Just how much does it matter? I’ve got a cannondale six13, aerobars and a fast forward. Just how much benefit does a tri bike add for a sprint-half-full?
depends.
Would you get lower if you could?
Do you have drop bars and sti shifters on the road bike?
Which tri bike? Something like a P4 or something generic?
short answer, position the same, could be a minute or two per 40k between a road bike with clip ons and a good tri bike. Position different, could be more.
Just how much does it matter? I’ve got a cannondale six13, aerobars and a fast forward. Just how much benefit does a tri bike add for a sprint-half-full?
Would you get lower if you could?
sure, why not. the kink in my neck will work its way out…
Do you have drop bars and sti shifters on the road bike?
right now i do, but i was looking to change the shifters to the bar ends…
Which tri bike? Something like a P4 or something generic?
Thats the million dollar…or better yet, thousands of dollars question for me.
I suppose the real answer is…if i don’t expect to place…why spend a couple grand to save 10 minutes…
Being slow/not a podium finisher and owning a P4 does not need to be mutually exclusive.
i like that…
Just how much does it matter? I’ve got a cannondale six13, aerobars and a fast forward. Just how much benefit does a tri bike add for a sprint-half-full?
I thought of converting my roadbike into a tri-setup kind of like what you have going on, but I opted for a tri-bike instead and I really am glad that I did. I got a Cervelo P2SL, and in comparison to my roadbike just about everything is better/ faster. The aero tubing makes it feel like I am riding on a razor blade. When I get into the aero position I can ramp up my speed past 25MPH without feeling my bike start to immediately slow down thanks to wind resistance and whatnot. Also, the Cervelo is just a lot more comfortable for me, especially on longer rides. With that being said, my roadbike is a better all around bike, but for going fast in a straight line, or for going fast on rolling hills, my tri-bike is great.
Now considering that you are already on a tri configuration to begin with, you probably won’t notice as much difference. But for me going from a stock roadbike to a stock tri-bike was huge.
Interesting. I’m not a big fan of riding my bike for shits and giggles. I actually have more enjoyment riding in aero than up on the bars…maybe i need to sell this bike and reconsider…
I have been going through the same dilemma. I have an amazing road bike (Specialized Tarmac Expert), and have no intention of messing with the geometry of that bike. With that being said, the only thing that beat me on the bike course of my last race were “real” Tri Bikes. I have no dilution that the engines may be better on those other bikes, but I know for a fact that the energy it takes me to maintain a 20mph average over 40k is noticeably less on an aero bike, and I feel less tight in my upper body when I transition to the run. So speed and fatigue reduction are key pluses for taking the plunge.
Have done several sprints this year with a Six 13 set up with FF seatpost and clip ons. Today I just brought home a Slice, so I’m about to find out the answer to your question. I average around 21 mph on the Six 13, and am hoping to get 23 on the Slice…time will tell.
On sprints you won’t notice a huge difference but a TT is still an advantage. For Olympic or longer a TT bike is a huge advantage. Better position, more aero and I find it easier to run after riding my TT bike (P3) than after my road bike (Madone customer build) regardless of the length or difficulty of the ride.
Good luck!
You don’t have to spend a colossal amount though to get a really, really fast set up. I put together a TT bike round a Leader frame that fits beautifully for about €300. Obviously I had a few bits and bobs in the parts bin but it is very doable.
Once you’ve got
-a comfortable, aerodynamically efficient position,
-fast tyres and a wheelcover,
-a reasonably well thought out front end (hidden cables etc)
-well-placed hydration systems
etc etc
then returns start to radically diminish.
FWIW, I went through the same thought process as you last year. Bought a tri bike, and hated it first two or three rides. Just so different. Then all of the sudden, got comfortable and started blowing my PR’s out of the water. Buy one, and I really doubt you regret it.
Cannondale Slice 5 sufficient? Is there much differece in Hi-Mod frame vs. “regular” frame. Nytro hase the 5 for 1400 and seems like a good deal. I was in the process up updating the groupo on my six13 and could just as easily order it for the TT setup. Possibly sell the 105 setup to offset some of the cost.
J,
The Hi Mod and 5 frames have a different Carbon make up, but the mold is the same. That means you will get the same aero benefit, but a slightly heavier bike. The Hi Mod components are also lighter. I have put a couple of rides on my new Slice 4, and I can say that changing the components on my Six 13 wouldn’t have the same time savings.
why spend a couple grand to save 10 minutes…
Firstly, probably won’t save you ten minutes.
But if looking at her gets you to be out on the road more…that should be reason enough if you’re serious about the sport 
Now that’s more of what I was thinking…but, if I can get a couple bucks for the Six13 then it’s a couple hundred and not a couple grand…
Shouldn’t be a problem.
Put her in the classifieds. Avoid ebay like the plague - they now eat 11% of your sale price!
Gotta love eBay…between listing fees, closing value…they ding you for shipping too! Just when you thought you paid enough you get to use their paypal service…