Hello, I've entered into a few Sprint Tri's for the first time. My goal is to finish respectably but I do tend to be competitive against myself mostly. Not realizing what I was getting into, I thought I'd shop around for a new Road Bike. I never realized the cost of new bikes and all the choices available. So, I've ridden quite a few womens bikes....Trek, Specialized, Scott and I have to say I like the Trek the best. I was taking a look at the Trek 2.1 pilot however I"ve been told it's not very "aggressive." I could get in to this bike with everything for 1600.00. which to me is astronomical...since I need new furniture and so many other things instead of a bike! But, I've made the comittment and now I need to follow through. So, I was also looking at this website that had Tommaso bikes. They are a lot less expensive but I've never ridden one and not sure if it's going to be comfortable. Does anyone have any recommendations about these bikes? Also, any comment on the Pilot 2.1 for races. Again, I guess my question is, is it going to make that much difference if I don't get the top of the line full carbon bike?
My other obstacle is that I'm very petite...4'11" and I'm having difficulty getting fits me properly. Any help or advice would be really appreciated.
There's a lot of debate on the wonders of a full carbon bike and my belief is that a good frame is a good frame whether it's CF, steel, aluminum, or my personal favorite: Kryptonite!
Seriously, regardless of what a good lightweight frame is made of and providing that it is well equiped with good wheels, shifters, etc. , you probably won't find much performance difference in them. The most important variable is the rider herself; you need to be sure that is the bike you really want, that it fits you perfectly, that it looks so cool that you want to ride it everytime you look at it. That way you'll want to do lots of training miles, which are more important than spending an extra $400 on a bike.
Whatever you purchase I'd make sure it's a bike you've actually ridden, so you know exactly how it feels to you.
