Newbie Comparison
190
Member
529 days
krazyfranco posted 26 weeks ago.
I don't have experience with either bike, but I would try to ride both of them (if you are able to) and see how they feel. Chances are one will fit you better than the other.
226
Member
264 days
CadenceGuy posted 26 weeks ago.
First off, WELCOME!!!
+1 on the "ride em both" dont be afraid to ask your LBS to ride em both, they want to make sure you get a good fit just as much as you do.
Dont forget to post your location on the members map!!
16
Member
186 days
snailtrail posted 26 weeks ago.
Thanks...Another question...I was reading on another post that if you can only get one bike you should get a road bike because it makes the learning curve shorter. What is the curve? I have been trying them out and thought they were great to ride. I dont have the money to buy both and dont intend on riding in groups right now.....just curious. Is there any reason why I shouldnt get a tri bike?
...up wind after egg salad
997
Member
363 days
ChunkyB posted 26 weeks ago.
The main difference in road and TT bikes is the handling, especially if you're riding in your aero bars. If you're completely comfortable on the bike, then get it. But I'm assuming that you were probably just test riding them near the store (parking lot maybe), so keep in mind that when you're riding on the road with cars zooming by you at 50 MPH, you might feel a little less comfortable. Another thing is that TT bikes are much less stable in cross winds.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
258
Member
758 days
fastdog5 posted 26 weeks ago.
I had a road bike then got a tri bike & never set foot on my roadie again. People who ride in groups on road bikes fear aerobars, so they will tell you tri bikes aren't allowed on group rides. I ride with other triathletes & we're aero the whole time; it's not an issue unless you're riding an inch from the guy in front of you...but if you're training for a draft-illegal triathlon, there's no reason to be doing that. To Chunky's point, the tri bike is a bit less stable when you're in the bars, but you get used to that pretty fast, in my opinion. The best argument for getting a road bike is, if this will be your only bike & you plan to ride it for anything other than racing & training, you may want to go that route & throw some aerobars on.
16
Member
186 days
snailtrail posted 26 weeks ago.
Thanks Fastdog.....All I want the bike for is training and racing. I appreciate your feedback!
...up wind after egg salad
859
Member
833 days
tsilcyc posted 26 weeks ago.
snailtrail wrote:
Thanks...Another question...I was reading on another post that if you can only get one bike you should get a road bike because it makes the learning curve shorter. What is the curve?
I just answered this in a different thread...
http://www.trifuel.com/forum/12958/suggestions-for-a-tri-newbie-bike
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16
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186 days
snailtrail posted 26 weeks ago.
awesome....I figured it was along those lines.
.....just like riding a bike
...up wind after egg salad
85
Member
404 days
callco posted 26 weeks ago.
I have both (Specialized Tarmac Pro and Litespeed Saber). I like them both. But riding the tri bike in the Utah mountains is not fun. Descending at 50 mph is a thrill on a roadie, but feels like suicide on a tri bike. If I'm hitting the hills, I leave the tri bike at home.
Don't underestimate the handling differences in traffic, either. Avoiding a potentially nasty collision is much easier on the roadie.
Finally, unless you're averaging around 20 mph or higher, I'm not convinced the aero benefits of the tri bike in a race are all that meaningful.
If I could only have one, I would have to go with the road bike. I like the hills. I like relatively long-distance (60 - 100 miles) solo rides. I occasionally ride with others. Drafting (pace line riding) is an amazing experience.
To sum it up: I can do tris on the roadie, but I can't really do hills, distances, traffic, and group rides on the tri bike.
Just my $0.02.
176
Member
272 days
xc800runner posted 26 weeks ago.
I have a P2K, the P2SL predecessor before the P2C was released, and it's brilliant. If you're going with an aluminum bike, you're not going to get anything better than the cervelo. Though the paint job on the new QR's is much better than what you get with the P2SL. Give 'em both a ride, compare sales price with coponent package (the QR's brakes are much better) and warranty information/crash replacement - though you should never crash a tri bike.
Hello, Im new here so Im sorry if this has been beaten to death already, but I didnt find the answer. I have begun training for my first tri and cant afford carbon at the moment. So, with either personal experience or knowledge based on other info would you recomend the Cervelo P2 SL or the Quintana Roo Kilo. FYI I am 6'2, 198 lbs,
Thanks
...up wind after egg salad