New kid - Triathlon - Runner's World

gwabird

02/03/2013 at 15:17

I am shortly going to do my first triathlon and would like advice on what bike to get and about how much to spend. I have a budget of about 1000 pounds. Also is it advisable to get a female specific bike?? I have been told to look for a bike with '105' gearing.... Sound good? Thanks : )

Dave The Ex- Spartan pirate

pirate

02/03/2013 at 15:23

Welcome, female specific bike is great if you are a specific sized female !

Much more important is a bike that fits, lots of the ladies here ride men's bikes

Local bike shop, see what fits you...

Shimano 105 is a decent basic gear set my first bike had 105

kittenkat

pirate

02/03/2013 at 15:58

Yes to the female specific bike, I've got a Trek madone and love it. I got it for £999 in 2007, it had a huge price reduction because it was an ex demo bike. you can get some great deals if you go to a good local bike shop.

Also keep an eye on the classifieds in tri mags etc.

jamie tardi

02/03/2013 at 17:00

Good afternoon, as a experienced cyclist/triathlete the best thing too make sure is that the bike fits correctly! For example I'm 6'1 and I suit a 56/57cm bike but this is dependant on a few factors 1, it's a actual road bike, 2, the makes of bike can vary slightly... It's important your comfortable. When you get a bike spend the 100ish quid it costs too get a correct fit... This is really important as a incorrect fit will fatigue you and injure you. On the note of 105 it's pretty decent I have it on my work/winter bike can't really fault it... Any other questions feel free to say, I also spent a year working as a road bike fitter and mechanic... Good luck

ps get friendly with your local bike shop!

Dave The Ex- Spartan pirate

pirate

02/03/2013 at 17:03

I said the proper fit was most important some 2 hours ago ...... And go to your LBS

I'm not that experienced I suppose

jamie tardi

02/03/2013 at 17:06

Sorry was only trying too back up your point

kittenkat

pirate

02/03/2013 at 17:31

jamie tardi wrote (see)

Sorry was only trying too back up your point

You have nothing to apologise for.

Edited: 02/03/2013 at 17:32

Dave The Ex- Spartan pirate

pirate

02/03/2013 at 17:38

Yeah Sorry... Didn't mean to be touchy.

Fit fit fit. All that matters to start with

WildWill..... pirate

pirate

02/03/2013 at 17:53

I'm going on disagree

Fit is important but feeling right / comfortable more so

If it feels good you will ride it and if you ride it you will get better

David Falconer 3

02/03/2013 at 17:55

WildWill..... wrote (see)

I'm going on disagree

Fit is important but feeling right / comfortable more so

If it feels good you will ride it and if you ride it you will get better

Youre still talking about bikes right there Will??

statt0

02/03/2013 at 18:13

Is your £1000 budget the total you're spending on bike stuff? If so then I'd allow at least £200 of that for accessories (shoes, clips, pump, track pump, water cages & bottles, lights etc).

gwabird

02/03/2013 at 18:18

Wow, thank you for your advice.... I'm going to make friends with my bike shop!! Any advice on brands..... More specifically any to avoid?? : )

marshallini

02/03/2013 at 19:48

Why has no one mentioned colour? Surely that is the most important factor - Red is fastest, pink is for girls, black is for ninjas, white gets dirty.

seren nos

pirate

02/03/2013 at 19:50

black is best.end of debate

Dave The Ex- Spartan pirate

pirate

02/03/2013 at 19:51

Hmmm mines red / white / black...... Slow and grubby ?

jamie tardi

02/03/2013 at 19:53

Combination of all colours is best!

Rafiki

pirate

02/03/2013 at 20:14

seren nos wrote (see)

black is best.end of debate

but its impossible to find after the pub

marshallini

02/03/2013 at 21:51

Dave The Ex- Spartan wrote (see)

Hmmm mines red / white / black...... Slow and grubby ?

Mines blue/white/black.....slow, grubby, rusty, noisy and destined to stay in the garage for ever more.

EmmaC

03/03/2013 at 15:15

I am intending to attempt my first Tri on a hybrid as I don't know how much I will enjoy the experience and also I might be totally AWFUL (most likely) so thought I'd try first and then I have looked at a Trek Lexa and a Norco that I really like.

Any suggestions about where to get a cheap tri suit?

jamie tardi

03/03/2013 at 17:50

Generally I uses chain reaction, but wiggle and tri uk can have some decent offers on tri suits (saying that I'm not sure about wiggle but they are good for bike stuff in general!)