Someone PLEASE HELP ME!!! :)

[Paulus]

Hi Laura, Bike sizing is a personal thing. It depends on several things, such as your leg length, arm length, torso length, and as everyone is different bikes will be the same. if you could up your budget by a hundred or so there maybe a few bikes that would do initially, and then you could upgrade various parts of the bike as they wear out. Best talk to your local bike shop. Stay away from Halfords.
Maybe somethig like this?
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/giro-300-2009-road-bike-ec018618

 

[peanut]

John's bikes in Bath would be a good place to start. They are known for being extremly knowledgable and helpful.
Don't whatever you do visit the aircraft hanger of bikes that is Tri uk in Yeovil . Well at least don't go there with your credit cards ....Promise me

http://www.johnsbikes.co.uk/

http://triuk.com/web/

 

[laura1985x]

Thanks Joe... really helpful...
I'm feeling the pressure to visit my LBS... clearly something I was trying to avoid by going to Ebay! Why would say a road bike then a mountain bike? I have a really old GT mountain bike... its very old but has been serviced and works, I was just under the impression if I'm taking the triathlon seriously I should go for a road bike as they are faster? I'm such a loser with my lack of bike knowledge aren't I?!! :-)

 

[laura1985x]

Hi Laura, Bike sizing is a personal thing. It depends on several things, such as your leg length, arm length, torso length, and as everyone is different bikes will be the same. if you could up your budget by a hundred or so there maybe a few bikes that would do initially, and then you could upgrade various parts of the bike as they wear out. Best talk to your local bike shop. Stay away from Halfords.
Maybe somethig like this?
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/giro-300-2009-road-bike-ec018618

Thanks Paul.... Really helpful!

 

[laura1985x]

John's bikes in Bath would be a good place to start. They are known for being extremly knowledgable and helpful.
Don't whatever you do visit the aircraft hanger of bikes that is Tri uk in Yeovil . Well at least don't go there with your credit cards ....Promise me

Whats wrong with that place? Yeovil isn't far from me and was thinking of visiting with my debit card.... that's even worse!!

 

[Joe24]

Thanks Joe... really helpful...
I'm feeling the pressure to visit my LBS... clearly something I was trying to avoid by going to Ebay! Why would say a road bike then a mountain bike? I have a really old GT mountain bike... its very old but has been serviced and works, I was just under the impression if I'm taking the triathlon seriously I should go for a road bike as they are faster? I'm such a loser with my lack of bike knowledge aren't I?!! :-)

Nope, not a loser.............just not a winner
Road bikes go faster because they are easier to ride. They are lighter and the wheels mean less drag, so you can go faster for less effort. The gearing isnt the same, because the gearing on road bikes are done so that you go fast.
The mountainbike will be alot slower then a road bike, and you will work harder on the mountain bike.
Roadbikes arent just for serious types, hybrids might be what you want to look for, but if your going to be doing tri then you will probably want the drop bars.
Hybrids are pretty much road bikes with flat bars, well some of them are. Some are more mountainbikes with road tyres on.

 

[laura1985x]

Awww Joe... Your a winner tonight with all this info!!
What do you think to this bike:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/langster-monaco-2009-road-bike-ec016878 I could extent the budget to £450...

 

[Randochap]

Laura, love at first sight isn't all it's cracked up to be. You need someone who will care for you properly over the long haul.

Have a look here for bike fitting help.

Welcome to CC.

 

[Joe24]

Awww Joe... Your a winner tonight with all this info!!
What do you think to this bike:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/langster-monaco-2009-road-bike-ec016878 I could extent the budget to £450...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You might find it hard on that because its fixed/single speed. (I ride fixed though, check out my fixed TT bike and other fixed bikes in the picture gallery) but fixed isnt slower, you do just have to have a bigger gear on, which when you have hills in you will find hard if your not fit. But it will get you fit faster.
But the main reason im screaing no, is because its a Langster, and they are utter shite. I mean, look at it!!!
I do love fixed though, its pretty much only what i ride. But i would suggest gears for your tri, unless your very fit. Getting spinning and up hills might be tough at first.

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[Joe24]

However, if you do want to ride fixed in training and to get used to to do some tris on, then get a nice fixed, not a Langster.

And dont listen to the guy above, im amazing, i have 6 bikes, 4 of those are fixed, 1 is a geared road bike i dont use, 1 is a folder.
Now that is cool

 

[Will1985]

Whats wrong with that place? Yeovil isn't far from me and was thinking of visiting with my debit card.... that's even worse!!

peanut's right - triathletes love all the latest gadgets and equipment and spend until they are satisfied/convinced that their investments will make them look the part and go faster.

Joe24 has some wise words - second hand road bike is all you need for your first triathlon. People do them on all sorts of bikes, but you'll go faster and feel better on the run if you go for something more road based. Skinny wheels will help the most. I'll reiterate my previous comment that you don't need tribars - without practice you're more likely to end up on the floor than getting to the end. I doubt most people will have them anyway.

Frame size is a difficult one without actually seeing you and trying a few out for fit. The top tube is the one you want to pay the most attention to. Whatever you get, push the saddle as far forward as possible on the rails.

 

[Will1985]

1 is a geared road bike i dont use

Joe, give the lady your bike!

 

[Joe24]

Joe, give the lady your bike!

But then i cant say i have 6 bikes!!!!!!!!
Unless..................
No, my mum and GF may possibly kill me

 

[laura1985x]

Go on Joe... Give me a bike!! Pllllleeeeeaaaassseeeee!!!

 

[Joe24]

Go on Joe... Give me a bike!! Pllllleeeeeaaaassseeeee!!!

As much as i would love to, it might appear i need that bike for 2 weeks in the summer. Sorry.