Tri Bikes?

OK, so I'm officially tri-hooked and ready to upgrade to a tri bike (vs. my tricked-out road bike with added aeros). But there are so many choices and I've yet to actually ride a tri bike! I'm leaning toward a Cervelo P2 mainly cuz it looks cool and I like red. And I'm trying it to keep it under $3K because, let's face it ... I don't pay the bills with my tri habit. My bike shop carries pretty much all the major brands and they're super cool to work with but I don't want to go in looking like a doofus. So I'm asking: What do you folks ride and why?

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Permalink Reply by Joe H on June 28, 2011 at 9:17am

I ride an elite aria it is crazy design with a cantilever beam under the seat it's a little heavier than a normal bike but it is super comfortable for long rides. it has eliminated low pain I had during the run after a long ride

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR5niVDZXTpq_zpzVGGvSQVFVQi...

Elite is a small custom built bike shop on South Street in philly and they are AWESOME! they buld the bike to you and the fitting was a great morning as Dave interviewed me/measured me for the bike. not cheap but great bikes. you can get a magnus tri bike for under $3k

http://www.elitebicycles.com/bike_detail_tri.php?id=magnus

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Permalink Reply by Paul N. Goldstone on June 28, 2011 at 10:13am

Sweet.
Most important thing to remember is comfort & proper fitting is critical.
We spend the most time. On the bike.
Personally being more of a burly build and not the typical tri-geek physique, I ride a kuota-k factor. Initially only bought it as i stumbled upon a price i Couldn't pass up.
Their entry-level time trial bike.
See photo álbum: 'show us your wheels.'
It was causing me MAJOR shoulder pronlems at first, (was NOT initially fit correctly.) but has been a dream since propely fit. Durable.
I totally agree w/ Joe re: elite.
David does a superb job. If i ever outgrow my kuota, or actually ever start to 'enjoy' the bike, i would drop a little extra dough for an 'elite'.
No doubt.

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Permalink Reply by Joe H on July 6, 2011 at 3:18pm

so? whadya get?

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Permalink Reply by Danita Boonchaisri on July 6, 2011 at 9:02pm

Haven't decided yet. It takes me hours to find a pair of shoes I like! It'll likely take me MONTHS to decide I'm ready to drop thousands on a bike I'll spend years on! I'm still in "research mode" right now.

I'm also toying with the idea that I won't allow myself to buy a new ride until I lose my last 10 pounds. You know, motivation and all that. Or perhaps that's frustration ... I don't know. This could take a while.