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Joenali, Gumiberg, other trigirls
I lurk a lot, read everyday, yadda yadda. Can't really post due to work.
Anywhosen, yesterday, H and I were somewhat impulsive and I bought a tri bike! I've been running for a while (few years), and picked back up into swimming, and I've been indoor cycling for about 6 months. I recreationally bike ride throughout the summer.
I'm sure we can see where this is going.. So, I have this really awesome looking bike that I bought at a LBS and there are lots of tris this summer, but I'm thinking.. now what?
If it matters at all, this is the bike I bought:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=65048&gold_ses=&scid=1101&scname=Road
And I know I'll have to get over it, but I'm almost intimidated by the amount of money I just plopped down for this thing, to go out and ride with the thought that something could go wrong!
Ah!
"Glitter is the herpes of arts and crafts. It stays on you forever."
Re: Joenali, Gumiberg, other trigirls
Ooooh! I have that bike except for the 2010 model. I'm looking into a new bike in the next few months.
What kind of indoor cycling are you doing? Spinning? I would suggest that you buy yourself a trainer and get used to your bike and being in the aero position. That can be a little intimidating at first. That's how I got used to it and now it's just fine.
Sign up for some races, get a training plan in order and have fun!! Now is the time to start training for your races. Don't wait any longer!
ETA: Did you get your bike fit? You MUST do that so you are as comfortable on your bike as possible. Especially if you are going to be riding long distances.
Yes, I currently do spinning, and I know I need a trainer, but since we went a leeeeetle over budget with the bike itself, I figured I'd wait a few months (or maybe until after summer) to get a trainer. Or maybe try to find a used one on CL or or something.
One thing at a time right?! lol.
Yes, I got fit for it at the bike shop I bought it at. Originally I was going to get a road bike but then I showed my H the tri bikes and we considered it, and went for it. Actually, there was a TREK that was last years model that I really wanted and was on like, super sale, but alas, it was the wrong size!
However, no sense crying over spilt milk when this is the right size for my tall behind.
My summer plans were to do a sprint tri anyway (I had a mountain bike I could have done it on) as my main focus for this year for a tri to kind of see how that goes. I am also training for my first full in the fall which is my main goal..
So do you think that no trainer is okay for just the sprint tri this summer as the fall full is really my main goal, and then in the fall/winter can be my trainer time? Or do you really rec getting a trainer now?
"Glitter is the herpes of arts and crafts. It stays on you forever."
Absolutely, the BEST thing you can do is to get a professional fitting done. Nice bike!
Southeastern Cycling
My Nest Bio and Cycling Advice
"Glitter is the herpes of arts and crafts. It stays on you forever."
You really want to do the custom fitting BEFORE you start riding the bike to prevent any problems. (Ok, maybe after half a dozen rides.)
Southeastern Cycling
My Nest Bio and Cycling Advice
You can get a trainer off Craigslist for super cheap! If you can't get one (everything bike related can be expensive!) it's not a big deal. Practice in a grassy area when you are clipping in an out of pedals and you can practice aero as well.
Have fun!!
By this the guy meant that I'd have it a few months for riding and I could tell them if anything was uncomfortable or needed changed, and they could do it for me, but I was also fitted for it initially.
"Glitter is the herpes of arts and crafts. It stays on you forever."
Thank you! I was quite surprised when I was just talking to my H about maybe in the future getting one, and he basically said, "well how about we go get you a bike, and I get a new phone?" I said "Deal!" and had him in the car before his senses came back to him!
And yes, I had contemplated MAYBE looking at some online, but knew that was a bad idea. I'm glad I just went to the LBS.
"Glitter is the herpes of arts and crafts. It stays on you forever."
Thats what I was thinking about CL. I haven't bought bike shoes yet. The guy said that I should practice with the regular pedals and not clipped shoes, for falling risks and such) until after maybe the 3 month thing, to just get used to sitting higher on the bike etc, and not having to worry about clipping out should something go wrong.
He was the oldest guy in the place and was really knowledgeable about what timeframe I'd need to really buy things, so that was nice. I literally walked out with one pair of shorts, a helmet, and the bike. Lol. Obviously now he knows that I'm going to be back, too.
The grassy park idea is a great! I didn't think of that, that will be soft landing should I fall too!
"Glitter is the herpes of arts and crafts. It stays on you forever."
See my ETA down below, I was, but the three month thing I guess is more of an evaluation to make sure everything is working properly, and should I feel anything needs swapped out, or if I'm having any issues with anything that has come up in the time that I've had it, they could fix that. Does that make more sense? I was fit for it, as the guy had me first on and off a bunch of bikes, then on and off the bike I bought about ten times, and then watched me ride it, and then I rode it for quite some time. He adjusted it (what seemed like) a million times before I left.
