Triathlon - Frame materials

Is the debate over aluminum v. carbon in the road bike segment applicable in the tri segment as well? It seems there's less climbing and sprinting in a tri, so how much of a difference does the material actually make? Or is the comfort issue taken into account? Or is it just bling?

That was a very ASSUMING statement. DO a Tri in Pennsylvania sometime, and tell me there is "less Climbing". I dont think so!!

As far as less sprinting, probably true. But that is because the strategy of bike racing is to save all your energy, through drafting, until the very end, and then sprint to the finish. The strategy in triathlon is to actually go as fast as you can, and not depend on others to pull you through the wind. It is a true measure of your ability, which is why cycling uses time trials to seperate the men from the boys!

Volt...I've always felt that the whole frame material debate didn't really apply to us here in OC. People around the country don't have the luxury of riding the nice smooth roads that we have. Aluminum is plenty light for guys like us and the smooth roads make for a nice ride on any material. That's just my $0.02 but I LOVE my aluminum P2 SL and have no regrets on not going with a carbon model.

Good to know, thanks. The Fuji Aloha 1.0 looks like a great deal then.

Hey, so do they close off PCH at all during the tri?

Oh well, agree with you, but men and boys will be unfortunately together soon, or so it seems, triatlon is an Olympic event and it is drafting legal, Sub-23 events also come drafting legal and so on...

Oh well, agree with you, but men and boys will be unfortunately together soon, or so it seems, triatlon is an Olympic event and it is drafting legal, Sub-23 events also come drafting legal and so on...

Sub-23 events?

which is why cycling uses time trials to seperate the men from the boys!

And mountain passes.

-D

Sub-23 events?

under 23 age events

under 23 age events

Thanks for the info.
So, in some venues the under 23 age group is draft legal, but the older 25-29, 30-34 etc, etc, is not draft legal sometimes?
I don't pay much attention to the drafting issue, I'm always out there passing or being passed.
Although I did see a line of 4 elite riders in a nice paceline at my last event, even though it was not draft legal, happens all the time I know...

U23 are draft legal in national cup and national developement races, and they still usually have the draft free 18-24. U23 draft legal is more for those aspiring to race as elites where drafting is common place.

Boron Carbide Ceramic Metal Matrix is the answer.:)