time to write a short review/story on how I got this fast and stiff but comfortable Triathlon bike of mine.
During the last quarter of 2012 after finishing my first Triathlon (mini) I finally decided
that I would get Triathlon specific bike so I went back on reading Triathlon forum (www.slowtwitch.com, www.tririg.com, triathlon.competitor.com) to know more about TT bike, I went to some Local Bike Shops (LBS) to get the feel of the bike and know the local prices as well.
After much research I've grown to like the design of the Argon 18 E112 TT frame, I have
researched the internet for an LBS whose selling Argon 18 bike and found Entro Cycle
(www.entrocycles.sg). I quickly visited their shop and talked to MC (this is the short
version of his name I forgot his name, sorry MC), upon entering their bike shop I saw that
they are carrying quite a few brand of bicycles such as FOCUS, Mcipollini and Argon 18
just to mention a few. After that I have noticed that they are having a sale on Argon 18
2012 frames (it must be my lucky day).
I quickly browse through the prices of the Argon 18, they have all the Argon 18 TT models on sale E80, E112, E116 and their E118. The most affordable TT frame on sale is the E80 an aluminum frame which is very great TT frame for those in a tight budget, next is their E112, this frame is made of their new 5655HM Carbon Composite and has the same geometry as their high-end E114 (discontinued) frame which carried Torbjørn Sindballe first off the bike on the 2007 Ironman World Championship in Kona Hawaii. Next are their high end frames E116 and E118, these frames eventhough on sale was still over my limit of SG$2,000 dollars for the frame and fork only.
The price for the Argon 18 E112 2012 model was $1,699 while the E116 was $2,399 I know
that it is a big difference eventhough I still contemplated on getting the E116 though, but
because I was on a tight budget I have opted for the E112 model which I don't have any regrets of buying it.
On that same day I asked MC if they have the small size for the E112, but before that he
roughly estimated my body to the frame that I am suppose get, after some measuring with
the measuring tape he told me that the frame size I should get is an extra small for the
E112 which they don't have at the time, the only extra small size they have was the E116.
At the time my dream of getting an Argon 18 E112 collapses, I went home thinking what to
do.
When I got home I quickly research all forums that have Argon 18 TT bikes asked questions
to forum members and emailed some of them to get a quick response. Because most of the
information was already on the internet I kept reading the for my height I am suppose to
get an extra small size. And then I saw a post on www.slowtwitch.com a guy posted his
wife's Argon 18 E112 I quickly emailed him about the bike and the height of his wife. The
next day he replied to me and told me that his wife was somewhere around 5 foot 6 inches
and he added that before they bought the frame his wife got a professional bike fitter and
recommended them that bike size. He told me that her wife was very comfortable on the bike and that has given me the confidence to go and buy the frame and so I did.
This is her bike
After buying the frame, It took me 3 months to buy all the required parts and components
to build the bike. And since I was on a real tight budget I buyed most of my bike parts
online (www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk, www.chainreactioncycles.com and www.wiggle.com) with the help of some of my friend who ordered together with me so we can save on shipping cost.
Shimano Ultegra 6700 Rear Deraileur and Deda 70mm Stem from wiggle
Profile Design Carbon T2+ Aero Bars, Wing2 Bullhorn and Carbon Break levers from
Treknology (LBS)
(front and rear) and a clarks water bottle cage from CRC
Shimano Gear cables, brake cables and pedals from CRC
Stuffs i got second hand
Ultegra casette, Profile Design Saddle from Roi and Carlo and my Ultegra 6700 brakes.
After all the parts has been delivered over the past 3 months of ordering I got two of my
buddies (Carlo and Von) to assemble the bike. And for a very affordable fee you can have
your bike assembled by these two very nice guys.
Here are some additional accessories that I got for my Argon 18 E112 TT bike;
XLab Torpedo
XLab Turbo Wing
PRO Carbon bottle cages from Planet X
All in my Argon 18 E112 cost me around SG$ 3,400 which is still very cheap considering all the parts are quite on the highend compared to Tribikes sold here. I think the same bike with the configuration as what I have would cost somewhere around SG$4,500 to to SG$5,500
Thanks for reading.
I got a set of Planet X 80mm/60mm carbon wheels which was (you guessed it) on sale on Planet X website.
Here is what my bike looks now
Blog Update
I have changed my brakes to Magura RT8 Triathlon specific Hydraulic brakes, I got the brakes from the same shop where I got the E112 frame they were on sale during the time and it was around 65% off which was to good to pass off.I got a set of Planet X 80mm/60mm carbon wheels which was (you guessed it) on sale on Planet X website.
Here is what my bike looks now
I bought the Lazer Tardiz II too for 65% off or more if I'm not mistaken.
