Just curious how much training everyone does on their tri bike verses their road bike. I frequently browse Ebay and other tri classifieds and I am always surprised to see tri bikes advertised as having very low miles on them despite being 2 or 3 years old. Buying a $2,000 to $5,000 tri-specific bike and then riding it less than 500 miles makes little sense to me. I realize that I am probably on the low end income-wise as far as middle aged male triathletes go but it seems silly to buy such an expensive bike and only use it at competitions. I practically had to take out a second mortgage to buy my used P2K and I plan to ride it at least 50-100 miles per week once the snow is gone and reasonably warm temps return. I’m not criticizing people with a lot of disposible income, I have friends with $20,000 worth of bikes in there garage but at least they ride them. Not a flame here, just curious if most people train on their rockets on a regular basis.
In past years, I only rode the tri bike on the trainer and on specific preparation rides (ie, the final two weeks before a race). I am riding it more this year because I have become more convinced of a need for specificity in training. With limited time, I need to make every ride count, and a training ride on the tribike counts more than a training ride on the roadie. I’ve also adopted a lower and more forward position this year, and need all the adaptation time I can get (and it is DEFINITELY faster – about a mile an hour at a given power level).
Toward that end, I also put new brakes on my tribike this year. I tossed the crappy generic calipers that seem to come on every tribike sold these days (the black ones with the builders’ own brand usually printed on them). I put some Ultegra calipers on the bike and feel a lot more confident out in traffic.
So, I’m riding the tribike probably 80% of the time now, which is a change from maybe 20% in the past.
I do almost all of mine on my tri bike. Maybe 20% on my road bike and none at this time of year. My tri bike is on the Computrainer right now.
I’ve given up on group rides again. The politics make me puke.
I ride my road bike about 90% of the time that I spend training in base weeks 1-16. At about base week 10, I will begin to toss in the tri bike for a workout here and there. But still most of my base miles are done using road bike. Once I start getting into my build and speed phases, I’ll be riding the tri bike more for sure. But for now, most of it is on the road bike. Typically, I’ll do my long weekend rides on the road bike since I am out there for at least 70 miles. It’s just a lot more comfortable.
but once the seasson is in full tilt, I will be spending about 80-90% of my shorter weekday rides going really hard on tri bike. With the exception of the long weekend rides. Again, I’ll take the road bike out. For the record, my road bike is set up at about 76 degree’s and my tri bike being closer to 80 degrees.
I typically ride my TT bike only at races. The first time I get on it is usually a race. This year since I have a new TT rig I have it on the trainer and ride it 2-3 hrs/week
95% of the time on the tri bike cuz I love to ride it.
5% of the time on the road bike, only when I’m group riding.
jaretj
If the shoe fits, get another one just like it.
I’m on the TT bike for maybe 2 sessions a month. Other than that, race day only. I’m set up in a fairly extreme position, and its really only comfortable at race pace. Riding slow just puts too much pressure in the wrong places.
99% of my training is on my tri bike. The only time I’m on my road bike (a beater) is in the early season (March) when I’m riding outside and don’t want to get my Guru covered in road salt (I live in Ontario, Canada).
I race on it, I might as well train on it. Plus, to paraphrase Ferris Bueller “I just love riding it, it is so choice”.
mp
I think Jason hit it on the head. Your race/tri bike should be set up to be fast and comfortable in the aero position. This is not ideal for group ride situations. I see many triathletes show up on the local group rides on their tri bikes but they have modified the set ups to work in group ride situations. i.e. higher stems, STI levers, risers under the pads etc. They ride with the group using the high rise pads as their primary hand position. I have got to believe their aero/race position has been negatively effected by this in between setup. The crazy part is that there are a bunch of pro triathletes on the ride, Macca, Jurgen, Spencer Smith etc. but you wouldnt know it because they are on Std. Road set ups. Bottom line is that Tri bikes are for racing and solo training and road bikes are for pack riding. Same goes for Desoto one piece sleeveless skinsuits, cropped singlets, short shorts, the no socks look, bento boxes and jetstreams.Those things contribute to the tri geek image. Thats my rant for the day.
