I am thinking about purchasing a Madone SLR which I plan to use for triathlons and for training. Obviously the SLR is a great bike, but I’m struggling to figure out how to fit it for triathlons. Here’s my current plan:
Get separate road and TT fits for my SLRPurchase a second saddle and seat post to swap out that will be set up for TTPurchase the clip on Speed Concept aero bars that came with the Madone Speed from a couple of years agoStep 4 = success?
One concern is that the Speed Concept aero bars (assuming I can still find them) don’t seem to have adjustable angles which could make the fit challenging. I’m also not sure if I can dial in the right fit on the seat post, but I’d imagine that I can get it close enough.
Has anyone successfully done this? Also are there any alternative clip on bars that are available for the SLR or alternative seat posts? I really don’t want to have to downgrade to the SL6/SL7 just for the standard bars and clip on options (getting the SLR through a friend). I could change out the SLR bars for the standard ones on the SL6/SL7, but that’s not Plan A for obvious reasons! I also can’t do two bikes given space and no ability to train on a TT bike in my area.
I know that this issue has been brought up in the past, but I wasn’t able to find a solution so wanted to see if any others had accomplished this idea. Thanks!
If the bike is primarily for triathlon racing and triathlon training, why not get a dedicated tri bike? If you like the versatility of drop bars like I do, you can always set up your tri bike like this:
Hmm adding drops to a TT wasn’t something that I’d heard of but it’s an interesting idea for sure.
My main issue is that I will be using it as a road bike for almost all outdoor riding (limited to no ability to ride on aero bars during outdoor training here) so I’d rather compromise on not having a full aero position while racing tris than compromise on the vast majority of my riding. It seems like the drop bars would also add a similar aero penalty as attaching clip on bars to a road bike unless I went through the hassle of taking off the drops prior to racing. It also means that I’d have to buy separate drop bars and shift/brake levers in addition to the clip on aerobars so it would be more expensive.
I like the thought, but I’d ideally like to find something that works for the SLR now and then just add a separate TT bike if I were to relocate or get more space.
I have the Madone Speed and it is awesome.
A nice option to have a road bike and a fast triathlon bike for hilly courses etc.
Switching is easy and fitting is easy.
I am developing a monopost via spacers stem design. Once we get riding samples and all works well. I plan to make a version to match the Madone stem.
Likely around the end of the year which will allow adding stack and then use my patented tilt attachment design. So, if you are ok waiting, that is in the pipelines from Culprit as well as my new aerobar parts. arm supporting 22.2 extension, new extension/pad combo and hardware for aerobar assembly.
Convert to standard bar stem like Mads runs. I have that with s XXX bar. 1/2 pound less than integrated and maybe a tiny hair less aero? Xxx bar takes clip ons. I can also go longer and lower with the std. bar stem.
Otherwise the speed aerobar is sweet. I have friends with it if you must stick integrated.
Glad to hear people like the speed bars! I was worried about the lack of adjustability, especially the bar angle. Have you found that to be an issue when using them in a TT position?
