Converting Road Bike to Tri-bike

I am new to this as well. I don't know what part of Louisiana you are from, or if you are, but I went to the GNO cyclery in New Orleans and added aero bars, pedals (w/shoes) and got fitted properly, then had them do a full tune up on my road bike. I didn't change my seat post, per their recommendation and per the type of bike/seat post that I had. I recommend doing the same. It feels very comfortable. Plus, I need to get used to riding in the aero position and from what I understand, the road bikes coverted to tri bikes are a less severe angle for the aero position. My plans is to use this bike for a few tris (sprints) then decide if I want to take the plunge into a tri-bike, for longer tris. I also read where some with tri bikes still train on their road bikes and use their tris for races only.

I'm from Lafayette, part of the problem is we really don't have a decent bike shop here. I do have an independent mechanic/bike guru that I'll eventually go to for proper fit, he's cycling in France right now, so I need some stop-gap advice.

Are you doing CajunMan, by any chance?

No. Looking at doing the Gatorman in Lake Charles, but not sure about the 1/2 mile swim for my first tri. If not, most likely will be the Crap Trap tri in Destin, Fl in OCT. I just got started TRI training a week ago. Just completed my third marathon a few weeks ago and training for my fourth at the Marine Corps marathon in OCT. Decided to switch to TRI for cross training, but as you can see the bug has bit and I am now focused on sprints, olympics and maybe a half-IM next year.

Edited by Cavu9 2004-07-01 4:03 PM

Did Marine Corps last year, had a blast. Crowds on the National Mall were tremendous. It was hot, though, and a lot hillier than I thought.

I considered Gatorman but it's too close to Chicago.