Subject: RE: Tri bike or not to Tri bike? Most consumers in recreational triathlon don't understand the three largest benefits of a triathlon bike in a non-drafting setting for an event when you are running off the bike: 1. More aerodynamic body position. 2. More stable handling. 3. Faster run split off tri bike than run bike. Here's the issue; along the spectrum of excellent bike positions to poor bike positions tracks a parallel set of opinions to debunk each of those. Most people who say "don't bother" do so because they either don't fully understand the answer to the question and/or never used a correctly fitted triathlon bike long enough to acclimate to it and reap the benefits. There is no such thing as free speed. The bike has to be optimally positioned, fitted and you have to be acclimated to the bike. One year. 365 days. 12 months. That's right. And there is your reason why so many people will opin, "Just get a road bike and bolt on aerobars" and "My tri bike is squirrely to handle." Unless you're willing to meet the equipment half way with hard work and due dilligence your experience on a tri bike will be less than optimal. You have to put in the time. It may be better to just stick to the road bike. Edited by Tom Demerly. 2012-06-22 3:55 PM
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