Question:I'm interested in buying a bike for my first triathlon. However, I
have a small budget, so I can't buy any really unnecessary gadgets, or
invest in an expensive frame. Can I use a plain road race bike, or
does it need some modifications?
How necessary are those mods? Or: which mods should I opt for first if
my budget allows it?
Answer:
Any bike will do, especially as you start. I usually recommend a standard road
bike to start with, then modify as your budget and desire dictates. If you get
*really* hooked, you may eventually want a full-on tri bike, but don't sweat
that for now. (I may get blasted for this, but many people are better off on a
road geometry frame for tris anyway...)
I would recommend you ask this in rec.sport.triathlon or maybe in one
of the rec.bicycle.*-groups. They are the experts.
A road bike is fine, but the only *extra* I would spring for would be a
set of aerobars. They make a huge difference when it comes to time trialing.
It would be silly for someone just testing the tri scene
to get something as esoteric as a tri-bike. I just got my first one (a
QR Kilo) after almost 20 years of doing them on a road bike.
Rene, my advice would be to buy a good, middle range road bike from a
bike shop - one that you can use for other things. The quality of the
components (reliability and efficiency) make a big difference over a
K-Mart special.. You can add clip-on aero bars later if you want,
which is probably the easiest and most beneficial change you can make.
I agree. The only gadget you would REALLY get help from (assuming you
already have clipless pedals) is aerobars.
As with anything, make sure you have practiced with them several times before
you try to race with them. If you've never used aerobars before, you will be
amazed at how different the feel is from "regular" handlebars.
That being said...Rene, use whatever bike you have for your first couple of
tris. As others have said, should you really get hooked on the sport you can
spring for the big bucks.
The most important thing to remember for any bike you'll use is how it fits
you; next is how aerodynamic and or light it is (again, relative to
fit--sacrificing too much comfort for the sake of shaving a few seconds off a
40k bike is usually not worth it) and then by consequence, how well do you run
after you have ridden the bike.
Your first triathlon or two will help you determine if you like the sport, and
will also give you some first-hand insights as to what others are riding, what
accessories they have...and how much money some geek spent on his bike that you
are now speeding by on your $250 bike...!
