The Advice of Experts

On the quest to build a bike, I have decided to engade experts. The alternative was to spend some time reading the internet to understand what the tradeoffs are in picking parts, and then eventually just buying whatever was close to my budget. It works, but it could be better. I think that I am looking for a bike that is better than the sum of its parts. Hopefully the experts can guide me to pieces that are best for me.

I contacted a bike fitter, and started discussing what my options are as far as fitting the bike. This gives me a better idea what to look for as far as getting bars, cranks, gearing, seat. This should make the fitting easier to do.

Now, I really should have talked to a bike fitter first. But at least I found out that I am not so far off on frame size, which is good.

I also contacted a friend/aqauintance/FOAF/second cousin-in-law/smart guy who is into building bikes, and he is willing to answer any techy bike building questions.

Between the two, I should be able to find the parts that have the best fit to me, and still within my budget. As you well know, you can put a stupid amount of money into parts. This project is to get as much good ride out of what I have for budget, and find the best trade-offs. Treat it like engineering, where you are solving the problem at the lowest cost. No shimano DI2, that costs much more than remaining budget.

hehehe, let the bike building begin.

I have been thinking about getting a Tri bike for next season, and started thinking this week that I should be looking at fall sales, as the new models come in. My bud Rob pointed me to a frame that was available at the bike shop, and on sale as well.

Its Sexy.

Its a Specialized Transition Pro, which I acquired for $900 off list. I did ask if they were willing to move any more on the price, and the young lad did check, but informed me that it was priced pretty much at their cost, so they couldn't really move much. Thats OK, I think it was a great deal at the price I got it for. And there is something to be said for supporting the local bike shops, and not buying everything off the internet. Of course, if they sold it at their cost, I don't know how much help I am giving them. Well, cashflow at the very least.

Now I have a ton (tonne?) of research to do for the rest of the parts. Suggestions that I have had so far are:

Shimano Ultregra groupo
SRAM Red groupo

Need wheels, handlebars and seat as well.

Let the research begin!

Just having fun being a big kid...

My training buddy Rob put it very sucinctly the other night.

"This is the best way to spend your time. I am splashing in the pool with my friends, sometime soon we are gonna go ride our bikes around the neighborhood, and then we are going running around the park".

Perhaps this is the real attraction of Triathlon. You get to do all those things you loved to do as a kid, and spend time hanging around with your friends, enjoying being outside in the sun, and just plain having fun.

Yeah, I think I like this sport.