I’m getting into triathlons, and I’m thinking about getting a tri bike. From what I’ve read, tri/tt bikes are designed to be fast and fairly specific for racing. I’ve also read that they aren’t the best for bunch riding.
As such, I was wondering what people do in regard to bikes. Do you have a road bike for training and a tri/tt bike for racing, just a tri/tt bike that you do your training/racing on or do you just use aerobars on your road bike and not both with a tri/tt bike?
Before you get a tri bike, figure out whether you can get comfortable on one for long rides. I rode a tri bike for 3 years, tried everything to get comfortable, I could not do it. I now ride a road bike (again), am very comfortable, but I miss the cool factor of the tri bike. I think tons of people struggle being comfortable on a tri bike, but not as many let on. At the latter parts of longer distance races, you see tons of people riding up instead of in the bars. Peter Reid once said : “it is not about being comfortable, it’s about being fast” Ok, then!
If you do group rides with roadies (non-triathletes) they will most likely not be appreciative of you showing up with a tri bike, and will assume that your bike handling skills are sub par. Not all groups, just many/some of them.
I use my road bike for commuting and training, because my tri bike is by far more expensive, and I would rather not risk it getting damaged (especially as a commuter) I do, however, do the occasional training ride on the tri bike (once a week or so) so that I can stay in shape flexibility wise for the aero position.
A road bike is definitely more versatile. The mistake I made when getting into cycling was buying a roadie that was too low-end - I ended up wanting something better within about 6 months. My advice would be to get a mid-range road bike and then see how much you like triathlon - if you really love the sport you’ll probably get a tri bike in a couple years, but the road bike will always be useful.
Hi,
They’re not the best for bunch riding, and as the previous poster said I don’t think some roadies like tri folks on their rides. I asked once at a local ride and they said cool, but I’d probably ride near the back…wink wink, nod nod, don’t trust your tri bike handling… Ok, that’s fine, but if I’m in the biggest draft zone then I’m not benefitting myself, either. There was a recent post over the past few days on this subject: ride alone or with a group. For tri, ride it alone and push it. Stay in the aero bars.
Train like you’re going to race. For some folks maybe a road training rig is good and they can switch to a tri rig without issue. But I think you should be on the same bike riding the distance you’re going to race in the same psn with the same nutrition etc etc.
There are more points to be made here… cost/benefits how may bikes can you buy?
Get a road bike first. Join a roadie group and learn how to ride. Put some shorter aero bars on it for your first few tris and see how you like the sport before commiting to a tri bike. A tri bike is a second bike that is only good for two things - tris and training solo.
That’s great, thanks a lot guys. It pretty much summed up what I was thinking. I’ve currently got a Specialized Roubaix Pro so I have a decent road bike. I think I’ll get some aero bars for now, and look at getting a specific Tri bike further down the track.
Any particular bars you would recommend?
That’s great, thanks a lot guys. It pretty much summed up what I was thinking. I’ve currently got a Specialized Roubaix Pro so I have a decent road bike. I think I’ll get some aero bars for now, and look at getting a specific Tri bike further down the track.
Any particular bars you would recommend?
The profile design clip ons suffice, depending on the money. I’d do (and had done) the profile design fast forward seat post. Get those 2 things ($200 total) and get fitted for a tri position. Once you have the measurements, you can easily jump between tri/road position easily. I raced this setup last year. This year, about $2500 later, I’m maybe 1mph faster 