just entered ironman uk and the bike course is tough with constant rolling hills. i currently ride a lapierre carbon with campag record and use tri bars but have been tempted to splash out on a P3. anyone know what they and tri framed bikes in general would be like for a rolling course comapred to a standard road frame
How much time do you have to get used to a new ride before this race?
I’ll give you a general anecdote that might help … or not. I was a roadie for years. I live in an area with lots of rolling hills. I’d heard (and read in this forum) that “most folks would be better off with just a plain old road bike.” But I got a tri bike, anyway. HOLY SMOKES! The dang thing is FAST! It feels like an awful pig going up hills, but that’s only in comparison to the speed it goes on the flats. If I’m going on a flat at 24 mph on the road bike, I’m going 28 on the tri bike. If I’m going up a hill at 16 mph on the road bike, I’m going 19 or 20 on the tri bike. And in rollers, I’m rolling more than half way up each hill 'cuz I’m coming down the back sides so fast.
But I’m talking Oly and 1/2 IM stuff. You’re talking IM and I think you’ll need to take comfort issues more into account.
If you’ve got the time to get dialed in on the P3 and you have the coin, I’m betting you’ll be very glad you took the plunge.
Bob C.
The course is hilly, but there are no major climbs (above 7%) on the course, but there are a lot of them. It is a rolling course.
FWIW - Bryan Rhodes won on a Cervelo P3, Steep. Chabaud 2nd on a Ghissalo with drops and cip ons, Sabastachus 3rd - Steep Tri bike.
Tri bike. Stay in the aero on all but the steepest hills. Shift down and spin up the hills. Did I mention stay aero? Unless you drop below about 10mph…stay aero… You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the result.
As long as you can stay on the aero bars I’ve noticed my tri bike climbs quite well. If I have to sit up then it’s a dog and I’m cursing wishing I had rode my road bike. For a rolling course without any really steep hills, a tri bike would likely work fine.
ok thanks for all the helpful advice, i’ve just purchased a forward seatpost to see what the forward position will feel like on some of the hills around here with clip on aero bars. at least i will have some idea before scorching the credit card on a p3
Hi,
I would stongly lean toward the Tri-bike. It would be best if you had some time to get used to riding it before you do it in competition. It would also eliminate alot of trial and error if you spent time reading up on basic tribike position in the Slowtwitch.com archives.
Do not be too critical of riding steep if you are experimenting with it via a forward post. Jury-rigged fwd roadbikes are a pale comparison to the real deal. Not to mention that they(re-fitted forward roadbikes) handle like SH*T!
<<If I’m going on a flat at 24 mph on the road bike, I’m going 28 on the tri bike. If I’m going up a hill at 16 mph on the road bike, I’m going 19 or 20 on the tri bike.>>
I agree on the tri bike recomedation, but I call bullshit on the above.
If both bikes fit well, and there is no biomechanical issue, then there is no way a tri bike gets you 4 mph…
I did IMUK last year - agree with posts that recommend aero rather than road bike set up. Its a rolling and tough course but not hilly as such.
So dont think there is anything in the course that will determine your choice of bike. Whether you go for a steeper or more relaxed angle will be down to what works for you, irrespective of the course. Trying to emuate a steeper angle before splashing put the big bucks is probably a good idea.
"I call bullshit on the above.
If both bikes fit well, and there is no biomechanical issue, then there is no way a tri bike gets you 4 mph… "
Call BS all you want. I can do a 40K on my TT bike in 3 or 4 mph better than on my road bike and I think most people would find that much benefit or more. Zabriski did a TT at this year’s Tour de France in over 34 mph. No way he does that ride in 30 mph solo on a conventional road bike. Not even close.
Bob C.
My thoughts:
"I call bullshit on the above.
If both bikes fit well, and there is no biomechanical issue, then there is no way a tri bike gets you 4 mph… "
Call BS all you want. I can do a 40K on my TT bike in 3 or 4 mph better than on my road bike and I think most people would find that much benefit or more. Zabriski did a TT at this year’s Tour de France in over 34 mph. No way he does that ride in 30 mph solo on a conventional road bike. Not even close.
Bob C.
Here’s a comparison of two bikes. CdA figures confirmed with extensive field testing. The tri bike is about 1.2 mph faster in most conditions.
http://www.masterstriathlete.com/positions.html
(and Zabriske had a tailwind)