General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help! Rss Feed  
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2010-03-25 6:28 PM

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Expert
924
500100100100100
Western WI
Subject: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!

I AM getting a new bike.  And I've been doing a fair amount of research.  But I CANNOT decide on a tri bike or a road bike...GRRR!


Some background info:
-I am a month into training for my second IM. 
-This purchase is going to happen in the next 30 days (yay for tax refunds! )
-I am coming off an aluminum road bike with clip on aero bars that I've had for a number of years and has gotten me through HIMs and an IM.
-I was pretty convinced that I wanted a tri bike but my husband keeps asking me if I’m sure and questions if it’ll last me a good long while.  This makes me second guess myself…
-I’m planning on about $3500.

For those of you who have had to make this decision – which did you pick and why?

Thanks!



2010-03-25 6:39 PM
in reply to: #2749275

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Master
1572
10005002525
PA
Subject: RE: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!
Is the majority of your riding in groups?  Harder to ride a tri bike in groups b/c I find I'm almost always sitting up in groups.
2010-03-25 6:49 PM
in reply to: #2749275

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Veteran
190
100252525
Lakeville, Minnesota
Subject: RE: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!
I struggled with the same decision and ended up with a Tri Bike. I rarely ride with a group, usually solo or with one other person. In the end I based my decision on what I plan to do over the next five years...mainly triathlons. I didn't see myself riding in just road races. I bought the bike last summer and couldn't be happier with the outcome. Good luck making your decision, you really can't go wrong either way because you'll have a new bike!
2010-03-25 7:08 PM
in reply to: #2749275

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Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!
Hands down get a tri bike.

You have a road bike you can use if you want to do group rides that frown on road bikes.

You will be surprised how much different riding a tri bike is compared to road bike with clip ons. The geometry of a tri bike is designed to be ridden in aero, road bike clip on aerobars is a fix for a bike that isn't made to be ridden that way.

Why do you second guess your first thought to get tri bike?

There are many great tri carbon tri bikes in the $2-3500 price range.
2010-03-25 9:11 PM
in reply to: #2749275

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Veteran
379
100100100252525
NYC
Subject: RE: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!
Let me introduce one more option for you: A $2500-$2800 tri bike and a used road bike for $700-$1000.

I'm not sure you get much more bike for spending $3500 instead of $2500-$2800 on a tri bike.

2010-03-26 1:46 AM
in reply to: #2749275


798
500100100252525
Subject: RE: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!
If you can keep the roadie and spend $3500 I would say get a tri-bike.  For that amount, you could probably get a fitting, a nice carbon frame and some race wheels (disc cover, SRAM's, used H3's, etc.).


2010-03-26 5:32 AM
in reply to: #2749275

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2010-03-26 7:26 AM
in reply to: #2749275

Expert
1046
100025
Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: RE: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!
My personal experience/opinion is that many beginner and even intermediate racers would be faster, and ride more often on a roadie. I think any veteran racer, especially iron-distance racers, can absolutely get the advantages out of a tri geometry bike - period. Probably up to 1 or 2 MPH, which is freakin' huge.... Try to get than from an aero carbon water bottle cage. But I don't really enjoy riding my professionally fit tri bike nearly as much as I like my road bike.  And if I had one nice bike, tri or road, and one buddy-bike .... I know me; I'd always be on the nice bike. So, if I could only only have one, I'd take a really nice road bike over a really nice tri bike, or even over a medium nice tri bike and a low-end roadie.



(Cannondale Slice w. Ultegra 6700 & Reynolds DV3Ks Compress 2 004.jpg)



(Nation's Tri 006CC.jpg)



Attachments
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Cannondale Slice w. Ultegra 6700 & Reynolds DV3Ks Compress 2 004.jpg (31KB - 9 downloads)
Nation's Tri 006CC.jpg (35KB - 8 downloads)
2010-03-26 9:52 AM
in reply to: #2749275

Master
1402
1000100100100100
Cumming, Georgia
Subject: RE: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!

I just very recently debated this and had a perfectly good road bike that I got rid of for a tri bike.  I would liked to have kept them both but my wife was not thrilled with that.  I based my decision on the goals I have over the next few years.  This year I will be doing my second HIM and a first full IM.  I don't do a lot of group riding and would rather be comfortable when training/racing versus comfortable when I group ride.  I find that I am comfortable being out of aero so it's not a big deal for me to group ride on my tri bike.

If I did a lot of group riding or was only doing shorter races I would opt for a road bike and put some aerobars on it.

