BarGolf.net » bikeporn http://www.bargolf.net recording my Ironman attempt. Sat, 19 Mar 2011 22:10:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 The Bike Question http://www.bargolf.net/2009/11/the-bike-question/ http://www.bargolf.net/2009/11/the-bike-question/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:00:52 +0000 Matt http://www.bargolf.net/?p=92 Currently I’m riding a hybrid – it’s a Carrera Subway 2. It’s relatively light considering and gets me to and from the pub. For the Roade Sprint Triathlon I basically removed anything that could be unscrewed (mud guards, lights, lock etc.), added thinner slick tyres (Continental Sport Contacts – which were excellent) and Shimano M424 SPD pedals (a compromise SPD pedal as I can use them with normal shoes or my Specialized bike shoes).

This probably isn’t ideal for a 112 mile IM bike stage.. or even the 60 mile Cowman bike stage..

I need a proper bike.

It’s easy to get distracted by bikes. It’s easy to buy carbon fibre bits. They’re cool. But I’m looking for up to £1,000 of bike that I can ideally purchase through the UK Cycle-To-Work scheme (a cunning way of avoiding various taxes and saving up to 50%).

I’ve narrowed my choices down to,

Carrera Virago Carbon TT Boardman Road Bike Team Carbon 09 Focus Cayo 105 2009
Carrera Virago Carbon TT Road Bike 09 Boardman Road Bike Team Carbon Medium 09 Focus Cayo 105 2009

One of the above is a ‘proper’ triathlon bike – the other two a standard racing bikes. Currently I’m erring toward the latter, I can always get a more tri-specific bike next year. I’ll let you know what I do. No hurry for now with the winter season coming up.

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