kathmustdie

Been offered to buy a TT/Triathlon bike. The deal seems very good but I needed to ask a few questions before I proceed with the purchase.

I pretty much dropped 40 KGS only through cycling. Previously owned a Schwinn sporterra hybrid. Recently moved countries and couldn't take my bike and I want to get back into cycling.

The triathlon bike is something I always wanted to own. But I do need to know if it's worth it. I usually ride solo, and would do about 40 kms per day in the mornings. Would a TT bike be good for this? How would it fare on steep or uphill climbs? I know it does have a steeper riding geometry but I am willing to get accustomed to it.

I am not looking to do group rides, participate competitively or even commute. Just need the bike to kill time in the morning (usually before my university lectures start) and get back into long distance cycling.

What would you guys suggest?

obed7

A TT bike is not something I would consider for long distance rides, but that is just me...
how does it feel to you?

Elvo

Do you ride time trials or tri's?

achoo

40 km isn't really long distance.

I think you'd be fine, as long as you don't ride in crowded areas or in groups - TT/tri bikes give up a LOT of handling and braking ability in order to be as aero as possible.

Some groups won't even allow TT/tri bikes in their group rides.

Try riding it first, though. You may find the different position not to your liking.

TenSpeedV2

I really want to commute to work on a TT bike. Why? Just because. Nothing I ride makes much sense. Go for it OP!

Stucky

Everyone's different. Some people need a relaxed geo with a fred stem to ride 10 miles....others could probably ride a TT 80 miles and not mind it. OP, I think you're just going to have to try it and see how it works out. If it's a good deal, you can alweays sell it if it doesn't work out, and not lose anything. The only way you'll know for sure, is to try.

knobster

Those types of bikes are specific to their intended use. Kinda like a downhill mountain bike. Could you ride it on regular trails, sure, but it's not going to be quite as the standard mountain bike. A TT/Tri bike will work on the road, but it's not going to be great. My wife had one for racing triathlons and only raced it twice. Found she was faster on her road bike as the Tri bike wasn't nearly as comfortable and it affected her speed. But it's up to you and if you want it and have the funds, why not.

I ride a cyclocross bike as a road bike so what do I know....

Looigi

Coincidentally, I was recently talking to an older guy (mid 50's ?) who's an avid triathlete and frequently does longer rides, some 100+ miles, on his TT bike. He says he loves the position for longer rides.

cvskates

I sold my road bike to partly finance my tri-bike, and for a lot of the same reasons as the OP. I prefer to ride on my own, I don't do club rides, and it's not completely unpractical for my normal routes.

Having said that, I would't have bought one was I not doing tri's, and I do have a touring bike I use for running errands and foul weather commuting.

I love it it for longer rides, and it's a super fun bike to ride. I would say grab it if you've always wanted one When I'm riding just to ride, I love by Triathlon bike.