So this year was my first season of triathlons starting training roughly 10 weeks ago I did 4 triathlons my last event was Chicago Tri, I was wondering this… I currently have a road bike scattante 5700 comp full 105 drive train with t3+ clip on aero bars(I’m a college student and was on a budget when buying my first real bike) I have a good deal on a kestrel airfoil… And was wondering does an actual Tri bike// frame make a big difference over a road bike. I average speeds of 21.5-22.2 mph on the bike over the triathlons I did. Input please, as if it’s a significant difference I will be trying to sell the current bike and get my hands on the kestrel if the gains and or improvements would be beneficial.
there’s a reason they use different bikes in time trials–they are faster. how much? hard to say. improves your position more than the frame though this is a factor. based on nothing really scientific i’d guess 1 mph assuming the fit was good in both cases.
Are they more comfortable? I love being in the clip on aeros on the road bike a lot more then on the drops. I feel fresher for the run etc. but how about climbing on bull horns? Not too bad? Personal prefrence? Thanks again
ah you shouldn’t need to get out of the bars unless it’s a pretty big hill…but TT bikes are not as convenient for climbing. post a pic of your position. often people on a road bike w/clip on bars are too stretched out. the TT bike may be more comfortable/aero for your position.
Do not have a great pic of my bike position in the aero bars only couple front shots from the chicago and rev3 tri… Maybe one of them can do ill post the link to the gallery from chicago as I am on my phone and cant post individual pics from here…
you look pretty comfy on there from what i could see although pretty upright. it was hard to say for sure but i bet you can get more aggressive on the road bike just making some adjustments to the stem/spacers. if you took some photos i’m sure you could get some info on that here. there are savings to be with a TT bike, but only you can decide if it’s worth the $$$.
I cant afford to have two bikes, which kinda sucks… thats why i am looking or input before idecide to gothe route of selling and buying…as for the setup right now i currently do have the spacers put in they are about 1/2 in ?! My guess, dont know but removing them would definately put me more aggressive… As for the pictures you are talking about side shots of me riding and my position? Etc…
yeah can you flip the stem and remove the spacers? just need a torque wrench. hell i’ll do it for you for a 6-pack (i’m in chicago area too). take a photo of the stem/spacer area if you want guidance. oh, and you can afford more than one bike just not now i’ve got 4 bikes. just be patient. if you are willing to try to do your own maintenance you can save tons of money. you could build a half decent tri bike for a grand…
I found a pretty sick deal on a kestrel airfoil at one of the lbs… Ultegra group, so it would be a step up from my 105 group currently… The kestrel is in my budget price point, the other alternate i was looking at was a p3 but significantly pricier… Btw ill do what you said about fliping the step and removing spacers… Ill remove spacers first and see how that feels.
Again thank you:)
Find a bike fitter that uses Retul, pay the $300 and get a good bike fitting. Yes, $300 is expensive if you are on a tight budget, but ultimately the fit will save you countless months or more of trying to optimize your position on your own. After the fitting, if you have the ability to set up your road bike in the optimal position, then investing in a triathlon specific bike is not really as important (marginal gains). But, most likely, you will find at your fitting that to really optimize your position while in the aerobars, you will either need a triathlon bike or a significantly smaller road frame.
the ultegra groupset is not going to make you any faster than 105. invest in aero–frame, wheels, headset, then other stuff. upgrade components if you have money left over.
thats why i am looking or input before idecide to gothe route of selling and buying…as for the setup right now i currently do have the spacers put in they are about 1/2 in ?! My guess, dont know but removing them would definately put me more aggressive… As for the pictures you are talking about side shots of me riding and my position? Etc…
i’ve got 4 bikes. just be patient. if you are willing to try to do your own maintenance you can save tons of money. you could build a half decent tri bike for a grand…