doing first tri with "regular" bike?

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2008-08-19 4:16 PM


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Subject: doing first tri with "regular" bike?

Hey guys!

 I'm registering for my first tri this year and cannot afford a really nice bike. I have a mountain bike in good shape, plenty of gears, but it's not built for racing, more of an everyday mountain bike. Can I race with it? I really don't have a choice.

 

I'm well conditioned with a full marathon and several half marathons, 10k's and 5ks under my belt, and am starting to swim. This is the only thing standing in my way...if it is at all!

 

Thanks in advance

 

Chance 

2008-08-19 4:18 PM
in reply to: #1614521

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Subject: RE: doing first tri with "regular" bike?

I believe it was "the bear" who said, the best way to make any bike a tri bike is to enter a tri with it.

 

You'll be fine, I've seen quite a few things and a lot of mountain bikes in tri's...

 

Best thing I ever saw...well, one of the best was a drop tube hybrid comfort bike with a seat the size of Cincinnati with clip on aerobars mounted on it 

2008-08-19 4:21 PM
in reply to: #1614521

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Subject: RE: doing first tri with "regular" bike?
Do it and have fun. If you want you can replace the knobby tires with smooth tires to make it a little bit easier going. Hey, you never know -- you might win a new tri bike in a raffle or something.
2008-08-19 4:23 PM
in reply to: #1614521


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Subject: RE: doing first tri with "regular" bike?
Thanks!!! It's a dream of mine to have a really nice tri bike someday. So if nothing else, this is temporary
2008-08-19 4:28 PM
in reply to: #1614521

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Subject: RE: doing first tri with "regular" bike?

I was volunteering at a race this spring when a girl rode by me on a Spalding 10 speed....yes, SPALDING..the bike was probably a veteran of numerous garage sales between the mid-70's and now......

 I was perplexed at first but then I realized that she was having the same fun and having the same experiences as those of us who ride purpose built bikes with carbon this and aero that.....

2008-08-19 5:46 PM
in reply to: #1614521

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Subject: RE: doing first tri with "regular" bike?
Agree with above, but definitely advocate an inexpensive set of slick tires instead of knobby ones.

2008-08-19 6:08 PM
in reply to: #1614521

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Subject: RE: doing first tri with "regular" bike?
Race is certainly not the word for what I do at Tri's. It's more like just trying to finish the miles rater than competing with others. You will not be last and you definitely will not be first just do the best you can with what you got and have FUN.
2008-08-19 6:19 PM
in reply to: #1614699


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Subject: RE: doing first tri with "regular" bike?

joekennedy7 - 2008-08-19 7:08 PM Race is certainly not the word for what I do at Tri's. It's more like just trying to finish the miles rater than competing with others. You will not be last and you definitely will not be first just do the best you can with what you got and have FUN.

 

That's exactly how I feel. The only time I truly RACE is at a 5 or 10k. This is about the experience for me and taking my training in a different direction than marathon training. Should be fun! 

2008-08-19 10:59 PM
in reply to: #1614521


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Subject: RE: doing first tri with "regular" bike?
Did my first tri on a single speed cross bike.  I was going to get slicks, but at the end of the day it would have put me $100 further from a real tri bike.  I finished, learned a ton and had a blast.  I bet with your level of conditioning you'll pass plenty of road bikes.
2008-08-20 2:36 PM
in reply to: #1614521

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Subject: RE: doing first tri with "regular" bike?

I did my first tri on a MTB and it went fine.  Granted, I was the only one out there with one, I still finished about middle of the pack on the bike section :D

 

You can pick up some slicks for about $40 and they will make a huge difference over knobby tires.  Probably earn you a good 4-5km/h. 

2008-08-20 2:44 PM
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Subject: RE: doing first tri with "regular" bike?

Don't worry.  You can turn almost anything into a racing bike.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JtZkNXfes4 



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