Newbie help !!!!!
dgkramer88
Posts: 4
in General Chat
Hiya people,
I wondered if anyone out there would be able to answer a couple questions and give me some advice/help. Im 22 year male who is a student ( buget not great lol ), this year im doing the london to brighton bike ride, first bike ride that I've dont thats going to be some distance, so I be training for that but after entering myself into the bike ride, Ive decicded i would love to do the london triathlon next year, so im getting the practice in now, looking at local events to do etc etc.
But this is where i need some help, ive looked at road bikes and their very expensive I know you pay for what you get and stuff, but i was wondering if you do any british triathlon does the bike part have to be done on a road bike or can you use anything bike ?, ive tried to look for the rules regarding bikes and ive had no luck so I would like if anyone can clear this point up for me ? also being on a budget would I be able to get away with doing triathlons on hybrid bike or a trekking bike as you can I tell i dont have much knowledge on this area lol.
Unless anyone knows a good place where I could get a cheap road bike ? and what websites would you suggest for the equipment eg the wetsuits, tri suits etc ?
I think ive covered everything, if any more info need please let me know
Thanks you
I wondered if anyone out there would be able to answer a couple questions and give me some advice/help. Im 22 year male who is a student ( buget not great lol ), this year im doing the london to brighton bike ride, first bike ride that I've dont thats going to be some distance, so I be training for that but after entering myself into the bike ride, Ive decicded i would love to do the london triathlon next year, so im getting the practice in now, looking at local events to do etc etc.
But this is where i need some help, ive looked at road bikes and their very expensive I know you pay for what you get and stuff, but i was wondering if you do any british triathlon does the bike part have to be done on a road bike or can you use anything bike ?, ive tried to look for the rules regarding bikes and ive had no luck so I would like if anyone can clear this point up for me ? also being on a budget would I be able to get away with doing triathlons on hybrid bike or a trekking bike as you can I tell i dont have much knowledge on this area lol.
Unless anyone knows a good place where I could get a cheap road bike ? and what websites would you suggest for the equipment eg the wetsuits, tri suits etc ?
I think ive covered everything, if any more info need please let me know
Thanks you
0
Comments
As I understand it, you can ride whatever bike you like, just as long as it's in good working order and safe. You will need a helmet though, you cannot take part in a triathlon without one. You will also very likely need a wetsuit, which can be expensive, but search for wetsuit hire, or even buy an x-rental one.
Triathlon can be a real burden on your wallet if you want to get everything and keep up with 'the jones', but I think you can do it on a budget, and whats more, if you do it on a budget and train harder than those that dont......you beat them!!!
Welcome to the forum. Right - Firstly do you have a budget in mind?
When I first took up tri I was on a £350 road bike which I managed to get for £300 as it was an ex demo. However, if you've no money to buy a new bike then what sort of bike do you have?
If you have a mountain bike - then fine. do it on that, however a really good tweak of the bike is to take the wheels off it and switch it to wheels with slick tyres. Hybrids are also fine but again tweaking the tyres to help with rolling resistance is something you might want to consider.
Just to let you know when I did abu dhabi there were people doing the short distance course on mountain bikes and hybrids...
Tri is a friendly sport, you can start off with what you've got/ can manage then work your way up.....
The bike you are riging doesnt matter its about getting out there and enjoying it.
Good luck with the london to brighton ride I would love to do that some day.
When I first started my adiction, sorry i meant Triathlon its just become and addioction. I was on a Viking Torino which cost £250 and had steel forks. I still love the bike but its not mine anymore (sob sob) My mate bought it off me and it still turns up to triathlons. I had no other real kit except some goggles and a pair of running shoes. I bought some tru shorts and just put a t-shirt on for the cycle and ride. I also had to buy a helmet as (like Gary says) you must have one.
You will really enjoy your first tri and thats what counts. I am in mu 3 rd season now and still enjoy it as much if not more!
Blinkybaz
P.S - Welcome to the forum!
my first race was on a cheapy road bike, bought for £500 through the cyclescheme, but there's no reason to spend money on road or tri bikes for those first races.
if you do a pool -based tri then you can probably get by without spending too much on other kit (wetsuits, trisuits etc) - it can appear to be an expensive sport, but the reality is that it can be done relatively inexpensively if you don't care how much carbon/specific kit you have.
As long as your bike complies with the issues raised, then it's useable.
I know it's a expensive sport cause when I went to a shop this guy was going on and on about but he was showing the top of the range stuff, Im doing the triathlons for my self as there something I've always wanted to do, if I do become really good then yeah I would by better stuff but for now as long as I can get by that's fine by me.
The bike I was using was a mountain bike that I got for free, it's been going well until I decided to really push my self and I don't think the bike to keep up lol so I'll propbly just buy a brand new bike and like u guys said get thinner wheels, I think it's just every time I've seen triathlons everyone has road bikes and I felt kinda the odd one out if I turned up on a mouton bike but after u guys told menu feel much better now
Thank u for the warm welcome, the info and I will posting on here a fair bit and like someone said the addiction will start lol
I have just started out and been buying on a budget and there are deals out there. My first race there were plenty of mountain bikes. I bought a road bike Giant for £550. Very comfy for me and did make a big difference.
Be careful if does become addicatce and i have only done one Dualthon so far.
Just enjoy that all I can say, also listern to the adive of teh wise on the forum as they have given me a lot of great adivice
Also keep an eye out for Rutland Cycles - they sell a lot of ex demo models. Saw an advert not so long ago for this, good savings as well.
Don't be afraid to haggle either - cash talks....
The frame set was £999 RRP and I got the whole bike for (cough) £400 ish
Didnt know thanks for telling about they sell the bikes cheaper around sept time