Hope this question isn't too dumb

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2008-10-20 8:43 PM

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Subject: Hope this question isn't too dumb
I am hoping to do an IM in 2010.  I am doing 2 HIMs in 2009.  My question is this, can I do an IM on a road bike or should I really have a tri bike?  Thanks.

2008-10-20 8:45 PM
in reply to: #1755479

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Queen BTich
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Subject: RE: Hope this question isn't too dumb

Does your road bike fit you? Are you comfortable riding it?

Yes you can do it on a road bike. Lots of people have. I did mine on a road bike.

However, tri bikes are more comfy. But you absolutely do not have to have one. Do what you can, do what you can afford.

2008-10-20 8:45 PM
in reply to: #1755479

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Subject: RE: Hope this question isn't too dumb
I have a tri bike and opted to do my IM on my road bike. I wanted my road bike because it was a hilly course.

Worked just fine.

2008-10-20 8:49 PM
in reply to: #1755479

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Subject: RE: Hope this question isn't too dumb

Tri bikes are for the people who are pros, really serious, or have too much money.

Road bikes for the other 85% of us

2008-10-20 8:56 PM
in reply to: #1755495

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Subject: RE: Hope this question isn't too dumb
Gerrard - 2008-10-20 9:49 PM

Tri bikes are for the people who are pros, really serious, or have too much money.

Road bikes for the other 85% of us

85% Surprised Wow

2008-10-20 10:00 PM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: Hope this question isn't too dumb
I used my Orbea Onix Road bike with Syntace aero bars.  Worked for me twice. 


2008-10-20 10:26 PM
in reply to: #1755479

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Subject: RE: Hope this question isn't too dumb
I did my IM on a road bike and if I do another I wouldn't change a thing. I love my road bike and really don't see any reason to buy a tri bike (except for adding to my "coolness" factor). Don't get me wrong Tri bikes have tons of advantages but unless you have the extra money burning a hole in your pocket stick with the road bike.
2008-10-21 8:28 AM
in reply to: #1755479

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Subject: RE: Hope this question isn't too dumb
I did my first two HIM on a road bike. My tri bike was a christmas gift last year from my entire family (everyone pitched in). I LOVE my road bike..very comfy and easy to ride. You can definitely do it on a road bike. You might want to add some aero bars for a comfort factor. Thats what I did.
2008-10-21 11:17 AM
in reply to: #1755495

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Subject: RE: Hope this question isn't too dumb
Gerrard - 2008-10-20 8:49 PM

Tri bikes are for the people who are pros, really serious, or have too much money.

Road bikes for the other 85% of us

 

No, tri bikes are for people who do triathlons.  If you bike 3,000 + miles per year on a bike training for tris, you should probably be on a tri bike with the right geometry for a good aero-position.  If you spend most of your time biking in packs with other roadies, might want to be on a road bike.  I might answer this question differently on the triathlon board than the iron distance board.

Can you do a triathlon on a road bike?  Sure.  Can you do a triathlon on a mountain bike?  No rule against it.  Can you do a triathlon on a $95 road bike from Wal-mart?  Yes. 

But if you are gonna be spending $1,000+ on a bike, and you intend to do triathlons....

Well, never mind.  Get whatever you want and whatever you can afford.

 

Cheers.

 

~Mike

2008-10-21 11:28 AM
in reply to: #1755486

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Subject: RE: Hope this question isn't too dumb

KSH - 2008-10-20 8:45 PM I have a tri bike and opted to do my IM on my road bike. I wanted my road bike because it was a hilly course. Worked just fine.

 

I understand why you did this...however, most standard road bikes have STI shifters and not aerobar end shifters.  Which is why, in my mind, it's even more important to ride a tri bike on a hilly coarse.  You do a LOT of shifting on the hilly IMKY bike course and you don't want to have to keep going back and forth, back and forth from the aerobars to the shifters.  I know this becuase I did IMKY 2007 with STIs and 2008 with end bar shifters and the aero shifters were VERY helpful!  Anyway, just another perspective.

~Mike

2008-10-21 11:37 AM
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Subject: RE: Hope this question isn't too dumb

I have a number of bikes. My tri bike is way more comfortable to ride long on as it is designed to be ridden in aero position with my skeleton supporting my upper body. I love my road bike and it fits well. I could ride it for 112 miles yes but it wouldn't be as comfortable and I would be slower.

It is your choice based on your budget and your desire.

 

2008-10-21 2:56 PM
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Subject: RE: Hope this question isn't too dumb

You can use a road bike, but I would use a tri bike.

2008-10-21 3:12 PM
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Subject: RE: Hope this question isn't too dumb

tricrazy - 2008-10-20 8:43 PM I am hoping to do an IM in 2010.  I am doing 2 HIMs in 2009.  My question is this, can I do an IM on a road bike or should I really have a tri bike?  Thanks.

ride whatever bike you have now a lot,,, do your 1/2's next year and at this time next year decide what you want to do

2008-10-21 3:51 PM
in reply to: #1755503

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Subject: RE: Hope this question isn't too dumb
Shermbelle - 2008-10-21 1:56 PM
Gerrard - 2008-10-20 9:49 PM

Tri bikes are for the people who are pros, really serious, or have too much money.

Road bikes for the other 85% of us

85% Surprised Wow

 

99% of all stats are made up on the spot....

And for the record I did a 1/2 IM on a mountain bike. Just use what you got and love the experience.

2008-10-22 9:30 AM
in reply to: #1756633

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Subject: RE: Hope this question isn't too dumb
Rogillio - 2008-10-21 11:28 AM

KSH - 2008-10-20 8:45 PM I have a tri bike and opted to do my IM on my road bike. I wanted my road bike because it was a hilly course. Worked just fine.

 

I understand why you did this...however, most standard road bikes have STI shifters and not aerobar end shifters.  Which is why, in my mind, it's even more important to ride a tri bike on a hilly coarse.  You do a LOT of shifting on the hilly IMKY bike course and you don't want to have to keep going back and forth, back and forth from the aerobars to the shifters.  I know this becuase I did IMKY 2007 with STIs and 2008 with end bar shifters and the aero shifters were VERY helpful!  Anyway, just another perspective.

~Mike



I didn't have areo bars on my road bike. Just plain 'ol road bike bars, no areo bars were attached. SO I was never in areo and thus I always had my hands on the shifters from the hoods or in the drops.

I didn't take my tri bike, because I would not be comfortable in areo going UP hills. Thus I would have been in the scenario you are speaking about above. I would have been not in areo and trying to shift, which would have been a pain.

I might have been in areo going down a hill, but probably not because I don't feel secure screaming down a hill in areo. So again, I would have been on the hoods (not the right word really) on my tri bike and having to try to go into areo to shift.

On my roadie I was on the hoods or in the drops the whole time and shifting was a piece of cake.

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