newby on bikes - Triathlon Week

09-03-2007, 01:56 AM

I am attempting to find a bike for a triathlon, I need to know what
type and brand name of a bike I can afford. I also need to know what
kind of items that I will need to participate in this type of event.
My budget is approximately $600. Please help me with this.

09-03-2007, 01:56 AM

On Jun 3, 11:35 pm, leelee <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> I am attempting to find a bike for a triathlon, I need to know what
> type and brand name of a bike I can afford. I also need to know what
> kind of items that I will need to participate in this type of event.
> My budget is approximately $600. Please help me with this.

With such a low budget, I'd say the best you can do is buy a very good
used road bike, and adapt to tri's.

Buy it at a local specialized bike shop. They'll fit it for you, and
make sure you buy the right size. If you buy from a good shop, they'll
probably give basic service for free.

If this is your first tri, I would keep spending to a minimum, check
if you like the sport. But you need YOUR bike, to train, you can't
just borrow one...

If after your first tri you are excited... What extras? Aerobars,
triathlon shoes and appropriate pedals. Get that from the start. If
you settle for cheaper stuff because of your budget, you will end up
spending more anyways.

Hope this helps

09-03-2007, 01:56 AM

On Jun 4, 6:45 am, Guille <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> On Jun 3, 11:35 pm, leelee <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
> > I am attempting to find a bike for a triathlon, I need to know what
> > type and brand name of a bike I can afford. I also need to know what
> > kind of items that I will need to participate in this type of event.
> > My budget is approximately $600. Please help me with this.
>
> With such a low budget, I'd say the best you can do is buy a very good
> used road bike, and adapt to tri's.
>
> Buy it at a local specialized bike shop. They'll fit it for you, and
> make sure you buy the right size. If you buy from a good shop, they'll
> probably give basic service for free.
>
> If this is your first tri, I would keep spending to a minimum, check
> if you like the sport. But you need YOUR bike, to train, you can't
> just borrow one...
>
> If after your first tri you are excited... What extras? Aerobars,
> triathlon shoes and appropriate pedals. Get that from the start. If
> you settle for cheaper stuff because of your budget, you will end up
> spending more anyways.
>
> Hope this helps

Thank you.

09-03-2007, 01:56 AM

On Jun 3, 9:35 pm, leelee <mladak6k...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I am attempting to find a bike for a triathlon, I need to know what
> type and brand name of a bike I can afford. I also need to know what
> kind of items that I will need to participate in this type of event.
> My budget is approximately $600. Please help me with this.

Check out this site, they have this beginner triathlon kit for
$1,000. Includes everything you need to finish your first tri (Felt
Z90 bike, wetsuit, goggles, trishorts, helmet, tri top, race belt,
body glyde, swim cap, transition bag, water bottle and cage, aerobars,
& a $50 gift certificate for whatever else you think you'd like).
hope this helps.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

09-03-2007, 01:56 AM

On Jun 4, 2:14 pm, TriVortex <vortex...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Jun 3, 9:35 pm, leelee <mladak6k...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > I am attempting to find a bike for a triathlon, I need to know what
> > type and brand name of a bike I can afford. I also need to know what
> > kind of items that I will need to participate in this type of event.
> > My budget is approximately $600. Please help me with this.
>
> Check out this site, they have this beginner triathlon kit for
> $1,000. Includes everything you need to finish your first tri (Felt
> Z90 bike, wetsuit, goggles, trishorts, helmet, tri top, race belt,
> body glyde, swim cap, transition bag, water bottle and cage, aerobars,
> & a $50 gift certificate for whatever else you think you'd like).
> hope this helps.
>
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Great link!!! Great deals .

