Triathlon - Road vs. Tri?

I posted this in the road section and got mostly pro-road responses (which is fine), but I thought I should try to get some tri-specific responses for balance...

I want to get started biking and competing in some triathlons, but I'm not sure what kind of bike to get to start off. I'm really competitive and could see myself becoming serious about triathlons, but I also want to be able to go out for long recreational rides with friends. Someday I'd like to bike across the U.S.

I have talked to a couple of shops, and one recommended the 2004 Cervelo One, an entry-level tri bike that they say is versatile enough for most of what I'd want to do (only 75 degree seat tube angle). Another recommended the 2005 Specialized Allez Elite. I've talked to a friend who is really serious about triathlons (and biking in general, but mostly tri), and he said he'd recommend going with the One, as it would be more versatile between just going out for long road/group rides and actually competing. I'm leaning in that direction now, but I was hoping to get some insight from more people on those bikes specifically, and also generally on triathlon vs. regular road bike geometry.

A few people I ride with use the one and they have only had good things to say about it

Another possibilty is to just get a normal road bike and throw on some slip-on aerobars (many people do this when they start out)
I know that the 2004 Cervelo Soloist105 (Not sure about the 2005) has a seat tube specially desinged for going from a normal road bike to a Tri-specific bike. But there are other people on this forum who have more experience with this kind of things

Just thought I'd pitch in

Good Luck

Peace
Tyler

If you're only going to have one bike, make it a road bike. The reason for this is that a road bike is best for riding with others, and its a bit more comfortable for many. It is also easier to climb.

That said, if tris are all you want to do, and you never ride in groups, I see no reason not to get a tri bike. Just know that many group rides will not let you ride due to safety concerns.

The soloist is a good choice for a bike that does both. The frame/seat-tube were designed to work in both the forward and back seat positions, allowing you to put aerobars on the frame without ruining the riding characteristics and the position.

I suggest the soloist centaur for $2k if you only want one bike. If you were looking for a less expenisve bike, I still suggest a road bike over a tri bike.

I thought I'd add: search at slowtwitch.com or trinewbies and you will hear much the same. 1 bike = roadbike, tri bike = 2nd bike. Good luck with your shopping

is there a tri-bike with drop bars and aero bars? Or if you make any tri-bike into this configuration will it be ok for group rides?

is there a tri-bike with drop bars and aero bars? Or if you make any tri-bike into this configuration will it be ok for group rides?

Yes, the Cervelo one. Not sure about it's apporiateness for a group ride, but it has a relaxed Tri configuration, I think 75 degrees with a reversible seatpost that will make it a 78 degree setup and drop-bars and STI shifters. They are not making it for 2005, but you might be able to find a 2004 if you start looking now. Either that or look for a used one on eBay or other location.

cervelo soloist has this also, but the centaur version is $2k. They aren't making the soloist 105 anymore.

I think it's ridiculous for groups to exlude riders on tri bikes.

I have a lemond road bike and cervelo dual tri bike.

you can ride a tri bike in a group, just stay on the pursuit bars where you can reach the brakes.

you can reach over when you have to shift, it's not much more difficult than reaching for the old style downtube shifters.

I ride the lemond in groups usually, for one reason, I just want my cervelo to last forever, I 'm in love with it:)

road geometry is more comfortable for long rides, at least for me.

if I were to only get one bike - it would be the cervelo soloist.

giant 's tcr aero bikes are an option too.

they are not really tri geometry , but they are steeper than most road bikes. slightly.

and they have clip ons , drop bars with sti.

On this subject.......
I borrowed a 20+ year old bike to do my first triathlons last summer. I really enjoyed doing them but realized I really need a better bike.

I read somewhere that Australians & Europeans tend to favor road bikes for tri's whereas Americans go for the speciality tri bike.

I will only be doing triathlons with this bike and I know people in this thread recommend tri bike for purely tri but I was wondering what's the differences/advantages?

BTW - I will only doing 50 miles max in races and I'm new to bike riding(competitively obviously have ridden before!!).

Thanks.

Mike

Most Tri's are draft legal in Europe hence the preference towards road bike as supposed to the non-draft legal races here in the states where a tri bike might be a better option. There is no reason why you can't use a road bike in a non-drafting race though... Personal preference (and I guess money for two bikes) comes into play..

I think it's ridiculous for groups to exlude riders on tri bikes.


They are discouraged in groups because of the danger associated with drafting when in the aerobars. If a rider agrees to not use the bars in the pack, they are typically not excluded. There were several tri-bikes in with the group rides I did, but before the start, several people went over to say "You aren't going to draft when in the aerobars are you?" People dropped in when they were in front of the pack or when they were dropped. Everything was fine. On one ride though, someone dropped in while in the middle of the pack and got a severe scolding by everyone that saw them do it, the instant they did it.

that's the way to handle it I think.

I think it's ridiculous for groups to exlude riders on tri bikes.

I have a lemond road bike and cervelo dual tri bike.

you can ride a tri bike in a group, just stay on the pursuit bars where you can reach the brakes.

you can reach over when you have to shift, it's not much more difficult than reaching for the old style downtube shifters.

I ride the lemond in groups usually, for one reason, I just want my cervelo to last forever, I 'm in love with it:)

road geometry is more comfortable for long rides, at least for me.

if I were to only get one bike - it would be the cervelo soloist.

giant 's tcr aero bikes are an option too.

they are not really tri geometry , but they are steeper than most road bikes. slightly.

and they have clip ons , drop bars with sti.

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im just kidding with you

I think you'll be fine with the tri bike if that's the route you take. I believe Cervelo stopped making the One this year, but several people on trifuel have recommended the Dual. You can read reviews on it here:
http://gear.trifuel.com/review.cgi?ID=418

I've also had several people recommend the Giant OCR series road bike that they converted to tri specific and as well the Kestrels.

If you are planning to ride with a group (of roadies), I would highly recommend not getting a tri bike. Also, it doesn't say where you live, but if the terrain is hillly, a road bikes shallower seat tube geometry would be a better choice.

Take a look at the Kestrel Talon. Really quite a fantastic bike! (no, I don't work for Kestrel, but yes, that is my bike). :)

you aren't the first one to kid me about that - I guess as i get older and my eyesight gets worse, space is a good thing:-)