New to Triathlons

I've seen people borrow a bike, use their mountain bike, use a hybrid, rent a bike for the very
reasons you've given. Then if they love it (as many people do and get almost obsessed with the
sport) - then they fork over lots of $$$ to get the bike they want.

None of the niceties are required (aero bars, aero wheels, etc) to try out the sport. Just get out
there and have a good time.

Good luck!

BBB

"Jay & Andrée Brochu" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:I3mEb.6458$ti2.2611@lakeread03...

Quoted message said:

My wife is looking to enter the realm of triathlons in the Summer of 2004. She's already an avid
runner and swimmer, but she's struggling with the

cost

Quoted message said:

of a new bike. Her fear is that she will not fully love the experience

and

Quoted message said:

then will be stuck with a big investment like a bike. She's got a hybrid from her college days,
but the only thing good about that is the upright angle of the seat tube.

My question is this: What did you do for your first triathlon? Did you

go

Quoted message said:

out and dump $1500 on an entry-level bike, use a road bike with some aero bars or neither of these
two things.

Thanks in advance, Jay

In general, I agree with what's been posted...To offer a contrarian opinion, I'd say you can get a
pretty nice new or used bike for $1,500. If the size you are looking at is fairly common, you take
good care of it, and don't buy some odd ball brand, you can hawk it on eBay for about $300 less than
you paid for it.

Once upon a time, I was a student with 50K in debt. I threw down $2,500 on a Trek 5200, and outside
of my wife's wedding ring, it was the best investment I've ever made.

Stan

"Jay & Andrée Brochu" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:I3mEb.6458$ti2.2611@lakeread03...

Quoted message said:

My wife is looking to enter the realm of triathlons in the Summer of 2004. She's already an avid
runner and swimmer, but she's struggling with the

cost

Quoted message said:

of a new bike. Her fear is that she will not fully love the experience

and

Quoted message said:

then will be stuck with a big investment like a bike. She's got a hybrid from her college days,
but the only thing good about that is the upright angle of the seat tube.

My question is this: What did you do for your first triathlon? Did you

go

Quoted message said:

out and dump $1500 on an entry-level bike, use a road bike with some aero bars or neither of these
two things.

Thanks in advance, Jay

"Jay & Andrée Brochu" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:I3mEb.6458$ti2.2611@lakeread03:

Quoted message said:

My question is this: What did you do for your first triathlon? Did you go out and dump $1500 on an
entry-level bike, use a road bike with some aero bars or neither of these two things.

Thanks in advance, Jay

Ok, my secret. Yard sales. Get the paper, see which yard sale ads are advertizing bikes and go to
em. I've bought Moto Becane (sic?) Cannondale and Trek for less than $50. Typically need new tires,
chain and a good cleaning and adjusting. V

I agree. Just stick with what you currently have. Use that hybrid for a short sprint tri just to see
how she likes the sport. If it turns out that she likes it and wants to stick with it, she can
always upgrade later.

At many of the sprint tris around this area, there are plenty of mountain bikes. She won't look
weird having a hybrid, if that's what she's worried about.

- chris

booner said:

I've seen people borrow a bike, use their mountain bike, use a hybrid, rent a bike for the very
reasons you've given. Then if they love it (as many people do and get almost obsessed with the
sport) - then they fork over lots of $$$ to get the bike they want.

None of the niceties are required (aero bars, aero wheels, etc) to try out the sport. Just get out
there and have a good time.

Good luck!

BBB

"Jay & Andrée Brochu" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:I3mEb.6458$ti2.2611@lakeread03...

Quoted message said:

My wife is looking to enter the realm of triathlons in the Summer of 2004. She's already an avid
runner and swimmer, but she's struggling with the

cost

Quoted message said:

of a new bike. Her fear is that she will not fully love the experience

and

Quoted message said:

then will be stuck with a big investment like a bike. She's got a hybrid from her college days,
but the only thing good about that is the upright angle of the seat tube.

My question is this: What did you do for your first triathlon? Did you

go

Quoted message said:

out and dump $1500 on an entry-level bike, use a road bike with some aero bars or neither of
these two things.

Thanks in advance, Jay

Chris said:

I agree. Just stick with what you currently have. Use that hybrid for a short sprint tri just to
see how she likes the sport. If it turns out that she likes it and wants to stick with it, she can
always upgrade later.

At many of the sprint tris around this area, there are plenty of mountain bikes. She won't look
weird having a hybrid, if that's what she's worried about.

- chris

Agreed as well.

My first two duathlons were done on a 150$ Walmart special mountain bike. For the second
one I sprung for some of those fancy slick road tires 20$ or so. I later ended up spending
a whopping 325$ for a used road bike. After adding clipless and aero bars I've done
Sprint, Oly and
1/2 IM on that one. You don't need to spend oodles of cash on a bike, especially if you're just
getting your feet wet. Maybe someday if I actually feel I deserve it I'll spend some cash on a
bike. Until then I got a whole lotta work to do on the engine.

