tri specific bike for everday training and commuting
202
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1695 days
driggins posted 1 year ago.
the seat angle is steeper so you have a sensation of falling forward. but you get used to it. a road bike would be more comfortable for day to day riding, but for racing you cant beat it. go for the tri bike if you think you will race for a few more years.
1127
Member
987 days
UFTriGator posted 1 year ago.
Tri bikes tend to be a little heavier, so steep climbs will be marginally tougher than on a good road bike, but climbing is more about your legs, so if someone beats you, it's usually not about the bike ;).
I can turn my tri bike pretty hard as long as I have my training wheels on (turning with a disc isn't cool), but still not as hard as a road bike. So it depends on how sharp the turn is and how fast you want to be going. If you're just communting, there shouldn't be any problems. If you make some of your commutes into parking lot crits (I do sometimes.....keeps it interesting!), then a road bike will handle noticeably better.
I personally would get a road bike and use clip-ons while I was racing if I only had one bike and wanted to use it to commute as well, but everyone has their preferences. Also keep in mind that if you want to go on group rides, you won't make many friends on a tri bike. Tri bikes also tend to be fairly uncomfortable when not in the aerobars, which you won't be allowed to ride on during group rides.
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-Matt
Not fast enough.
54
Member
657 days
Dan Smith posted 1 year ago.
Here is my experience. I bought a tri bike with the idea that I would be training and racing on it. I commute 40 miles a day as part of my training and I found the tri bike to be not ideal, especially since my commute is pretty hilly. The frame broke on the tri bike after fewer than 60 miles so I replaced it with an inexpensive road bike. I have been much happier with the road bike. Since I get passed on hills by people riding mountain bikes in sandals, I really don't think a tri bike is going to make much of a difference for me anyway.
372
Member
897 days
kkocan posted 1 year ago.
I have both a tri bike and a road bike. I find, probably because of the geometry and how the bikes are set up, that it is hard for me to ride the tri bike easy. In otherwords if I am on the aero bars and am putting forth a decent effort (anything from IM to sprint pace) the tri bike rules.
But if I am going out for a liesurely ride or just cruising with the kids etc... or the training plan calls for a short easy recovery ride in zone 1 then I take the road bike.
It may just be me or the agressive way I have my tri bike set up, but if I were to commute it would definitely be on a road bike. If you want to do tri's then you could lower the bars a little and put some clip ons on and race then go back to commuting on monday.
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4508
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1646 days
kylie posted 1 year ago.
When I was first commuting I rode my tri bike since it was all I had. But it was non-ideal -- especially because it attracted too much attention in some not great neighborhoods. So I ended up getting an older (down-tube shifting included) road bike for about $75 on Craigslist. It makes a great commute bike! So perhaps look into something like that if you want a tri one to race on but don't want to break the bank with having two! :)
1012
Member
1205 days
PJT posted 1 year ago.
Dan Smith;69208 wrote:
Here is my experience. I bought a tri bike with the idea that I would be training and racing on it. I commute 40 miles a day as part of my training and I found the tri bike to be not ideal, especially since my commute is pretty hilly. The frame broke on the tri bike after fewer than 60 miles so I replaced it with an inexpensive road bike. I have been much happier with the road bike. Since I get passed on hills by people riding mountain bikes in sandals, I really don't think a tri bike is going to make much of a difference for me anyway.
Was that the Green Elite that broke on you? That stinks. How did it happen?
To the original poster: can you keep your current bike for commuting and use the tri bike for training and racing? Just a thought.
1769
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1408 days
brittda posted 1 year ago.
I have 2 one for commuting and one for races. The crappy road bike that I got on craigs list is perfect for commuting on and I dont care about riding it in the rain etc
231
Member
701 days
Nobody posted 1 year ago.
I bought a Cervelo Dual for racing, but ended up liking it so much I sold my road bike and now race/train/ride on the Cervelo. I have no bike-related problems that prevent me from climbing or Sat/Sun morning street racing. The tri geometry/aero bars/LG Chrono helmet do attract a lot of attention (read: challenges)--esp. from old school guys or the squids who dress like they're actually on an international road race team. But when the pace ups the aero position more than makes up for any climbing deficiencies (which are minimal).
The Cervelos also have a widely adjustable seat angle, unlike most Tri bikes, so getting the right fit is pretty easy.
Greatness is only achieved by those who perpetually raise the expectations of themselves to the point where it ruins their life.
54
Member
657 days
Dan Smith posted 1 year ago.
PJT;69229 wrote:
Was that the Green Elite that broke on you? That stinks. How did it happen?
Yup, that was the one. The seat tube split lengthways. I have no idea how it happened, I just went for a ride one day and the seat started slipping. The place I bought it refunded the purchase price without a fuss.
5
Member
581 days
flats posted 1 year ago.
thanks for the responses. You have convinced me to get a standard road bike. For a complete bike between 1000 and 2000 dollars, what are the best options for a good all around road bike (weight, components, comfort, speed etc)? Thanks
1127
Member
987 days
UFTriGator posted 1 year ago.
flats;69319 wrote:
For a complete bike between 1000 and 2000 dollars, what are the best options for a good all around road bike (weight, components, comfort, speed etc)?
Brand name on ebay.
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-Matt
Not fast enough.
Im in the market for a new bike (current bike is a marin san rafael, its a hybrid/comfort bike) and I just wanted everyone's opinion on buying a tri specific bike for 1-2 oly distance triathlon's per year and the rest of my rides will be training solo and commuting. For some reason on my bike now I always feel like I would be more comfortable in the aero position, and the aggressive geometry appeals to me. How do tri bikes generally handle steep climbs and sharp turns? Am I crazy to not just buy a road bike? Thanks in advance.