BVC-CHAT Roadbike Advice

[Jean Marie Linhart]

Dan Cary:
> Thanks for the advice. Why are tri bikes not good for group rides?

Several factors here:
First reason would be the setup is for a tri/TT bike is less
comfortable for long rides.  A second is idiots who don't realize they
shouldn't be on the aerobars in the middle of a group, but if you
promise you know better I'll shut up about this.  You can be on
aerobars at the front of a single paceline, but in the middle or at
the front of a double line, you should probably not.  Now, you should
also not ride no hands in groups, but there are a few who are skilled
enough to violate this dictum.  Just keep in mind that if you screw up
and you cause a crash and take me down, that when I get out of the
hospital, I will come kick your ...

Some tri bikes are set up so that your shifters (not sure about
brakes) are on the ends of the aerobars, and this also makes them
inconvenient for group riding.

> Also, I have been seeing this term 'dura ace" everywhere. Is this a set of
> components or is it like "fung shui" of bicycle set up?

Shimano road components, from low end to high are:
Sora
Tiagra
105
Ultegra
Dura-Ace

So a Dura-ace bike will be expensive. and a Sora bike should be cheap.
Someone else can provide the 411 on Campy components if you need to know.

Jean Marie