New steed
By Alison Colavecchia
6.4.01 (www.slowtwitch.com)

I have always had a bike and cycled a fair amount, just not in the context of training. I grew up in Montreal and didn't start to drive until I was 23. I biked everywhere. It never bothered me to cycle in the city. It was always an urban adventure––an adrenalin rush to beat the traffic or climb the hills. There are no dogs on city streets either (not smart ones, anyway). The notion to just go places on my bike came from my Dad––no fancy plan, no fancy bike or clothes, just go!

The bike that took me through these adventures and those following my departure from home was a used 10-speed, a Bridgestone (no clue what this is) that my father lovingly restored. I still have it. While I no longer cycle amongst the commuters (I am now one myself) I am cycling more than ever with my discovery of triathlons. For my early tri efforts came "Gracie", my Miele. With the goal of completing a half-Ironman this year and a full next year, it was time to move up in the bike department (see My Steed).

I am not part of the the money-is-no-object crowd, and my early investigative shopping left me discouraged. I thought my wish list was pretty straightforward: a reasonably priced complete tri bike preferably made by a Canadian company. It appeared not.

The first time I went to Endurosport I went to check out the bikes and left fairly quickly after oogling the Kestrels and of course the Cervelos. I did not mention my beginner status or budget, just that I was looking for a new bike and preferred a Canadian company. Big mistake. I think that to really get the best a tri-shop has to offer, its experience and technical expertise, it would have been wiser to have begun with confessing my beginner status. I think it also would have helped me to feel a little less intimidated by the atmosphere of the shop. I would have started from where I was rather than where I felt I should be.

I went in again and this time started from where I was. The folks at Endurosport (owner Dan Rishworth) provided beginner non-techie me with enough technical knowledge to feel confident about my bike fit, bike components, purchase and indeed with Endurosport itself. Here's the story of my first triathlon bike purchase.

THE FITTING

My mentor, 5-time IMC finisher Scott Challender, told me, "Bike fit is to triathlon what location is to real estate." Having been walked through the fit process, I see why! So too do I see that getting proper fit expertise is essential to making a wise bike purchase. Knowing what your physical needs are enables your shop to determine whether you are suitable for any bike or have special fit needs that reduce the options. While I have read numerous articles about bike fit, including the one in April's Triathlete, Dan E's articles on this site, Dan R's article on the Endurosport site and countless others, they is no substitute for actually climbing on a bike and cycling in front of someone who knows what to look for.

I learned in terms of my own fit that I am proportionately short everywhere, thus making my bike choices fairly broad (cost no object). I also learned that I'll start in a modest aero position and can expect, as my season progresses, to adjust (lower) the aerobars to accommodate increased flexibility. I also discovered that I point my toes when I pedal…and that I improperly installed part of my aerobars on my old bike. I learned a ton of other stuff too, including where some of those obscure (OK regular parts that I just didn't know where they were) bike parts are actually located. I also learned among other things that:

1. Your weight is more effectively distributed if you're fit properly to your bike
2. You are more stable on aerobars on a tri bike than on a road frame due to weight distribution and geometry.
3. That fit needs to include such rider characteristics as flexibility, riding form (foot pedaling style), arm length and back shapeWhile road bike geometry has been refined over say 100 years, triathlon bikes have only about a 10 year history. Consequently, there remains a wide range of tri geometry (frame variations) much more so than you would find with road bikes.

BIKE SELECTION

For me, bike selection was limited to financial issues and a desire to support Canadian triathlon technology. Dan R. suggested that indeed I needed to be thinking a little more broadly than this! He suggested that bike selection should, beyond fit issues, take into account aerodynamics, comfort, frame stiffness and weight. I also needed to be thinking about how long I'd be riding and racing on the bike and whether I thought of myself as a triathlete or not.

Hm. I really had to think about this one. I considered myself mostly "molly domestic" and not a triathlete. This was a title I had held in special reserve for pros or Ironpeople. He suggested that if you think of yourself as cycling in order to race in triathlons, then you are a triathlete! That caught me by surprise, what a concept …I was a triathlete! With this thought in mind, my question about purchasing a road versus tri bike was answered. My interest in racing longer and longer tri distances also steered the vote toward a tri bike purchase. I was now armed with the fit and budget information, and the training and racing goals. Off we went to look at the bikes.

Dan R. described the choice from both a fit and budget perspective. I did have a couple of options but have to confess that after checking out the Cervelo One I was sold. I did continue to listen though! Out the bike came. I looked it over but had to return another day to be properly fit to MY bike.