~Matt

Quoted message said:

booner said:

I've seen people borrow a bike, use their mountain bike, use a hybrid, rent a bike for the very
reasons you've given. Then if they love it (as many people do and get almost obsessed with the
sport) - then they fork over lots of $$$ to get the bike they want.

None of the niceties are required (aero bars, aero wheels, etc) to try out the sport. Just get
out there and have a good time.

Good luck!

BBB

"Jay & Andrée Brochu" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:I3mEb.6458$ti2.2611@lakeread03...

Quoted message said:

My wife is looking to enter the realm of triathlons in the Summer of 2004. She's already an avid
runner and swimmer, but she's struggling with the

cost

Quoted message said:

of a new bike. Her fear is that she will not fully love the experience

and

Quoted message said:

then will be stuck with a big investment like a bike. She's got a hybrid from her college days,
but the only thing good about that is the upright angle of the seat tube.

My question is this: What did you do for your first triathlon? Did you

go

Quoted message said:

out and dump $1500 on an entry-level bike, use a road bike with some aero bars or neither of
these two things.

Thanks in advance, Jay

<MJuric> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Chris said:

I agree. Just stick with what you currently have. Use that hybrid for a short sprint tri just to
see how she likes the sport. If it turns out that she likes it and wants to stick with it, she
can always upgrade later.

At many of the sprint tris around this area, there are plenty of mountain bikes. She won't look
weird having a hybrid, if that's what she's worried about.

- chris

Agreed as well.

My first two duathlons were done on a 150$ Walmart special mountain bike. For the second one I
sprung for some of those fancy slick road tires 20$ or so. I later ended up spending a whopping
325$ for a used road bike. After adding clipless and aero bars I've done Sprint, Oly and
1/2 IM on that one. You don't need to spend oodles of cash on a bike, especially if you're just
getting your feet wet. Maybe someday if I actually feel I deserve it I'll spend some cash on a
bike. Until then I got a whole lotta work to do on the engine.

~Matt

Quoted message said:

booner said:

I've seen people borrow a bike, use their mountain bike, use a hybrid,

rent

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

a bike for the very reasons you've given. Then if they love it (as

many

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

people do and get almost obsessed with the sport) - then they fork over

lots

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

of $$$ to get the bike they want.

None of the niceties are required (aero bars, aero wheels, etc) to try

out

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the sport. Just get out there and have a good time.

Good luck!

BBB

"Jay & Andrée Brochu" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:I3mEb.6458$ti2.2611@lakeread03...
> My wife is looking to enter the realm of triathlons in the Summer of

2004.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> She's already an avid runner and swimmer, but she's struggling with

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

cost
> of a new bike. Her fear is that she will not fully love the

experience

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and
> then will be stuck with a big investment like a bike. She's got a

hybrid

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> from her college days, but the only thing good about that is the

upright

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> angle of the seat tube.
>
> My question is this: What did you do for your first triathlon? Did

you

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

go
> out and dump $1500 on an entry-level bike, use a road bike with some

aero

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> bars or neither of these two things.
>
> Thanks in advance, Jay
>
>

I would have to agree with the above as well. Although that isn't the path I followed. I went out
and bought a Cervelo P2K before I even started training. I am a little different though since I knew
I would love the sport and I wouldn't be quiting after one year. It is just one of those things I
knew. I will say though that after talking to some friend's of mine who road mountain bikes in
races, they HIGHLY suggest getting some slick tires for the race. Even for training if you don't
mind changing them often. Good luck to your wife!! M~

In article said:

Chris said:

I agree. Just stick with what you currently have. Use that hybrid for a short sprint tri just to
see how she likes the sport. If it turns out that she likes it and wants to stick with it, she
can always upgrade later.

At many of the sprint tris around this area, there are plenty of mountain bikes. She won't look
weird having a hybrid, if that's what she's worried about.

- chris

Agreed as well.

My first two duathlons were done on a 150$ Walmart special mountain bike. For the second one
I sprung for some of those fancy slick road tires 20$ or so. I later ended up spending a
whopping 325$ for a used road bike. After adding clipless and aero bars I've done Sprint,
Oly and
1/2 IM on that one. You don't need to spend oodles of cash on a bike, especially if you're just
getting your feet wet.

There's only one guy I've heard of that can do a triathlon and just get his feet wet. I think his
birthday is next Thursday. . . .

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night, and party every day. Then it was every other day. . . ."

