Hi all - I got into triathlons and more serious cycling about two years ago. So far I’ve been using a decent road bike, but have been thinking of now getting a tri bike. I was just curious which bike people here enjoyed riding more - their tri bike or a road bike. Assuming a non-hilly normal weekend longer ride.
I ask because I’m likely going to shell out 3x what I paid for my road bike for my tri bike so I just want to make sure I enjoy riding it just as much as I enjoy my road bike. Hope that makes sense! Thanks.
I was where you are 2 years ago. Since I bought my tri bike, I’ve only ridden the road bike maybe a dozen times. Flat rides, hilly rides, doesn’t matter. The majority of my riding is solo or with one other person. I still like riding the road bike, but given the option pretty much always choose the tri bike. Of course YMMV.
There is no comparison between a road bike and a Triathlon bike out on city streets. Stopping, starting, handling, and comfort are all superior on a road bike in that situation.
A TT bike is designed to go fast in a straight line using the least amount of energy.
I’ve always said that my tri bike is all business, my road bike is for pleasure, and mountain biking is vacation.
this is because i prefer to join dynamic group rides with people i enjoy hanging out with more than just putting in the endless miles alone. riding a tri bike in a group just isn’t fun since you’re either relegated to the back or stuck riding the steep aggressive uncomfortable geometry on the basebar (most groups don’t condone riding aero bars midpack). something interesting i gleaned from Ben Hoffman’s “Ask Me Anything” thread is that he spends most of his time training on a road bike and only switches to his tri bike as races get closer. I’m not sure if he does group rides (doubtful), but I’m sure the more comfortable geometry and nimble nature of a road bike play a huge role.
Agreed. The best biking-related decision I ever made was building up a road bike. It is infinitely more enjoyable to ride than tri bike at least outside.
Road bike bar far is more comfortable. BUT…it is definitely not as cool looking. So, for those that don’t know the difference the tri bike will look cooler when they see you on it. It’s like a high end sports car compared to a Toyota corolla. Those who do know, chuckle because they know it’s not as comfy as a road bike would be.
Where do you live and how the road and terrain look like? I live in flat area and Tri bike is absolutely fun. I only use my road bike for the group ride and hilly bike rallies. Speed wise, my Tri bike is much faster so I really enjoy it. I do have an old crappy road bike though.
OMG - not even in the same ballpark - i would go to my road bike every time if i could (and usually do) - i tend to use my road bike or gravel bike 100% of the time until about 6 weeks before an A race where i shift to the tt bike.
Riding the TT bike where there is traffic, stop lights etc is a colossal pain in the ass, less comfortable and more dangerous IMO
OMG - not even in the same ballpark - i would go to my road bike every time if i could (and usually do) - i tend to use my road bike or gravel bike 100% of the time until about 6 weeks before an A race where i shift to the tt bike.
Riding the TT bike where there is traffic, stop lights etc is a colossal pain in the ass, less comfortable and more dangerous IMO
When I did tris, I trained for tris, often riding alone and using my TT bike. I loved it. Now that I am not racing tris, I do more group rides or rides with friends and the road bike is much more important. So it really depends upon your purpose and type of rides. I did tris for 14 years, so TT was 85% of my riding for those years. I’ve been doing road rides and group rides now for the past 5 years and road bike has been 100% of those rides. So for 20 years and I’ve purchased 3 different bikes (2 road and 1 TT) and I’m waiting on my new Gravel bike in about a week and a 1/2. I think you will find you will get your monies worth from the TT bike and if you decide to quit triathlon, sell it and get a new road bike.
For me, when I got my tri bike, I wanted to ride that all the time. But at that time, my road bike was an old Cannondale R900 that was approaching 20 years old.
Then the Cannondale had a frame issue that made it where I don’t trust it outside anymore, and I picked up a Trek Madone 6.9. Now I love my road bike again.
Bottom line, you’ll like the better bike, because it will feel better under you, shift crisper, make less noise etc. The question you need to ask yourself is what kind of riding you enjoy doing more of? Solo efforts with minimal climbing or handling required? Tri bike will be fun. If you like to mix it up on the Tuesday shop ride, upgrade your roadie. Ideally you get a nice road bike in a few years and have best of both worlds.
Like others have written, it depends on where you ride and who you ride with. I ride almost exclusively alone, where I ride there are no traffic lights and I typically do 90-100km as fast as I can. So, it is a no-brainer to be on my tri bike.
When I do the occasional bike trip, or ride with friends, I have been known to even resort to the cross bike just to enjoy the ride. Those rides are usually +120km and includes all the stuff triathletes snub their noses at such as coffee, cake, pics and jaw-jacking while trying to avoid getting flattened by commercial drivers.
I love my tri bike. I mean, LOVE it. But, if I’m riding for funsies, I’ll take something road-bike-shaped every time. If the roads are good and I’m putting on endurance miles, that means my road bike. At this time of year, when the roads are getting cruddy here in New England and I’m not putting out huge miles, I’ll take my gravel bike.
I rode 30 miles on the road on slightly knobby 38s a couple of weeks ago and although it wasn’t fast, I had a baller time enjoying the leaves and the crisp fall air in relative comfort. The geometry is gentler. The gearing is kinder. It’s just a more fun experience. I also run SPD pedals on it so that I can get off and wander around at will. It’s magnificent. I wouldn’t trade having that bike for the world.
