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So I ought to begin by saying that there aren’t too many issues to be cheerful about when your prized aero highway bike is stolen – particularly once you determined to take a danger and never insure it (ouch). But when there’s a silver lining within the gloomy cloud of motorbike theft, it’s this: you get an opportunity to suppose in depth about what you need in your bike – and the way you propose to make use of it – earlier than you put money into an honest substitute.
That’s why I used to be happy to stumble throughout Yellow Jersey’s informative information, ‘The Final Newbie Information to Shopping for a Bicycle’. It gives a complete checklist of questions that can assist you navigate the myriad of decisions you’ll have to face – on the kind of bike you need, its many element elements and the spec you suppose you possibly can afford.
So having picked up my model new bike yesterday, I assumed I might share how I answered the principle questions and choice standards that acquired me to my last vacation spot.
I realise I’m lucky. I personal a mountain bike, a gravel bike, and use my spouse’s outdated bike to commute to work. The selection for me was actually narrowed all the way down to a highway bike (or aero highway bike just like the one I had stolen) or a triathlon / time trial bike.
Now my rationale right here shouldn’t be good, some may say doubtful: I heard earlier this yr that I had certified for the GB Triathlon staff in my Age Group, so had been supplied a spot within the European Dash Championship in September and the World Aquabike Championship in October. Once I say ‘certified’ I ought to add ‘by the pores and skin of my enamel’: I appeared to qualify within the final obtainable slot for my age group in each occasions. So, though I used to be delighted to qualify, I additionally began to think about the sorry sight of me hobbling up the end line in final place. And if my bike choice can minimise that danger, then that feels like a sensible option to me.
I had learn research that appeared to counsel that the improved aerodynamism of triathlon bikes can enhance your occasions for as a lot as 1 minute for each 10k you race. Plus I had seen first hand in my qualifying races final season the distinct benefit loved by my fellow rivals on triathlon bikes, with their our bodies bent aerodynamically ahead as they glided previous me – virtually effortlessly.
In fact I realise there are drawbacks in changing your extra versatile using choices of a highway bike, with the extra race focussed advantages of a triathlon bike: there are distinct disadvantages in doing day rides with your mates, climbing hills and naturally ‘Draft Authorized’ triathlons and plenty of membership races successfully ban or discourage using triathlon bikes.
However, on condition that I see my future will contain extra aggressive racing at a variety of distances (from Dash to IronMan) I felt the time benefit was the deciding issue and I wanted the aerodynamic benefit of a triathlon bike going ahead. Okay – so the primary choice is settled.
Earlier than I speak money and the state of your financial institution stability, I’ve to say the UK’s wonderful Cycle to Work Scheme. We would often complain about ‘the state of the nation’ or get annoyed by our public companies, however no less than now we have a Authorities backed scheme that gives a major tax incentive for us to purchase a motorbike and use it to commute to work AND permits us to do the identical yearly. In brief, in case your employer provides the scheme, you must actually suppose severely about utilizing it. You’ll save 23-39% on a motorbike and equipment. You pay nothing upfront and the funds are taken tax effectively out of your wage by your employer. What’s to not like. It should considerably alter the kind of bike you possibly can afford AND means that you can unfold the funds over a yr.
You could discover that lots of the bike shopping for guides speak ‘worth brackets’ relying in your funds, from entry stage (as much as £1000), strong spec (£1500-£3000) and better spec (£3500+) budgets – with a number of variations up or down as you choose extra superior componentry on your gears, brakes or the fabric the bike is manufactured from. And also you do must be smart. Shopping for bikes could be a monetary blackhole that absorbs each spare £ of money you may have in your pocket, so that you do must resolve on a funds and follow it.
I used to be within the lucky place of getting an understanding spouse who a) loves biking b) realises that spending a ‘ridiculous quantity’ on a motorbike is definitely not a ridiculous factor to do. It’s not unusual for guys of my age to go off the rails, so forking out on an honest set of wheels to maintain me on the highway of life looks like a wise funding; it’s going to in all probability solely be my youngsters who complain that I’m ‘frittering away’ their inheritance.
