Originally Posted by
OldTryGuy
I'm feeling pretty good right now after reading your reply because I, at 63, am training for my first Ironman. My first Half Ironman was in May where I averaged 20.45 for the 56 miles after the 1.2 mile swim and I'm working to average 21 for the 112. I have never been professionally fitted and just purchased a slightly larger than needed bike because I was looking for comfort not all out power/speed. After reading about shims for cleats and micro seat adjustments and factors involved during professional fittings I have to wonder if I am holding myself back???? Guess I'll never know since I'm too old to try something new.
You are my hero.
Congrats on your success. I grew up swimming competitively but can't run worth a lick any more and come up lame if I run barely enough to train for any sort of competition. I can still swim though and bike.
I understand your rational for wanting a taller aka bigger size Tri bike. Basically the same tenant applies to Tri bikes as road bikes...longer head tube = more upright. You maybe in the best position...but you really don't know until you try other positions. Depending on how much you get into it...I suggest putting your tri bike on a trainer and experimenting with different stem lengths and rises. You can go with a shorty negative rise stem to slam your bars if you are catching too much air. For me the tradeoff is comfort for distance riding versus how much air I catch. A younger man than me is just going to be more aero and so I have to put out more watts to keep up.
All the best in your competitive riding pursuits.