tri bike vs. tt wheels

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2008-09-04 1:37 AM


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Subject: tri bike vs. tt wheels

I'm trying to decide which of the following would most improve my bike split in races:

1. Buying a good set of aero wheels for my road bike

2. Buying a tri bike and using the wheels that come with it

 

Thanks in advance for your help. 

2008-09-04 1:45 AM
in reply to: #1648332

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Expert
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Denver, Colorado
Subject: RE: tri bike vs. tt wheels
I vote for buying the tri bike. If you can get into the aerobars you'll become more aerodynamic and that will improve your bike split. Although you can but clip-on aerobars on a road bike, your positioning won't be quite the same and it won't be as good as a well-fitted tri bike. Being in the right position for the bike will make your run split better too.
2008-09-04 8:26 AM
in reply to: #1648332

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Master
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Millersville, MD
Subject: RE: tri bike vs. tt wheels

x2 on the tri bike... you'll get far more aero benefit from reducing frontal area than from having race wheels (which you could always rent if you don't have the cash but want the benefit)...

 

 

... but by far the best thing to do to get faster is to put in some serious work on the bike.  Ride lots, ride hard sometimes.

2008-09-04 10:01 AM
in reply to: #1648332

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Champion
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Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: tri bike vs. tt wheels

What are you riding now and what is your budget?

I have a fairly new Cannondale road bike with clip-on aerobars that I'm comfortable on.  I was able to find some slightly-used HED.3 wheels for a lot less than the price of a new bike.  I figured I could always put the wheels on a new tri bike whenever I get around to buying one.

Mark

2008-09-05 12:20 AM
in reply to: #1648332


2

Subject: RE: tri bike vs. tt wheels

I'm currently riding with clip ons for my road bike, but the geometry of a road bike doesn't lend to the best possible positioning, neither in aerodynamics nor comfort.

For anyone that has done races with a road bike and then made the switch to a tri bike, has it made enough of a difference to warrant spending the extra cash that a bike costs over wheels? 

2008-09-05 7:02 AM
in reply to: #1648951

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Champion
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Charlottesville, Virginia
Subject: RE: tri bike vs. tt wheels
RedCorvette - 2008-09-04 11:01 AM

What are you riding now and what is your budget?

I have a fairly new Cannondale road bike with clip-on aerobars that I'm comfortable on.  I was able to find some slightly-used HED.3 wheels for a lot less than the price of a new bike.  I figured I could always put the wheels on a new tri bike whenever I get around to buying one.

Mark

My exact setup, just waiting to get the wheels.  I figure next year or so when I get a Tri bike I can convert my road bike back to a pure roadbike setup and have 2 nice bikes.

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