Best bike around $3000?

Question

I am looking for a new triathlon bike (would consider road bike if it is better) and have around $3000 (could go a little over). I heard some people tell me you pay extra for the name on some bikes (trek was mentioned). It would seem to me that a lot of bikes could fall in that category. I have looked at Cervelo PC2 and Specialized transition (any opinions on these). I am 200 lbs to 215 and got into triathlons last year and have been doing bike rides lately (buddy and I did 50 miles at 18.5 mph avg which is awesome for me). My buddy thinks I would really enjoy the upgrade when I mentioned it. I own a Scattante carbon fiber bike from Performance Bicycle). He said I would feel a big difference. Is $3000 enough or do I save for a better bike next year. I really enjoy riding. Thanks for reading and would love to hear any opinions, I am an open minded person.

Answer 1

Well if i where you i would save for a bigger bikee next year because Peugeot is promissing to release a stunning bike in fall 2008 till winter 2009 !!!! i am waiting !!!! and u should wait too !!

Answer 2

Hey,

You should consider a scott tri bike. Over the last few years, Scott has really invaded the ironmans with their tri bikes. I'm not sure about the price range, but, I can tell you my colleague rides a scott plasma pro and it's an amazing bike (roughly 5,000$ Canadian). I've always been a loyalist to Cervelo's tri bikes; I think the amount of technology packed into their frames alone are worth the price mark.

You could also look into a brand called "blue." I haven't really heard of them, but their reviews are good and their tt bikes are priced reasonably. They also come with multiple builds (SRAM red, campy or shimano) and their price ranges from 2900 to 5500 I believe. Here's the link of the website: http://www.rideblue.com/t16.php

For a tri bike, I firmly believe that weight should not be the primary factor (carbon or aluminum, etc.) since it's the aerodynamics that one is trying to combat; for this reason, I would choose cervelo. For 3,000$ (US?) you have a lot of bikes to choose from.

Best regards,

A.  

Answer 3

Noel, triathlon bike? 3 grand? ( some extra on hold?) h**l, go to your nearest TREK dealer and ask for a FREE catalog year 2008) The Quantum triathlon bike from TREK ( especially the carbon black rig---GASP!!! ) is your answer!  ( Open mindedness has its rewards y'know!) The whole bike looks dang FAST (  ever seen the Ducati HyperMotard? The Quantum comes close!). Anyway, you might see it in www.adrenalizebikes.com, or maybe EBAY (www.ebay.com-Sporting goods-Cycling).  

Answer 4

Best answer is go to a few shops and test ride some different bikes from different makers all will fit differently.  Also try out a few road and TT bikes, there is a huge difference in the feel and handeling between a road bike and a TT bike.  All good shops will let you demo ride a bike before you buy it, they understand you are going to drop 3 to 4K and want to be sure before you do it!  

PS a Scattante carbon is a great bike, the frames are made in the same place as a few of the high end brand names and they come equiped with good shimano groups.  Your buddy who said you will feel a big difference dosen't really know alot about bikes if he made that statement.  If you look at where all the frames are made most all of them are made in Taiwan at the same factory, a VERY small percentge are made in the US or in Europe.  Check out this link to the factory in Taiwan   http://www.bikedomeworks.tw/OFrame.htm   they list just a few on the website but they make about 30 different carbon frames from road to TT bikes.

Answer 5

I think Bicycles are expencive in your country, coz here in India there are bikes available of excelent quality with all features, including hydrolic shock absorbers, alloy wheels, gears and all the gurantees worth $100 - $200 means 5000- 10000 rupees !

Answer 6

Have you considered the P2SL? With the money you save over the carbon version you could get a pretty serious wheelset to throw on for races. The rides not going to be as smooth as the carbon, but the bike's going to be just as fast.

Answer 7

One thing to bear in mind is that the new Dura Ace 7900 and Di2 groups will be out early next year.  Might be worth waiting for these to appear and trying to pick up a bargain with the old groupset.

Answer 8

you know the scattante gets really good reviews as well.  i kind of wonder whether you'll see as much difference as you think?

in that price range you have so many choices.  cervelo deffinately has a great rep as does specialized.  either would be a great choice.  if i were you i would first decide on what you are going to do.  a tt bike and a road bike are kind of different animals, and i would get a bike aimed at your primary goals.  from there i would shop.  i would look at the package more than the name on the frame.  consider the wheels and other parts in the price range you have and buy the bike with the best parts on it.

Answer 9

you can consider cervelo argon18 pinarello trek and issac and ceepo

all make awesome tri bikes