looking back at some old pics it appears that he used to ride a roadbike in ironman?
looking back at some old pics it appears that he used to ride a roadbike in ironman?
That’s not possible… I mean you can’t do a triathlon, let alone an IronMan on a road bike!!!
Oh my - really? Better tell Lance too or any other pro cyclist who rides 100 + miles at 25+ mph without “aero” help.
Honestly, I have done 8 tris this year and have used my road bike at 2 (an OLY and a 1/2 IM) and I think I prefer road geometry anyway. Both bikes “fit” perfectly. Speed is about the same with both bikes, with a slight advantage to my road bike. Still not sure which is easier to run off of though (hard either way!)
hellreigel 2000 imnz
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Yes, there is definitely NO aero advantage to riding in a Peloton of 100+ riders… The aero benefit of a tribike IF THE PERSON IS FIT CORRECTLY is huge. Discipline about positioning (staying in position) is a big part. If you are faster on your road bike, you either need to spend more time on your tribike or you need to examine your fit (or both).
Ah c’mon, I expected better from you…
There is no cookie cutter answer to this question as it depends solely on the rider. Perhaps the best example for “road” is that Lance can sit back in his TT position while others need to perch on the nose. Quite simply, some riders can achieve higher watts in slack while still having the flexibility to get low. Although, its certainly rare.
Most can achieve higher watts/lower drag riding steep.
Just like Burger King…
Well, that is exactly the market for the Cervelo Soloist that Bobby Julick and Jens Voigt love so much. Road bike with “aero break away” capabilities. Stage racing is not always in a pack. Being able to hook back on is quite important, as is a long break away.
I have no problems staying aero for an entire 56 mile race; can’t for much past that without some wiggling. BUT - why? Comfort also equals speed and saving a few watts by decreasing drag a little and possibly giving up a little power, does not necessarily equate to a faster bike split. Throw in a few big hills that I occasionly encounter in local tris, and the diff is minimal at best. My fit on the tri bike is perfect and I’ve done about 18 tris on her (Guru). I do ride the road machine (Vortex) a lot more for sure though. For sure I use the Guru in a time trial (balls out, puke when done, no running after) though.
Hell, I thought I used to have this all figured out ('ya know, 78 degrees or more and holding aero, 2.5 hour pro fit, custom bike and I MUST BE FAST). But after 24 + tris and a lot of experience later, I’m not so sure (gone back to about 75 degrees) and as confused as ever. At least I’ve gotten faster each time, so the engine isn’t wearing out yet 
i dunno what to do either. i have possibility of getting a soloist and am unsure whether or not i should.
I’m NOT saying STEEPER is faster than SHALLOW. I am saying a road bike with drop bars is NOWHERE nearly as aerodynamic as a TT bike. Put drop bars on a 78 degree bike and aerobars on a 73 degree bike, and the 73 degree bike is faster. I, for one, do not believe a triathlon bike is defined by a steep seat angle. I believe a triathlon bike is a bike which allows you to TT effectively and run well afterwards. Apparently, that means steep for many people. But not all.
rroof, Jens & Bobby would LOVE to be able to even run shortie clip-on bars. And if he could bring out a P3 and breakaway on that, he would be MUCH faster. I think you answered the “question” when you said you ride your Vortex a lot more than your TT bike. Most LC pros are riding their TT bikes 90+% of the time. Your fastest position will be the one you train in the most. If your fit is dialed, that is the only other answer. Even with hills, your TT bike is more aerodynamic. The missing variable is that your muscles are not trained to work in that position the same way they are on your standard road fit.
Is that better, Smitty8?
one lc pro who recently won an ironman doesnt.
Get the bike that fits you best while in the aero position. Whether that is steep or slack is basically irrelevant Then spend the vast majority (and I mean VAST, as in 90%) of your time training in that position. That is the key to being fast in that position, and, to a large extent, the key to running well off the bike.
There is compelling evidence to suggest that it is easier to run off a steep angled bike, so consider that when making your decision, even if the aero position on a steep bike is not initially comfortable. Put your trust in a good tri fitter.
But, the key to all of this, is committing to riding your tribike. If you are going to seriously race tri’s, a road bike should be an occassional chariot for the odd recovery ride or occassional big group ride. My feeling is that most triathletes would be best served by a tribike and a mountain bike. Use the MTB for recovery and learning handling skills. The tribike for all your “training” work.
well money is an issue for me and i could either get this soloist or possibly p3sl. i might see how much he is willing to part with the p3 for…
Lieto? Did he say that? Or are you inferring that from the fact that he road races? Or is it someone else? I am curious as to who and how you know…
Buy the P3SL.
rhodsey.
kieran doe rides a soloist and is a strong cyclist. only swapped to tt bars recently too. rhodes used his soloist in most of his races since imnz prior to imuk where he had his new carbon p3.
Brian rides his road bike more than his P3? There will always be an exception to the rule. But if he does, then he is an exception. I guess you can do things like that when you have calves the size of small children… I’d tend to do what the majority of successful pros do. Ride the tribike. A LOT…
yeah from when ive talked to him it seems he does. and yes his calves are massive.
also if p3sl is 2k more i dont think i can afford it…as it is fully spec’d out.
For me the link for running well in IM is overall training volume and TT bike volume – I don’t see the impact of geometry. I’ve chosen to go slacker and slacker as my run splits have improved. However, I don’t credit my geometry with my run ‘speed’, which is solid but hardly fast in running terms.
While a number of folks put up studly bike splits (and that makes for exciting racing) – I don’t think it counts until you back it up with a decent marathon. The watts are simply disappearing into the wind unless you get out of T2 and run well, the whole way – many can hold it together for 20K off a hard ride.
Many of the guys in IM are effectively acting as domestiques for the winner, of course, I’ve never had the temptation because I’m too far down after the swim!
g
I think Kieran would have to fall squarely in the camp of great bikers that don’t run well off the bike. Perhaps best not to emulate his methods.
Perhaps I’m being too critical thinking of IMNZ 2005 and if I remember correctly another IM this year where he smashed the bike and then faded fast.
If I remember correctly, in Kona in 2003, Hellreigal raced on a C-Dale Optima and had a bike split of 4’36" - ish. I asked my Cannondale contact why he was riding a road bike in Kona and he told me that Thomas’ IM5000 was delayed in customs, so he just went with his Optima that he trains on.