Will a different bike improve performance?

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Will a different bike improve performance? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2010-09-04 11:26 PM

User image


30
25
Subject: Will a different bike improve performance?
I'm an old coot, new to triathlons - age 54 and a longtime marathoner and cross training cyclist, new to triathlons which have grabbed my interest. My swimming is slow, and I'm working on improving it. (My sister tells me this is called an area of opportunity) My question, however, is about biking, which I also believe I can improve. In the two olympic events I've done, my bike average was 18.1, not horrible for my age, but I'm wondering whether new equipement might help improve my speed. I'm using an early 90s vintage Canondale 400 entry-level road bike, aluminum frame. Would an upgrade gelp give me a little more speed? Or is it just as well that I stick with my current bike which is comfortable and very durable? Thanks for any suggestions!
BTW the two events I've done were the Fronhofer Tool Triathlons this past two years. GREAT events from every perspective. AAA+++!!

2010-09-05 6:07 AM
in reply to: #3082539

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2010-09-05 6:12 AM
in reply to: #3082539

Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
If you go from road to a well fit tri bike I would guess you would be faster. Drag is a big factor is overall speed.

But best way to get faster is work on you the engine by riding lots. How many times a week do you ride? What is your total average weekly miles?

If you are asking us if you should get a new bike to be faster, if you can afford one and want one, get a tri bike.
2010-09-05 9:30 AM
in reply to: #3082539

Extreme Veteran
590
500252525
Sioux Falls, SD
Subject: RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
You mention your current bike is very comfortable, which suggests to me that it fits pretty well. So given that you have a bike that fits, and I'm assuming doesn't have any major mechanical issues that is slowing you down, then I would say a new fancy bike would provide minimal performance benefit.

Yes, you might pick up a little speed due to better aerodynamics, but you're not going to suddenly gain 5 mph on your average. So it boils down to how badly you want to spend money as to whether you should get a new bike.

However, there is nothing wrong with getting a fancy new bike if you want one and can afford it. In fact, a new bike might make you want to ride more often and ride harder, which in turn will make you faster. But the improvements aren't necessarily because the bike itself is faster.
2010-09-05 10:11 AM
in reply to: #3082539


53
2525
Subject: RE: Will a different bike improve performance?

I'm a middle-ager too and slower than you. I definitely 'feel' faster on the more-upright geometry of my tri bike than on my road bike. The vagaries of the wind and my moods make it hard to objectively determine if I actually am or not.

If you are thinking about going longer than an olympic though, I'd be cautious about a tri bike with tri bars on it. After several hours you may have some upper body fatigue and be wishing for the drops and tops of a road handlebar so you can change up your grip.
2010-09-05 1:40 PM
in reply to: #3082539

Veteran
189
100252525
Subject: RE: Will a different bike improve performance?

I think 18.1 is pretty fast!  Very impressive! 

This is a timely topic as I was just talking about this with a friend of mine just yesterday.  He says that the only place in triathalon that you can buy speed without actually improving form or fitness is on the bike.  I agree with him.  I don't know how much speed you can buy, but the little things added up can eventually make a difference.  It may be expensive though to see real increases in speed. 

2010-09-05 1:40 PM
in reply to: #3082539

Veteran
189
100252525
Subject: RE: Will a different bike improve performance?

I think 18.1 is pretty fast!  Very impressive! 

This is a timely topic as I was just talking about this with a friend of mine just yesterday.  He says that the only place in triathalon that you can buy speed without actually improving form or fitness is on the bike.  I agree with him.  I don't know how much speed you can buy, but the little things added up can eventually make a difference.  It may be expensive though to see real increases in speed. 

2010-09-05 2:03 PM
in reply to: #3082539

Master
1526
100050025
Bolivia, NC
Subject: RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
My son was averaging in the 18s and bought a tri bike.  At the South Riding triathlon today he averaged 21.4mph without much extra training.  Of course he's only 42 and just started so he will continue to improve.  I upgraded my 1980s Nishiki to a Giant carbon frame and increased my average from under 17 to 17.4 mph today and had a better run since I was nor fried from the bike.  I'm 67.  We both finished 2nd in our respective age groups.  So the new bike thing has worked for us.

