Tri Bike

Hehe, yah, I do want a new toy...

Hi John - thanks for the feedback, that does help!

I wear gloves now, I have a feeling I'm compressing the ulner nerve (I think that's it) when I place my hands palm side down on the aero pads while climbing or when I'm on the hoods (this happens less here because I can rotate my hands a bit to be on the outside of the hand and not compressing the nerve).  I didn't have this problem prior to adjusting the bars, so I'm thinking that might be the problem now.  I'm getting away from the comfortable road fit that I had because I'm trying to make the bars work for me.

Not to high jacc the tread...but I think you can do up to a HIM on a road bike as a road bike just fine.  I think it is all in your perspective.  I run in the low 20s during the races and it is just fine.  The engine is more important than the bike up to a certain fitness level.  A tri bike will not make you faster.  Doing miles will make you faster.  I see people pour money in to equipment that will not help them one bit at the fitness level that they are at.    Don't know if this is urban ledgend or not, but I remember reading a few years ago that the Areo position does not materially help you unless you are traveling at rates above 20 miles an hour.  If true, maybe get the engine up to that running speed and then spend the big bucks on a bike that gets you over the top.

I know some will jump in on the different angles you push at on a tri bike and it is better for running after wards.  Point taken.  I will stand on the fact that at least OLY and below, that is a moot point.  HIM and above, I will not argue.

That's not really true.  A good aero position will save more time for a cyclist averaging 17 mph vs. 22 mph because the slower cyclist is out on the course longer.  Both cyclists will be faster in aero btw.

I also look at the tri bike vs road bike thing a little differently.  I assume we are talking PR's and not podioum spots btw.  In a sprint every second counts and you need to shave them everywhere you can, but in an IM you want to be fast and comfortable.    It's hard to run a marathon with an achy back.    I'm more comfortable on my tri bike so it's a no brainer for me, but there are plenty of people who are more comfortable on a road bike.

For Sarah (the OP) I would look into a tri bike. 

I was referring to PRs.  I should clarify my point some.  If you have a road bike and looking to throw down for a nice tri bike, I think your conditioning should play a role in the decision.  If you ride at 17 mph and have $3K in a Zipp wheel set, I would still say there are more economical ways to get the desired PR.  The seconds you gain with a tri bike pail to the time gained by training the engine up to 18 or 19.  You would get more bang for the buck by hiring a coach to bring the engine to it's max and banking the rest. If money is no object, get the tricked out tri bike by all means just don't expect a big return from the clock.

My point is folks should not feel pressure to buy a tri bike because they look around and everyone is on a tri bike.  You can be successful and reach PRs on a road bike (and riding it as a road bike).  Of course, this assumes you already have a road bike.  If I was upgrading my road bike due to it being done / old / worn out, I would look to switch to a tri bike.

Also, I am in no way referring any of this to atlrunnergirl.  As I said, I was high jacking the posting (and showing my roadie roots).

You are right.  The bike, or any fancy equiptment, only helps a little.  The big gains are in training more.

MOP's getting fance tri bikes is very similar to MOP's getting speed suits so they can look cool before the swim start.

Hey, hey...I resemble that remark...LOL.  At least I get out of the water FOP (and looking cool in my borrowed speed suit) even if I end up MOP!

In my case, I'm looking for a tri bike strictly for the comfort factor, not to make me faster.  But I'm also willing to lose 10 lbs before I look to lighten my bike

Hijack away, this is interesting stuff!  I went and looked at some bikes today, and have a few that I'm considering.  I want to go to All3, but I remember a conversation around here once that to look at anything there, you pretty much have to pay for a fitting?

It seems that everything I have read indicates trying to make a road bike into a TT bike does not really work...better to just jump in and get a tri bike or ride the road bike as a road bike.

Here's my current list, feel free to weigh in anyone! I'm looking to be less than 3K since I'll need new pedals, etc... I'm really looking for the equivalent in features to my road bike - Carbon, Ultegra components, Comfort, etc...Some of these may offer more than I really need, so this is just the initial pass.

- Cannondale Slice 4 - haven't seen this in person and the shop has no idea when they'll be available

- Orbea Ora TLE, TLT, DA - I haven't spent as much time comparing various models, I did ride an Ora at Atlanta Cycling, and it was pretty comfortable.

- Felt B12 - just saw this in person.  It's v. v. nice.

- Kuota K-Factor - just for the components alone, at this price point, I'm considering it, though I've only seen one, haven't actually been on one yet

- Others that I like - Kestral, Blue (Triad), QR, GURU (no dealers in GA) and Wilier (I think they are gorgeous bikes).