2010-03-27 4:21 PM
in reply to: #2749275

Expert
924
500100100100100
Western WI
Subject: RE: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!
I really appreciate all the feed back.  

In my mind I was planning on selling the roadie...I think my hesitation was "what if I need a road bike...?"  But now I think I'll just keep it then if for whatever reason I need a road bike - it's there.   And you're all right - think about the future and how it'll be used.  I forsee all of my riding to be training for tris and I do almost no group riding...

the verdict:  TRI bike it is!!  I'll post a pic when I bite the bullet! 

THANK YOU!
2010-03-27 5:50 PM
in reply to: #2752581

Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!
TriRx - 2010-03-27 5:21 PM I really appreciate all the feed back.  

In my mind I was planning on selling the roadie...I think my hesitation was "what if I need a road bike...?"  But now I think I'll just keep it then if for whatever reason I need a road bike - it's there.   And you're all right - think about the future and how it'll be used.  I forsee all of my riding to be training for tris and I do almost no group riding...

the verdict:  TRI bike it is!!  I'll post a pic when I bite the bullet! 

THANK YOU!


Good Decision..have fun bike shopping!


2010-03-27 8:38 PM
in reply to: #2752707

Master
2406
2000100100100100
Bellevue, WA
Subject: RE: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!
KathyG - 2010-03-27 3:50 PM

TriRx - 2010-03-27 5:21 PM I really appreciate all the feed back.  

In my mind I was planning on selling the roadie...I think my hesitation was "what if I need a road bike...?"  But now I think I'll just keep it then if for whatever reason I need a road bike - it's there.   And you're all right - think about the future and how it'll be used.  I forsee all of my riding to be training for tris and I do almost no group riding...

the verdict:  TRI bike it is!!  I'll post a pic when I bite the bullet! 

THANK YOU!


Good Decision..have fun bike shopping!


Absolutely the right decision.
2010-03-28 6:56 AM
in reply to: #2749275

Extreme Veteran
504
500
SW Florida Gulf Coast
Subject: RE: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!
Excellent decision! Have fun shopping!!!
2010-03-28 7:25 AM
in reply to: #2749969

Pro
4828
2000200050010010010025
The Land of Ice and Snow
Subject: RE: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!
jsselle - 2010-03-26 8:26 AM My personal experience/opinion is that many beginner and even intermediate racers would be faster, and ride more often on a roadie. I think any veteran racer, especially iron-distance racers, can absolutely get the advantages out of a tri geometry bike - period. Probably up to 1 or 2 MPH, which is freakin' huge.... Try to get than from an aero carbon water bottle cage. But I don't really enjoy riding my professionally fit tri bike nearly as much as I like my road bike.  And if I had one nice bike, tri or road, and one buddy-bike .... I know me; I'd always be on the nice bike. So, if I could only only have one, I'd take a really nice road bike over a really nice tri bike, or even over a medium nice tri bike and a low-end roadie.


I am the complete opposite. I am WAY happier on my tri bike. 
2010-03-28 12:15 PM
in reply to: #2753169

Elite
3088
20001000252525
Austin, TX
Gold member
Subject: RE: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!
aquagirl - 2010-03-28 7:25 AM


I am the complete opposite. I am WAY happier on my tri bike. 


Ditto. I had a road bike. Got a tri bike. Never rode the roadie. Sold it. I'm more comfortable on the tri bike and since I don't do charity rides or other major group rides (except a local training ride that's mostly triathletes anyway), the road bike didn't serve any purpose for me.
2010-04-01 8:15 PM
in reply to: #2749275

Expert
924
500100100100100
Western WI
Subject: RE: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!

OK dudes and dudettes.  Here it is!  Pretty sexy if I do say so myself!  I appreciate all the input and am very happy with the purchase!  yaaay!





(Tracy's New bike low res.jpg)



Attachments
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Tracy's New bike low res.jpg (60KB - 12 downloads)


2010-04-01 8:49 PM
in reply to: #2749275

Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!
Sweet bike!

May you have many happy and fast miles together

I'm looking for a new bike myself..going to test another one tomorrow.
2010-04-03 11:14 AM
in reply to: #2749275

Veteran
190
100252525
Lakeville, Minnesota
Subject: RE: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!
Great decision and nice bike! I'm sure you will be happy with your choice.
2010-04-04 10:26 AM
in reply to: #2749275

Veteran
202
100100
Subject: RE: Can't decide - road bike or tri bike...help!
Good decision...I was in the same dilemma a few months back and ultimately decided on the Tri bike.  I figured I already had a roadie and I almost always ride solo, so I figured the Tri bike suited me best.  You'll love it.
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