust. Finally, after fit and frame wheels are the most important part of the bike. Buy a good set of wheels and you'll appreciate them later on. I wouldn't bother with aero wheels as the majority of your riding will be training. And anyway, if you've still got the bug in two years you'll probably be on the lookout for a set or race wheels by then!

All the best with reaching your goal!

gfd4925 · 01-10-2006, 05:02 AM

Scott and Tony,
Thank you both for taking the time to respond. It sounds like you guys know what you are talking about and I will keep your advice in mind when I visit my LBS. The TT frame vs. the road bike frame is going to be a difficult decision, as I have no experience on either.

One last question. Is this year's Dura-Ace next year's Ultegra? It seems there is a large price difference between the two.

sfricks · 01-10-2006, 08:34 AM

GFD,
You're welcome and no, the opposite. I wouldn't spend the extra $ on DA. I have a mix on my bike but I read an article that suggested Ultegra is a much better value - $ vs weight. Save the $ for wheels as Tony says.

Tony Merritt · 01-10-2006, 03:43 PM

Hi there
I don't there is a huge difference either so would go with the advice above. I know that older campag record is very similar to current chorus/centaur, for example, and would assume that shimano is the same. I've been using a non-record campag group set for about five years and it's still going strong. Unless you want a real top end bike because you are planning to do distance like a pro, or are totally weight obsessed, go for the sets as suggested. I'd also be very happy to look at last year's bike range, which will save you a fair bit and will most likely have comparable components.
Cheers Tony

Carpe Diem · 01-11-2006, 06:38 PM

GFD,

Listen to the great advise from all of the above. In the long run you'll save $$$$. Keep in mind if you want to use your tri-bike for road, (centuries and double centuries) comfort becomes a major concern. Wheels make a substantial difference in my experience. Re: Components--keep them clean and tuned regardless of which, I like Ultegra's value. I'm happy with my Trek!

Best wishes~~

Setanta · 02-18-2006, 09:03 AM

Very true folks,
I also have a selection of components on my steed, DA is Shimano's flagship but for cost is definatly not the best. The secret is good maintenance especially at this time of the year for 99% of us in the Northern Hemisphere and that includes this beautiful tropical island of Ireland.