TT Bike vs. Road Bike for training
641
Member
1026 days
KitKat posted 8 weeks ago.
I had this dilemma. My first bike (road) was way to big for me. I wanted a TT for IM but figured a needed a road for as well. So I bought both. I rode the TT for 90% of my training. Train in what you race with, right?
I rode the TT so much that I find it to be far more comfortable than my road bike. I'm sure if I rode my roadie more I'd feel the same way about it, but I don't. I guess the point I'm making is that if you only have the funds for one the TT is not a bad choice. Enough ridding and it will fit like a glove.
**Pain is weakness leaving the body**
*Smile, it does a body good*
361
Member
500 days
jwillia852 posted 8 weeks ago.
Although the enthusiasts frown upon it - it's not technically illegal to ride a TT with roadies... is it? If you were a hardcore road bike cyclist, we wouldn't be having this conversation anyway, right? lol
So somewhat of a similar story ...I bought a nice road bike two years ago (basically for triathlon) not thinking the tri bug would hit me like it did. Although it fits nice, I often wonder what benefit I would gain from a TT bike because a majority of my rides are 'training' in nature and usually in aero. I don't often, if ever, ride in a group of more than two or three (i.e. I don't ride for the pleasure).
So in as that I am thinking about doing the same thing... I say Go For It!
Jeff
332
Member
1692 days
kevinb421 posted 8 weeks ago.
I almost never train in my TT bike. I ride with a group and the roadies would cut my throat if I rode the TT bike.
Its all in what you do. If you ride alone, the tri bike is a good option.
"If it takes a level in insanity to run 26.2 miles, what does it take to go farther?"
266
Member
334 days
IthinkIcan posted 8 weeks ago.
I opted for the TT bike only. And I do group rides. No one gives me any crap about it, ever. I mind my own business, and stay to the back so I'm not drafting anyway.
When I was buying, the shop owner asked me what I was looking to do. He talked about how he's never had someone looking to do tris buy a tri bike and come back later for a roadie, but often has folks interested in tris buy a roadie, get hooked and ultimately come back for a Tri bike.
FWIW, i bought a p1, which seems to let you flip the seat back to road geometry if you wanted. I might get road bars/cockpit eventually to do that, but I don't think I'd go and buy a roadie for the sake of it. And I agree w/ Kat.... train with what you race with.
20
Member
95 days
Triathlete954 posted 8 weeks ago.
I do all my rides on my TT bike. You will get looks from roadies, but if you can take strong pulls in the front then you will get the respect from others and less slack. I do all of my bike training with group rides and on the trainer. Some rides can avg up to 26 mph and thats with traffic lights. Just know the rules of the pack and you'll be fine and don't go in the aero position if you are in the middle of the group, it is very dangerous for you and others.
TT bike is all you need plus it is a lot nicer to look at! Any other money you have left over can go into more aero goodies.
709
Member
523 days
jonovision_man posted 8 weeks ago.
jwillia852 wrote:
it's not technically illegal to ride a TT with roadies... is it?
If you're going to ride with roadies, respect what they're about and bring a road bike.
They hate aero bars, and rightfully so. I had a roadie friend who got a wicked case of road rash from someone in their bars who couldn't grab for their brakes in time... it's not the right tool for a group ride.
jono
134
Member
514 days
RunMDC posted 8 weeks ago.
I own both and what I ride depends on the group I am with. If I am alone it is always my TT bike. I do have a group of trigeeks that I train with and not everyone has a TT bike but no one cares if you ride one because they are all Triathletes.
I agree with respecting the roadies. I hate it when I am riding in a group and someone is next to me riding aero, its unsafe.
95
Member
275 days
Brianwake posted 8 weeks ago.
I also own both types, and I hate trying to ride groups rides on the TT bike. I use it for solo rides and races, and I use my roadie for group rides or more urban sprint races where I don't want to risk the nice bike on pot-holes, etc... I do find that I have a lot of trouble switching from TT position to road position when I switch bikes. I always feel really unsteady for at least the first 1-2 hours.
361
Member
500 days
jwillia852 posted 7 weeks ago.
jonovision_man wrote:
jwillia852 wrote:it's not technically illegal to ride a TT with roadies... is it?If you're going to ride with roadies, respect what they're about and bring a road bike.
They hate aero bars, and rightfully so. I had a roadie friend who got a wicked case of road rash from someone in their bars who couldn't grab for their brakes in time... it's not the right tool for a group ride.
jono
That is definitely good to know. As I don't ride in groups of avid cyclists, I thought it was a taboo practice based on superficial reasons. But as that I can relate with aero's straight line limitations I can see the importance of riding with a road bike as the situation requires. Thanks for showing me the light Jono :-D
Jeff
259
Member
557 days
cutiger95 posted 7 weeks ago.
I agree just do what the group does. I ride through the spring/summer/ and part of fall with a group of roadies. We have a couple of TT guys that also ride with us. They are either at the front or back of the pack for the reasons mentioned above the TT bikes can get a little squirrely if fast handling is needed and they are in their aero position.
The peloton of 15-20 guys generally let one or two TT guys go and then use the peloton to chase them down. I can't remember a night this year that one of the TT guys got out front and held it, but there are stories that are told. So it can be fun in the right group. But just be aware that if you are the rabbit when the peloton catches you there will be no mercy and they will all do everything they can to drop you off the back.
57
Member
576 days
pcolatri posted 7 weeks ago.
Pretty simple, ride the road bike when your in a group and ride the tri bike when your all by your lonesome.
307
Member
526 days
J.Michael posted 7 weeks ago.
cutiger95 wrote:
The peloton of 15-20 guys generally let one or two TT guys go and then use the peloton to chase them down. I can't remember a night this year that one of the TT guys got out front and held it, but there are stories that are told. So it can be fun in the right group. But just be aware that if you are the rabbit when the peloton catches you there will be no mercy and they will all do everything they can to drop you off the back.
I can attest to this! There are about 4 or 5 of us that will ride the Thurs nite club ride. It all starts out pretty mundane and the 4 of us pull off the front, but by 1/2way thru the 25mi loop there's a pack breathing down your back and when they pass you it really is no pain no gain. We tend to avg 25mph for the loop, but when they blow by you gotta get up to 30mph for a few miles or be dropped.
Talk about speed training!!!
“Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.”
— Winston Churchill
2323
Member
1895 days
PrinceofClydes posted 7 weeks ago.
Whatever choice you make jarhead, road bike or TT bike, I bet you spend more time riding your new honey while the old one rests in the garage.
That's the way it was with me - once I got it built that is. It just looks so sexy there whispering,
"Ride me! You know you want it."
Can't help it really.
PoC
""Your ass looks fantastic. Are the kids in bed yet???"
- TonisTri. 10/2009
Now that I have gotten through my first season and my first IM, I am definitely getting a TT bike this offseason. My current bike is Motobecane, with aero bars and nice upgrades, but it is about 4 cm too big and causes too much discomfort on long rides.
My initial thought was to buy a new TT bike and use it only for races and to use the road bike for training. However, since there is alot of difference between a TT bike and a road bike, and given the fact that the road bike is too big I was thinking that I should probably just use te TT bike for both training and racing. Then eventually in a couple years upgrade to another TT bike and use the old TT bike for training.
Another reason for just using the TT bike is the difference in angle on the seat post. This will surely cause me to use different muscles then a road bike. Won't it?
Pain is weakness leaving the body.