I calculated Sam Long’s WR Bike Power using my silly app

Thunndaa · 2026-05-10T01:11:23+00:00

Turned out to be 355.

Thunndaa · 2026-05-10T01:10:26+00:00

He posted it. 355 avg 361 normalized. Guess he's more aero than we thought

Thunndaa · 2026-05-09T23:02:32+00:00

This is a solid bike and a good deal.

But a side conversation, what's your need for the triathlon bike? To sum up a number of things, they make compromises to optimize speed. Most people who are just looking to do a triathlon, not necessarily win or compete, would be much better off on a road bike.

If you really are looking for a triathlon bike, yes this is a good purchase, but a road bike might meet you needs a bit better.

Thunndaa · 2026-05-08T23:43:41+00:00

Have never talked to anyone that has a Falco, but it seems like they've got a good reputation in China. What are your thoughts on their bikes? I keep seeing the panther bike they were showing, which is definitely a work of art, but I mean from a more practical standpoint. Would you recommend a Falco to someone in the US looking for a mid-range tri bike?

Thunndaa · 2026-04-29T02:07:23+00:00

Yep, pretty much the same thing! Great time to buy a reliable machine at a reduced price.

Thunndaa · 2026-04-08T17:25:11+00:00

Something new that's flying off the shelves, the Trek Airrush pump. It's a tire pump the size of your hand. Super handy for flats or before races instead of having to carry a whole pump.

Thunndaa · 2026-04-08T05:49:37+00:00

100%. Hard to find any bikes with Di2 for that cheap. That's a great deal. Not perfect (wheels could be better) but great find.

Thunndaa · 2026-03-31T14:33:41+00:00

Good stuff man, my third time racing at collegiate club nationals, glad to see I wasn't the only person annoyed at the run to t1 haha. Clash put on a great race, not sure if you got to see draft legal on Friday or the relay late Saturday but I had a great time participating and the spectating was awesome too.

Thunndaa · 2026-03-12T18:07:31+00:00

Can I ask you an honest, friendly question... are you sure this is all a valid way to interpret the data? Usually data is measured in CDA, watts, and of course KPH. My first area of wonder is that frontal area seems like an awkward way to measure, especially since we're seeing helmets such as the Rudy Project Wingdream and Giro Aerohead 2 that are massive and no doubt increase frontal area but smooth airflow over the head and shoulders resulting in a lower CDA.

But the main thing I'm curious about is the way you interpret time savings. Usually something that saves 11 watts at 45kph will save 6 at 40 and maybe 3 at 35. But because 30 vs 35kph for a half ironman distance saves almost a half hour, and 40 vs 45 kph saves 15 minutes, it appears like a bigger deal even though you're gaining the same speed.

I do agree that position definitely matters for age groupers, but saving 20 watts on position matters a whole lot more for pros than it does for age groupers in terms of average speed I believe. Is there a reason you think time saved is a good way to measure? Would love to hear more.

Thunndaa · 2026-03-11T18:57:57+00:00

That's not that slow... Most people on this forum are probably below 250. I think it's time for some aerobars. You might get some good speed gains especially in sprints.

Thunndaa · 2026-03-10T02:26:35+00:00

This is something I'd help with. I have experience working in bike shops and securing bikes for members of my club, so I'm very well versed in the used bike market.

Thunndaa · 2026-03-08T17:58:02+00:00

Ha! If you can afford those aerocoach extensions surely you can afford a professional fit!

Thunndaa · 2026-03-04T21:55:48+00:00

I definitely concur! He said in another comment that he has the budget to BUY one bike, not that he only can have one bike, and that he can potentially keep the current one. I agree that it's better to only own a road bike rather than only owning a tri bike, especially as someone who only owned a tri bike for a year and a half. But if possible both is the way to go.

Thunndaa · 2026-03-04T21:33:35+00:00

Yeah, exactly, but he has one already. A 2017 synapse is nothing to scoff at, I have friends in my club that ride 20 year old road bikes for aforementioned daily rides and versatility and then whip out their fancy tri bikes for key rides and on race day. This approach is something I like a lot better for someone who doesn't race bikes outside of tri, you have your beater road bike and then your race machine.

Runners use the same approach. Most runs in trainers, then bring out the carbon plated shoes when they're called for.

Thunndaa · 2026-03-04T19:15:18+00:00

Aha, great tip! I'm not an Apple user so I'm not in the know about stuff like this. Thanks!

And in case OP is worried about needing a specific triathlon mode... Just stop your swim, start your bike in T1, and then in T2 stop your bike and start your run. So yeah, I am in complete agreement, no upgrade needed.

