New to cycling

[triGadget]

So I decided to make the move to cycling. I'm a marathon runner by preference and have been looking to make the move to cycling for over a year now - there's only so many Km's in these knees!!. After cycling friends' bikes (mountain and road) and considering what I want to achieve, I have decided to go the road cycling route. This is predominantly influenced by the fact that I want to go into IM distance racing (being a good swimmer and runner) - 70.3 mostly and later in life IM.

 

So after justifying my choice and giving a bit of context I come to the general newbe question. Which bike to buy? I have a budget in mind and I am currently living in the United States (returning to SA soon) and there is some great deals on 2010 models. Given my preference to tri and seeing that I will be doing non- and drafting legal tri's (I've done a couple of the shorter BSG races - fun, but not what I ultimately want to push myself to). These are some options I have - same Groupset - Ultegra; similar wheels. So the choice might come down to brand preference or geometry (fit).

 

Specialized Roubaix Expert

Specialized Tarmac Expert

Scott S2

Cervelo S2

Cervelo R3

 

Any non-brand biased opinions?

 

Thanks for the good site. Have been following it over 2 years now. Bought 32GI as a result - great stuff (no commnet on 32GI needed though!!)

[janneman72]

Honestly, if you stay in the USA why not go for Cannodale which should be much cheaper there and will suite your budget. Anything from a CAAD10 to Super Six(depending on your budget) will do. They are absolutely great bikes. Both my MTB and Road bikes are Cannondales, even one of my buddies who is well known in road cycling sold his Dogma for a SuperSix. You can't go wrong!

 

With the money you saved add perhaps Zipps or Easton wheels to the Cannondale, will make a huge difference!

Edited February 9, 2011 by janneman72

[triGadget]

Honestly, if you stay in the USA why not go for Cannodale which should be much cheaper there and will suite your budget. Anything from a CAAD10 to Super Six(depending on your budget) will do. They are absolutely great bikes. Both my MTB and Road bikes are Cannondales, even one of my buddies who is well known in road cycling sold his Dogma for a SuperSix. You can't go wrong!

 

With the money you saved add perhaps Zipps or Easton wheels to the Cannondale, will make a huge difference!

 

The thing is that the deal are on the bikes above and from what I understand is that they are better bikes in general than the ones you are proposing, although at similar price points.

 

Maybe I could rephrase what you are saying that I should buy a "cheaper" bike (but still good) and rather get better wheels? Especially as a beginner?