Any question answered...

(a) what everyone else is doing
(b) hype
(c) what the pros do

(d) value for money

In the context of Shiv/Trinity Advanced/Speed Concept/Felt DA, which are the first bikes from the big brands which can at least match the P3, Cervelo is starting to look like the value brand :-)

The gap between all the top bike - Shiv, Speed Concept, Trinity Advanced, DA, P3 or P4 etc. is small enough not to affect the outcome anyway. Wind strength and direction can change the finishing order between identical athletes on different bikes from that group.

I was just about to say this

:]

what size rim tape do i need for mavic cxp22s ? 19 mm or 17mm?

Which Tri/TT forum/s have the best classifieds to peruse if one were looking for a powermeter?

Forgive the noob question, but watching the WTCs on tv and wondering, in the sprint is there a specified gear or can a rider choose higher or lower gi to suit their preference?

No gear restrictions when your riding Senior cat races. Juniors limited to 100, U16 to 86, U14 to 81. Can't remember the U12 restriction

Is 9.5kg heavy for a full built carbon framed road bike?

Imo yes. My bike is about 7Kg without going weight weenie. Just full DA, Shimano 105 on open pro wheels.

"Carbon framed bike" doesn't tell us a great deal though to be fair.

I would say that it sounds heavy- but without a bit more info it might be perfectly reasonable.

Give us the frame make/model and kit list?

http://www.lfgss.com/thread75110.html

To give you a comparison. This thing here weighs 19lb/9kg

Steel frame/fork, 9spd DA/Ultegra, mtb hubs onto MA40/MA3

My boardman weighs sub 9.5... and that haz disk break innit....

Fixed cheese, that bike has quite a charm and some decent kit. Weight is not everything, but I'd probably spend my £500 spondoolies on one of the many well equipped steel bikes that are going at the minute. That is purely down to my personal taste though, if racy looking and carbon is your thing then go for it!

I am going to Manchester for the first time tomorrow for a few days. What should I expect?

9.87kg
Aluminium frame, full carbon fork, Apex groupset, 11-32 cassette, (shite) 50/34 FSA cranks, BB7's, Mavic TN719 front and Formula to Ritchey rim rear, Thomson Elite stem and post, 3T Ergosum bars, Arione, ROC ATAC's, 25c Gatorskins:

Teenage pregnancy

^^ Mentalist Northeners. Driving in London is easy compared to London

I am going to Manchester for the first time tomorrow for a few days. What should I expect?

You'll see New Order busking outside the Hacienda and Alex Ferguson dancing for small change near the Arndale. Morrissey will embrace you by the Free Trade Hall and everything will look like a Lowry painting. But with more students.

Shaggy hair, anoraks, the Indy shuffle.

I am going to Manchester for the first time tomorrow for a few days. What should I expect?

Students. Students everywhere. They love to walk out into the road.

Is 9.5kg heavy for a full built carbon framed road bike?

Imo yes. My bike is about 7Kg without going weight weenie. Just full DA, Shimano 105 on open pro wheels.

"Carbon framed bike" doesn't tell us a great deal though to be fair.

I would say that it sounds heavy- but without a bit more info it might be perfectly reasonable.

Give us the frame make/model and kit list?

My boardman weighs sub 9.5... and that haz disk break innit....

Fixed cheese, that bike has quite a charm and some decent kit. Weight is not everything, but I'd probably spend my £500 spondoolies on one of the many well equipped steel bikes that are going at the minute. That is purely down to my personal taste though, if racy looking and carbon is your thing then go for it!

Cripes, I don't know now...

I am after something nippy and want to buy now whilst I can afford it and while the demand is dipping.

I'm still drawn to the Ambrosio (http://www.lfgss.com/thread75110.html), but what about these?
http://www.lfgss.com/thread74293.html (sub £400 and mostly Ultegra)
http://www.lfgss.com/thread75092.html (slightly over budget, with Tiagra)
http://www.lfgss.com/thread75045.html (beautiful bike with 105, but that stem...)
http://www.lfgss.com/thread75018.html (also sub £400 and with 105)

Nice 3ttt stems here for less than a tenner, that pinarello is fit!

Of that lot I'd choose the Boardman

Yeah just clicked on that link, the boardman is an unbelievable deal. Best equipment by far and will most likely be the lightest.... £375!! jeebus buy it quick...

I would be mercenary about the whole thing and go for the Boardman. Decent quality running gear makes all the difference, and as a first road bike I would say it was a better place to start than some quality vintage steel. It won't suit all your needs but it'll meet them better than the others, and will put you in a better position to work out what you're really after when upgrade time comes.
If I had the money and space for a winter (or general bang-for-buck non carbon) bike right now, it's what I'd buy.