First post and first duathlon

[Elbo91]

Hi All,

I've just signed up for a duathlon and don't own a bike yet. Just to be clear, I am doing the race with a team, more for the achievement than to get a great time.

I've been doing a fair amount of research on bikes (I'm clueless) and I'm trying to keep in mind that I might never enter another race and the bike has to be something I use for both fitness and for family rides with the kids.

I am looking at Cyclocross bikes. Is that a really bad idea? My budget is around £800 to £950.

Any help or advice would be great because my head is spinning!

Thanks

Elliot

 

[pawl]

Hi All,

I've just signed up for a duathlon and don't own a bike yet. Just to be clear, I am doing the race with a team, more for the achievement than to get a great time.

I've been doing a fair amount of research on bikes (I'm clueless) and I'm trying to keep in mind that I might never enter another race and the bike has to be something I use for both fitness and for family rides with the kids.

I am looking at Cyclocross bikes. Is that a really bad idea? My budget is around £800 to £950.

Any help or advice would be great because my head is spinning!

Thanks

Elliot

Have a look at Planet X bikes

 

[vickster]

Where are you based? If clueless as you confess, might be better to buy from a bricks and mortar bike shop rather than online

No a CX/adventure/gravel bike isn't a bad idea, can add slicks for your race and then have more rugged rubber for trips out with the family

 

[Elbo91]

Based in NW7 or in Central London. Plenty of bike shops close by

Planet X bikes looks good. As a newbie its so hard trying to figure out the components in a bike and what adds to the price and where the value is

 

[Elbo91]

Looking at this one. Any good? http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXXLSAPEX/planet-x-xls-sram-apex-cyclocross-bike

 

[fimm]

You can do du/triathlon on any roadworthy bike - my first triathlons were done on a mountain bike that originally cost £200, was slightly too big for me and didn't have lockable suspension. We did put some slick tyres on it...
So get a bike that will suit what ever else you are going to use it for. You won't be the odd person out!

 

[vickster]

Looking at this one. Any good? http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXXLSAPEX/planet-x-xls-sram-apex-cyclocross-bike

Should be but carbon might be overkill?

Have a look at the Pinnacle Arkose options in Evans and the Boardman CX in Halfords
Very good Giant store near Barbican too one in Camden as well I think

If really no clue on bikes, better to buy in store than online in case post purchase troubleshooting needed

 

[Elbo91]

Thanks. Will 100% be buying in store

 

[vickster]

Thanks. Will 100% be buying in store

Which will rule out Planet X unless going to Sheffield

 

[pawl]

Looking at this one. Any good? http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXXLSAPEX/planet-x-xls-sram-apex-cyclocross-bike

If pllanet x isn't to far from you it is well worth visiting,which is what I did as I wasn't sure about sizing.stem bars frame etc.

Although I didn't have a bike they did put my chosen model on a turbo to check frame size stem length bars and. crank size.Result the most comfortable bike in m my stable of four bikes.

 

[vickster]

If pllanet x isn't to far from you it is well worth visiting,which is what I did as I wasn't sure about sizing.stem bars frame etc.

Although I didn't have a bike they did put my chosen model on a turbo to check frame size stem length bars and. crank size.Result the most comfortable bike in m my stable of four bikes.

He's in NW London so closer than I would be say, but still a couple of hours each way probably