Road Cycling - Newbie Bike Q's

I am looking for a new bike. I am looking for one that I can ride on the weekends and I am looking to start getting into sprint triathlons. So my question is should I get a road bike or a tt bike. I will probably ride more on my weekend rides then I would in a tri. What do you all think?

Don't buy a TT bike. Very specialised equipment for professionals......plus you can't train on it.

Well, you can train on a time trial bike. But Ed is right. They are very specialized and they are meant to be used for time trials. They really are not meant for training, or just enjoyment and so on. Also most new riders have a hard time controlling their bikes when riding a pure time trial or triathalon set up. Which is why people in most bike clubs cringe when they see a guy in new clothes, new shoes, new helmet and new triathalon bike because he is probably in good enough shape to ride fast but is probably as erratic as a drunken chicken.

If you are getting into triathalons. I would suggest that you go out and get a Shimano 105 equipped road bike. Shimano 105 is plenty good and should not hold you back especially since you are a rookie. If it is flat in your area go with a double. If it is hilly go with a triple.

which one will be more comfortable on my 40-50 mile rides?

I am looking for a new bike. I am looking for one that I can ride on the weekends and I am looking to start getting into sprint triathlons. So my question is should I get a road bike or a tt bike. I will probably ride more on my weekend rides then I would in a tri. What do you all think?

I was in your situation a few years ago. Even though the TT or tribikes are definitely sexy, as others have pointed out, they are only appropriate for riding in a TT or triathlon or training for them. A good road bike is much more usable for the other 90% of your riding.

So I bought the best road bike I could afford and I ride the heck out of it. That's the key to building the bike's engine, which is much more important than aerodynamics for non-elite triathletes like us. Then, when you're ready to race, slap on a good pair of aerobars and a forward seatpost and fly!

Good luck with whatever you get.

Hey there - look at Cervelo's. They have really nice tri-bikes. CSR in the Tour use them.

just get a fairly nice bike and add componets. I ride a lemond tourmalet and i put aero bars on it. it performs wonderful on long distances. just buy some aero bars. you can find them pretty cheap.

> which one will be more comfortable on my 40-50 mile rides?

On a "true" TT bike, you will be miserable on a hill-fest ride.
Probably best to stick with a standard road bike and get aero bars (e.g. Syntace C2 with
the risers) if you really want to cheat the wind.

Best.

> which one will be more comfortable on my 40-50 mile rides?

On a "true" TT bike, you will be miserable on a hill-fest ride.
Probably best to stick with a standard road bike and get aero bars (e.g. Syntace C2 with
the risers) if you really want to cheat the wind.

Best.

yup... agreed... a true TT bike will be very painful for ur back especially for a long ride.. do what cyclefreak suggestted... or u can just do it like my bike.. i love the geometry of the bike.. fits me well, but hated the handle bar... so i swapped it. just click on my sig...

rui