Home Chat General Chat

Head vs heart (bike buying)

Hello all,

I have been doing sprints for a couple of years, and one Olympic distance, on a hybrid bike. That 42km made me realise that I have to stop messing about and get a proper bike if I am taking this seriously. I suppose that I have been putting off buying a full racer until I can afford what I want.

I am 6'6" so there are surpisingly few frames that are big enough, and very very few in the end-of-year sales that are just beginning now. Naturally I have fixated on various brands, e.g Cannondale and Wilier, which do not seem to be discounted as they are in such demand.

So my question is this: do I buy a £499 bike that will need replacing in a year (when I hopefully can afford a bigger and better bike). The downside is that the frame will be 'okay' and if I progress to achieve an IM in the next 3 years which is my ambition, it will need replacing soon.

Or do I buy a £999 bike (good frame, okay components which can be upgraded).

Or do I wait, carry on with the hybrid until I can afford a 'proper' bike (good frame, good compenents, probably £1750+).

The pathetic truth is that I have been holding out for a particular bike in a particular colour, and at this rate I will be waiting until the end of time.

So do people buy bikes with their heads....totally budget driven regardless of colour and components, or their hearts?

My head is saying, get a Specialized Allez (cheap and functional). But it would be great to get that Cannondale. And at the Tri entry level, how much difference does it really make to one's performance?

I basically need a slap round the face by someone to help me make a decision.

Thank you for any board inspired verbal violence to pull myself together.

Comments

  • TRIumphantTRIumphant Posts: 850
    Buy now. It'll make no difference, because whenever you buy, you will always be looking to buy something, newer, more aero, more bling, more suit to TT/Tri/IM/Sportive etc etc etc. Get it now, and then at least you'll have the immediate effect and benefit over riding a hybrid. Once you decide, or uncover, what you're Tri strenghts are, OD, IM etc, then you'll be in a better place to decide what to get next.
  • QuitterQuitter Posts: 160
    Once the initial euphoria wears off of being quicker on the racer - and no matter what price bike you buy it will be everytime you ride the "lesser" bike you'll think "what if?"

    If you can buy the better bike without defaulting on the mortgage/not feeding the kids and its just a guilt thing about spending money on yourself do it.

    The justification is staggeringly simple...higher value bike hold their money better so the more you spend the more you save.

    The colour of it is waaaaaayyyyy further down the list than getting one that fits properly....especially as you are a freakishly tall basketballer type mutant
  • andissandiss Posts: 82
    try to pick up a good second hand bike, from 2000 something as its a better ride than any entry level 2010 road bike

    like
    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Trek-Madone-5-2-C ... K_Bikes_GL

    or a

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SPECIALIZED-TARMA ... K_Bikes_GL

    happy hunting
  • wyno70wyno70 Posts: 189
    Always go with the heart!!!!

    If you go with your head then you'll still hanker after the one you really want and the one you have bought will never quite cut it!!

    I'd wait a couple of months, save some extra cash and get the one you really like.

    Also, during the winter a few amazing deals always come up and you may get a far better bike than you budgeted for.

    Last year, I held off and managed to get a Felt B2R off a fella that had a nasty late season crash, for £1k off list price!! The bike was still boxed with all paperwork etc. If you have a specific bike in mind, then it's definately worth keeping a regular check on ebay.
  • md6md6 Posts: 969
    Quitter wrote:
    The colour of it is waaaaaayyyyy further down the list than getting one that fits properly....especially as you are a freakishly tall basketballer type mutant
    Burn the Witch!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Heresey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Colour is the most important factor in making you fast, it has to be Red. And have naked carbon too. Otherwise you will be slow. Fact!
  • ZacniciZacnici Posts: 1,385
    Error whilst Doing a Replacement, Error in srv_convert.
  • PC_67PC_67 Posts: 196
    Never ever let your head, or your spouse, influence a purchase decision.

    My mate is similarly tall (about 6 ft 4 or 6 ft 5) and had a road bike custom fitted by Kinetic One, who are based in Wiltshire I think. It's a good bike and he loves it.

    They can be pricey but the Kinetic-One 2011 "FK-ONE EVO ROAD" 20 Speed - Road Racing Bike (check website (www.kinetic-one.co.uk) is just £999.99. See - not even a grand.
  • QuitterQuitter Posts: 160
    Error whilst Doing a Replacement, Error in srv_convert.
  • ZacniciZacnici Posts: 1,385
    There, there Quitter; we all have days when we do or say irrational things. Now go and do a nice brick session and buy something nice in red or bare carbon and we'll say no more about.
  • md6md6 Posts: 969
    We forgive you, some carbon goggles would appease the tri gods I'm sure!
  • birdymanbirdyman Posts: 39
    Thank you for your suggestions and the bike porn.

    New frames etc should be out soon, after EuroBike, so I will get something later in September I hope. (And pedals, shoes, turbo trainer etc etc).

    I am going to have to do some serious explaining to my wife and the children are going to be on bread and water for a while.
  • jamewahjamewah Posts: 113
    Don't buy now !!!
    the season is nearly over so there's no point ?? unless you've got a busy autumn of duathlons andlast minute tri's?
    I would keep using your hybrid to train on and start looking in Jan/Feb next year and pick up your dream £1750 bike for about £1100 in the sale. It'll be worth the wait
Sign In or Register to comment.