LBS

LBS is not just a 3 letter word for one of the requirements of being a clydesdale. It's also stands for one of the most vital resources for the success of a clydesdale or any beginner triathlete... the Local Bike Shop. The average beginner triathlete can't tell from pictures on a web page the three most important factors to consider when choosing a bike... fit, fit, and fit. And the only way to be completely confident in your purchase is to actually swing a leg over a bike, strap on a helmet and take a few laps around the parking lot. A quality bike shop will set your bike up on a trainer and watch you pedal away while making adjustments until you are adequately fit. It's way too tempting to choose a bike based simply on color scheme and brand recognition. These factors definitely have a lot to do with the decision but fit should absolutely be the determining factor. Well... now that I've said what I'm supposed to say, let's talk about what really drives anyone to buy such a big ticket item. If anyone says they just want a good bike at a reasonable price and don't care about brand, color scheme, or components, then a huge world of possibilities lies ahead of them. To them I would say purchase a Motobecane, Leader, Fuji, Windsor, or Dawes with an aluminum frame from Bikesdirect.com and a Shimano Sora groupset online, find someone to help you get it properly fit, and ride off into the sunset. If this sound like a deal that you might be a bit hesitant in pulling the trigger on... let's face it, you want something much cooler than "any old bike" and you want to ride something you'll be proud of. But, there are a few things you need to consider when choosing your bike to make sure you get the most for your money, cause let's face it... money is always an issue, components can come back to haunt you, and nobody wants to spend money on anything they will most likely be wanting to replace. So question number one, and what i will let you wrestle with until the next post is... What brands excite you the most and how adjustable is the geometry (primarily a fully adjustable and dual position seat-post). Next time, we'll talk about what type of frame you need to get.
Again, it's springtime... go do something.
Soulrider