Triathlon - clip on areo bars on a Mt. bike?

Hi. I want to start doing Triathlons but cannot afford to buy a road bike this season, I am planning on doing a race (sprint distance) in about 6 weeks to see if I like it before I spend $2000 on a road bike. I have a mountain bike that I have been using to commute to build endurance (30 km/h ave for 15KM), but it is heavy 31lbs, has wide riser bars, knobby tires and a shock on the front, I was thinking about using my dad's bike (same size) it is a rigid, few pounds lighter, flat bars, and slicks so I thought that would be better, I was considering buying a set of clip on aero bars, as I know it will help, and if I do want to take up the sport I can use them on my road bike when I get it, will I look stupid, will it even work/help? any other tips?

thanks everyone!

I use a non-clip on aerobar on my cafe racer, but that bike is exclusively for commuting/distance/training.

Personally, the fact that your out there actually trying is more important than how you look.

I used clip-on bars on a mountain bike, long time ago though. You should be able to improve your bike speed by getting some road slicks, pump up the pressure as far as they can handle (should be rated on the tire). Hopefully your bike's shocks have adjusters on them to stiffen the ride, try to do that so you don't waste energy. may also need to adjust seat height.

I would say take your dads bike, it hads a rigid fork(better power transfer the a suspension fork) road slicks(less rolling resistance, pump them up to the mx they are rated for). Now the question is, is will the clip-ons fit ont eh flat bar you have on that mountain bike?
If you are holding 30 km/h, aero bars will help. About it looking odd, just remember that something like 2% of Canadians have completed a triathlon(any distance). So just think about that, and not how you look.

People can only look at your bike if they're behind you, which is no position to judge from. As for the clips, they're a great idea. I ride with a guy that runs this setup all the time.

I have aerobars on my mountain bike. I'm not really a fan of flat bars and it gives you another position. Yes, it looks silly but it works. So give it a shot.

I have a clip-on on a K2 "comfort bike".

Here's what I've done to it so far:

Installed the aero-bars is such a way that the rise of the handlebar supplies "interference" so that the aero-bars can not shift up toward me when I pull back on them.
Dropped the stem as low as I could.
Raised the seat post.
Changed the saddle to a low weight "racing" style.
Used a hose clamp to "lock out" the spring in the seatpost.
Slick tires, front and rear, pumped up to near max.

What I still need to do:

Replace cassette with 12-25.
Replace all 3 chain rings w/ a road set
Replace chain (it's worn and has already damaged the cog set) with one that will accomodate the new triple.

I have a clip-on on a K2 "comfort bike".

Here's what I've done to it so far:

Installed the aero-bars is such a way that the rise of the handlebar supplies "interference" so that the aero-bars can not shift up toward me when I pull back on them.
Dropped the stem as low as I could.
Raised the seat post.
Changed the saddle to a low weight "racing" style.
Used a hose clamp to "lock out" the spring in the seatpost.
Slick tires, front and rear, pumped up to near max.

What I still need to do:

Replace cassette with 12-25.
Replace all 3 chain rings w/ a road set
Replace chain (it's worn and has already damaged the cog set) with one that will accomodate the new triple.
Why not just buy a road bike?

Why not just buy a road bike?

Because, I already own this bike.

Actually, at this time, I'm considering a second bike for non-commuting road fun, but I still need to get the commuter's drive train back in order.

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Get rid of the kick stand...too much weight....;P

Because, I already own this bike.

Actually, at this time, I'm considering a second bike for non-commuting road fun, but I still need to get the commuter's drive train back in order.

.

Ok...drum roll....

Here it is. My new [2005] Giant TCR 2 w/Ultegra drive train and abundant carbon!



During a metric century on the Giant yesterday, I found out just how much my K2's fatter tires at lower pressure and the front suspension had been buffering me on a road that had been graded for a new surface. Man, I felt like I was on a giant vibrator. I had to slow way down to get through that section, where as with the K2, I zipped through it at around 20 MPH.

BTW, this one doesn't have a kick stand. :p

Sorry for the hijack. NoRacer, out.

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