Hi

I am attempting my first triathlon in a mere 6 weeks and so am getting myself a bike, I really don't want to spend a great deal of cash in case I'm truly rubbish!

As helpfully advised by another member of CR I went to a bike store and got some really excellent advice and got fitted for a bike and so now know what I should be looking for, a huge step up from yesterday! I'd quite like to go and buy all the things the salesman told me to but common sense ( my husband) is prevailing and so I am going to start with a used or cheapo bike. There are few on ebay, I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on them? One was a CAMPANA DXR and the other was a ATOMIK MAMBA are they usuable and fine for a beginner or is this just a false economy?

I was recommended to buy Azzuri Tigre or the Giant OCR2 and we found ( from this site) a link to the CELL - S2200 Beginner Road Bike.

All info gratefully received!

Thanks

We don't know of either bikes you found on ebay. Personnally I wouldn't buy a bike off ebay - but that is just me! If you are looking at buying second hand a good entry level group set is Shimano 105 (this refers to brake callipers, front chain ring, derailers) and, while it might not mean anything to you, it should to the seller.

A few of our friends have bought Cell bikes and they are fine. The one you mention is on sale at the moment for $500.

The only Cell bike store in Sydney is at Stanmore and one of the salesmen is a good friend of ours. If you go to the store his name is Ice (Dallas) and he is a good bloke.

Just to make sure this is not read as a promotion for Cell I ride a Specialized which I adore and my hubby rides a Felt which he also adores

Make sure you get a proper fitting.

Good luck.

What tri are you doing?

wt

The other half (Beki) and I went through similar issues when buying our bikes a couple of months ago - we settled for Azzuri's and have been very happy with them.

Is that the Dallas that worked at Bike Barn and Universe Cycles at Parramatta many years ago?

He also was a triathlete. Did Foster Ironman one year with a busted shoulder.

Agree with Wildthing about more known brand and after sales service.

Wildthing and I have unfinished business. Next year look out for the two of us (and her hubby)

Nepean here we come

You've left it a bit late, what with only 6 weeks till your planned tri to get a bike!

Maybe ring around a few bike shops and see if they have any second hand bikes or know of any that might be trading in soon. Fit is so important. I bought a secondhand bike from a secondhand store thinking it was the right size and my local bike store was nice enough to fit it for me (for free!!)as best they could but me being a small female being fitted on a mens 47 learsport 7700 which has a fairly long reach, their work was cut out for them. Needless to say I was getting a bit of a sore back riding it stretched out all the time and ended up not riding as much as I would've if I had the right size bike to start with.
Since then, the bike shop owners daughter grew out of her womens 44 Cannondale R500 and they offered it to me conveniently a week before my birthday. I am now one happy rider with a bike that fits me perfectly.
Anyhow, the moral of my story is don't be impatient and buy whatever comes along, maybe borrow someones bike for the event in 6weeks time if you need to. There are secondhand decent bikes out there, you just have to be patient.

BTW, does anyone want to buy a secondhand learsport 7700. All components tiagra except front wheel is 105. Not many k's on it. Asking price $650.

kazz.

Thanks for all the info- that's really helpful. The unknown brand ones all say they have shimano gears and alloy frame but I agree, ebay has its issues...

I was going to attempt a mini tri first, its a Warringah club event on 3rd Feb, although it seems to have a run between the swim and cycle and then another run at the end which should prove interesting. Details here

Am terrified of the ocean swim but its an irrational fear of being eaten by a shark more than anything else!

This is probably not helpful in your situation but when I bought a bike I was looking for a bike to commute on rather than a tri bike and I picked up a great Trek hybrid for $400. I will be doing my first tri in Feburary on this very bike and have no plans to upgrade it any time soon. Of course, that may change after my first tri

If you are looking on ebay look for a used bike with decent kit on it (eg. named Shimano products such as Sora, Tiagra, Ultegra, Dura). But not new bikes, not bikes that just say they are Shimano, and not any of the Atomik bikes which are both.

If you can't find anything on ebay, ring around some bike shops and see if they handle second hand bikes. Given the time of year there may be a few bikes being traded in, the bike shops aren't really looking to make money out of them.

Hi one word of advice steer clear of any unknown brands on ebay IE Atomik I personally picked up a second hand Giant in great condition 12 months back a friend picked up an atomik and its just cheap crap so be careful
macca

Thommo

Not sure about Bike Barn or Universe cycles but I am sure it is the same Dallas - he does get around. Not so long ago he worked at Cycleworld Burwood.

He did do Foster with a busted arm after a bad cycling accident I think in which a friend was killed. He is currently training with my husband for his 9th Ironman and my husband's first (a veteran and a virgin ) which will be at Port in April.

Yes, I too have some unfinished business at Nepean - surely it can't be too hard to improve on last! But my big goal for 2008 is Gold Coast HIM minus 20kg.

wildthing

Thanks for all the info everyone. Went to Cell Bikes and got a bike today, so am now getting started with some training!

Now off to find some triathlon training plans...

Get yourself to Trinewbies.com

Oooh I like it!! My two main goals are the same - see you there! With all the new gear I received over Chritstmas, I am keen to get back into it. Plus I think I made a stupid promise to NTR which may or may not have been heard by Jen_runs and Mango that I would enter GC HIM in 2008. Me and my big mouth....

I heard it

I heard it now too

I heard it too - loud and clear (in a virtual kind of way).

But I also think you heard me too - and I thought I had sneakily slipped that one in under the radar!

How very cool to have someone with the same 2008 goal.

Mouse I will definitely see you in Coomera for a beverage after the race!

wt

The thing about making such statements in front of other runners / triathletes is that they will never let you forget it and will always give you that little bit of 'encouragement' to keep you on track

Great goal!

Remember, what you did yesterday influences today, what you do today influences tomorrow. If you ever 'fall off the wagon' you can always get back on and keep on pushing to your goal. It is easier however to hold on tight in the first place.

Hi,

Sorry to bring up and old thread, but I am looking for a Tri Bike. I have found one that I am sure would be more than sufficient but just want some of the more experienced triathletes out there to convince me.

Its a brand new Giant Trinity Alliance 2 07 model. Its got all the Shimano 105 gear on it. with Pedals and shoes total cost $2,000-. I think it is a good deal but....

Any one thoughts would be great.

Cheers
Andrew

not sure if this will be your first tri bike but one thing to think about, and maybe others can comment - is the gear shifters are at the end of the tri bars, rather than on a normal road bike (which you can add tri bars to).
if you're just starting out this may be harder for you. i looked at these types when i first started and ended up buying a road bike and putting tri bars on it.
have a look at the giant OCR alliance pics on the web for a comparison and you'll see what i mean.

if you want a tri specific bike, then i'd say that for $2K including pedals and shoes this would be a good deal. is it from a bike shop or private sale? the 2008 model of the one you're looking at retails around $2400.

Yes the levers are on the end of the Tri-bars. I know this will take some getting used to but hoping it won't be too hard. They have reduced the price down a little further so I will but it as I don't see me getting a better deal.

Cheers
Andrew