My Bike

After a lot of decision making I ended up purchasing an amazing Avanti Team Cadent from John Bull Cycles in Christchurch.

There are the 3 types of road race bikes Avanti produce.

At first I wanted the Questa – the female version. The small in this was too small and there were none available in the next size up so that cut out that option. Although the Quantum is more of a racing design so I was leaning toward that.

The Quantum is a race performance frame while the Team Cadent is similar with a little more relaxed geometry for endurance and comfort. They are both made using the ADT R5 Carbon frame and are both the same weight – 7.1kg which is so light!

One of the main differences between the Quantum and the Cadent is the longer head tube on the Cadent. This means the handlebars would be positioned 25mm higher than the racing Quantum frame, appealing to the less flexible riders.

I decided I’d like the Quantum as I’m going for speed. But in late August when I wanted to purchase there weren’t any Questa or Quantum frames in my size. So I ended up purchasing the 56.5cm (I’m 168cm tall) Cadent and customising it with the help of John Bull Cycles.

They put a longer stem to increase the length in front and took out the stacks in the vertical head stem to make it lower in the front and a similar height to the Quantum. They gave me a narrower handlebar and a specific triathlon saddle – which I have now changed to the ISM Adamo saddle I wouldn’t trade for the world!

The Cadent is painted in a gorgeous white with red and black decals and has complete Dura Ace 7900 componentry.  Super smooth!

Avanti Candent Specs

•    Frame: ADT R5 Carbon, Endurance Road Geometry
•    Fork: ADT E5 Carbon Integrated with 1.5-1 1/8″ Steerer
•    Front Derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace 7900
•    Rear Derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace 7900
•    Brake Levers: Shimano Dura Ace
•    Shifters: Shimano Dura Ace 20-Speed with Shimano Outer Casing
•    Crankset: Shimano Dura Ace 53/39T
•    Brakes: Shimano Dura Ace
•    Cassette: Shimano Dura Ace 12-25T 10-Speed
•    Handlebar: Zero Team Carbon 31.8mm
•    Grips: Zero Suede Gel Wrap
•    Handlebar Stem: Zero Team 31.8mm
•    Rims/Wheel Set: Shimano Dura Ace Wheelset
•    Tyres: Continental GP-4000S 700 x 23c Folding with Superlite Tubes
•    Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Team Edition
•    Seat Post: Zero Team Carbon 27.2mm
•    Bottom Bracket: Shimano Dura Ace Press Fit
•    Headset: Cane Creek Integrated Aheadset 1-1/8″- 1.5″ with Carbon Cover
•    Chain: Shimano Dura Ace

How does this compare to my old Giant OCR?

Me on my old Giant with Sora componentry in last years triathlon nationals in Wellington

My old bike is a Giant with Shimano Sora componentry. I was so impressed with the effortlessness of my new Avanti bike, it seemed to be so much easier to pedal. The Cadent is only 7.1kg!

On my first climb I noticed a big difference between this bike and my old bike. My old bike had 3 chain rings – it had the ‘granny gear’ which made it so easy to climb up hills – albeit very slowly! This new bike has 2 chain rings which means it’s a little harder to climb up hills – but so it should be. It makes me work harder and I get up faster.

It’s frame is best suited to long rides and I love it. I really didn’t have anything to compare this to though! My old bike chain continually slipped off and was so clunky. I had ridden it a lot in the 5 or so years I’ve had it and not been too good at servicing.

This new Avanti is smooth as silk, quiet as a mouse and just a dream. It handles great around corners and there are no worries about standing up and climbing hard up a hill or pushing the gears. No worries like on my old bike if I jumped up to push suddenly the chain would slip.

The Cadent is usually for riders who are less flexible and like to race aggressively, although the way I’ve set it up with it lower in the front it’s more of a mix between the Cadent and the Quantum race frame.

It’s a great competitive triathlon bike – it’s my baby and I love it! I have clipped on my vision TT mini aerobars and it’s perfect for triathlon.

My Avanti Cadent

My new ISM Adamo saddle on my Avanti Cadent