What advantages does a purpose built tri frame with a steep seat tube angle have over a frame using standard road bike geometry, but using a zero offset or 'fast forward' seat post to provide a steeper seat tube angle? Is there any advantage if I can duplicate the positions?
Long story on why I ask - I'm an experienced cyclist with a nice road bike approaching my first 1/2 IM in July (vineman - first tri ever). I figured I'd just add aero bars to my road bike and be done. The position was too low and too stretched out, so the shop added a fast forward seatpost. The position was fine, but it effectively made my roadbike useless in any postion other than the aero position (couldn't use the tops, using the hoods was ackward, forward position put a lof of weight on my hands, roadies gave me bad looks on group rides, etc). A friend at work had an older QR Kilo that I posted about last week, but after riding it this weekend I came to the conclusion that it was just too big. Luck would have it that another coworker has a Cannondale R1000 Aero in my size that I can have. I could throw on a set of base bars, bar end shifters, move my fast forward seatpost over and have a 'tri specific' bike based on a road bike frame.
The investment would be minimal, but I'd hate to waste money on something that's just not going to work. What do I gain from a tri specific frame?
Thanks!
Long story on why I ask - I'm an experienced cyclist with a nice road bike approaching my first 1/2 IM in July (vineman - first tri ever). I figured I'd just add aero bars to my road bike and be done. The position was too low and too stretched out, so the shop added a fast forward seatpost. The position was fine, but it effectively made my roadbike useless in any postion other than the aero position (couldn't use the tops, using the hoods was ackward, forward position put a lof of weight on my hands, roadies gave me bad looks on group rides, etc). A friend at work had an older QR Kilo that I posted about last week, but after riding it this weekend I came to the conclusion that it was just too big. Luck would have it that another coworker has a Cannondale R1000 Aero in my size that I can have. I could throw on a set of base bars, bar end shifters, move my fast forward seatpost over and have a 'tri specific' bike based on a road bike frame.
The investment would be minimal, but I'd hate to waste money on something that's just not going to work. What do I gain from a tri specific frame?
Thanks!