Tri Bike vs. Road Bike with Aerobars
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Tribro posted 4 years ago.
I still race on a road bike with aerobars. It's really more a comfortable fit than road vs. tri. I suggest going to a local bike shop and get properly fitted on your road bike for doing tris. Have them setup the aerobars and determine if they can adjust your position to be comfortable and efficient on your current setup. As an example I added a new seat post and shorter stem to get me in a better aero position when on the bars.
If they determine that it's too much of a stretch (your top tube is too long to really get you comfortable), then consider a new bike. On new bikes, the cervelo dual seems popular. Again though first get fitted and then they'll be able to suggest which bikes are more tailored to your needs.
here's another post that talks about different bikes and the importance of fitting.
http://www.trifuel.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1103
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1612 days
mjshapiro posted 3 years ago.
Hi - I was wondering if you could explain your set up a little more. Do you have a road bike with a base bar and clip on areo bars or regular bars with some clip on? I have a Giant TCR and just received some clip on bars as a gift but was considering buying a winged base bar an making the total conversion. Thanks!
44
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1618 days
smittycb10 posted 3 years ago.
A road bike has longer top tube then a tri specific bike. If you put on full areo bars on a road bike you may find that your position is too streached out. A good comprimise is to go with the shorter clip on bars. Many triathlettes will race with this set up on hilly courses.
Another option is to buy a bike that has dual position seat post. I ride a Kestrel Talon that has this seat post, this enables me to put the seat in a extrememe forward postion and thus set it up as a full areo bike or set the seat back with for normal handlebars and maybe some clip -ons.
Hope this helps/makes sense.
view my blog at: http://smittycb10.triathlonlife.com/
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1519 days
unccgrad00 posted 3 years ago.
Well if you buy a specific tri bike some events don't allow them due to the risk of wrecking and injury. So some of your duathlons if you check the small print in the rules some don't allow the tri bikes or aero bars just depends on the event... Also some of the local bike groups that you may train with or that you could possibly train with don't allow tri bikes due to the possible wreck or injury. Something to think about. That is what I came across when I had to make the same decision. I decided on the aero bars but I need to get them modified because I am to stretched currently. Anyway just my two cents...
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1471 days
o2Ripper posted 3 years ago.
They make seatposts with a slant in em, to help you get in an aero position, and it shortens up your toptube just a bit. If this is your first triathlon (your crazy for doin a half IM, on your first) Slap on some Syntace C2 aerobars....and you should be ok depending on how comfy the setup is for you.
-Branden
"Its an addiction"
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1903 days
johnny_Toronto posted 3 years ago.
1) Last year I did a bike fit, and got a longer handlebar stem. Yeah, $100, more money for my sport. But holy cow what a difference. My 15km time trial speed improved from 29 minutes to below 26 minutes, consistently through the year. Lesson: getting a proper fit and position is at least, if not more important that carbon vs aluminun vs titanium.
2) Tri bikes are a bit skittish due to their geometry. Groups don't like tri bikes because they are a bit more dangerous in a tight pack. I ride in the city a lot, and feel much more comfortable riding on the brake hoods road style. So, if you've got lots of open road and ride on your own, it's marvy to have a tri bike. Also it will make brick workouts more effective, because the forward position makes it easier to transition to the run. Then again, you can move the seat forward on a road bike or go so far as to modify the seat post to get really steep.
I have a Litespeed Classic road bike, and LOVE it. Took the aero bars off at the end of the season, and it's a proper roadie for winter riding.
have fun!
Johnny T
210
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1464 days
jmcglos posted 3 years ago.
Ok, just an update on what I finally decided to do, after reading these threads and debating in my mind for months.
I visited a few tri shops in the area (along with road bike shops that said they could order me a tri bike and fit me on it). Well I wanted to actually see a bike and try it out before ordering anything. I went to one tri shop in my area that's the closest to my house. They tried to fit me on a 50 cm Felt - I'm 5'1" - and they told me it looked like it fit (they had to put the seatpost ALL the way down and I felt like I was still stretching for the pedals). i think they were just trying to get out their old stock of '04s. So that put me off that shop (even though I did get a wetsuit there super cheap because they're moving out their '04s).
So I went to another tri shop and they had a Quintant Roo Tequilo in size 47cm. They did all the measurements, fit me on the bike, and I test rode it - and it felt great. So that's what I finally ended up buying. It would have been too much hassle for me to switch out seatposts, aerobars, stems, etc etc on my road bike each time I rode considering I ride pace line with a group a few times a week. For me, I had to pay for the convenience of 2 different bikes plus it's one more toy! And I know I'll be doing more tri's in the future and will get a lot of use out of it.
Thanks for everyone's input. I really appreciate it!
I have signed up for a 1/2 IM in May '05 and am considering purchasing a new Tri Bike. I currently ride a road bike and was thinking of putting aerobars on it. What is the general consensus on either option? Is it worth buying a new tri bike? I have done a few tri's and duathlons with the road bike, but nothing as long or enduring as a 1/2 IM.
If you do suggest a Tri bike - what are your recommendations? I am a short (5'1") female, who currently rides a women's specific Specialized road bike (44cm).
Thanks for your help!!