Road Bike or Tri Bike

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2009-08-07 2:25 PM

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Subject: Road Bike or Tri Bike
I never participated in a triathlon.  I have an old broken mountain bike, but am saving up for a new bike.  Does anyone have a suggestion on which way to go?  I'm not quite sure of the pros and cons of each but I want something nice.  Thanks in advance for any input.

2009-08-07 3:29 PM
in reply to: #2334710

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Road Bike or Tri Bike

you could use the search button, since there is 5 threads of this per week....Sealed

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/difference.shtml

2009-08-07 4:00 PM
in reply to: #2334710

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Road Bike or Tri Bike

Well, I try to give you a little more of an answer than "Do a search".

For myself, and many others, it made more sense to start with a road bike. I'll try to list a few reasons why:

1. Entry level road bikes are more affordable than entry level tri bikes, for the most part.

2. If you find out that this tri-thing is not your cup of tea, you have a bike that you can use for general riding

3. You say all you have is a mountain bike, so I'm going to assume your experience in road riding is limited. I'd rather see a newbie learn bike handling skills on a roadie.

4. If you ever want to join a bike club and do group rides, road bikes are much better in a pace line. Some bike clubs won't let you join in group rides on a tri-bike.

Good luck and welcome aboard.



Edited by zed707 2009-08-07 4:02 PM
2009-08-07 9:09 PM
in reply to: #2334710

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Subject: RE: Road Bike or Tri Bike
Thanks for the helpful reply, those were some great reasons, and some of them I hadn't seen in those other 5 threads a day.  It's great to be able to come to this site and get advice and opinons from smart people in the sport.    I only been at this for about a month and have a lot of stupid questions. 
2009-08-10 12:26 PM
in reply to: #2334945

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Subject: RE: Road Bike or Tri Bike

I'll add #5 to Zed's list.

5. Getting the fit right on a tri bike can be a difficult process.  And a bad fit will cause discomfort, lack of power, etc. 

Start with a road bike.
2009-08-10 2:23 PM
in reply to: #2334945

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Road Bike or Tri Bike

zed707 - 2009-08-07 2:00 PM

Well, I try to give you a little more of an answer than "Do a search".

For myself, and many others, it made more sense to start with a road bike. I'll try to list a few reasons why:

1. Entry level road bikes are more affordable than entry level tri bikes, for the most part.

2. If you find out that this tri-thing is not your cup of tea, you have a bike that you can use for general riding

3. You say all you have is a mountain bike, so I'm going to assume your experience in road riding is limited. I'd rather see a newbie learn bike handling skills on a roadie.

4. If you ever want to join a bike club and do group rides, road bikes are much better in a pace line. Some bike clubs won't let you join in group rides on a tri-bike.

Good luck and welcome aboard.

You can "convert" a road bike to a "Tri Bike" simply by adding clip on aerobars & moving the saddle up-

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