I am looking for a cheap bike for triathlons but have no idea what I’m looking at. I’m 5’10’’ Male. Is this a good price for this bike?
by Hoover24m8
I am looking for a cheap bike for triathlons but have no idea what I’m looking at. I’m 5’10’’ Male. Is this a good price for this bike?
by Hoover24m8
2 Comments
No Idea what a Triathlon bike goes for. They are pretty uncommon but also only appeal to a small percentage of buyers. The fact that this bike is photographed with the drivetrain facing away from the camera is usually a sign of somebody who doesn’t know much or anything about bikes. This could be because they bought it cheap to resell or it could be that they are a careless owner of the bike. The chain hanging and the quick releases facing down are not good signs either. I would assume that it needs a fair bit of work honestly, which may or may not be worth it to you. Others will have better insight into the value of this type of bike than myself. I would just say assume it needs some work.
$3-400 is about right in my market for an older aluminum tri/TT bike if it is more or less ready to ride. This one doesn’t look race ready, and it’s the off season here in North America, so I’d probably offer $200 and see what the seller says.
What’s the wheel size? Lots of tri bikes from this era used 650c, which is more or less obsolete. You can still get the tires and tubes, but it’s unlikely your LBS has them in stock; you’ll have to order them. I actually like them (and still have my old race bike with 650c) because 2nd hand carbon race wheels are SUPER cheap in this size. I routinely see Zipp 404 for ~$250.
The value proposition on these bikes is off the charts for new triathletes. For ~$600 you can get a dedicated tri bike with race wheels and a basic professional fitting and be close to the same performance as a bike that costs 10x as much.
Also, mandatory Tri Bike Warning Copypasta:
**The ONLY reason to EVER by a triathlon or TT bike is because you actually want to race a Tri or TT. Full Stop.**
Actually even then, you should stick with a road bike unless you plan to race Olympic distance (25mi bike) or longer. And EVEN at Olympic distance, you should *probably* stick with a road bike if you’re just racing for the accomplishment or fitness. If you’re competitive, and trying to finish highly placed or podium in your age group, etc, then a tri bike is a consideration.
Here’s why: Triathlon / TT bikes with aero bars are just way too dangerous & unstable to ride on roads with auto traffic.
The riding position puts a lot of weight over the front wheel. With so much weight on the bars, you can’t react quickly to hazards. You’re more likely to go down hard.
Also, in the aero position, your hands are *not near the brakes*, you have to switch position to stop. Not great in an emergency braking situation.
The aero bars result in a “head down” riding position. Especially once your neck gets tired. This is bad for visibility and situational awareness.
Why are tri bikes like this? Because in triathlon, “Aero is Everything”. Most triathlon or time trial courses are flat, straight and on closed roads or lanes. Even still, every few years a pro is seriously hurt or killed in a TT crash, and people talk about banning them in pro cycling. They’re currently banned in draft-legal triathlon and junior tri and TT races.
Even when I was a competitive age-grouper I only rode my tri-bike on race days and a few times a year for fitment & flexibility check, and only on lonely roads way outside of town.