Conference noted::bicycle

    You're a serious triathlete, so I think it might be worthwhile for you
    to buy a bike DESIGNED for time trials, and keep your old bike for
    training.  Time trials bikes usually have 26" front wheels, upturned
    handlebars, aerodynamic rims, and shallow angles.  They go fast in a
    straight line, which is what you want to do in a triathalon. 
    
    It used to be that such bikes were ridiculously expensive, custom
    affairs.  Recently, however, companies have started selling them as
    part of their standard lineups.  Shogun and Nashbar, for example, both
    offer low-cost TT bikes.  Smaller companies undoubtedly sell some
    pricier (~$800) models.  (I've seen seen a gorgeous Canadian TT bike
    (its name starts with M, but the rest escapes me) that might fit the
    bill.) 

    TTs don't put much stress on a frame, or on most of the components
    (especially brakes!), so you can get away with much less than you would
    on a criterium or road bike.  It's only important to make the rolling
    parts as fast as possible, and to promote a streamlined riding
    position. 

    These aren't a whole lot of fun to ride in other types of events,
    so you have to decide if tri and TT competition is what you really
    want to do best.  If so, you can't do better.  If not, you can barely
    do worse.
    
    MATT

    I've seen general statements that TT bikes -- upturned handle bars
    and the twitchy steering that comes on those bikes -- are not good
    for triathletes because they require upper body effort at a time
    when the shoulders and arms are recovering.  The usual "triathlete
    bike" has a more relaxed steering, maybe a 39.5" to 40" wheelbase.
    
    Look at the tri-a models that are available and ask why they're
    different.
    
    What's wrong with Shimano?
    
    And do keep the Raleigh, it's worth more as a spare than you'll
    get for it.
    
    ed

    
    Re .2
    
    I didn't mean to say that there was anything wrong with shimano.
    I think Dura-Ace is real good stuff. But on a $700 bike I'd like
    to see something a little better then shimano 600 or 105.  My feeling
    is that the headset, BB and other "machined" parts should be Campy
    or some similar quality.
    
    I plan to keep the Raleigh. It's a great bike!
    
    Stew
    

    the price niche for Shimano 600 seems to be a $700-800 bike while
    Dura-Ace is around $1200-1400.  Campy Super Record is usually found
    on a bike selling for $1400-1600; C- Record, around 1800-2200.
    
    Campy stuff on a $700 bike would be a Campy Victory or Triomphe
    which I don't think is as good as Shimano 600.  My quick and dirty
    method for testing components is to turn the pedals and see how
    smooth they are.  If they pass, I look at other things, if they
    don't, I move on.  The bearing on 600 are pretty good, on Victory
    it feels like rocks.
    
    ed

    
    I think you might be asking a lot for $800. A SR group alone is
    at least $450, a decent frame about the same. No rims, spokes, saddle,
    bars/stem etc etc etc.
    
    Do you really want a super special purpose TT bike, or do you want
    a triathalon bike (two different animals)? Something to think about.
    
    The Canadian bike was probably a Macaroni......ooops I mean
    
    Marinoni
    
    Just kidding....great bikes, Canada's premier framebuilder. You
    can get a full custom frame from him for $450.
    
    CdH
    

    
    I guess the general consensus is that I'm asking alot for $800.
    That may be true. I guess I'll have to look around a little more.
    
    RE .5 
    I'm not looking for a super special purpose TT bike. I'm more looking
    for a "triathlon" bike. I just hate to use that term (triathlon)
    because I think it was created by marketing. The way I see it, a
    triathlon bike is just a softer racing bike, or a road bike.  Without
    putting a name on it, the bike I want has a stiff frame, tight angles,
    and quality components.  What's a guess at how much I need to spend??
    
    What about just buying a frame (say Columbus SL...) from Nashbar
    and building it up myself???  Are there other places to get reasonably
    priced quality frames???
    
    Thanks for the help!!!!
    Stew
    

    The "M" bike from Canada and the custom bike Paul at Cat. 1 suggested
    may be the same thing. Marinnoni (sp?) is the custom builder Paul
    recommends and is Canadian.
    
    Ed
    

Aaah, the famous Canadian "M" bike note - there (used to be?) a Canadian
framebuilder from Winnipeg named Ozzie Mellon. Several folks I knew either
got bikes from him, or had frame repairs done. Suffice it to say, they were
the worst bikes I've ever seen. On one bike the BB shell was VISIBLY out
of alignment (not 90 deg. to the plane of the frame ... oops ...). I don't
know about the "M" bike mentioned in the previous notes (sounds nice) but
don't assume that anything Canadian starting with an M is any good! After
all, they gave us Molson too!
                                             ken

    STEW,
    
    I think that it's best not to get too hung up on the grade of
    component. Obviously you don't want junk , but I would imagine
    that you would find it difficult to "feel" the difference between
    campy and shimano 600. What you will feel the difference between
    is a frame that fits   and one that does not. If your pocket allows
    , spend the extra on the frame, a custom job if necessary, to make
    sure it fits your size and purpose.
    
                                       JOHN

>    triathlon bike is just a softer racing bike, or a road bike.  Without

>    putting a name on it, the bike I want has a stiff frame, tight angles,
                                                 ^^^^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^^^^^^

	Oh, so you want to do crits?  Note, there's nothing wrong with the
	idea of a "triathlon" bike...  You seem real sure that you want
	those tight angles.  Yeah, a triathlon bike is just a "softer"
	racing bike or a road bike.  But you seem to have a good/bad
	evaluation here ("soft", tight angles).  Say, not all "good" bikes
	come with 74 degree seat tube angles.  Sounds like you want a real
	squirrely bike.
	Now, stiffness is something else.  If you really have a problem,
	and I know people who do, then you might want a custom frame made
	of straight gauge tubing.  But, do you really have a problem?
	You don't seem to have mentioned the usual problems with having
	a whippy frame.
	Get a bike that's _comfortable_.  You're going to be competing on
	it.

>    and quality components.  What's a guess at how much I need to spend??
                                                ^^^^^^^^      
         
	How much you got?    

    
    There I was on vacation, when I happened into this bike shop in
    Brattleboro.  After about an hour of talking to the guy he steered
    me to a bike he had in the back room.  It was a hot pink Bianci
    Trofeo.  I couldn't help myself so I bought it after a 45 minute
    test ride!  It's more or less what I was looking for!  Campy SR
    front and rear changers. The BB and Headset is Gipienne, and the
    brakeset is Modole Equipe!  It rides like a dream!!!  The final
    price we agreed on was $680!!!
    
    Now what do I do with the Raleigh competion????  A winter bike????
    
    Thanks for the advice!!
    Stew