Can you race a triathlon with a mountain bike?

The only restrictions are in your head. I've watched triathlons from the sidelines for 7 years!! Begin with what you have; you'll be fine. I've seen many people race with mountain bikes and they've done better than those with fancy racing bikes. Best of luck to you.

Short answer, yes. Plenty of people use mtn bikes or their 20 yr old 10 speed for the first, and sometimes many more, tris. At most tris, especially sprints, you will definitely see lots of mtn bikes. Replacing the knobby tires with some slicks will definitely help your speed, you can get some decent slicks online for probably $25 or so a tire.

Remember, just have fun. If anyone laughs at you, don't worry. They were most likely just like you at their first tri.

When I said I watched triathlons from the sidelines for 7 years I meant in all that time I kept coming up with excuses with what was missing. In the end I finally figures out that nothing was missing.

It has been my experience that people are even more encouraging to people who ride mountain bikes at a triathlon. When I rode one, almost everybody who passed me said something encouraging. I still get passed on a road bike but people aren't quite so quick to tell me that I'm lookin' good, etc.

You'll be fine on a mountain bike.

Most triathleets are so focused on their own gear and their own performace at a race that they won't even notice what someone else is using. No one will care what kind of bike you are riding. More over, there will likely be a good number of people on mt. bikes or road bikes (like me). The only thing that matter is that you get out there! And everyone will cheer you on for that.

yes ; and go for it train hard and race hard. I rode my 20 yr old cannondale from high school in my first three tri's and had to walk up bear mountain during one of them, but I still finished and did better then most in my age group.

Heck yea...

In fact, I've been beat like a red headed step child by mountain bikers... humbling to say the least.

Biggest suggestion ... change the tires to a road tire. Second biggest suggestion... have fun and don't even think about the kind of bike you have.

FWIW

Joe Moya

Did my first tri on a cheapo mtn. bike. Lots of training on one too. Do it and have fun. Feel the success fo completion.

Absolutely - my first two tri's were on mountain bikes - switched to slicks the second. You will have to work a little harder, but it will be that much sweeter (and you will be much faster) when you finally find a good road or tri bike.Go out and enjoy the race!!!If you really want to make it interesting, try one of the "off-road" tri's. Then your mountain bike will be in good company!!!!Dennis

Here's a pic of me on my hybrid bike at my first tri. People were very encouraging (in a Special Olympics kind of way). No one laughed that I heard. People ride all kinds of bikes at triathlons. And they finish. Sometimes they finish really well.

Look at it this way: the chances that you'll look more ridiculous than I did are slim, and if you do, you're doing me a big favor.

Yeah, I did mine on a mt. bike last year. I wanted to get a new road bike this year, but today took Old Blue out for his first spring run, and remembered just how much I love this little bugger. He is as cheap a bike as you can get, but with some road slicks and a bike tuneup, he runs just great!

Yes!

Does it have 2 wheels and handlebars? Does it roll?

I think I'd like to do a tri on a cruiser with a banana seat one day, just for laughs. I did my first tri on my mother-in-law's 30 year old Schwinn that we dug out of the garage, degreased and derusted. Word was she got it as a hand-me-down back in the day. The major advantage to having no/crappy equipment is that it doesn't hurt your feelings when someone passes you. You can nod philosophically and say, "Well yeah sure, if I'd blown 1500 bucks on some fancy bike I'd be passing YOU bucko." Even better on the run where you can just IMAGINE they have better equipment: "She's probably faster because she has some super aerodynamic bike and amazing wetsuit and has hardly sweated so far."

You'll be fine on ANY bike, don't let lack of $ get you down, just get out there!

I am still amazed at how much a cool bike can cost these days. On a very limited budget I put together my "tri" bike from secondhand parts (mostly from ebay, Craigs list, LBS sales, swap meets, etc.) for around $350. Not bad for a carbon tubed Trek w/ Shimano 105 stuff and aerobars that fits me. My trainer bike is my dads 20 year old steel tubed 12 speed. They get me by until I increase my performance enough to warrant a slick new speedster. Mine will be red of course.

I am helping a friend get into tris on a tight budget and we are converting his Mt bike. Slicks, a lighter seat, clip-in pedals and perhaps someclip-on aerobars. Wait for a sale at your LBS (local bike shop) for tires/tubes, pedals/shoes, etc you'll save a lot. Get on their mailing list for sale catalogs. Look out for local bike swaps like Veloswap if your near a major city. You'll also be amazed at what friends and family have laying around you may be able to borrow. Join a local tri team for help on sizing and mechanicals if your not comfortable tuning your own ride. Basic bike tuning is simple to learn, get a book and make friends with the guys at the bike shop.

Good luck.

Edited by speedlee 2005-03-07 4:24 PM

I am so glad to see this post. I just went to a bicycle show in my city this weekend and realised I can't afford a bike for my first tri. I will take my friend up on their offer of a free mountain bike if I won't be the only one there on one. My biking will suck anyway. At least now I will have an excuse!

From Ironman Canada 2000. This guy passed Bob Mina a.k.a. Hurrican Bob from xtri.com right before the end of the bike segment. No areo bars, no race wheels, no problems.







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Thats me in two weeks! well the photo anyway!!!

Awesome! I am SO putting a basket on my bike!

Just want to say thank you to everyone for the tremendous amount of support and encouragement- my hunk of metal and I feel much more at ease- thanks!

Here is my first bike.  I did my first few tris on this baby.  I actualy came in 2nd in my age group in my 2nd race.  Note: This was 198-84, and races were smaller, and not tons of women.

You may not be able to tell from the picture, but the frame is a mixte frame.  (ie a ladies bike with no top tube.)

Edited by NYtrigal 2005-03-08 12:35 AM

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NYtrigal, that is a GREAT photo!

Y'all have really inspired me. I recently liberated my Dad's 1982 5-speed Schwinn Classic; I just may do one of my tris this spring on it. I need to find some retro clothes to go with it, though.

Sorry I tossed that very retro helmet years ago.  One of these days I'm going to put together an album of photos from my various races over the years.  Some of the bikes, wetsuits, and race outfits are pretty funny.  The sport has changed a lot in 22 years, and so have I.