I prefer my tribike, I ride it always unless it’s a big group ride in which drafting will take place.
All.
b
My road bike is my tri-bike. Still haven’t ocnvinced Mrs. Steveperx that I must have a tri-bike
I group ride on the road bike about three times a week on Tues/Thurs night and then the long ride on Sunday. Ride the tri bike once or twice per week solo for about 1 1/2 hrs each time.
Right now I’m putting most of my miles in on my road bike. Come Mid-March, I’m gonna shift to about 50/50, I plan to do some bike racing this season so I can’t abandon the roadie. For me its hard to put in those easy base miles on the Tri bike. Being all tucked in the aerobars just screams FASTER FASTER FASTER. Its much easier to keep the HR down when on the road bike.
On those visiontech bars and FSA compact cranks arrive it’ll be a couple weeks of tri bike only … I love new toys.
As a side note, I like the sockless look. Plus my trishoes (different pedal system) don’t really fit with socks on.
In past years, I only rode the tri bike on the trainer and on specific preparation rides (ie, the final two weeks before a race). I am riding it more this year because I have become more convinced of a need for specificity in training. With limited time, I need to make every ride count, and a training ride on the tribike counts more than a training ride on the roadie.
I completely agree with the above. I think the fall/winter is a great time for the road bike. I am so sick of my tri bike that I can’t even get on it in October and November. The warmer it gets, the more you really need to ride the tri bike.
I have to ride my tri bike 112 miles alone in an Ironman. So I ride my tri bike alone, all the time in training. Maybe I’m just anti-social.
MC
I probably do 60-70% of my training on my tri bike. I get together with the Triathlon Club of San Diego for group rides on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and there is a pretty even mix if tri and road now. As the weather gets warmer, more people show up and I’ll use the road bike more often for those rides. It’s just safer to ride the roadie in the larger packs.
For my longer rides, my tri bike is actually more comfortable as my road bike is an older Cannondale with the cantilevered rear drop outs and straight seat-stays. Anything over 50 miles and you really feel it in the backside. And hands. And teeth…
I also have an old, beater Puegeot that I converted to a fixed gear. In the early season I’ll ride that for a week or two at a time just to get my spin back and ensure I keep a fairly high cadence. Showing up to a group ride on the fixie gets lots of attention and questions. It is a blast to ride but really requires some concentration, especially in a pack. At this time of year the pace is such that I can handle it. In summer, when everyone is in peak form, the pace would require me to maintain a cadance well above 110 for the entire 25-40 mile ride. I’ve done it but get really cooked.
I spend 95% of my time on my tri bike. I only ride the road bike for roadie group rides. Although my tri position is fairly aggressive, I find it much more comfortable for long rides. I’ll do long group rides with other triathletes on my tri bike, drafting and all. Train like you race.
All my training is on my tribike. I’m in the same boat can’t afford to maintain 2 bikes even though my second bike is a kestrel 200sci my griffen matrix tri bike is more comfortable for any length ride. This winter I’m doing the trainer with my kestrel because I don’t have my tribike at home and really miss it.I feel if I’m going to race on my tribike it is best to ride it most because with the change in geometry the muscles are used differently and in my case as you get older your muscle memory needs all the reinforcing it can get. If my road bike was as comfortable or moreso than my tribike I would ride it off season and with respect to pack riding I don’t get in large pack situations but infrequently so that is not a problem for my and if I do I go off the front or hang back. mike
I do all of my training and racing on the same bike when I ride outdoors. I find it comfortable and see no reason not to. My old tri bike gets use indoors on the trainer and outside if the weather is crappy. It is an early Cannondale R700 tri bike with 650 wheels but a relatively slack 75 degree seat tube angle. That is as close to riding a road bike that I ever get.