Tri or road bike?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 14
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Tri or road bike?
Note sure if this debate has raged here before or not but (maybe it isn't a debate).....why do we need tri bike for triathlon vs. road bike....I find road bike easier to ride especially in hilly, twisty areas where I ride (Bay Area/Tahoe)....I am training for triathlon but on my road bike.....the usal comments I hear is that the the tri bike is designed for flat, straight racing and that the tri bike geometry favors muscle groups needed for other sports notably running....I find the transition from bike to run tough no matter what the bike ;-) Look forward to your comments.....I am pretty new to tri, my strength if I have one is running....
#2
IM140.6
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Golden, Colorado - USA
Posts: 285
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
see my comments here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/triathlon/77428-good-value-tri-bike-beginner.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/triathlon/77428-good-value-tri-bike-beginner.html
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 14
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks, those are good comments......sounds like you have to be a good bit along on the performance curve before the differences start to register....
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Bikes: 2 many
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times
in
169 Posts
The tri bikes have a more forward seat position compared to the pedals. The seat tube is straighter up than a road bike. They say this is to ease the transition from running to riding. It's not bent over as far as a road bike, it's a little closer to straight up.
#5
On Your Right
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Warner Robins, GA
Posts: 1,422
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by us50090
why do we need tri bike for triathlon vs. road bike
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Bikes: 2 many
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times
in
169 Posts
Originally Posted by ZackJones
You don't have to have a tri specific bike to do triathlons (which sounds kind of funny coming from somone who just bought a tri specific bike). Since you're getting into traithlons your current equipment is just fine. Add a set of aerobars and get used to riding with them and do your first triathlon. In my case I just bought a tri specific bike becuase I will be concentrating on triathlons for at least the next two years. My focus is on longer distance (1/2 IM and IM distances) so a tri specific bike made sense. That and it was just so damn beautiful I had to have it
I would also add, that I rode a tri bike for many years as a road bike.
#7
Uphill commuter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Syracuse, New York
Posts: 10
Bikes: Felt F80, Specialized Allez, Specialized RockHopper, Franklin Crit (fixed gear)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
you could also get a profile seat post which will put you over the pedals... it is cheaper than a tri-bike
#8
IM140.6
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Golden, Colorado - USA
Posts: 285
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by ajhuffman1
you could also get a profile seat post which will put you over the pedals... it is cheaper than a tri-bike
That purpose can change (and in turn change you bike set-up) depending on if you just do TT's (and not run after), do a short Olympic distance event or an Ironman Triathlon.