Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

I thought some of you might be able to help me, becuase you are the experts in Triathlons.

Would anyone know of a triathlon bike that would cost less than $1000. I know that is a small sum of money but that is the most I can spend. I have found Cell bikes, but it is hard to buy a bike over the internet. I have also looked at BikeExchange, Cycling Classifides and so on but no luck.

Any help would be great,

thanks,

F.C

If in Perth: http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewt ... 25&t=16550

gclark8 wrote:If in Perth: http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewt ... 25&t=16550

Sorry, Brisbane

dfc.

There's a few ways you can go and the best bang for the buck depends on a few things:

Are you buying new only or would you consider used?
Would you (can you) do some bike assembly yourself?

Which ever way you go, the most important thing by a country mile is "fit". You must be able to comfortably (and powerfully) pedal it in the aero position for anything from 20 minutes to 6+ hours!

If buying new, all of this typically would be sorted by a bike shop as part of the purchase however the market for shop bought TT bikes under $1,000 is almost non-existent. If you wish to stick with a shop, maybe some clip on bars on a shimano 105 equipped avanti/trek/giant/etc would be the best bet.

If you want to buy new online, get fitted by a shop so you know your size and then shop around. Be careful however of differing sizes across brands – eg an Azzurri large might be different to a Cell large. There can be a bit of adjustment through seat position and different stems but it’s best to get the frame size close. (Incidentally the only Cell TT bike I can see is $1,700. Is there a $1,000 version?)

If you’re happy to go secondhand, and know your size the world is your oyster. Ebay currently has a couple of Felts under $1,000. If your able to do some assembly, there’s always plenty of “frames with goodies” for well under $1,000. Just add bars and/or wheels.

Another cheap way out is to buy an older used ultegra equipped road bike (with the right crank length – frame size doesn’t matter). These start at $500 second hand. Source a TT frame (for example ebay had an Azzurri Carbon Chrono for $600). Transfer everything over, get a cheap set of aero bars and bar end shifters and you’re good to go. Oh…. and sell off the bits you didn’t use off the road bike (shifters $200, frame $150 etc)

Hope this helps – good luck and let us know how you go.

Thanks for your advice, bmphigh, I will take this into consideration!

I just want something like this, except for a third of the price:

http://www.trekbikes.com/au/en/bikes/tr ... concept25/

dfc. wrote:I just want something like this, except for a third of the price:

http://www.trekbikes.com/au/en/bikes/tr ... concept25/

Oh..... then here's a good place to start!

http://www.hongfu-bikes.com/Upload/Pic/ ... 118853.jpg

Google both "Hongfu" and "Chinese Carbon" - plenty of happy campers hammering around on these. I think you can even buy Trek stickers for them

Nice idea BMP, I know I can trust them but I will have to think. Would it just be easier to save up and buy a Trek knowing that when I am riding, if the frame does brake and I have serious injury, I can at least sue someone that is well known. or at least trust the bike will work

Thankyou all for your help,

FC

dfc. wrote:I just want something like this, except for a third of the price:

http://www.trekbikes.com/au/en/bikes/tr ... concept25/

Ok - why do you want a bike like that? Is it because everybody else has one? Because it looks good etc.

There's nothing wrong with having a TT/Tri bike BUT they're some of the most difficult things to pick the right one for. You absolutely need to get the right one otherwise you'll hate it. On a very limited budget you don't have many options so unless you're very lucky on fit, you're going to struggle to get the right bike. I would save until you can bring your budget up to the $3k-$4k range where there is a lot of competition and you can find the right bike.

In the meantime use what you have - nobody says you have to be on aerobars in a tri... there were even a few at Kona last year on drop bars. Yes it's not the fastest but unless you're losing by 5s then it probably won't matter and if that is happening go and get yourself a sponsor. Save up and buy the right bike. You'll be happier for it.

I have re-listed one: http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewt ... 25&t=44729