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This is the bike I bought when I decided to start doing triathlon. It's a Scattante, which is the Performance Bicycle house brand. I got it for $600. From what I understand, it's a private labeled Fuji frame - aluminum with a carbon fork. Over the last year, It's become a bit of a project bike, though originally not by choice. Though the frame was decent, pretty much everything else on the bike wasn't. First I kept breaking spokes, so I had to replace the wheels with a more robust Mavic wheelset. Inside of 300 miles I blew out the side walls of both tires and had to replace those. Then I broke the seat. Eventually, I got an extra stem when I bought my Specialized TT bike and acquired a few more parts.
At this point I think the only original parts are the frameset, the bottom bracket, and the front and rear derailleur. By now, the bike has cost me more than it would have if I had bought a better bike in the first place, but who knew? It's actually been fun to play around with it.
I'd been ignoring it lately but today I decided to take it out for a ride. And I'm glad I did. There's something to be said about "stretching out" on a road bike once in awhile. The ride was downright comfy. I went out and did 30 extremely pleasant miles down PCH, up the Santa Ana River Trail, and then back across to my house. Here's the Garmin data:
After the ride I came home and watched stage 2 of the Tour De Suisse. It was quite the finish today - a 60 something rider sprint. Cervelo Test Team rider Heinrich Haussler won the stage. Fabian Cancellara still retains the yellow jersey. By the way, Cancellara's time trial yesterday was amazing.
Just after six, I headed out for a run. I used the Vibram 5 Fingers today, and I am now at the point where the good is outweighing the bad. The way I feel when I run in them is awesome. Stepping on small rocks is not awesome, but I'm getting used to it.
Regardless, I'm going to be making a point of rotating these guys into my training once a week. I think it will end up being well worth it. I'm still a little slower in them than I am in shoes, but I think that comes down to being more careful about where I step. I'm not sure why, but my legs feel really good after running in them - they have a nice tingle in them.
Anyway, here's the data on the run:
Once I get this Vancouver trip out of the way, it will be time to put the finishing touches on training for the San Diego International Triathlon. I'll be home Wednesday night, so back on the bike Thursday for sure.
12 comments:
Busting out a roadie is fun every once in a while. I'd like to try to 5 fingers but have sasquatch feet so doubt they make it in my size
Good job.
Interesting, I forgot you were trying the Vibrams. Keep posting about them, thought about trying them once in awhile.
I love my road bike (only bike I have haha).
Mmmm, still don't know about the barefoot/Vibram thing. I want to try it but the streets by my house have so much sh!t on them, glass, rock gravel, mostly due to the fact that it rains nearly every day here. Maybe on the bike path some time... Cheers!
sounds like a good weekend! five fingers....still can't get myself to try them. just starting to run decent in my shoes. have a good trip to Vancouver
I only have a road bike, so it's good to hear that riding on yours after the tribike was comfy. I'm not at the stage (maybe never will be?) of trying to shave seconds at the expense of comfort. So often we try to cheap out initially and end up spending way more long term, but it's probably been very instructive to change all the parts out. You probably know more about your bike than 90% of the cyclists out there. Question: Why Vibrams rather than straight barefoot?
Wow, thats a nice looker! I had a Sca. once -tear- but bikeing just was not my thing I guess.. The bike treated me amazing well. I loved it.. But then I found running and the rest was history!Eh'
You've probably also gained a lot of knowledge about bikes along the way.
Didn't know you were working in the VFF into your training. I'd like to try them. Keep posting about them.
All I have is a road bike, and I have not ridden a tri bike so I don't really know the difference - besides to say there is a difference! ha. Anyway, great ride and run!
I need to get a roadie too. This sport is expenses! With the VFF are they easy to get on or do they take some effort like the injini socks do? I ask because I wonder how much they would slow you down in transition?
Nice to have a "project" bike that also is a comfy ride training bike! I would love to know more about the mechanics of my ride. Great training!
-D
I prefer to ride my roadie, though I dont have any problems with mine, I shop at Performance for gear and trinkets, havent bought a bike their yet, though I want a MTB for the winter to keep riding
I know just how you feel about your road bike. I took mine out a couple of weeks ago for a family ride and it was awesome! Oh, how I love my road bike!
Good job with your VFF run! I'm still working on doing longer runs in mine.
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