GreenAvitus Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 After much debate I have decided to start training for a triathlon which means a bike. I'm looking to spend somewhere in the region of around R15-17k to leave myself another R3-5k for the rest of the necessities like helmet, shoes etc keeping to a nice round R20k all in for the first instalment (spending more is inevitable). After much reading and chatting to some mates in the know I have settled on a 105 groupset as the only real condition of what I'm getting with the rest of it pretty much up in the air. I'd love some advice on brands for both bike and equipment as well as the best places to go shopping around for new stuff. Thanks in advance.
Patchelicious Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 Triathlon specific bike or a normal roadie?
Raydek Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 Triathlon specific bike or a normal roadie?Very good question... My wife bought a triathlon specific bike for Ironman 70.3 and it is being sold again right after and replaced with a road bike. TT bikes cannot be used in normal road races should you be wanting to enter them for fun or training. Whereas a road bike can be used everywhere and you can slap some aero bars on when you race a triathlon.
Patchelicious Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 Also a lot triathlons are draft legal and therefore don't allow tri bars.
GreenAvitus Posted January 2, 2015 Author Posted January 2, 2015 To answer everyone, road bike that I can then use in tri
Patchelicious Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 Cool, that makes things much easier. At your budget you can actually get an Ultegra kitted Carbon frame if you are willing to go second hand, which is what I suggest you do initially. Brands are not that big a player to be honest.Most big brands are all pretty much good. So don't be afraid to look around. What size are you? Have you looked at the classifieds here on the hub?
GreenAvitus Posted January 2, 2015 Author Posted January 2, 2015 Cool, that makes things much easier. At your budget you can actually get an Ultegra kitted Carbon frame if you are willing to go second hand, which is what I suggest you do initially. Brands are not that big a player to be honest.Most big brands are all pretty much good. So don't be afraid to look around. What size are you? Have you looked at the classifieds here on the hub? Definitely willing to go second hand and I have had a look around but haven't found anything that has made me jump. I know that Shimano filter down tech from DuraAce and Ultegra into the 105 eventually, but I wouldn't know which year's Ultegra matches which set of 105 to be honest. Oh and got measured earlier today at 53cm.
Cat2forLife Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 Ok, so what you do is you look for a Focus. The wholesalers still have a lot of old stock. Bikes are BRAND NEW, just a couple of years spent in the warehouse. I picked up a Focus Cayo with Sram Force for R24500. A mate of mine picked an Izalco with Sram Red for R30 000. If you go for a 105 specced bike, you'll get a very good deal on a Focus. And ofcourse they're the best bikes in the world, because I only ride the best bikes in the world
Cat2forLife Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 http://www.bikelane.co.za/component/virtuemart/new-road-bikes/focus-variado2014-05-29-11-34-08-detail?Itemid=0 Medium bike, Shimano 105. R9500 Ask Andreas to have a look at the warehouse. Who knows what he could find for you.
Patchelicious Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/118365-specialized-full-carbon/ https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/115146-small-ridley-excaliber-roadbike-price-drop/ https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/118295-merida-scultura-evo-905-full-carbon/
LOOK695 Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 I prefer to buy new as you have everything nice and shiny and a warranty should something go wrong
Cat2forLife Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 If you do buy second-hand, be sure to check that the wheel bearings are not worn, headset bearings, BB bearings, cassette, chain, chainrings. Replacing all that stuff could cost A LOT. Goedkoop koop is duur koop.
Brett Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 I didn't know focus was selling bikes still. Is it still world view sports?
ViperTrail Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 My opinion is follows:- If you really plan to get into the sport of triathlons with the intention of doing a full Ironman event (3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run), and would like to aim for a good time, then invest in a proper TT bike as the geometry is totally different to that of a road bike and on a 180km cycle the TT bike will really save your legs for the run. If you plan to do triathlons - Olympic distance, 1/2 IM or full IM for the enjoyment or just to finish, then use a normal road bike with TT bars......but either way I would recommend you get the setup done professionally so you can get maximum benefit from riding in the TT position.
Barker Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 Look into a Merida Reacto. For the money you have it will have to be a aluminium bike or 2nd hand carbon. Why Merida Reacto? Cause its an aero road bike as close as you are going to get to a TT bike without actually buying one for the money you have. It also comes with an swivel seat head so you can adjust the seat angle to be more aggressive to be more aero and to save your hamstrings for the run. My cousin does the iron man. She is down in Port Elizabeth and bought the aluminium Reacto with tri bars for R17 000.
Cat2forLife Posted January 6, 2015 Posted January 6, 2015 Look into a Merida Reacto. For the money you have it will have to be a aluminium bike or 2nd hand carbon. Why Merida Reacto? Cause its an aero road bike as close as you are going to get to a TT bike without actually buying one for the money you have. It also comes with an swivel seat head so you can adjust the seat angle to be more aggressive to be more aero and to save your hamstrings for the run. My cousin does the iron man. She is down in Port Elizabeth and bought the aluminium Reacto with tri bars for R17 000. That's actually a great idea
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.