:D

09-03-2007, 01:56 AM

TriVortex wrote:
> On Jun 3, 9:35 pm, leelee <mladak6k...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>>I am attempting to find a bike for a triathlon, I need to know what
>>type and brand name of a bike I can afford. I also need to know what
>>kind of items that I will need to participate in this type of event.
>>My budget is approximately $600. Please help me with this.
>
>
> Check out this site, they have this beginner triathlon kit for
> $1,000. Includes everything you need to finish your first tri (Felt
> Z90 bike, wetsuit, goggles, trishorts, helmet, tri top, race belt,
> body glyde, swim cap, transition bag, water bottle and cage, aerobars,
> & a $50 gift certificate for whatever else you think you'd like).
> hope this helps.
>
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>

I may be way off base, but I remember doing my first triathlon without
aero bars and trishorts and a wetsuit, etc.

I had a Trek 420 (okay, it was a long time ago), basically an entry
level recreation bike. I did have clipless pedals and bike shoes. I
wore a Speedo for the swim and bike and threw on a t-shirt for the run
with my number pinned to it.

It was my most fun triathlon. I had no pressure to finish in a certain
time or place; my goal was to finish. And when I acheived my goal of
finishing, I felt great!

I agree that you do need a bike to train on, but it doesn't have to be
an expensive one. I personally don't think that you need to outfit
yourself with a wetsuit (unless the water temp will be below 66F) and
all of the other tri-specific gear at this point. Leave yourself some
room to grow into all of the fancy stuff. I guarentee that you'll have
just as much fun in your first race without all of the gear.

So my advice would be to pick up a bike (visit your local bike shop or
check the classified ads from a local tri or riding club), and start
running, swimming and biking. When you get to the race on race morning,
just be excited and have fun! Drink in the atmosphere of healthy people
doing healthy things and don't get caught up in setting time or place
goals. Stay to the outside on the swim and thank all of the volunteers
on the course. And smile!

Bob

09-03-2007, 01:56 AM

On Jun 5, 8:30 am, Bob Haase <h...@signatureresearchinc.com> wrote:
> TriVortex wrote:
> > On Jun 3, 9:35 pm, leelee <mladak6k...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> >>I am attempting to find a bike for a triathlon, I need to know what
> >>type and brand name of a bike I can afford. I also need to know what
> >>kind of items that I will need to participate in this type of event.
> >>My budget is approximately $600. Please help me with this.
>
> > Check out this site, they have this beginner triathlon kit for
> > $1,000. Includes everything you need to finish your first tri (Felt
> > Z90 bike, wetsuit, goggles, trishorts, helmet, tri top, race belt,
> > body glyde, swim cap, transition bag, water bottle and cage, aerobars,
> > & a $50 gift certificate for whatever else you think you'd like).
> > hope this helps.
>
> >[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> I may be way off base, but I remember doing my first triathlon without
> aero bars and trishorts and a wetsuit, etc.
>
> I had a Trek 420 (okay, it was a long time ago), basically an entry
> level recreation bike. I did have clipless pedals and bike shoes. I
> wore a Speedo for the swim and bike and threw on a t-shirt for the run
> with my number pinned to it.
>
> It was my most fun triathlon. I had no pressure to finish in a certain
> time or place; my goal was to finish. And when I acheived my goal of
> finishing, I felt great!
>
> I agree that you do need a bike to train on, but it doesn't have to be
> an expensive one. I personally don't think that you need to outfit
> yourself with a wetsuit (unless the water temp will be below 66F) and
> all of the other tri-specific gear at this point. Leave yourself some
> room to grow into all of the fancy stuff. I guarentee that you'll have
> just as much fun in your first race without all of the gear.
>
> So my advice would be to pick up a bike (visit your local bike shop or
> check the classified ads from a local tri or riding club), and start
> running, swimming and biking. When you get to the race on race morning,
> just be excited and have fun! Drink in the atmosphere of healthy people
> doing healthy things and don't get caught up in setting time or place
> goals. Stay to the outside on the swim and thank all of the volunteers
> on the course. And smile!
>
> Bob- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Agree 100%.

Put money into making sure you're bike is in perfect condition for the
race... your tubes don't blow out when you pump them to the
appropriate pressure, chain/crank/brakes are working perfect, etc. If
your bike breaks down (even a silly little thing), race is over.
Anything else, you can manage. And make lots of friends and have fun!