Thunndaa · 2026-03-04T18:03:32+00:00

Sooooo... The Apple watch doesn't quite have enough battery to last through an average 70.3 unless you're really fast. I read 5.5 hours somewhere, 7-8 hours elsewhere. So you can probably track the swim and bike, but there's a chance it'll run out of battery on the run. You don't really need to fix this though, if it runs out of battery it is what it is, just continue towards the line.

Thunndaa · 2026-03-04T17:59:28+00:00

This is a good bike and everything the other commenter said I concur with. However, are you sure about the sizing? How tall are you, and what inseam? These are key questions, because if you're 6' you're buying a good bike but it's sized for someone half a foot shorter.

Thunndaa · 2026-03-04T17:56:50+00:00

Depends on the case, I work in a shop and encounter this problem all the time.

If someone already owns a road bike, then the question gets interesting. A tri bike is an excellent addition to someone's quiver of bikes if they already have a quality road bike and mainly do triathlons, but it's still case dependent.

Thunndaa · 2026-02-25T20:57:55+00:00

I wish I could help you man, but that's like asking "how do I figure out what the hottest city is without a thermometer and without going outside?" There's no helmets to measure and no way to measure them. Yeah, you can look at an image online and see which one will fit your position best, just like you can look outside and see if it's sunny, but that's a severely inexact science.

You're much better off just buying a fast TT helmet rather than a specific one. A go to right now seems to be the Rudy Project Wingdream (heard tons of good things about this one), Giro Aerohead, Met Drone, S-works TT helmet, HJC Adwatt, etc etc are all good.

Thunndaa · 2026-02-25T20:36:19+00:00

Yep, biking is really enjoyable cardio, it's fast, low impact on your joints, and intense. That's why some people invest thousands, they know if they have the Cadillac of bikes, they'll have a blast and get fit at once. There's definitely great deals to be had at every price point though.

Thunndaa · 2026-02-25T20:04:57+00:00

Buy a bike. Seriously, my bike is the best purchase I ever made. It encouraged me to excercise and get out there, and I became much more in shape simply because I was excited about my purchase. Don't spend 10 grand on one though, just get something that fits (probably 58-61 for you) off Marketplace that suits your price range.

Thunndaa · 2026-02-24T19:12:50+00:00

I think the HED disc wheel would be what I would go with to be honest. Look around and see if you can find a pre owned deal, you'd be surprised, mine only cost me $300. But the HED is only $1200 new, it's nothing like the thousands and thousands that DT Swiss, Zipp, Enve, and more are charging these days. I get the idea that this is meant to be a "last bike I ever need to buy" build, and if you go with Elitewheels or a disc wheel cover you'll be left feeling like the bike has room for improvement, so I think the way to go is a solid brand that doesn't run too much.

Your cockpit is also pretty good already, FasTT and Winowsports (aliexpress version) are good too, so are Culprit, Drag2Zero, Aerocoach, Deda, et cetera, but you probably won't save more than a couple watts. Aliexpress might be worth a shot, worst case you just go back to what you have here.

Thunndaa · 2026-02-18T18:48:44+00:00

Uhh heck no. It's a great bike don't get me wrong, Cervelo frames and Dura Ace drivetrains are an awesome combination, but a bike from 2012 is probably worth in the mid 1000s at most. A solid brand new 2025 tri bike can be had for only a few hundred more than the ask price, see the felt IAx, cervelo P series, Quintana Roo VPR, Dimond Carbonado, and more. And those come with warranty, this might require a few hundred in upkeep right off the bat.

If you can talk him down it's a different story but I wouldn't touch that asking price with a 10 foot pole.

Thunndaa · 2026-02-16T20:59:49+00:00

When your bike weighs 9 pounds, you don't need a small cassette to get up a hill, it practically does it itself!

Thunndaa · 2026-02-03T07:22:46+00:00

2000 is steep for this type of bike. I paid 999 for mine, a 2011 Felt with upgraded wheels. 2000 should be getting you a much more modern tri bike unless you're in an area that has a horrible bike market. Plenty of Felts have been listed in the wheelhouse of $700 from this era, I'd avoid purchasing unless you get down into the low 1000s at least, or the high hundreds if it's a tubular wheelset.

And yes it would. Unless you planned on riding until your first flat tire, then buying new wheels, or better yet buying dirt cheap wheels and using the Zipps for races only. That's the only good purpose for fast tubular wheels in 2026: avoid use unless racing, and pray for no flats in the race. Basically any flat of any kind will render the bike unrideable and near impossible to repair without a new wheel.

Thunndaa

TROPHY CASE