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Brad D.
Brad D. Sendmail

Road bike or tri bike

posted over 2 years ago | Report

I currently ride a entry lvl trek road bike. I have done a few tri's and next summer I have signed up for Calgary 70.3, and if all goes well maybe a ironman in a couple of years. Should I get a full on tri bike or a road bike and put aero bars on it. Any suggestions on what to get for around $2000.

Thanks

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13 posts

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  • Tim K.
    Tim K. Sendmail

    For the money, I'd buy a nice Road bike and skip the Aero bars vs an expensive Tri bike that is very uncomfortable for long road rides. For a detailed discussion, check here:

    http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=938

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Kevin M.
    Kevin M. Sendmail

    If you're serious about doing triathlons, get a tri-bike....otherwise, if you like to ride as much as race, stick with a road bike. You'll be a lot more comfortable and have the ability to actually 'ride' instead of being forced to time-trial everything which doesn't actually work that well for training. Tri-bikes are pretty limiting and are really only good for time trialing.

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Brodie B.
    Brodie B. Sendmail

    I only ride a tri bike and love it. I will be adding a road bike to my quiver in the future but I have no problems doing all of my rides on my tri bike. Anywhere from 10-150 miles without getting uncomfortable. It isn't the bike that makes you uncomfortable. It is how the bike fits you. I have tweaked my bike position over the years and am more than happy on my tri specific bike for nay ride.

    Not quite sure why you are forced to "time trial" everything on a tri bike. I just "ride" a lot of times. Cowhorns aren't much different than hoods and aero bars aren't too far of a cry from going in your drops (besides some loss of control).

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Kevin M.
    Kevin M. Sendmail
    in reply to what Brodie B. said:I only ride a tri bike and love it. I will be adding a road bike to my quiver in the future but I have no problems doing all of my rides on my tri bike. Anywhere from 10-150 miles without getting uncomfortable. It isn't the bike that makes you ... read more

    It's hard to ride in a pack with guys on aero bikes is basically all I meant, riding style is a lot different.

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Brad D.
    Brad D. Sendmail

    Thanks for the advice. Through all the reading I have done and your help. I think I will be going with a Tri bike (Cervelo P1). I don't ride in groups I only use my Road bike to train on and race. I use my Mt Bike when going out with friends. So if all I am doing is tri's and training tri's I think the tri bike is more apporpraite. I am sure my entry lvl road bike would be fine but I really want a new bike:}

    That being said I was in Calgary on the weekend and stopped by a bike store. I wanted to see what size of bike I would need. I am riding a 52cm bike now but I feel cramped on it. I think a 54cm bike would be more my size. The salesman only had 1 Cervelo p1 left which was 51cm. He said it fit me perfect I thought it was small. Not sure if he was just tring to sell that bike or not. I am 5.6 feet tall.

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Stephanie Y.
    Stephanie Y. Sendmail
    in reply to what Brad D. said:Thanks for the advice. Through all the reading I have done and your help. I think I will be going with a Tri bike (Cervelo P1). I don't ride in groups I only use my Road bike to train on and race. I use my Mt Bike when going out with friends. So i... read more

    It's a little suspicious... do you have any other experience with this bike shop? I'd maybe shop around, I would rather a salesman who was honest than simply trying to get rid of stock. The honest one will keep me as a lifetime customer...

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Kevin M.
    Kevin M. Sendmail
    in reply to what Brad D. said:Thanks for the advice. Through all the reading I have done and your help. I think I will be going with a Tri bike (Cervelo P1). I don't ride in groups I only use my Road bike to train on and race. I use my Mt Bike when going out with friends. So i... read more

    What store was it / who did you talk to? (I'm from Calgary too and know some good people to talk to)

    posted over 2 years ago | edited over 2 years ago

  • Brad D.
    Brad D. Sendmail

    Bow Cycle ! Not sure of his name. He may have been right about the size, but 51cm seem awefully small. I would have gone to Speed Theory but it was closed on sunday.

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Kevin M.
    Kevin M. Sendmail
    in reply to what Brad D. said:Bow Cycle ! Not sure of his name. He may have been right about the size, but 51cm seem awefully small. I would have gone to Speed Theory but it was closed on sunday.

    Yeah, Speed Theory is a great store, those guys won't steer you wrong. John Bird and Jared Green are awesome guys to deal with! Bow Cycle is also really good, I don't know anyone who works the floor there anymore though, but Bow should still pretty trustworthy.

    I would recommend going through Speed Theory. They have a lot more gear that you'll probably end up purchasing down the road and will probably be able to give you a decent deal on it.

    posted over 2 years ago | edited over 2 years ago

  • Brodie B.
    Brodie B. Sendmail
    in reply to what Kevin M. said:It's hard to ride in a pack with guys on aero bikes is basically all I meant, riding style is a lot different.

    Fair enough. Some people are better than others on the aero bars. It just takes time but I better I can handle my bike while in aero better than some newer roadies can handle theirs on the hoods (minus the no braking aspect) ;)

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Nicole L.
    Nicole L. Sendmail

    Since this post is three months old I'm assuming you bought your bike? I ride a Cervelo P1 and love it, I'm barely 5'4" though and am also on a 51-did you go with that size? Just curious. :)

    posted about 2 years ago

  • Brad D.
    Brad D. Sendmail
    in reply to what Nicole L. said:Since this post is three months old I'm assuming you bought your bike? I ride a Cervelo P1 and love it, I'm barely 5'4" though and am also on a 51-did you go with that size? Just curious. :)

    I have not actually bought a bike yet:} Still tring to convince my wife how much faster and better I would be on a new bike. I have talked to the bike stores etc and I will probally end up on a 52. I am looking at either the P1 or 2. or the Argon 18.

    I may end up riding my current bike this summer and "when" I finish the Calgary 70.3 that should convince my wife that I am serious about this tri stuff.

    Thanks for the response

    posted about 2 years ago

  • Kv
    Kv Sendmail
    in reply to what Brad D. said:I have not actually bought a bike yet:} Still tring to convince my wife how much faster and better I would be on a new bike. I have talked to the bike stores etc and I will probally end up on a 52. I am looking at either the P1 or 2. or the Argon ... read more

    If it's within your means and you know you are serious about triathlons, why not invest in a good tri-bike? It may well motivate you to ride more and that never hurts. It's also nice to have a dedicated tri-bike set up in the time trial position so you're not constantly switching seat posts and saddle positions on the road bike.

    However, if you need some proof that your old bike won't inhibit your performance pick up the buyer's guide issue of Velo News. In the back there is a technical article which features wind tunnel testing of an AG2R rider. Between the control road setup and time trial setup the most important factor in aerodynamics was the skin suit, followed by helmet, shoe covers, then several other items. The bike itself was near the bottom. It's a very worthwhile read.

    posted about 2 years ago

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