Lots of discussions about speed, etc but not too much on comfort.
I’ve got a road bike with clip ons. Never tried a tri bike.
Which is more comfortable for mid-long rides (70-180km) and why?
Road… no questions, because you are sitting on your ass not your nuts. You also absorb less shock through your arms when riding a road bike.
Road… no questions, because you are sitting on your ass not your nuts. You also absorb less shock through your arms when riding a road bike.
That seems to be the prevailing opinion, but I have a slightly different take. I am equally comfortable on my triathlon bike as I am on my road bike (both carbon, both professionally fit). When fit properly, the difference in comfort shouldn’t be that great.
I don’t sit on my nuts…I sit on my sit bones while on my tri bike.
jaretj
Probably road. The tri bike, after awhile will give you a bit of a sore neck because it’s in the same position for quite a bit of time and you have to look up a little bit. I personally prefer riding the tri bike because I get to rest my upper body/arms on the tri pad arm rests.
Probably road. The tri bike, after awhile will give you a bit of a sore neck because it’s in the same position for quite a bit of time and you have to look up a little bit. I personally prefer riding the tri bike because I get to rest my upper body/arms on the tri pad arm rests.
I agree, except the Probably road. I find the tri is much more comfortable than the road I previously used.
For me it’s tri bike. My left hand hurts on a road bike. I don’t think it’s a fit problem because my hand also hurts when swimming.
Think about the biomechanics. Just the nature of the tri bike - you’re putting more pressure on your crotch and you have to hold your neck in more extension, which in itself should lead to greater fatigue. I’ve always been more comfy on the road bike even with a perfect fit on the tri bike. In fact, I got rid of my dedicated tri bikes and went to a Kestrel Talon with a slacker/higher position because of crotch and neck issues on the tri bike.
I agree- I’m actually more comfortable on the tri than road bike. I like resting my arms in aero! I seem to get a stiffer neck from the road bike actually, although maybe that’s a fit issue, or that I tend to ride the road bike on my longer group rides.
When fit properly, the difference in comfort shouldn’t be that great.
Bingo!
Despite all the great information out there. Despite all the amazing resources available. Despite all these fitters and fit services that are now available. I see so many triathletes and also people riding road bikes horribly fitted on the things. It all looks terribly uncomfortable. They should be getting awards just for finishing the bike! 
I don’t sit on my nuts…I sit on my sit bones while on my tri bike.
jaretj
I just don’t see how that is possible. I wish I could do it, but I can’t for the life of me. If I’m sitting up, my weight is on the sit bones, but when I lean forward onto the aero bars, there is NO weight on my sit bones, so it is all on my perineum. I don’t see what could change in my fit to get weight on my sit bones.
I haven’t ridden my tri bike over 60 miles yet, but when I do, I take every opportunity on the hills to get out of the saddle, even if it’s for 20 seconds.
perhaps you need a different saddle.
I abandoned the flat back because it had me sitting uncomfortably.
When I went to a slightly arched back I was able to sit on my sit bones. Another curious thing happened when I did that…I was able to produce more power too.
It may also be that I’m able to bend my back at a lower point than others and because of that I can sit in such a way to be on my sit bones.
I know that Adamo saddle has helped many people with this pressure problem. I don’t use one but maybe it could work for you.
jaretj
I abandoned the flat back because it had me sitting uncomfortably.
When I went to a slightly arched back I was able to sit on my sit bones. Another curious thing happened when I did that…I was able to produce more power too.
It may also be that I’m able to bend my back at a lower point than others and because of that I can sit in such a way to be on my sit bones.
I know that Adamo saddle has helped many people with this pressure problem. I don’t use one but maybe it could work for you.
jaretj
I also feel like I don’t produce as much power in the aero position as I do on my road bike. What did you change to go to a more arched back?
Im on an S3 and a P3, as comfy as the p3 is… it is still no where near the s3.
I also feel like I don’t produce as much power in the aero position as I do on my road bike. What did you change to go to a more arched back?
Interesting, I feel like I produce more power in the aero position and feel much more comfortable overall. Also, how aggressively do you tilt your saddle forward? That may be the problem with the pressure on your groin.
It’s best to ride in the position the bike was designed for.
I can 200km on both my tri and road bike, no worries.
However, if I ride my tri bike sitting up, hands near brakes… eventually it becomes uncomfortable.
On the flip side… riding 180km in the drops on my road bike doesn’t sound like much fun.
I also feel like I don’t produce as much power in the aero position as I do on my road bike. What did you change to go to a more arched back?
Interesting, I feel like I produce more power in the aero position and feel much more comfortable overall. Also, how aggressively do you tilt your saddle forward? That may be the problem with the pressure on your groin.
Saddle is level.
Road
.
Try an Adamo saddle- it is your nuts’ best friend. If you’re sitting on it properly, you have no choice but to sit on your sit bones. Having said that, my road bike is the more comfortable of the two, because of the ability to move around and use different positions. But the Adamo saddle made a world of difference on the tri bike.