So sure, I managed to justify setting a excessive funds and spending ‘so much’ on a brand new bike. (I realise there may be numerous rich, white male privilege in that final sentence; the vast majority of cyclists should scrimp and save arduous to afford an honest bike buy)
Of all the recommendation within the YellowJersey article, this was the one which rang most true. It’s value buying round or contacting a variety of motorbike retailers to get the proper recommendation. Ideally you wish to discover cycle store professionals who’ve in depth information (with out being too technical) and who’re genuinely to seek out out about you and what you’re searching for – notably when there are a dizzying array of motorbike makes and kinds to select from.
In my case it was really the bike producer Cervelo that directed me in the direction of the store the place I finally purchased my bike.
I ought to observe I used to be pre-disposed to this explicit model:
-My final bike was a Cervelo S3 DI2 and its geometry, journey and dealing with had suited my body very well.
-I had observed fairly a number of Cervelo bikes racked up within the transition space at my final qualifying race (sure, I used to be trying round with a good diploma of motorbike envy)
-Plus aficionados of elite biking will level out that the Jumbo Visma staff who received all three Grand Tour stage races in 2023 have been using Cervelo bikes
The one drawback after I began searching for a Cervelo bike within the UK was that so few retailers really stocked them – or no less than the upper finish triathlon bikes. In order that’s after I determined to contact the Canadian head workplace direct and get them to information me to authorized retailers within the UK. Two emails later and I used to be having an informative and useful dialog with Dan, Dom and Gary at Henley Cycles. They helpfully talked me by the detailed spec and sizing choices that I wanted to make – all the things from body dimension (that is REALLY IMPORTANT), digital groupsets, tubeless vs interior tube, tyre choice, wheel rim dimension. I will need to have spent the perfect a part of 3 hours interrogating them on each side of how the bike was designed, what different spec was obtainable and what was was proper for me.
Now I do know that some bike retailers enable or encourage you to exit on a check journey to get a correct really feel of the bike – and in the principle I believe this isn’t a nasty concept. Even 15-20 minutes within the saddle provides you with a way of whether or not the bike will go well with you, and presumably show you how to keep away from a pricey mistake. Nevertheless, in my expertise there may be nothing like an expert bike becoming that can assist you get the proper, comfy arrange on your physique and body on the bike you may have chosen. There’s sufficient adjustment scope in saddle, handlebar and tri-bar positioning that can assist you discover the proper arrange for no matter journey you’re considering. That’s why I’ve an expert bike becoming already booked for subsequent month and can write about that in a subsequent weblog.
As you may need labored out from the images, I made a decision to go for the Cervelo P Sequence Ultegra DI2 2024 Triathlon bike. The mixture of the modern design with built-in Zipp tri-bars, built-in Aerobottle and Smartpak, in addition to the model’s longevity and status within the triathlon bike market – and my very own good expertise using the Cervelo S3 – have been the deciding elements.
Sure, I’ve forked out so much on a model new bike, however everyone knows that it’s by no means only a bike you’re shopping for – it’s the thrill of competing, the enjoyment of biking together with your mates, the well being and mindfulness advantages of the lengthy journey or the each day buzz on the turbo coach – in addition to the uptick in confidence after I subsequent rack my bike in transition.
Now all I’ve to do is put within the hours of coaching over the following 9 months to verify I positively don’t come final.
(Oh, and to keep away from the frustration and monetary torture of getting my dream machine stolen once more– I in all probability must insure it within the subsequent 24 hours..)
Worry not, Andi’s new TT bike is now insured with Yellow Jersey! He’s coated for theft, crash injury, unintentional injury, legal responsibility cowl, private accident, taxi reimbursement and far way more. You will get a triathlon bike insurance coverage citation right here. If you’re planning on travelling overseas to coach or race, Yellow Jersey additionally supply triathlon journey insurance coverage which is designed to cowl emergency medical bills, journey cancellation, journey abandonment, journey curtailment and a complete host of different advantages. In want of some assist? Give our pleasant help employees a name on 0333 003 0046.
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