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Where did our bikes take us today?
First ride on my new Core-5 this morning
Bowl Leader
Is anyone still riding fixed gear?
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$1500 won’t but you a Project One Trek or a Pinarello, but let’s be honest that a sprint tri is basically a crit race with a swim before and walk afterwards.
A power meter upgrade will help you get faster and a fit will save your knees.
Send me your zip code or city and I’ll help ya find one.
And for all the guys on the Saturday C ride doing 1.4 watts for kilo wearing your Rapha kits, help a new rider out!
Bike flex 👇
Don’t need new
Don’t need Di2
Don’t need Dura Ace
Get single side power at crank
Get a real fit
Not gonna get a decent bike with power meter for $1500.
No secret, that’s a small budget for a road bike. If you find new at that price, it will be low quality, especially wheels and components. You have to go for used, in which case any bike from the last 15 years will have a good enough frame (aluminium). Just watch out for components, and aim for Shimano, which have good durability. People who mention that they’ve taken good care or can tell bike mileage are selling in good faith. You’ll probably need to change the chain, and eventually switch wheels in 2-3 years when you have budget.
There are a lot of brands available that make good enough bikes. Just avoid very cheap carbon, that’s a trap.
Some models of following road bike series should fall under $1500:
Specialized Allez
Specialized Diverge
Trek Domane
If you don’t care about brand, REI has some decent road bikes under $1500
I would try to go carbon if you can (used likely the only way). I agree you should have Shimano components. Ideally disc brakes (newer tech than rim brakes).
When you have a chance to upgrade, start with light carbon wheels. Wheels are rotational weight; which will provide the greatest performance gains when weigh is lowered.
You will also want a clipless pedals and shoes.
Bowl Leader
If you want new and can stretch your budget a bit, I’d recommend looking at canyons. You could get to a endurance 8 closer to 2k or an endurance 6 closer to 1.7K. If you find yourself at the cross roads, ultimate CF SL 8 / CF 7s are amazing :)
A couple of people have mentioned getting a fit. But I’ll say it again, because it’s really important. There are degrees of fit, but a basic one at a bike shop that knows how to do them is money well spent. It’ll save you from injuring yourself.