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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
Road bars on a "tri" ish bike (Giant TCR Aero)

 
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djh2

Aug 27, 08 15:01

Post #1 of 7 (266 views)
Road bars on a "tri" ish bike (Giant TCR Aero) Can't Post
Hi everyone. I'm thinking about putting road bars on my bike so I can do safer group rides and training out of the tri-cockpit. Since I'm a college student, 40$ to get a handlebar and brake levers is a lot less expensive than a new bike. The bike I have now is a Giant TCR Aero (2) but with better components. According to the website it has a 75* STA and most road bikes seem to have 73*.

Is this going to make a huge difference in the handling of the bike? Should I remedy by pushing the saddle back (KOPS?) and will I need a different stem? Do I just throw it on there and adjust how my body feels right?

Also, what's the "rule of thumb" for bar height? If it's too low it will make the drops useless, right?

And finally, I can give you all my paypal account information if you'd like to donate toward buying me a different bike... just thought I'd throw that one out there :)

Other option would be... am I better off trying to sell the bike and buy a Soloist or Kestrel Talon type bike that's meant for road/tri switching.


Tri tri again

Aug 27, 08 15:08

Post #2 of 7 (257 views)
Re: Road bars on a "tri" ish bike (Giant TCR Aero) [djh2] [In reply to] Can't Post
I turned my Giant TCR 2 Aero into a road bike a few years ago and I couldn't be happier on it! In fact, mine was *way* more comfy as a road bike than a tri bike. I can't remember what all the shop did to it...other than putting on the road bars and taking off my forward seat post. But Go for it! I think you'll love it!

Jodi


GregX

Aug 27, 08 15:19

Post #3 of 7 (246 views)
Re: Road bars on a "tri" ish bike (Giant TCR Aero) [djh2] [In reply to] Can't Post
it will be fine. you won't have any handling problems at all. a bike with a 75 deg. STA is not a problem. i've been riding one for years with great success. and you likely don't need to slide your seat way back, or way forward. just put it a good central location, and get a long enough stem to fit your upper body right. the whole KOPS tradition is truly useless and it is based on zero science or physiology.

about the handlebar drop, it really depends on your body, your flexibility, the distances you ride, the terrain, and your preferences. i'd go with what feels right to you (that is, if you have some miles on road bikes). you should also get some opinions about your new fit from a few other experienced riders who can take a look at you on the bike, and who know the sport and who you respect.


"Half of what we taught you is wrong. Unfortunately, we do not know which half."
-- Dean and cardiologist C. S. Burwell to a Harvard Med School graduating class.
Where would you want to swim ?


JamieJ

Aug 27, 08 15:21

Post #4 of 7 (239 views)
Re: Road bars on a "tri" ish bike (Giant TCR Aero) [djh2] [In reply to] Can't Post
I did it. It's great. Very light bike.


2009 Races:
TTT, Muncie Endurathon, IMoo


tim-mech

Aug 27, 08 15:58

Post #5 of 7 (218 views)
Re: Road bars on a "tri" ish bike (Giant TCR Aero) [djh2] [In reply to] Can't Post
I'll go so far to say that your bike is one of the better to do the road/tri flip-flop with.

I have a Merlin Triathlon from the mid 90's I've been racing all this time. It has a 76 deg. seat tube and I have a Thompson set back seat post that I flip forward for tri and back for road. I also have a set of road bars with Ultegra 9 STI shifters AND a Syntace SL tri bar set (cable and housing in place on both; cable ends soldered and filed to easily slide into the rear d. housing). It takes me about 20 minutes to change the bar sets out and flip the saddle/post. Handling is predictable in both modes although I can't get very low in the tri set-up due to the high Syntace bars and relatively long head tube.

Two bikes in one.

I give myself extra points in a race for every P3C I pass on my ancient rig (I racked up bunches at Vineman) which just goes to show, while a smokin' TT bike can buy you minutes in a race, you have to have more than just the finances to make it effective.

Tim

#########################################

"Show me a guy who works to keep his family together, spends time with his kids, dates his wife, and compromises on his training sessions....I'll show a guy who's family is important to them." -MJuric

"Corrective action is blocked by vested interests, by well-intentioned political and business leaders, and by their electorates, all of whom are perfectly correct in not noticing big changes from year to year. Instead, each year there are just somewhat more people, and somewhat fewer resources, on Earth."-Jared Diamond


djh2

Aug 28, 08 7:43

Post #6 of 7 (149 views)
Re: Road bars on a "tri" ish bike (Giant TCR Aero) [tim-mech] [In reply to] Can't Post
Well, thanks for the encouragement, everyone. Within the next month I'm going to be getting all the stuff needed, just waiting on the paycheck in the mail ;)


Dave in Canada

Aug 28, 08 9:27

Post #7 of 7 (106 views)
Re: Road bars on a "tri" ish bike (Giant TCR Aero) [djh2] [In reply to] Can't Post
Funny thing, I have the same bike and am moving it the other way. I've always had mine in a road setup.

This winter I'm going to tear it down and re-build it in a Tri setup. I think I'll reverse the seatpost to increase the STA slightly, it should end up at about 77*.

I'd offer to swap the parts, but I have beat this bike pretty good in crits this summer. Two crashes have damages the shifters. They work, but look like hell. Send me a PM if you want to unload your "cockpit" parts. I might be interested.

I'm going to buy a new road bike for next summer and keep this bike for sprint tri and TT's.

It really is a nice road setup, but I think there is a slight power loss for seated climbing compated to a proper road geometry.

Dave