Choosing a Bike

I bought my first road bike for my 30th birthday last year.  It's the blue Scattante R-560 from Performance.  It's an aluminum bike with a carbon fork, but it's a 105 groupo, triple crank, about 21 lbs with pedals.  That was the bike I took it to my first tri, and yes I was able to keep up with some of the big boys with carbon bikes.

Unfortunately, I wanted a tri bike, something with a high resell value.   So I decided to sell my road bike on CL.  Within 3-weeks, I sold it to a happy beginner.  So, now what?? no bike.. can't train until I get a new bike.  So for the whole month, I worked on my swimming techniques in the evening and would run during the mornings.

Fuji Aloha 2.0 - This was on sale for $1099 at Performance.  I was super close of getting one of these.  I like the color, but wasn't too happy with the amount of what I am paying for.

So, for the past 3-4 weeks, I checked eBay, CL and slowwitch almost everyday and night.  I got beat repeatably every time I bidded on a Cervelo P2C.  And then...  I found this Look 576.. did extensive of research on it.. and they listed a brand new one on eBay for $2300 (online stores for $2500).  I offered $1900, unbelievably, he accepted.  Look bikes (not pedals) are not very popular, but they are high-end bikes.

 

I bidded on a used P2C, but got the brand new 576 instead.

After weeks of waiting..  finally got it, but I encountered a few problems.  I need to cut the seat post, so I took it to John at Triathlon Zombies, and he happily did it for a low price.  John is an extremely cool gentleman who loves to help instead of overcharging customers.
http://triathletezombies.com/

I rode the bike to work last Thursday, 20 miles one way via the beach route (Carson-El Segundo), and I cannot express enough how smoothly the bike goes.  The bike shifts instantly like an electronic button, cut through the crosswind like a bullet, going fast on straight away like a cycling pro, but only one downside, when climbing uphill, it requires more effort, since I got used to the triple ring on my blue Scattante R-560.  Overall, the transition from my Scanttane to a Look, I had gain at least 3 mph on an average.  Also, I get less fatigue on long rides.