"Glitter is the herpes of arts and crafts. It stays on you forever."
I love your for saying this!!!
I bet the service and fittings are worth paying a little more for.
I'll agree w/Joenali about the trainer. Pick one up used. I have lots of trainer buying info. in my bio.
Southeastern Cycling
My Nest Bio and Cycling Advice
That's not really a bike fitting. That's called "trying out lots of bikes" and making basic adjustments until you are comfortable. It does sound like the shop took the time to make sure that you liked the bike and were comfortable on it, which is a sign of a good LBS.
A "custom" or proper bike fitting takes several hours. It also usually costs $100-300. It may be done by a local shop or an independent bike fitter. Most of the time, the fitter has been trained in one of several fitting techniques such as Wobble Naught, Dartfish, Retul, and several other varieties. They will use their knowledge of your measurements, how you ride, etc. to fit the bike.
Southeastern Cycling
My Nest Bio and Cycling Advice
Oh yes, they did mention that, that is after the 3 month thing. I am going to definitely going to get that done as well. I am just going to go in the order they have rec'd, which is first the 3 month thing (which is free), and then the 3 hour fitting (which is what you are talking about which they are discounting by $100 IIRC bc I bought the bike there). They gave me a checklist, and when to do them in what order, so I am going to go by that, unless a problem comes up!
"Glitter is the herpes of arts and crafts. It stays on you forever."
I dont really think a trainer is a big deal, especially since you need how to learn to use your bike. A trainer cannot teach you balance using aerobars, or how to switch the gears. Just make sure you go some place out of traffic since it will take some getting out of aero to use the breaks.
and you said you dont clip in?? that is crazy. get bike shoes and learn how to clip in.
i dont understand the 3 month thing either... you need to be fitted before you even ride the bike (fitted as in measurements should be taken).
btw - my bike fitter does not work in a bike shop. you can take it somewhere else to get fitted if they insist that you wait. its nice to use an independent bike fitter because they have no obligation to sell you something.
anyway - congrats on the bike and welcome to the sport! i am sure you will love it, triathlons are tons of fun
Make sure to report back!
I don't clip in.. yet. He basically said to sort of get used to everything for a while (a month, maybe 3), and come back whenever I wanted for the bike shoes and clipless pedals. His reasoning was while getting used to sitting up higher, and the transitioning between the aero bars and the brakes and everything, if I have a problem, it will be much easier for me to just put my foot on the ground, than to try and think about unclipping myself.
I never felt under any obligation to buy anything, like I said, I walked out with 3 things, a helmet, a bike and 1 pair of bike shorts. The fitting they rec'd after a little bit of riding so that I was used to it, and I could tell them if I was experiencing anything, a problem, or something could be improved, or how something felt.
I will definitely report back! We're having a sort of mild winter, so maybe I'll be able to get out sometime this week, if the weather plays nice!
I can't ever post because of my work schedule, but I had today off, and was so excited about my new purchase!
"Glitter is the herpes of arts and crafts. It stays on you forever."
But at least she can get used to being in an aeroposition, see if anything needs to be tweeked as far as fit goes as well as learning to clip in and out on the trainer. Don't dis something that is actually quite good for training when you can't get outside.
In addition to getting a real fitting, you will have to likely get fitted again in a year or so. If you had asked me before buying, I would have recommended you buy a road bike instead of a tri bike. Tri bikes have a very aggressive geometry compared to a road bike and road bikes are more versatile. You should never ride your tri bike on a group ride and, even though you are doing triathlons, you should learn to ride in a group.
That said (too late), you will likely not have the flexibility required to ride the bike as intended yet. So, as you ride this season, work on hip flexibility and hamstring flexibility and then have another fitting done for next season.
just a side note about the trainer bit, Andy Potts (2010 2 x IM winner) does about 75% of his cycling training on a trainer. Of course, he's riding a computrainer, but says that riding indoors allows him to hit a much higher intensity than he can out on a regular road ride, making for a much more focused ride.
I thought that was a really interesting anecdote.
j+k+m+e | running with needles
i didnt dis the trainer. i use my trainer quite a bit (i may have nice weather, but i also have two small kids that i cannot leave alone). she said it wasnt in her budget right now and i was simply stating that i think it is OK not to have one.
it is convenient, for sure - but if you can be outside, that is the best for learning bike handling skills. and that is what is going to keep you upright during the race.
just wanted to clarify that i am not anti-trainer. i prefer my trainer because there is no wind
i sometimes bring my bike into a shop that have computrainers and those things are so awesome. they dont allow you to slack because the numbers are right there. i am lucky because i can drive my bike to relatively close places that don't have a lot of street lights but its hard to maintain a really good speed when you are not on a closed course. its frustrating to be going fast and then get to a red light.
lol, between lights and wind and cars, i curse a lot on my bike.