Edited by blynott 2010-09-05 2:03 PM
2010-09-05 2:45 PM
in reply to: #3082539

Member
49
25
Monterey
Subject: RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
I have been riding road bikes exclusively over the last year for distance riding and fitness, and I just recently purchased an older tri/TT bike to ride for fun and triathlons (one begot the other!).  What I discovered (and I am hardly an expert) is the aerodynamics - my body position (on the aero bars), not the "aero frame" - really reduced the effort required when riding into a headwind or when riding at speeds over 18 MPH or so.  I was able to translate that reduced effort into more real effort, and my speed went up accordingly.  Last week on a serious practice ride on the tri bike I averaged (over a 12.4 mile course) 20.2 MPH.  I have NOT tried that course on my road bike, but I suspect, based on what I have seen for similar distances and conditions in the past, that I can do 1.5 MPH better (average) on the tri bike than I can on my road bike.  Can you?  I can't say, really.  The bike has to fit, you have to be comfortable, and you need to be familiar with the bike.  But, as others have said, if you're happy with what you have, stick with it.
2010-09-05 3:07 PM
in reply to: #3082965

Champion
6503
50001000500
NOVA - Ironic for an Endurance Athlete
Subject: RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
From an older road bike to a really good tri bike with aero wheels and an aero helmet, as well as form fitting tri-clothes is worth 2-4 mph.

Although I believe this to be true, you should read my signature.
2010-09-05 6:58 PM
in reply to: #3082539

Subject: RE: Will a different bike improve performance?

a new tri bike that fits well will probably make you a bit faster for the simple reason that it puts your body in a more aero position.

just keep in mind that if you were to spend say $2000 on a new tri bike...not all of what you are paying for is supposed to make you faster.  A lot of what you pay for is simply better and more durable parts.  Maybe a more comfortable saddle, and something with a nice paint job.  None of those things actually make you faster.  Although some will argue that they do. 



2010-09-05 7:04 PM
in reply to: #3082539

Master
1367
10001001001002525
Dirt Road
Subject: RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
I am not worthy to give bike advice but I can give compliments. I think 18.1 for 25 miles is great.
2010-09-05 7:20 PM
in reply to: #3083210

Champion
7233
5000200010010025
Subject: RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
you asked the right question, a different bike can, but it does not need to be an expensive, new, carbon, etc.

a bike that puts you in a good position (or if you can do it on your bike), will help some.
2010-09-05 7:40 PM
in reply to: #3083228

Expert
1384
1000100100100252525
Charlottesville, Virginia
Subject: RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
Not sure if this applies, but I *finally* upgraded to clipless from cages and, based on one datapoint, it looks like it gained me 1-1.5 mph.  And while that is nice, I think another added benefit will be that I'm not as tired on the run, which has been my Achilles heel (so to speak). Next are aero bars.  At 50+ we need all the help we can get ;-)  But I'll see what my back thinks of those.  Anyway, if you haven't made those two upgrades to your bike, that is an alternative to a new bike  that you might consider. 

My $.02... probably worth about that as well.  18.1 is a nice time btw.  My best is 18.6 and I'd love to break that 20mph barrier :-)  One of next year's goals for sure!

Stu
2010-09-06 3:00 PM
in reply to: #3082539

Master
2426
200010010010010025
Central Indiana
Subject: RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
Yes, but not by all that much.  Going from road bike to full tri set-up (inc bike, aero helmet, etc.) is prob worth ~10% speed increase.  A bit over half that can be achieved by adding clip-on aerobars to the road bike (assuming proper fit).  So roughly 5% speed bump for ~$75-100, or 10% bump for $thousands$. 
But that discounts the enjoyment factor of a nicer bike.  We all have our toys
2010-09-06 3:07 PM
in reply to: #3082539

Pro
4343
2000200010010010025
Olney, MD
Subject: RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
You don't log anything; how much are you working on your engine? How much are you riding each month? Each year?

2010-09-06 7:55 PM
in reply to: #3082539

Extreme Veteran
872
5001001001002525
Tx
Subject: RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
Not sure if it's true, but i've heard that being in the aero position on the bike uses some different muscles and is more beneficial to the run.
2010-09-06 7:56 PM
in reply to: #3084314

Elite
4235
2000200010010025
Spring, TX
Subject: RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
pistuo - 2010-09-07 9:55 AM Not sure if it's true, but i've heard that being in the aero position on the bike uses some different muscles and is more beneficial to the run.


Nope, not true at all. 
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Will a different bike improve performance? Rss Feed