Question:
I am considering getting a new triatlon
bike up to $4000. What bikes are
considered the best at present.
I typically do Olympic distance
events.
Answer:
I'd select a bike by fit first,
stiffness second, and comfort last
if you're looking for the fastest
ride. If you read all the hype about
lighter frames and more aerodynamic
wheels you'd expect a top of the
line bike to deliver 2-3 mph more
than moderately priced bike but
I've never seen that to pan out
in practice. You can't significantly
improve speed by simply buying a
new steed though some bike manufacturers
would have you believe otherwise.
If you find the most expensive bike
is also the fastest for you and
money is no object buy it, otherwise
save your dow and spend more time
training.
If you're
at all unusual in terms of fit,
a custom-made bicycle might be in
order. Your question suggests you
aren't terribly familiar with either
bicycles in general or tri bikes
in particular, so the first order
of business would be test riding
lots of bicycles to form some opinions
yourself. Asking which bike is best
is a lot like asking which car is
best - there isn't uniform agreement
on the desirable traits so there
cannot be uniform agreement on which
products has them.
I train and
race on a road frame, with aero
bars and a forward seat post. Most
of my riding is with groups and
in hilly terrain, so this works
well for me. If you will do a lot
of riding, I would suggest a carbon
frame, or carbon forks and seat
stays at a minimum. Depending on
the race venues, a road bike might
be faster than an aero
bike, and visa versa. While money
won't necessarily get you speed,
it will buy you light weight, and
that's half the battle.
