After reading this forum for a couple of weeks

Triathlon Forum
1

what started as a mild neurosis has turned into full blown paranoia. Did I waste my money on the Trek Time Trial bike? Should I be steeper? Will I be able to run off of the bike in my first IM distance race (Lake Placid next year)? Should I put it on Ebay immediately and find a p3?

The background is that I am extremely comfortable on a 58 cm Trek road bike. It fits like a glove and I love the carbon. So, I tried for the same comfort on a tri bike (which you folks say that its not) and I found it. I am comfortable and I like the carbon. With that said, is there some real advantage to a more tri-specific bike?

2

Dude if its that comfortable for you,you are fine. Its not much of advantage to have tri bike thats so uncomfortable that your shot after six hours on it.Also if its that comfy,you will train more.

3

Well, there isn’t a triathlete in the world who can ride a tri bike near as fast as Lance on his Trek.

Realize there is a bit of a bias on ST regarding steep angle tri bikes. They work great for lots of people, me included, but other people can ride/run just as fast on a shallow angle bike. Case in point - Simon Lessing on his road position Soloist winning IMLP.

4

Those are very good bikes. If you like and it fits you and you are running well off of it, congratulations- you did a fine job. No worries.

The proof is in the pudding. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

5

Plenty of the best long course triathletes ride shallow frames.

To name a few: Macca, DeBoom, Lessing, Lieto, Stadler, etc.

They may move the saddle forward - or not - but the frames are 73-74 degrees to start with.

That being said, I ride steep and it works pretty well for me.

6

triyoshoes,

Your experience might be a good example to illustrate the value of getting a proper tri fitting from an experienced and well trained fitter first, and then determining if the bike you are considering fulfills your fitting requirements. This method is much more successful at achieving your optimum position and optimum performance on the bike and to supporting an optimum performance on your run.

Don’t despair, however, that you didn’t follow this path. You could still have a great bike for yourself. At least its coolness factor is off the scale!

7

You’re screwed… that bike will never work. However, I also ride a 58cm Trek road bike and I’m not picky at all. Surely you’ve heard of Team Secondhand Racing?

8

Thanks to everyone. Again, I am comfortable as all get out on the bike, but I am a neurotic paranoid person who also happens to be a total gearhead. Which means that I place way more empahsis on the green grass of the other side than I should.

The bike does fit and it is comfortable, but its not a tri-bike, per se. My question was more based in whether or not it would hurt/help at IMLP and few more halves before then. Thank y’all again.

9

Just ride the bike.

If it does not fit, you will know about it soon enough then make changes (with some proffesional help) and if after all that you still cant make it work for you, sell it and buy a new bike. In the meantime just ride and enjoy. IMLP 05 is a heck of long way off yet!@