General Discussion Triathlon Talk » When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike? Rss Feed  
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2016-07-19 7:00 PM

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Subject: When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike?
I'm a competitive swimmer who has dabbled a little with running and biking the last couple years. This summer, I have taken my bike and run training more serious. The bike has been my weakest discipline, but I'm finally closing in on being able to maintain an 18mph average speed for a sprint distance solo ride in the mostly flat lands around here. I read somewhere once where that was about the threshold where aero efficiency gains start to pay meaningful dividends. I recognize that I still have a LOT of bike gains to make via fitness training, but I'm in the early consideration phase about whether or not to move up to a Tri/TT bike. Hey, even slow guys would like to go a little faster for the same amount of work!

My goals for triathlon are to be a "competitive" age grouper in local events at the Sprint and maybe Olympic distance. By competitive, I mean able to finish in the top 25%, and maybe contend for a podium finish once in a while at an event where multiple distances are offered and most of the really serious guys opt for a longer race. I could see myself maybe, one day, pretty far down the road, trying a HIM just to say I did it, but I don't see that ever being my preferred race distance. I really have no desire to try a full Ironman.

Please share your story about your decision to step up from a road bike to a Tri bike and whether now, with the benefit of hindsight, you think it was worth it to do so when you did. I'm particularly interested to hear from the short race specialists out there.



2016-07-19 7:17 PM
in reply to: 0

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Expert
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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: RE: When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike?
I bought my first tri bike a few days before my first tri.

If you can afford it.....and you want one.....get it.

**Edit.......When I first started, I also thought I might do a HIM in the future......but I had no desire to do the IM. Fast forward about 10 races......and my next 4 races will be HIM's......followed by an IM, next fall.

Good luck!

Edited by nc452010 2016-07-19 7:20 PM
2016-07-20 9:54 AM
in reply to: gary p


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Subject: RE: When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike?
I'm no specialist of any length of race.
I'm no top 25% either, and never will be.

I was fat...lost a lot.
I started tris on a hybrid.
I knew I loved doing tris and 'training' for them....it helps me stay motivated to keep the weight off and I like mixing up running, swimming, cycling, occasional weight lifting.
When I was sure I was going to keep doing them....it was time to move from the hybrid.

At the time....I could have bought a good-to-slightly-better-than-good road bike or a clearance tri-bike for about the same price.

My brother (a pure cyclist) talked me into the road bike.
-easier and more welcomed on group rides
-more versatile in terms of riding hills, "fun rides", riding in "town" with stoplights, stop signs, traffic, dog walkers.....etc.
-a little bit less of a learning curve
-tri bike is pretty much suited for 'training' and racing and not so much for other things
-the 'speed' benefits of a tri-bike appear to be more marginal....the shorter the distance
-road bike generally cheaper
-I'm not racing to come in x place out of y.

In the end, I really only ride to "train" or "race" and rarely ride in groups...if ever.
I could have saved myself some money and some frustration going with that tri-bike up front. I just bought one. A used one. Now I have 3 bikes.

I did a 70.3 on a road bike. Complete comfort. Outperformed my overall expectations and my bike leg expectations. Having ridden a tri-bike now....once....I'm pretty sure I would have gone faster. I might have been 140 out of 210 in my AG, as opposed to 147th out of 210.

If you have the money and the desire.....do it.
If you're not sure about either.....start saving! If you still have the desire in a bit, you'll have the money. If you don't wind up with the desire, you can take your spouse to a beach.
2016-07-20 10:12 AM
in reply to: gary p

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Subject: RE: When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike?
Former competitive swimmer here. You have the right attitude about working on the engine, that is almost always more important than the bike.

Road bikes are good for group riding (drafting or in a peloton, like the TdF). If you want to be competitive in triathlon (which is an individual event, assuming you are asking about non-draft legal events), you should get a tri bike. The aero benefits cannot be undervalued, especially in shorter races. That being said, get the right size and get a bike fit.

I did my first tri (sprint) on a mountain bike. Ouch. I did my second tri (olympic) on a used road bike. Less ouch. Then I bought a used tri bike on Craigslist and have never looked back.

What does your run fitness look like? Could be some low hanging fruit there too.
2016-07-20 10:32 AM
in reply to: gary p

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Subject: RE: When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike?
When or if to get a tri bike is a personnel choice. If you have the money and really want it, then go for it.

I always suggest that people get a road bike first, it's a much more versatile machine. being top 25% or on the podium can be as simple as going to a small event that only slow people show up at.

In a sprint tri the tri bike might save you 1 or 2 minutes over a road bike. So it's not going to take you from MOP to FOP. The aero advantages help at all speed ranges, but as you get faster more and more power is required to overcome the wind.
The tri bike will also be less stable than a road bike(twitchy), so this is something you want to take into consideration as well.

If you are on a well set up road bike now doing a flat sprint coarse at 18mph and go to a well set up tri bike I would guess you would jump to between 18.5 to 19.5mph. You may not jump that much on day one, the muscles used are slightly different so day one you may notice no change.

The best way to get faster on the bike is to ride more!
2016-07-20 10:43 AM
in reply to: 0


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Sarasota, Florida
Subject: RE: When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike?
Glad you posted this because I often wonder. I have always adapted an aero-like position and consequently only saw 1-2 mph gain going from mtb to road bike though the comfort is much better and like it or not 1-2 mph can mean 10 minute difference in an Oly. As much as I don't want to invest in my old road bike I have been tempted to try aero bar clip ons and a fast forward seat post.

