I know there are $8k plus bikes out there, but I wonder how much faster I would be, or my wife more specifically would be, with the absolute latest in technology vs. what we ride now, with no additional training?
I ask because I'm not really interested in buying a new bike, but I do enjoy modding stuff (tow rig, jeep, etc etc) and I'm getting the bug on my bike. I really don't ride anymore, but my wife is getting into triathlons and has completed 4 of them now. My bike is a Trek 1100 and fits both her and I about the same. I am 6'1, she is 5'11 and she is averaging around 16.5mph on 16 mile courses. She will continue to work harder to be a stronger engine, but in the mean time, I wonder what I can buy (for fun, for looks, for performance) to upgrade our bike.
The Trek 1100 is an early '90s bike and so far I have added some front aero bars and yesterday picked up a set (f & r) of new Bontrager Race Lite wheels. I was looking at a carbon seat post and a carbon front fork, are there any benefits for me to do these upgrades, or is that just waisting money? Prices seem to be like $100 for the post and $140'ish for the fork.
Also, she is just using standard pedals, would going with clip-ins be the number one priority? Are the $50 shimanos ok, or is it worth it to go with a $100 to $150 set of pedals?
The overall goal is to get her from 16mph to 18mph. If she can do 18mph consistantly with our current bike, she will always be in the top 5 in her triathlon age group (30 to 34) based on the results of the last few races.
I ask because I'm not really interested in buying a new bike, but I do enjoy modding stuff (tow rig, jeep, etc etc) and I'm getting the bug on my bike. I really don't ride anymore, but my wife is getting into triathlons and has completed 4 of them now. My bike is a Trek 1100 and fits both her and I about the same. I am 6'1, she is 5'11 and she is averaging around 16.5mph on 16 mile courses. She will continue to work harder to be a stronger engine, but in the mean time, I wonder what I can buy (for fun, for looks, for performance) to upgrade our bike.
The Trek 1100 is an early '90s bike and so far I have added some front aero bars and yesterday picked up a set (f & r) of new Bontrager Race Lite wheels. I was looking at a carbon seat post and a carbon front fork, are there any benefits for me to do these upgrades, or is that just waisting money? Prices seem to be like $100 for the post and $140'ish for the fork.
Also, she is just using standard pedals, would going with clip-ins be the number one priority? Are the $50 shimanos ok, or is it worth it to go with a $100 to $150 set of pedals?
The overall goal is to get her from 16mph to 18mph. If she can do 18mph consistantly with our current bike, she will always be in the top 5 in her triathlon age group (30 to 34) based on the results of the last few races.