257Bill

I'm an over 60 bike rider looking to get a carbon fiber bike. I think I am looking for a used Robaix or similar road bike. At my age riding all bent over doesn't sound like a lot of fun. So the weird thing is I am finding better prices on carbon Tri bikes than road bikes. In my eyes all I would have to do is raise the handle bars and adjust the seat and I could make a tri into a road. Might need to trade out the handle bars but not sure.

So could some of you more experienced riders tell me if I am wrong in my thinking. I'm currently riding a nice gravel but looking to move to a lighter bike to increase speed and distance. I live in East Tennessee so getting up and down hills is also an issue. Not looking to get into racing, just wanting to keep up with a buddy on a Robaix. Thanks.

Plainsman

I’ve done it, converted a Cervelo P2-SL to a road bike. With the right stem swap you can get the geometry to work, but a carbon tri bike will not be your best bet for weight savings. While the material gives a good ride, the deeper section aerodynamic tubes add some weight you wouldn’t have in a carbon fiber road bike. (This was my wife’s aluminum tri bike - my carbon Cervelo P2C weighed only slightly less, but was heavier than my Scott road bike)

Steve B.

Many tri bikes were designed with steep seat tube angles like 78 deg., Vs. 73-74 for standard road bikes. It was supposed to help with upper leg muscle use withe the run following.

I would not want a road bike with that design, not while riding on a standard drop bar.

datlas 

Agree with above.

Don’t do it!

Atlas Shrugged

What you are looking for and what a tri bike is are at opposite ends of the road bike spectrum. I am sure you could get it to work much like Cuba was able to keep 1950’s cars on the road by hacking together a solution. Take a motor out of a tractor put it in a Chevy kind of solution. You would be better off keeping your eye out for a proper endurance bike either new or used within your budget. I find used prices so inflated right now its comparable value.

257Bill

Scarcity is part of my problems. I can find a lot of 58 to 62 cm bikes but I need a 54cm. In that size range I'm seeing used prices $1500 and up. I wouldn't mind that price but that is on bikes almost 10 years old. I hate to buy a bike that old and pay that much. I've been to several bike stores and they don't even have a bike my size in stock. On the other hand I have found 3 or 4 tri bikes for less than $900. Just seemed like a much better deal if I could make it comfortable. Thanks for all of the input.

Dean V

Don't do it. The geometry is all wrong.
Also any savings you might think you made will be long gone by the time you convert it to a drop bar set up, even if you could get the geometry to work.

mstateglfr 

Expand your search radius.

seypat

It can most likely be done. Give it a try. If at first you don't succeed, it will be try, try again. I'm talking about the bike, of course.

alcjphil

This article give some good explanations of the difference between a road bike and a TT bike. However, Tri bikes can have even more extreme differences than UCI legal TT bikes

​​​​​​https://www.cyclingnews.com/features...-vs-road-bike/

blacknbluebikes 

Tri bikes are around because people buy nice tri bikes and then quit doing triathlons, then realize that the bike is "fit for that purpose, not fit for this purpose." Tri/TT's are designed to go fast for a race. Great, but rather at-odds with with important factors for non-racing enthusiasts. So, yes, you can remove the aerobars, shorten and angle up the handlebar stem, maybe increase the effective seat tube angle if it lets you (like a Cervelo p2k) and give it some friendly gearing. But, at the end, you'll probably wish you just found the Roubaix.

seymour1910

Are you near Knoxville?

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/bik...288148237.html

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/bik...293173660.html

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/bik...287647691.html

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/bik...298984072.html

257Bill

Alright guys, I listened to you. I broadened my search circle out to 100 miles instead of the 60 it was set on. Up popped a Trek Domane in really nice shape. Had to drive 2 hours each way but got it home. Can't wait till Monday and I can take it for a spin. Thanks for helping me not make a mistake. Bill

datlas 

Let us know how you like it.

257Bill

Well I have been off of here for a few months. Got the Trek and love it. I've logged a few hundred miles and think I did the right thing staying with a road bike. Thanks for all of the input. My speed and distance have improved and love riding again. Bill

tempocyclist

If you love riding again and are loving the Trek road bike, then you definitely made the right decision!

pgjackson

I noticed while watching the Olympic triathlon it looked like most competitors were riding either straight up road bikes or Tri bikes converted to road style. Most seemed to ride on the hoods or drops, not the full aero position.

Maelochs

I cannot believe it .... a BF thread with no arguing and a happy ending. My faith in humankind is ..... well, at least not more tarnished than it was before I opened this thread.

Bolo Grubb

May have been a hilly time trial course. They often use lighter climbing bike with tri bars if the course is hilly enough

tempocyclist

Triathlon at the Olympic Games is draft legal, so they'd be mostly on road bikes.

In most other triathlon events (Ironman, Challenge, etc) drafting is illegal, so they use TT / tri style bikes.

BHG6

Sure you can. It all depends what you find to be comfortable though. Most TT or Tri bikes are pretty stiff and unforgiving....I repurposed my old TT bike as a road bike contraption but, it's incredibly stiff so you feel every little bump in the road....on the other hand, it’s great for doing sprints and intervals

sced

My Cyfac Le Mythique rides great