Im after a new bike that I could use in triathlons. Essentially something light and fast, anyone got any ideas on what brand/budget etc I should be looking at.

I used to cycle ALOT as a teenager... my legs are still big due to that... but a little out of shape. Could anyone tell me if 56 miles is attainable with a years worth of training?

Cheers
Tongy

well, i would reccomend anything without toeclips. i bought an old 60s racer in pristine condition and i keep getting murdered at traffic lights because i cant get my feet in the toeclips and the traffic light is 3 feet away so i cant lean up against it.

if hes competing in triathalons then he will require at the very least toeclips... preferably SPDs.

Id probably go for a ribble. theyre reasonably priced, and look the biz www.ribblecycles.co.uk I think is their website.

56 miles is piss.

My first ever commute on my bike was 25 miles. That was on the hoof, no training whatsoever, yes I had a sore arse after it, and yes I was crawling at one point, but a month later I did it with ease.

Get a Claud Butler, or a Saracen
http://www.evanscycles.com/dept.jsp?dept_id=1033&subdept_id=4088
http://www.evanscycles.com/dept.jsp?dept_id=1033&subdept_id=4095

If you get a ribble, your paying for the name and its going to be sh*te.
If your not spending a lot, avoid the eliteist roadbike brands.

OK, great. Toeclips are no problem. How about those Aerobars?

Well, my aim is to do a 1.2 mile swim then a 56 mile bike followed by a 13.1 mile run, so Ill need something lightwieght and fast that is as aerodyniamic as possible... and since I am funding this privately cost will be an issue!

Cheers
Tongy

Those CBs and saracens are utter toss.  £450 for a half-sora groupset with £17 brakes?   I paid about that for my ribble and it sh*ts all over them

First things first, make sure you get a bike that fits.  Get measured if you have to.  Then settle on your budget.  £500 gets you an alloy frame with a decent groupset (tiagra/mirage) and ok wheels, £1k gets you something pretty special.  But then I know a guy who does iron man tris on a 1960s rusty sh*theap, so you dont have to spend a fortune.

Budget for pedals & some proper shoes too.

56 miles on a bike should be easy enough after a year, using a bike will build muscle strength and endurance rather than bulk though. If you want muscles go down the gym.

That said a mix of both is worthwhile.

Quote from: TongyOK, great. Toeclips are no problem. How about those Aerobars?

Well, my aim is to do a 1.2 mile swim then a 56 mile bike followed by a 13.1 mile run, so Ill need something lightwieght and fast that is as aerodyniamic as possible... and since I am funding this privately cost will be an issue!

Cheers
Tongy

Quote from: Serious56 miles on a bike should be easy enough after a year, using a bike will build muscle strength and endurance rather than bulk though. If you want muscles go down the gym.

That said a mix of both is worthwhile.

Build muscle for a triathlon?  

Heh.

Quote from: BigSoy

Quote from: TongyOK, great. Toeclips are no problem. How about those Aerobars?

Well, my aim is to do a 1.2 mile swim then a 56 mile bike followed by a 13.1 mile run, so Ill need something lightwieght and fast that is as aerodyniamic as possible... and since I am funding this privately cost will be an issue!

Cheers
Tongy

Quote from: Serious56 miles on a bike should be easy enough after a year, using a bike will build muscle strength and endurance rather than bulk though. If you want muscles go down the gym.

That said a mix of both is worthwhile.

Build muscle for a triathlon?  

Well, I hope that my legs are strong enough, but I just think that they arent conditioned to it... as long as I do my training I should be ok. I want a decent bike, nothing fancy but solid and light. Ill be needing a few addons but I can get them at a later date.

Swimming will be my problem I think but I will be putting in the time this coming summer to hopefully make that ok., and besides, thats another forum

Cheers
Tongy

swimming will make you insanely fit.

Cycling... youll do 56 miles in your sleep after 3 months in the saddle. Hardest part is getting used to sitting on a saddle for a few hours.

On a road bike, and doing a good speed youre looking at less than 3 hours to do those miles. I used to take about 4.5 or so to do similar amounts, because im a slow bastard, and im not riding a roadbike but a hybrid.

Quote from: M3ta7h3adswimming will make you insanely fit.

Cycling... youll do 56 miles in your sleep after 3 months in the saddle. Hardest part is getting used to sitting on a saddle for a few hours.

On a road bike, and doing a good speed youre looking at less than 3 hours to do those miles. I used to take about 4.5 or so to do similar amounts, because im a slow bastard, and im not riding a roadbike but a hybrid.

Well its the doing a half-marathon after the 56 miles Im worried about

I am not going to be mega fast but I want it to not be the limiting factor. If I get into this sport in a big way I can get a carbon framed doobrey as and when (and get a sponsor to pick up the tab!).

Cheers
Tongy

The frame on those equivalent priced Ribbles are wank, Ive worked for a frame builder and know this to be true.  Claud butler are a respected brand in racing circles, not so in the MTB section.  They are designed to be a good frame to build upon.

Quote from: Tongy

Quote from: M3ta7h3adswimming will make you insanely fit.

Cycling... youll do 56 miles in your sleep after 3 months in the saddle. Hardest part is getting used to sitting on a saddle for a few hours.

On a road bike, and doing a good speed youre looking at less than 3 hours to do those miles. I used to take about 4.5 or so to do similar amounts, because im a slow bastard, and im not riding a roadbike but a hybrid.

Well its the doing a half-marathon after the 56 miles Im worried about

I am not going to be mega fast but I want it to not be the limiting factor. If I get into this sport in a big way I can get a carbon framed doobrey as and when (and get a sponsor to pick up the tab!).

Cheers
Tongy

Id gladly attempt an imperial century on a bike... but running, hell no!

Quote from: BigSoy

Quote from: TongyOK, great. Toeclips are no problem. How about those Aerobars?

Well, my aim is to do a 1.2 mile swim then a 56 mile bike followed by a 13.1 mile run, so Ill need something lightwieght and fast that is as aerodyniamic as possible... and since I am funding this privately cost will be an issue!

Cheers
Tongy

Quote from: Serious56 miles on a bike should be easy enough after a year, using a bike will build muscle strength and endurance rather than bulk though. If you want muscles go down the gym.

That said a mix of both is worthwhile.

Build muscle for a triathlon?  

You missed the little if in the middle. Fastest way to build muscle bulk.