2008 Schwinn Prologue Road Specialty Bike

[George Gericke]

Hi

 

I'm still very amateur with Triathlon but I'm tired of using my MTB. I went to CycleLab but almost passed out when they referred to a R33k tri-bike as entry level.

 

My budget for this isn't nearly in that league. A friend of mine found a 2008 Schwinn Prologue Road Specialty Bike (with some accessories) for R7500 at Tour de France Cycles in Boksburg and I found it for R6000 on obike.co.za

 

My questions is, is it any good, what a the pros and cons?

 

Info about it here: http://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/Products/Road/Details/921-S8PRO-Prologue

 

A secondary question, to fit it with the right bars for a cycle race like 94.7, what's the cheapest solution I can get away with?

[Ha Ha Kieran]

Great entry level TT bike and at that price... BARGAIN

[Eugene]

Damn good price, but if you are an amateur, don't waste money on a dedicated time trial bike. Rather get a normal road bike and if needed, fit tri bars.

 

One reason is that you can ride a normal road bike in any triathalon event, but the TT bikes are restricted to events which are not draft legal (ie events where you are not allowed to slipstream other cyclists).

 

An example is the Energade Tri Series. Drafting is allowed, therefore you will not be allowed to ride your TT bike in that event.

 

Not sure of the reasons for this, I think it may have something to do with the fact that brakes are not easily accessable.

 

Another reason is that tt bikes force you to ride in all sorts of uncomfortable, funny postions to make you more aerodynamic. This is fine if you are a professional or if you are riding shorter events, but immagine spending 8 hours or so in an Ironman event in an uncomfortable position.

[George Gericke]

Damn good price, but if you are an amateur, don't waste money on a dedicated time trial bike. Rather get a normal road bike and if needed, fit tri bars.

 

One reason is that you can ride a normal road bike in any triathalon event, but the TT bikes are restricted to events which are not draft legal (ie events where you are not allowed to slipstream other cyclists).

 

An example is the Energade Tri Series. Drafting is allowed, therefore you will not be allowed to ride your TT bike in that event.

 

Not sure of the reasons for this, I think it may have something to do with the fact that brakes are not easily accessable.

 

Another reason is that tt bikes force you to ride in all sorts of uncomfortable, funny postions to make you more aerodynamic. This is fine if you are a professional or if you are riding shorter events, but immagine spending 8 hours or so in an Ironman event in an uncomfortable position.

 

Thanks for the advice, this really changes things.

 

The main reason for getting one is to do the Ironman but I would like to do races like the 94.7 and the rest of the Energade Tri series with it.

 

Can I not just take off the Tri Bars for the drafting legal races?

 

Does a Tri Bike really help that much, guy at TroiSports (very helpful and nice shop btw) the angle of the seat post makes a big difference but not sure.

 

I really need some help, I'm very confused at the moment.

 

If I should go for a Road Bike, what would you suggest?

[cosborne]

A Tri-bike will help you if you competing seriously and seconds are everything, otherwise a normal road bike with tri-bars fitted where necessary will be more then fine. For an entry level road bike are you looking at entry level allu or entry level carbon? Carbon will help with weight and road vibrations, whereas starting on allu is where most of us begin as it gives you a good feel for the road. Merida and Silverback do good value for money entry-level road bikes. Getting a good frame will help in the long run as you can upgrade the components as you go along. Just make sure that wherever you buy your bike from they give you a setup. So many people buy expensive bikes and sell them 3 months later purely because they not comfortable on them. Look out for bargains here on the hub.

[Eugene]

Thanks for the advice, this really changes things.

 

The main reason for getting one is to do the Ironman but I would like to do races like the 94.7 and the rest of the Energade Tri series with it.

 

Can I not just take off the Tri Bars for the drafting legal races?

 

Does a Tri Bike really help that much, guy at TroiSports (very helpful and nice shop btw) the angle of the seat post makes a big difference but not sure.

 

I really need some help, I'm very confused at the moment.

 

If I should go for a Road Bike, what would you suggest?

 

It is not as simple as taking off the tribars, because the shifters are mounted on them and bar end shifters cannot easily be mounted anywhere else.

 

As Cosborne says, a time trial bike will shave seconds off your time. Some guys like to put a forward facing seat post on their road bikes (when setting up for time trial). It makes you sit much futher forward and allows you to "lie" in a more aerodynamic position on to your tri bars. It also helps to enlist different muscles in your leg for the pedal stroke. My personal opinion (I've never tried it and many people will probably disagree), it is just plain dumb. It looks stupid and I bet your back will take major strain. A friend bought one, it lasted about 6 months and now it sits in his cupboard with a stack of other tt add ons the bike shop advised him to buy.

 

Most bikes come with a rear facing seatpost. If you really want that unatural postion, just turn the rear facing seat post around so that it faces forward. It does the same thing and will save a few Rands.

 

The is an interesting discussion under "Chit Chat" about the advantages of tt bikes and almost all the experts have agreed that a tt is a waste for anybody other than a pro.

 

There is a mass of bikes out there. There are so much to choose from, I always say. The first rule, get the right sized frame, second rule buy the bike that looks the nicest to you.

Edited October 18, 2010 by Eugene