Who owns both a Tri and a Road bike

I bought a tri bike in 2006.  Rode it exclusively.  Bought a road bike last year.  It's fun to switch them out, they ride totally differently.  Both times I bought over the internet and a prior year's model, so it was not that expensive

 I will have both soon...been saving for about 7 months....go with a trek, projectone and the new equinox 2010 are debuting in the next couple of weeks according to trek...i'm getting mine!

Bought a tri bike this year (actually, it's technically a roadie with two-position seat post and TT cockpit).  I ride it almost exclusively, other than in group events where the aerobars might be an issue.

Both me and my wife has both road bikes and a tri/TT bike. In a tri (or in my case a Du), having a dedicated bike does make a difference. Plus, we ride them at least 1-3 times a week any way (plus another 4-5 rides per week on our road bikes). Yes, it does make for an expensive hobby, but this is pretty much all we spend our money on, so well worth it.

Edited by audiojan 2009-08-07 2:19 AM

I have both.  Ride the tri-bike almost 100% of the time, but that's partially because I screwed the setup on my roadbike up pretty well.  Once I heal up from an accident I had I think I'll split time between the two.

Bought my TT bike first - long before my first race - within a month also bought a road bike.  Then the following summer a fixed gear for commuting.

I just bought a high end road bike - so now I have a road bike I like as much as my TT bike.  I plan to do some road racing next season (maybe this fall - though might be cross and will use my boys' bikes)

Right now I have two of each in the stable.

Rode the better road bike yesterfay for the first time in four months. Made my back hurt.

I bought my road bike first, then a few months later got my tri bike.  I've now added a second tri bike.  If I knew someone who wants a Giant OCR C1, I would sell the road bike in a second.  In all honesty, I didn't know what I didn't know when I bought the Giant and unfortunately that bike shop did not do a good job of educating me.  The Giant is a true GIANT for me.  But if I had a road bike that really fit me, I still don't think I'd ever ride it.  Love the tri bikes.

I own both.  My road bike is very basic, 6 years old, but works pretty well.  I will use it for hilly courses (SavageMan) that require maneuverability on the DH.  Tri bike is for when I want to go 'fast', courses that I can sustain 20+ MPH for extended lengths of time.

(I also have a mediocre mtn and a cruddy tandem).

Edited by pga_mike 2009-08-07 6:20 AM

I have both and wouldn't give up either.

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X2, in addition to my mountain bike and the commuter bike my husband and I share. I love cycling, I'd find an excuse to ride all the bikes at different times throughout the year.

I have both, I ride the TT bike if I have  a race coming up, I have had a ton of fun riding my road bike recently. I can't get over the difference.

I have two road bikes and a tri bike. Almost ride the road bikes exclusively. Ride the tri bike in races and once right before a race just to make sure everything is intact.

My tri bike is definately setup for speed and not comfort so it's not a lot of fun on long weekend rides.

I have both.  My road bike was my first purchase for triathlons 7 years ago - and I had clip-on aerobars on it.  I use it to commute now - it's not nearly as fast as Pitou. Last xmas I bought myself my Cervelo because it fell in my lap and I guess sometimes things are destined.  This year I'm hoping to purchase a road bike that actually fits me - so that I can fit in with the roadies when I ride in the group.

I just got the tri bike this year, and am already planning on upgrading.  I have been riding road bikes for a looooong time.  But I would be sad if I only had two bikes so I have my mtn bike (which is what got me into riding 19 years ago) and of course a cyclocross bike too.  Two bikes would just not be enough.

I bought a mountain bike last year when I started riding again, then quickly determined I wanted a road bike for tri's.  In the winter I put a FF seat post and aero bars on it.

I'm currently waiting for my Felt B12 to be put together by the bike shop an as long as the fit is good, it'll be mine.  I'm keeping my road bike.

I own both. I mostly ride the road bike, and begin riding the tri bike more and more as I get closer to the events.

I like having a "race bike" and it definitely helps some with speed. If you can afford it, its a great purchase... if its going to set you back, Id wait.

I am very new to the game. My Dad is letting me borrow one of his Cannondale road bikes until I can get my own. What is the difference between a road and a tri bike? I have no intention of ever doing a ironman any time soon.

Generally a tri bike is made so that it uses less of the running muscles (leaves you fresher for the run) by having a seat tube angle more vertical than a road bike (which is few degrees further back towards the rear wheel).

 The tri bike will also have aero bars, which allow you to to assume a more aerodynamic posture hence more speed, yet decrease maneuerability and the ability to brake fast (you have to come out of aero position to use the brakes). The reason for that is in most triathlon events drafting is not allowed ( although ITU championships now allows it for showmanship purposes), so you have to cut through the air yourself, and because you are not close to people you don't need the the maneuverability of a road bike to stay out of their way etc.

So basically a road bike is for riding in groups and is easier to ride in hilly terrain. A tri bike is the faster bike solo (aerodynamically speaking) and it allows you to run better off the bike.

You'll see most triathletes on very hilly courses, such as ironman nice using road bikes exclusively because there is so much climbing it is easier to use a road bike. You can also attach aero bars onto a road bike, but, depending on the fit this might overstretch you somewhat and cause fatigue if used for along time.

Edited by ex-buzz 2009-08-07 8:23 AM

makes sense to me...I was kind of thinking that but did not want to sound like a noob. Looks like I am saving for a tri bike.