Does it matter Yes .. is it needed No ..depends on your objectives.. 1st M. ultraman, you a accurate when saying that roadies a generellay faster than Tri guys.. not because of their bikes (or lack of) but rather because of their training .. I race dus.. andl let me tell you something, .. if you blow me off with your bike, I will most likely blow you off by twice on the run .. I am not better, I just train differently.. If I would spend all my training time on one discipline, I would most likely be pretty darn good at biking.. Can you make a road bike work, absolutely, thats what I have .. the two things you will most likely have a problem with are forward setting of the saddle and drop between the top of the saddle and the top of the arm rest ..