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Figuring out which bike to buy is sometimes difficult. The Slowtwitch Bike Picker is our attempt to make it less so.
If you want to know what this is, why it is, and how to use it, click here.
Look for this graphic... 
...to determine whether the Bike Picker section has been updated for 2007.
THE START LIST
THE BIKE COMPANIES
WHICH DEALERS CARRY WHICH BIKES
THE START LIST
- BABE N. THEWOODS -- PREVALENT FEATURE: New to the sport. ALSO: Doesn't have a road-race bike; recently completed first tri on mountain bike; price range is under $1500; expect this bike to last two or three years before next purchase.
- TRIBIKE MIKE -- PREVALENT FEATURE: Ready for first tri bike. ALSO: Been in the sport 1-3 years, been doing tris on older but serviceable road bike; wants a steep seat-angled bike; wishes to stay below $2000.
- MAX RELAX -- PREVALENT FEATURE: Somewhere between Lanterne Rouge and M.O.P ALSO: Positioned shallow and intends to stay that way; doesn't want to spend more than $2000 (less is even better); comfort is the goal!
- ATLAS ROCKEFELLER -- PREVALENT FEATURE: Strong as an ox / richer than God. ALSO: Qualifies for Ironman and/or age-group Worlds.
- WILT ANDRETTI -- PREVALENT FEATURE: Tall, strong, fast, want to go faster. ALSO: Wants steep seat angle; places in age-group; intends to race long course; speed is important, but also comfort; not as comfortable now as wants to be; will spend between $3000 - $4500.
- SPARK PLUG DOUG -- PREVALENT FEATURE: Long torso, short legs, short of stature. ALSO: Doesn't know if steep seat angle is right for him. Cost no object. (COMING)
- LONGLEG CRAIG -- PREVALENT FEATURE: Long legs, short torso, below six feet, above 5'8". ALSO: Fitting is a problem; just wants a bike that'll yield good fit and good power; will spend $3000, plus or minus. (COMING)
- LONGBODY RODDY -- PREVALENT FEATURE: Long torso, short legs; taller than Sparkplug Doug. ALSO: Doesn't know if steep seat angle is right for him. Cost no object. (COMING)
- LONGBODY RODDY, Jr. -- PREVALENT FEATURE: Son of Longbody Roddy. ALSO: Needs what dad needs (including his money); can only spend $2000, hopefully closer to $1500. (COMING)
- SHIFTY SIXFIFTY -- PREVALENT FEATURE: Wants a steep seat-angled bike that'll make him go faster. ALSO: Is racing short course now, intends to jump up to long course; I place in my age-group; I'm shorter than 5'10". (COMING)
- SORE AL GORE -- PREVALENT FEATURE: Tallish, not positioned well, uncomfortable, needs help. ALSO: Doesn't have a good LBS to fit him; invented the internet; will travel if need be to get properly fitted, but only in a hybrid; comfortable riding position is a premium; looking curiously attractive as presidential candidate. (COMING) (COMING)
- LAIDBACK JACK --- PREVALENT FEATURE: Piffle on all this steep seat stuff. Cam Widoff, Ken Glah and various Chrisses (Lieto, McCormack, Legh) are this man's heroes. Should he pop a wheelie while in the aero position that's the signal that he's too shallow. ALSO: Retrogrouch consistency dictates that he must ride 700c; but still in a reasonably aggressive aero position. (COMING)
- PROVINCIAL PETE -- PREVALENT FEATURE: Will only do business with LBS (even if it is the pits w/regard to triathlon) because owner is nice guy. ALSO: The whole process of buying a bike scares the bejeesus (what if a mistake is made?) out of him; warranty important. (COMING)
- BEER CAN DAN -- PREVALENT FEATURE: Is infatuated with aluminum. ALSO: Doesn't know why. (COMING)
- RICK PLASTIC -- PREVALENT FEATURE: Is infatuated with carbon. ALSO: Partly because it looks cool, also because he suspects it is probably more comfortable and he needs comfort. (COMING)
- FIRST PLACE GRACE -- PREVALENT FEATURE: Long torso, short legs. ALSO: Doesn't know if steep seat angles is right form her. Cost no object. (COMING)
THE BIKE COMPANIES
Below is a list of some of the more prevalent bike recommendations listed above.
Cannondale
Giant
Cervelo
Softride
Calfee
Trek
Quintana Roo
Yaqui
Litespeed
Kestrel
Fuji
WHICH DEALERS CARRY WHICH BIKES
This topic is somewhat covered in our Dealer Survey.