- Homer J. Simpson

Harold Buck said:

In article said:

Chris said:

I agree. Just stick with what you currently have. Use that hybrid for a short sprint tri just to
see how she likes the sport. If it turns out that she likes it and wants to stick with it, she
can always upgrade later.

At many of the sprint tris around this area, there are plenty of mountain bikes. She won't look
weird having a hybrid, if that's what she's worried about.

- chris

Agreed as well.

My first two duathlons were done on a 150$ Walmart special mountain bike. For the second one
I sprung for some of those fancy slick road tires 20$ or so. I later ended up spending a
whopping 325$ for a used road bike. After adding clipless and aero bars I've done Sprint,
Oly and
1/2 IM on that one. You don't need to spend oodles of cash on a bike, especially if you're just
getting your feet wet.

There's only one guy I've heard of that can do a triathlon and just get his feet wet. I think his
birthday is next Thursday. . . .

Is that allowed? Or is that an auto DQ?

~Matt

Quoted message said:

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night, and party every day. Then it was every other day. . . ."

- Homer J. Simpson

In article said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

My first two duathlons were done on a 150$ Walmart special mountain bike. For the second one
I sprung for some of those fancy slick road tires 20$ or so. I later ended up spending a
whopping 325$ for a used road bike. After adding clipless and aero bars I've done Sprint,
Oly and
1/2 IM on that one. You don't need to spend oodles of cash on a bike, especially if you're just
getting your feet wet.

There's only one guy I've heard of that can do a triathlon and just get his feet wet. I think his
birthday is next Thursday. . . .

Is that allowed? Or is that an auto DQ?

Well, if you DQ him, you risk him getting mad and turning the water into wine. Then everyone else
would get DQed for being intoxicated. He also might turn the fish in the lake into loaves of bread.
Or something like that; I'm a little rusty.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night, and party every day. Then it was every other day. . . ."

- Homer J. Simpson

"Jay & Andrée Brochu" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:I3mEb.6458$ti2.2611@lakeread03:

Quoted message said:

My wife is looking to enter the realm of triathlons in the Summer of 2004. She's already an avid
runner and swimmer, but she's struggling with the cost of a new bike. Her fear is that she will
not fully love the experience and then will be stuck with a big investment like a bike. She's got
a hybrid from her college days, but the only thing good about that is the upright angle of the
seat tube.

My question is this: What did you do for your first triathlon? Did you go out and dump $1500 on an
entry-level bike, use a road bike with some aero bars or neither of these two things.

Thanks in advance, Jay

Big heavy mountain bike. Had a blast! Do it the first time just to try the sport out. If you get
hooked, sink some money into it.

Tom

A quick question...kicking around the duathlon idea, any opinions about bladed spokes, fast forward seat post in addition to my aero bar on my '01 OCR3? Or should I upgrade to a more aero specific bike instead of trying to re-engineer this one?
Thanks!
Sandy

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by MJuric

BOn Thu said:

I agree. Just stick with what you currently have. Use that hybrid for a short sprint tri just to
see how she likes the sport. If it turns out that she likes it and wants to stick with it, she can
always upgrade later.

At many of the sprint tris around this area, there are plenty of mountain bikes. She won't look
weird having a hybrid, if that's what she's worried about.

- chris

Agreed as well.

My first two duathlons were done on a 150$ Walmart special mountain bike. For the second
one I sprung for some of those fancy slick road tires 20$ or so. I later ended up spending
a whopping 325$ for a used road bike. After adding clipless and aero bars I've done
Sprint, Oly and
1/2 IM on that one. You don't need to spend oodles of cash on a bike, especially if you're just
getting your feet wet. Maybe someday if I actually feel I deserve it I'll spend some cash on a
bike. Until then I got a whole lotta work to do on the engine.

~Matt

Quoted message said:

booner said:

I've seen people borrow a bike, use their mountain bike, use a hybrid, rent a bike for the very
reasons you've given. Then if they love it (as many people do and get almost obsessed with the
sport) - then they fork over lots of $$$ to get the bike they want.

None of the niceties are required (aero bars, aero wheels, etc) to try out the sport. Just get
out there and have a good time.

Good luck!

BBB

"Jay & Andrée Brochu" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:I3mEb.6458$ti2.2611@lakeread03...

Quoted message said:

My wife is looking to enter the realm of triathlons in the Summer of 2004. She's already an avid
runner and swimmer, but she's struggling with the

cost

Quoted message said:

of a new bike. Her fear is that she will not fully love the experience

and

Quoted message said:

then will be stuck with a big investment like a bike. She's got a hybrid from her college days,
but the only thing good about that is the upright angle of the seat tube.

My question is this: What did you do for your first triathlon? Did you

go

Quoted message said:

out and dump $1500 on an entry-level bike, use a road bike with some aero bars or neither of
these two things.

Thanks in advance, Jay

[/B]

😄 😄