When I first started triathlon in ’01, I rode my tri bike exclusively and did so through last year when I replaced my 20-year-old Cannondale with a new road bike (though at 76 degrees of seat angle) from Ves Mandaric. I was immediately reminded why riding a road bike is so much fun—it is comfortable to ride—and have been splitting time with the tri bike since then.
A couple weeks back I had an issue with the bottom bracket threads and had to drop it off to have them re-cut. Since then I have realized what a symbiotic relationship I had going on between the tri and road bike. I really miss the road bike on recovery days and when my tender parts need a break from hanging off the end of the saddle.
Of course, if you don’t ride very steep or think that 76 degrees of seat angle make a tri bike then probably it doesn’t make much difference. If you do ride steep then you should definitely considered the value of a road bike as an alternate to you tri bike if you do a lot of volume.
Chad
Been riding my road bike more waiting for my Cervelo to arrive… the seat angle change from my previous tri bike feels very strange by comparison. Starting to think I might ride the tri bike exclusively…
so ride it then!
I’ve done 7 IMs all on my cannondale. Sprints, Olys, halfs etc…test rode a tri bike once and that was enough to decide I dont want or need one.
Fastest IM bike split was 6.05. Slowest was, well slow. I don’t do aero bars either.
Chad, I do not know. My bike from Ves is 80 degrees. And, I love sitting in the aerobars.
When I get on my commute road bike, it just feels so different, and am not totally sure what it is.
I seem to get just as sore riding either bike, I must have a wuss but.
Dave
I ride with the nose of the saddle about 3cm in front of the BB and I initially found the transition to be a little odd as well, but now I don’t notice it at all. As I mentioned though, the seat tube on the road bike is 76 degrees so that is better for me than when I was going from 83 to 73 degrees.
Now that I have gone to a very extended, Superman-type position then I can’t really cruise the tri bike for hours on end, nor would it really work on my commute.
Plus, my Mandaric is just a pleasure to ride.
Chad
I don’t understand bike-talk. But I will send you (((((hugs)))) because the frown face I understand!
If you need something to do on a recovery day there’s always swimming 
*I don’t understand bike-talk. But I will send you (((((hugs)))) because the frown face I understand! *
**
I suspect you have been neglecting yours and thus, it will be a stranger in the spring when you dust it off.
If you need something to do on a recovery day there’s always swimming
Actually, there is not swimming. No pool on base open. Nothing in town. In hindsight, had I spent less on the aforementioned road bike, I could have purchased a Vasa Ergometer and actually made progress over the winter rather than starting from scratch every spring. Of course, given that I managed to finish 5th at the Soma Quarterman after not swimming for three weeks (pool closed) and only 75,000 meters on the year, I’m not sure that I am that motivated to get in the pool. Granted, I won’t be doing any Olympic distance races anytime soon, but most people are like me and hate/don’t prefer the swim so I’ll do fine because I am only a little less fast than they. Actually, I should not use fast when describing my swim, even in the negative. I am only a little more slow.
Unless, of course, I actually want to win a race … then I must learn to swim. 
Chad
If you need something to do on a recovery day there’s always swimming
You don’t know Chad very well.
Suck it up butter cup. You still coming over for the duathlon? If so, I’ll see you there. I’ll be the one way, way behind the field.
sub- 5 minute miles while in the desert of Iraq, if I recall.
I know enough to know that he doesn’t really like swimming. Thus the wink face!
Hey, I cycled on Sunday. I do not completely neglect my bike… cycling’s just a once or twice a week thing right now.
When the ice and snow melts, I will take Chatter out. Until then if you are looking for me I will be in the fishbowl.
You still coming over for the duathlon?
**
After finishing 126 of 162 at my weekend race in San Diego, I’m thinking of racing age group now to bolster my confidence. Then again, I keep telling myself I am going to win some money one of these days and last year I came within two places. Maybe this will be the year.
Chad
I KNOW I didn’t just read WHINING from a Marine!
Suck it up cupcake!
Soon to be former Marine, so I’m practicing up for civilian life. If you owned a Mandaric Davo then you would whine when you did not have it to ride either.
Are you riding any type of bike these days?
Chad
Of course…both the Specialized and Kestrel are getting workouts. I’m doing Desoto TTT and AmZof this year.