Touring - Buying advice - touring and tri combo bike?

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LordMcD
04-18-05, 04:28 PM
Hello,
I'm new to both touring and tri's, but have recently been bitten by the urge to get into both. Since I currently just have a mountain bike that I use for occasional trail riding and commuting, I need to buy a new bike.

I've done some talking, reading, and looking, and feel like I understand what I'm looking for (for the most part) in both types of bike, and I understand that the goals can conflict somewhat. Given, that, however, I'm not going to buy 2 bikes, and I'd like to get a moderately priced ($1k-1500) bike that I'll be happy with for some of each use.

To qualify this a little bit, I'm not planning on being terribly competitive triathloning - just doing a sprint (20km) and Olympic (42km) to get my feet wet and have fun. More important is having a solid distance bike, for say, a 1500 mile bike-camping trip.

Can I get a solid touring bike that I wouldn't be stupid (or embarrased :)) to race for medium distances? Would you recommend swapping out racing/touring tires, or just getting something that would work for both? What are the things that will bite me the most in either endevor (frame size, speed of tires)? And finally, any recommendations on specific bikes/components to look for?

Thanks!!

skydive69
04-18-05, 04:49 PM
Hello,
I'm new to both touring and tri's, but have recently been bitten by the urge to get into both. Since I currently just have a mountain bike that I use for occasional trail riding and commuting, I need to buy a new bike.

I've done some talking, reading, and looking, and feel like I understand what I'm looking for (for the most part) in both types of bike, and I understand that the goals can conflict somewhat. Given, that, however, I'm not going to buy 2 bikes, and I'd like to get a moderately priced ($1k-1500) bike that I'll be happy with for some of each use.

To qualify this a little bit, I'm not planning on being terribly competitive triathloning - just doing a sprint (20km) and Olympic (42km) to get my feet wet and have fun. More important is having a solid distance bike, for say, a 1500 mile bike-camping trip.

Can I get a solid touring bike that I wouldn't be stupid (or embarrased :)) to race for medium distances? Would you recommend swapping out racing/touring tires, or just getting something that would work for both? What are the things that will bite me the most in either endevor (frame size, speed of tires)? And finally, any recommendations on specific bikes/components to look for?

Thanks!!

Your solution is simple - especially in light of your modest goals. Simply buy the best road bike that you can afford and put a set of removable aero bars on it. I know some pretty good triathletes that have taken that tack. Now if you ever get serious about triathlons, see attached photo of my new Guru!
MichaelW
04-19-05, 03:27 AM
It can be done. A race bike of the 1960s years ago was not too different in terms of weight, to a modern touring bike.
You can time trial on any touring bike. A midweight club-style tourer such as a Trek 520 is better than an expedition style one.
If you want to go lighter, then a light-touring bike will be more agile but not as good for loaded touring.
Fit some 25mm tyres and an aero bar. A set of lighter racing wheels will be better and you need to ensure you have higher gearing than suitable for loaded touring. You may want to get a small triple chainset and have a set of larger rings for your racing, or a replacement chainset.