I know you can grab a low end tri bike for $500 or so but I don't want junk but currently view my split as being junky. I mean, the pros average 27 mph! How much gain do they really get from a tri bike? I'd rather focus on my legs before committing to a new bike.

I'm also curious if many rent a tri bike for their events.

Edited by runtim23 2016-07-20 11:00 AM


2016-07-20 10:45 AM
in reply to: gary p

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Subject: RE: When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike?
Also....don't automatically assume a road bike is more comfortable. I'm MUCH more comfortable on my tri bike (v. my road bike).
2016-07-20 10:57 AM
in reply to: gary p

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Subject: RE: When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike?
Mine was a two step process.

Step 1: Get road bike to have versatility; Group rides and triathlon. I paid $275 and got a Retul fit to dial in a great TT position on my road bike with clip-on aerobars. I had to pay a few more pennies for a new stem and Fast Forward setpost to move my saddle forward to a good TT position.

That AND riding more frequently took me from 20-21 mph to 22-23 mph in sprint tri bike paces in a matter of months.

With that setup I was able to average 23+ mph in Olympic distance races (USAT Nationals for one). I also did a 5K Time Trial on that setup averaging nearly 28 mph on a flat course.

With a good position on a road bike with aerobars you can be pretty quick. It's mostly about the engine I must say.

For group rides I would simply remove the aerobars but I did leave the FF seatpost and stem in place. It wasn't the ideal road bike position but for group rides I was just fine.

I then was able to afford a TT bike and now I have both. I'm a little faster now on the TT bike but since I had a great position before I'm not MUCH faster, maybe 1 mph at best.

If your heart is in Triathlon and you won't be doing may group rides then go for the TT bike.
If you want flexibility to do both, try the clip on aerobars and maybe FF seatpost and stem

I highly recommend the Retul Fit, it does cost $250-300 but if done properly it will dial you in to a great position, especially if you go for the TT bike option.
2016-07-20 11:07 AM
in reply to: gary p

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Subject: RE: When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike?
I think it was noted already, but I would say, get some clip on aero bars and you're 95% of the way there (assuming good fit/body position).

If you want to get fast, I would recommend investing in a power meter (and training with it properly) before buying a tri bike. You will see much more gains that way.
2016-07-20 4:19 PM
in reply to: gary p

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Subject: RE: When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike?

I got my TT bike when I found myself standing on the 3rd rung of the age group podium, looking up at guys that beat me by less than a minute.

2016-07-20 4:34 PM
in reply to: gary p


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Subject: RE: When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike?

If you can afford it without undue stress, there is no reason for you to not get  a TT bike.

You will definitely use it, and with your sports background, you will do it justice (meaning you won't just quit the sport after a year.

You will likely be in the FOMOP to FOP very soon, if not immediately, so all the more reason to get the good gear up front.

I started with a TT bike, didn't own a separate road bike until 3 years later, and never had a problem or wished I had a road bike. Did plenty of group roadie rides with the TT bike as well, no problem.



2016-07-20 9:38 PM
in reply to: yazmaster


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Subject: RE: When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike?
I train in town and out in the country. I chose a road bike with clip on aero bars because when I am riding in town I want to be on the hoods and able to grab some brake. There are many threads about speed / wattage gains with different bike modifications / configurations. If I read these right, getting in to aero gives you double digit improvements. Pretty much everything else is incremental.

I am happy with the trade off I have made with the selection of my bike. On the other hand, I am a 61 y.o. Late onset triathlete that cares not about being on the podium, so take that for what it's worth.
2016-07-21 11:00 AM
in reply to: 3mar

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Subject: RE: When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike?

Originally posted by 3mar I think it was noted already, but I would say, get some clip on aero bars and you're 95% of the way there (assuming good fit/body position). If you want to get fast, I would recommend investing in a power meter (and training with it properly) before buying a tri bike. You will see much more gains that way.
That 95% has still a lot left on the table as shown below with one field test scenario, even if the TT CdA is a bit higher, and speed slower I'd still take those savings if the $ means are there. TT bike with power meter = ideal, TT bike and VP on a trainer still does wonders for Sprints & Olys, btdt.

OP, locally there are a few older former competitive D1 swimmers that are always on the overall / AG podiums.  Years of training provide a solid basis for multi sport.  One guy was a few years out of college, was my son's swim coach at the Y, and I got him into tri's. He became hooked and in 2-3 years time he became one of the top triathletes in the area.  Was cool seeing him rise, in the beginning I was pushing him on the bike then he quickly left me behind doing Sprints at 25+mph and oly's at 24+mph.

40km/h, estimated 0.256 CdA, ~261W

40km/h, estimated 0.230 CdA, ~229W

2016-07-21 1:33 PM
in reply to: Donto

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Subject: RE: When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike?
That is not at all what I would expect. The positions look very similar. Is it the aerodynamics of the frame too?
2016-07-21 2:33 PM
in reply to: gary p

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Subject: RE: When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike?
I'd draft legal takes off you won't need one.
2016-07-21 3:52 PM
in reply to: 3mar

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Subject: RE: When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike?

Originally posted by 3mar That is not at all what I would expect. The positions look very similar. Is it the aerodynamics of the frame too?
Bike and position, if you notice the wheels and rider apparel are the same.  Have you read this article before?



2016-07-22 9:49 AM
in reply to: Donto

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Subject: RE: When is it time to upgrade to a Tri/TT bike?

My decision was made into second year of racing on a $200 road bike I purchased off craigslist. I was starting to get competitive and finding myself on the podium in races with heavy road bike. I knew I had higher chance for winning my age group with better race equipment so purchased my Tri bike. One of the best decisions I ever made in the sport. Love my Tri bike.
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