When I returned, I was pretty excited! The bike was brought out. Again I still thought it looked like it was just the right size for my daughter! We moved on to shoes. Other than budget issues I had no axe to grind here. Although I did try the Carnacs on and they DID feel so fine, they did not have my size…PHEW! Instead we went with a pair of Time shoes. I have to cop to a vanity thing in that I was so delighted to find that when they came out of the box they were black and yellow and grey! They matched the bike!

Next, came the pedals. Dan recommended I stick with Look since these were what I was already familiar with them. I then climbed on the bike. My first thought was, "How could I ever risk taking this beautiful bike out on a road, with dogs, mud and large trucks!" We then moved on to the seat. Given my feminine and post-three-children derriere, I opted to change the stock saddle for another. Andrew Fishpool (Fish) assured me that in my sixth hour of riding I would appreciate the investment!

More measurements were taken and the saddle and stem height (what the handlebars are positioned on) were adjusted to fit properly. I rode in aero position on the windtrainer to make sure that the proper joint (hip, knee and shoulder) angles had been achieved and that my position on the bike was optimal. Then, I very carefully drove the bike home.

Consensus from the kids is that this bike is "wicked." Translation: This bike is aesthetically beautiful and technically impressive. Indeed it dazzles both roadies and triathletes alike. Thanks to the visits to Endurosport, information downloaded from both Endurosport's and Cervelo's websites, I actually know what exactly I am riding on.

I am now riding on a bike with triathlon geometry. This means more than just the fact that I am riding on a bike with aerobars. It means I am riding a bike with a seat tube angled at 78 degrees from horizontal and that the top tube is shorter and lower than would be found on a traditional road bike. These changes are made to bring about greater comfort and efficiency while riding in an aerodynamic position.

The Cervelo One comes with a standard package that includes a moderate component set (Shimano 105). It is considered a modest package, not the cheapest but not the most expensive either. If I want to upgrade, next up would be the Shimano Ultegra parts. I am riding on a carbon fiber fork. I can identify the carbon visually because of the "weave" design on it rather than a flat look. The brake levers are mounted on the very ends of the "base bar." The aerobars––i.e., the clip-ons––are Syntace Streamliner. The gear shifters (also Shimano Dura Ace) are located at the ends of the aerobars. The standard saddle with the One is a Selle Italia XO (my son thought it was cute that the seats had a hug and kiss on them!) which I changed to a Serfas Dual Density Pro female seat. As for the wheels, they are Ritchey and considered a good training and racing wheel for someone not likely to have a "special" set of wheels for racing purposes. They are a step up from a regular training wheel but not a full racing wheel. This too could be an upgrade for next year.

In terms of maintenance, I will need to clean the frame regularly and the chain at least every three months or so (with it still on the bike). I will have to make sure that the tires (650c) are inflated properly each time I head out. Any unusual noises and the bike should be brought back in for servicing. An annual `check-up' is a good idea as is a second fit session further along in the season to accommodate changes in my flexibility and fitness.

THE RIDE

At the first stoplight of my first outdoor ride, the president of the local cycling club happened to pull up beside me in his car. Mistaking me for a fellow club member who also rides a Cervelo, he said hello and then when I turned he apologized for the mix-up but admired my bike. He invited me to come out to their time trials. Enjoying the moment, proud of my new wheels, I didn't ‘fess up to my back-of-the-pack legs.

Despite the brutal and cold winds heading out, an awesome tailwind heading back more than made up for it. I felt like I was flying only without the cornfields to gauge it by. Although nervous about the new pedals, loss of hoods and drops, new placement of the gears on the aerobars I could not help but notice how smooth, quiet and comfortable the bike was. I didn't feel scrunched up, too hi or too low. The bike and fit felt awesome.

For most of my 1 1/2 hours I was able to ride in aero position, had no trouble with either the gears or pedals and enjoyed the position of the brakes which I have to admit came as a surprise! I did reach for the gears on the downtube several times and leaned over for the drops only to find they weren't there! With this new style of handlebar I am obviously going to have to get used to not reaching for the drops and not reaching for where my brakes used to be. Getting used to anticipating the gear changes particularly on the climbs will also be on the list!

This bike is not only beautifully made, beautiful to look at but also beautiful to ride. I am hooked. It's time to begin thinking about my first century ride, for if I am a snob about anything, it is that you measure up to your equipment!

NEXT MISSION: CERVELO LEGS

Special thanks to Dan Empfield, Dan Rishworth (Enduro Sport) and Cervelo for the beautiful piece of machinery that now occasionally graces my living room. Oh and…I promise not to race the commuters on it!

Still Tri'n