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 if you determined to take a danger and never insure it (ouch). But when there’s a silver lining within the gloomy cloud of motorcycle theft, it’s this: you get an opportunity to assume in depth about what you need in your bike – and the way you propose to make use of it – earlier than you spend money on 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 offers a complete checklist of questions that will help you navigate the myriad of selections you’ll have to face – on the kind of bike you need, its many part components and the spec you assume you’ll be able to afford.
So having picked up my model new bike yesterday, I assumed I’d 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 I personal a mountain bike, a gravel bike, and use my spouse’s outdated bike to commute to work.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 right 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 is just not good, some would possibly say doubtful: I heard earlier this yr that I had certified for the GB Triathlon group 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 appears like a wise option to me.
I had learn research that appeared to counsel that the improved aerodynamism of triathlon bikes can enhance your instances 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 opponents on triathlon bikes, with their our bodies bent aerodynamically ahead as they glided previous me – nearly effortlessly.
After all I realise there are drawbacks in changing your extra versatile driving 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 folks, climbing hills and naturally ‘Draft Authorized’ triathlons and plenty of membership races successfully ban or discourage the usage of triathlon bikes.
However, provided 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 resolution is settled.
Earlier than I speak money and the state of your financial institution stability, I’ve to say the UK’s superb Cycle to Work Scheme. We’d often complain about ‘the state of the nation’ or get annoyed by our public companies, however at the least we have now a Authorities backed scheme that gives a big tax incentive for us to purchase a motorbike and use it to commute to work AND permits us to do the identical yearly. Briefly, in case your employer gives the scheme, you need to actually assume critically 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’ll be able to 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 degree (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 in your gears, brakes or the fabric the bike is manufactured from. And also you do should be wise. Shopping for bikes is usually a monetary blackhole that absorbs each spare £ of money you’ve in your pocket, so that you do must determine on a funds and keep on with 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 as if a smart funding; it would most likely solely be my children who complain that I’m ‘frittering away’ their inheritance.
So sure, I managed to justify setting a excessive funds and spending ‘quite a bit’ on a brand new bike. (I realise there may be lots of rich, white male privilege in that final sentence; nearly all of cyclists need to scrimp and save onerous to afford an honest bike buy)
Of all the recommendation within the YellowJersey article, this was the one which rang most true. It’s price procuring round or contacting a variety of motorcycle outlets to get the fitting recommendation. Ideally you need to discover cycle store professionals who’ve in depth data (with out being too technical) and who’re genuinely to search out out about you and what you’re on the lookout for – significantly when there are a dizzying array of motorcycle makes and kinds to select from.
In my case it was truly the bike producer Cervelo that directed me in direction of the store the place I ultimately purchased my bike.
I ought to word I used to be pre-disposed to this specific 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 just a few Cervelo bikes racked up within the transition space at my final qualifying race (sure, I used to be wanting round with a good diploma of motorcycle envy)
-Plus aficionados of elite biking will level out that the Jumbo Visma group who received all three Grand Tour stage races in 2023 have been driving Cervelo bikes
The one drawback once I began on the lookout for a Cervelo bike within the UK was that so few outlets truly stocked them – or at the least the upper finish triathlon bikes. In order that’s once I determined to contact the Canadian head workplace direct and get them to information me to accepted 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 selections that I wanted to make – all the pieces from body measurement (that is REALLY IMPORTANT), digital groupsets, tubeless vs internal tube, tyre choice, wheel rim measurement. I will need to have spent the very best 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 outlets 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 foul concept. Even 15-20 minutes within the saddle gives you a way of whether or not the bike will go well with you, and probably make it easier to keep away from a pricey mistake. Nevertheless, in my expertise there may be nothing like an expert bike becoming that will help you get the proper, snug arrange in your physique and body on the bike you’ve chosen. There may be sufficient adjustment scope in saddle, handlebar and tri-bar positioning that will help you discover the fitting 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 might need labored out from the images, I made a decision to go for the Cervelo P Collection Ultegra DI2 2024 Triathlon bike. The mixture of the smooth 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 driving the Cervelo S3 – have been the deciding elements.
Sure, I’ve forked out quite a bit 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 day by day buzz on the turbo coach – in addition to the uptick in confidence once I subsequent rack my bike in transition.
Now all I’ve to do is put within the hours of coaching over the subsequent 9 months to ensure I undoubtedly don’t come final.
(Oh, and to keep away from the frustration and monetary torture of getting my dream machine stolen once more– I most likely must insure it within the subsequent 24 hours..)
Worry not, Andi’s new TT bike is now insured with Yellow Jersey! He’s lined for theft, crash injury, unintended injury, legal responsibility cowl, private accident, taxi reimbursement and far rather more. You will get a triathlon bike insurance coverage citation right here. In case you are planning on travelling overseas to coach or race, Yellow Jersey additionally provide triathlon journey insurance coverage which is designed to cowl emergency medical bills, journey cancellation, journey abandonment, journey curtailment and an entire host of different advantages. In want of some assist? Give our pleasant help employees a name on 0333 003 0046.
