Triathlon - comfort a TT

I'm looking to get a new bike...real interested in getting a TT/tri bike...I don't do many tri's although I'm a excelent swimmer and cyclist but a average runner. I really just enjoy the daily training and difference of all three sports...I ride mostly solo with a few group rides that I bring my beater bike to..

I want to know what the comfort is on a tri bike (thinking low level cervelo). Does the pressure from the saddle stay on your sit bones or does it place more pressure on soft areas. Is there less pressure on rear because of the weight balance on aero bars...

I've only done a season of olympic distance tri's so I wouldn't be on a bike for longer then two hours during training. I imagaine that the length of time might have a effect on comfort as well...

IMHO, a TT bike that is set up to be aero is not very comfortable, and I frankly don't see much purpose in it, unless you're doing TT's or Tris. I tend to have to force myself to ride the TT bike because the road bike is a lot more comfortable and handles a lot better. And it does tend to put pressure in the wrong place. (Hence Tri specific saddles are a good idea)

I've adjusted the position on my TT bike a lot. It's still not the most comfortable position, but it's not too bad either - I can ride in TT position for a while without any major comfort issues. The TT position does place more pressure on the soft areas, but as long as the road I'm on isn't too bumpy, it's really not that bad. Like you said, having much of the weight shifted to the aerobars takes some of the pressure off the saddle.

Make sure you get the proper stem, as proper fore-aft adjustment is important to both comfort and handling. And make sure you have proper adjustment of the spacing between elbow rests. If your elbows are too close together, it's really difficult to breathe properly.

If it's comfortable you're not aero enough!

Oh and don't ride a tri bike on a group ride!!

thanks for the info...I really am not concerned with muscle or joint discomfort but really the sit bones and soft area

What I have heard so far is that It definatly puts more pressure on soft areas...

If it's comfortable you're not aero enough!

Oh and don't ride a tri bike on a group ride!!

I hope your kidding right? The PROPER position is the balance between aero and comfort. How can you be expected to do a 40km ride if after 2km you are getting major chafing, or your back hurts so much you cant stay in your bars.

Not using the bike in group rides depends on the group. NEVER use you aerobars when in the group though.

I am really quite comfortable on my bike. I sit on my sit bones. I am as aero as all get out. However, you don't sound like the perfect candidate for a tri bike, maybe roadie with clip ons.

I hope your kidding right? The PROPER position is the balance between aero and comfort. How can you be expected to do a 40km ride if after 2km you are getting major chafing, or your back hurts so much you cant stay in your bars.

Not using the bike in group rides depends on the group. NEVER use you aerobars when in the group though.


My TT bike I can stand riding it for about 1 hour before my neck hurts, my unit gets numb and my back stiffens up. Luckily, my time trials are less than 1 hour. That's by design. I played and played with my position to make myself the most aero that I could stand for an hour. My body has never hurt so much that I couldn't stay aero to finish a race, that would be counter productive. Numb pecker, yes, but having a numb pecker doesn't make me less aero (that I'm aware of).

I remain behind my stating of NOT riding a tt bike in a group. Heck, I hate riding/racing with guys who have downtube shifters, let alone tri/tt bikes!

I am really quite comfortable on my bike. I sit on my sit bones. I am as aero as all get out. However, you don't sound like the perfect candidate for a tri bike, maybe roadie with clip ons.

Why not? I have a roadie that I enjoy but is getting old and warn out...I need to get new chain, rear derailer, crankset, cogs because they are warn down from use (old 8 speed)...I do mostly soley riding and think I would enjoy the speed that I would be able to hold on rides and maybe challenge myself with a few TT...

Is it just because I don't want to do Triatholons, I hope that is not the reason, I just don't want to pay money to exercise...I played sports in college and don't need a competive fix anymore...besides I'm willing to bet I could beat 80% of triathletes in any race that is 1/2 ironman and below...I just don't pay to play

I use my tri bike for all of my solo rides. It's just as comfortable as my road bike. I've ridden up to 150km with no comfort issues at all. My bike/position is shown in post #34 in this thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=2757695&postcount=34

I use my tri bike for all of my solo rides. It's just as comfortable as my road bike. I've ridden up to 150km with no comfort issues at all. My bike/position is shown in post #34 in this thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=2757695&postcount=34


Thats a sweet ride...thats the type of info I was looking for, whether it is comfortable on long rides or not

Thanks

. Numb pecker, yes, but having a numb pecker doesn't make me less aero (that I'm aware of).

I remain behind my stating of NOT riding a tt bike in a group. Heck, I hate riding/racing with guys who have downtube shifters, let alone tri/tt bikes!


1) I think the wind tunnel data suggests numb pecker (therefore less blood flow) is more aero.

2) In my experience guys racing bikes with downtube shifters are likely to be better than average bikehandlers because a guy with D/T shifters has likely raced for 15 + years. I'll take my chances with that guy, over a guy on a brand spanking new Madone. (but I do agree with you on no aerobars in the group.)

...besides I'm willing to bet I could beat 80% of triathletes in any race that is 1/2 ironman and below...

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Like batman said, balance b/t aero and comfort. You could setup your new tri bike to be comfortable but it is not going to be as aero as it would be in a less comfortable position. So that speed that you said you would enjoy might not be there. Anyway, comfort is based on your flexibility too. Just maybe you might get an itch to beat those 80% someday, so you'll be equipped.

...besides I'm willing to bet I could beat 80% of triathletes in any race that is 1/2 ironman and below...I just don't pay to play

1) Internet Bravado is worthless. It doesn't mean anything if you don't put a number on.

2) if you're not going to race, sort of silly to get a tri bike,designed to race traithlons.

If you're going to ride solo most of the time, I don't see any problem with using a tri-bike. I set mine up to be a good balance between comfort and aero and I've ridden centuries (solo, not organized group) on it.

Why not? I have a roadie that I enjoy but is getting old and warn out...I need to get new chain, rear derailer, crankset, cogs because they are warn down from use (old 8 speed)...I do mostly soley riding and think I would enjoy the speed that I would be able to hold on rides and maybe challenge myself with a few TT...

Is it just because I don't want to do Triatholons, I hope that is not the reason, I just don't want to pay money to exercise...I played sports in college and don't need a competive fix anymore...besides I'm willing to bet I could beat 80% of triathletes in any race that is 1/2 ironman and below...I just don't pay to play

Your athletic ability has nothing to do with bike choice. It was merely the fact that you weren't planning on doing races, and comfort came across as a big issue for you. No racing + comfort usually equals a recommendation of a roadie, and add clipons for extra speed.

Your athletic ability has nothing to do with bike choice. It was merely the fact that you weren't planning on doing races, and comfort came across as a big issue for you. No racing + comfort usually equals a recommendation of a roadie, and add clipons for extra speed.


Thanks for the imput I know see what you mean...I'm planning on replacing my roadie in the spring after a some good years...the only problem that I have with clip-ons is the fact that my hips are so closed that it can become very uncomfortable in my thighs and hips to hold that possition for very long