Hi, I’m a novice training for my first IM and I have a road bike only at this point. Has anyone out there done an IM with a road bike? How did you find it? thanks
Not necessary, but it might help depending on how comfortable you are when riding “aero”…
There are better ways to spend $2,000!
Borrow a clip-on from someone for a couple months. Get comfortable riding in that position, and if you spend the bulk of your race day there, you'll be ahead of lots of folks who have all the right stuff, but haven't trained to stay in their best position.
thanks, I’m sure they managed before the days of tribikes so I guess it’s possible. Appreciate the supportive words.
I have done 5 IM’s with a road bike and clip ons.
I set no records, but I want one bike to do all my riding with.
I have a lot of friends who have done IM on a road bike with no problems. If your race isn’t for a few months and you’re confident you’re going to stick with the sport then I’d say go for it if that’s what you want to do. That being said if you’re not sure if this is a one and out type thing or if you’re close to your race you can find a happy medium with a nice set of clip on aero bars and get an idea of what it’s like. It won’t be 100% like riding a TT bike but you’ll get it and see if spending a few thousand is worth it for you for upcoming seasons.
Thanks all for the great confidence boosts! Helps to know.
Untill you’re at the point where (arguably) 8 minutes will change your world - be at one with your road bike. Its my belief that many more people should also.
I also used the Profile Design Fast Forward seat post back when I first ‘converted’ my road bike with clip ons, bumps you forward nicely to give you a better position when aero. When I finally got my Tri bike, the transition was quite easy.
7 IMs all on my road bike…average times range between 605-645, (well my first a lot slower)
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IM have been won outright on road bikes. Simon Lessing and Chrissie Wellington are more recent examples.
I did my first race a half ironman on a mountain bike with slick tires. You can absolutely do it!
Of course you can - Simon Lesssing won IMLP and Macca used to ride a Ketsrel Talon. I ride a Talon set up like a roadbike with clip-ons and did fine in 2 IMs. I had a tri-bike for one IM. I was more comfortable on the road bike.
Add 1 more for the road bike. Done 2 IMs, both sub-6 bike legs and sub 11 overall with a road bike a clip ons. Passed many nice looking TT bikes with fancy doodads, disc wheels etc.
Unless you’re going for a kona spot where every sec counts or just really want a cool new toy, the road bike will do the job.
Too many people get caught up in the gadgets too early and don’t spend enough time on the engine.
Thanks again, I appreciate all the supportive words. I like the road bike but must admit haven’t had any experience on a tri bike. I’m old school and it’s nice to know others out there are too 
What is the point of spending thousands of $$$$ if you are doing it just to finish.
My first IM was on an old steel road bike with downtube shifters and a clipon aerobar. It turned out well - I finished in good shape - but I did most of the ride on the drops. The aero position on that bike was uncomfortable (too stretched out), and the ride was unstable.
All my next tris have also been on a road bike, albeit a more recent one, with an alloy frame. The main reason for the switch was frame sizing. The old one was too big in general, and even more so to achieve a proper aero position. (I went from 56cm to 51cm frame size)
See Thomas Hellreigel…Rode a sub 4:25 on a roadie…shallow STA…clip ons…shallow wheels.
Two things to consider are which race are you doing?
I did IMLP both times on road bikes with clip-ons
and IMFL on a tri bike.
is your race hilly or flat
I am way more comfortable on my road bikes than the tri bike road bikes can be the appropriate tool in the right situation.
a road bike is always going to be correct but the tri bike could be wrong in some situations.
so ride your road bike often and come to the race ready.
k
I’ve done multiple IM on a road bike. If done a few on a tri-bike (TT configuration) and had my worst times. I have never had problems running off my road bike. I will never do another IM but if did it would be on a road bike with NO clip ons. I’d spend my money on race wheels. BTW my road bike frames have been carbon, not steel (although I love the feel of steel frames) or aluminum.