Broke but......

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mlines109

42 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

Jul 5, 2007 4:03 PM

So im a poor college student that that wants to get into tri's. Im a pretty good runner and feel that i could pick up the swin in no time my only problem is i would never be able to afford a bike. Does anyone have any advice or stories about how they got into it, because this is something thats kinda been on my mind and i really want to do a race!

-Amanda

yo-sal

260 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

1. Jul 5, 2007 6:11 PM

in response to: mlines109

Re: Broke but......

borrow one. borrow several.

there are all kinds of bikes that are designed for whatever is your passion. Fat tires are for off-road (dirt trail) events; skinnies are for fast road races. Then there are hybirds. So it would depend on where the biking part of the tri is held.

You also need to be fitted properly so you have good control and so you don't injure yourself.

And buy a good brain bucket first thing. Do not ride a bike without a helmet and wear it so it covers your forehead, where you'll hit when you fall - not on the back of your head like Annie Oakley.

marasije

4 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

2. Jul 5, 2007 6:23 PM

in response to: mlines109

Re: Broke but......

Amanda,
Don't let your financial situation stop you from doing your first triathlon. you will see the rewards once you do your first tri. i suggest borrowing the bike from one of your school friends or relatives. try to find someone that has the same height as yours. make sure that you adjust the seat for your height though. you really do not need a top of the line bike for your first tri. you should set a goal of finishing your first tri and enjoy the experience. you can start off with a sprint distance triathlon, 1/2 mile swim; 12 - 14 mile bike ride and a 5k - 4 mile run.

hope this help and good luck on your first triathlon.

jean

mlines109

42 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

3. Jul 6, 2007 4:48 AM

in response to: mlines109

Re: Broke but......

hmm i dont think i know anyone that has a bike most of my frinds are just runners or soccer players. But that is a good idea what size road bike would i be...im like 5'8 1/2'' ... would ebay be a good option, and whats a good type of road bike for women? sorry for all the questions im just really excited to do a tri but i need to know a few more things befor i do one, thanks for the advice!

trevnn

19 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

4. Jul 6, 2007 5:41 AM

in response to: mlines109

Re: Broke but......

craigslist.com

Take it from me - I swear by it. It took me a little while to find a bike, but they're out there. There's always someone wanting to get rid of their bike because they're upgrading, or just need to make space in their garage. I found a great bike for just 250. Took it to the local bike shop, got it a tune up for 50 bucks, and it's like a brand new bike! I'm so glad I did it!!

Joe_H1

1,038 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

5. Jul 6, 2007 7:42 AM

in response to: mlines109

yep my first was on a borrowed mtn bike

it was a horror show of errors but I finished with a smile and even though I said "i'm never doing this again" about a dozen times during the race, 5 minutes after the race I was already planning on how to improve my time at the next one.

agree with everyone above check craigslist,ebay, borrow one. also check your local bike shop maybe they can set you up with something that fits you and your budget. good luck and have fun

mlines109

42 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

6. Jul 6, 2007 4:19 PM

in response to: mlines109

Re: Broke but......

ya i need to get into soon im excited about it because i love the feeling after a good race... love the runners high. I want to do something more challenging to see how far i can push myself...do that sound crazy? oh well i hope i can find a bike soon!

dojojenn

11 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

7. Jul 6, 2007 4:34 PM

in response to: mlines109

Re: Broke but......

There are a few bike shops around that will rent bikes. That way, you can do the race, make sure its something that you want to continue with and then get set up with your own bike.

marasije

4 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

8. Jul 7, 2007 10:55 PM

in response to: mlines109

Re: Broke but......

as you can see from the replies you received that triathlon are a close knit and friendly community. we always encourage anyone to do one tri even a short super sprint or a sprint distance. we all know you will get hooked.

which event are you thinking of doing? and when? if there's a bike shop in town where you're doing this event, ask if you can rent one for your first tri. it's important that you get fitted or atleast get the right size bike. and all tri events requires a helmet.

how's your swim training? have you done an open water swim yet? even for just a short period. open water whether it be in a lake or ocean it is very different from pool swim. atleast swim in open water twice a week and do spotting drills.

i'm pretty sure more replies will be posted as far as other recommendations for your first tri. in any case you will have a memorable first triathlon and i guarantee that you will get hooked and will beg for more.

marasije

4 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

9. Jul 7, 2007 11:27 PM

in response to: mlines109

Re: Broke but......

hmm, a 54 cm bike frame for a 5/8 tall person? what do you guys think?

i suggest you go to a bike shop and tell them you're shopping for a road bike. though you're not buying one that minute but if they can size you for a bike. normally most bike shops will do it. and base on their recommendation on bike size, you can start looking at ebay and craigslist.

hope this helps.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cannondale-R200-road-bike-bicycle-shimano-LX-Mavic_W0QQitemZ160135201799QQihZ006QQcategoryZ98084QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

mlines109

42 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

10. Jul 8, 2007 5:45 AM

in response to: mlines109

Re: Broke but......

There's an olympic distance one in september that i would love to do but i dont think ill be even close to ready for it. I could try to get a team together for it and do the run part, it looks like im going to have to do a lot of shopping around and get some more training under me and save up some money, hopefully by next summer i can do one by myself. There's a cool bike shop were i live so ill have to check it out and have then fit me to a bike. Thanks for the advise!!

marasije

4 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

11. Jul 8, 2007 11:36 AM

in response to: mlines109

Re: Broke but......

or you can do your own triathlon. find a nice calm lake or public pool, swim about 400 - 800 meters. do about 8 - 10 miles of biking then run about 3 miles to 4 miles. there's no rule against doing your own tri. specially tri fee cost from $45 to $180. i'm doing chicago tri next month and that cost me $180 just to enter. my training regimen now is doing my own sprint distance tri every sunday morning. and i started noticing other triathlete started doing it too.

you can also do your own duathlon of swimming and running. my point is to get your training going now regardless of when you're going to take the step to enter for your first tri.

as far as for finding a bike, take your time on buying one. it will cost money no way around it.

hope we're motivating you to be one of us.

Joe_H1

1,038 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

12. Jul 8, 2007 11:46 AM

in response to: mlines109

Re: Broke but......

relay may work and you can probably recruit some training partners.

kickstand45

3 posts since
Jul 16, 2007

13. Jul 16, 2007 7:11 AM

in response to: mlines109

Re: Broke but......

Just reading your note on active and realized you are in the same position I was in in 2004. if it werent for a few friends, i would still be sitting on the couch.i thought I couldnt do it because I didnt have a bike...just an excuse, almost everyone has a bike or knows someone with one in his garage.use the sites suggested and there are a few sites that actually have package deals on bikes, wetsuits and tri-suits. usually pretty good deals. good luck and remember, compete to complete your first tri.

Active Toby

811 posts since
Jun 5, 2007

14. Jul 16, 2007 8:29 AM

in response to: mlines109

Re: Broke but......

Keep on training and learning about triathlon. I feel like for those who live life with passion, the universe has a way of listening. I got a part time job at a outdoor retailer for discounts on gear because I knew that I needed to invest in myself to take my training and subsequently, my career, to the next level. Stay passionate about life and your endeavors - everything will fall into place.

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Jul 5, 2007 4:03 PM

Broke but......

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