Iron Aardvark group - Closed (Page 3)

I was very close to pulling the trigger on a TT bike. After talking with some friends I decided to get a road bike vs. the TT bike. The main reason was I am only going to have one bike so most people I talked too said if you only have one bike, get a road bike. I plan on doing some group rides this summer and most groups will not let people with TT bikes ride in the group. From what I've been told they handle a little differently so groups frown on them usually. I was also given the advice that being in the aero position without the ability to really change can be rough after a while. 

Those were my personal reasons as to why I went with a road bike. Hope that helps a bit. 

I have a lot to say on Road Vs TT bikes.  I have a TT bike, and no road bike.  There are actually 2 different positions that you can ride in with a TT bike.  You can be up on the horns (outside bars) or down in the aero bars.  A lot of group rides do have a tendancy to frown on TT bikes, or at least they want you to stay out of the aero position, but honestly if you on a group ride having conversations, you will probably be more comfortable sitting up anyways.

There are several advantages to road bikes.  There are multiple positions you can ride it, they are widely accepted in group rides, and in general they are less expensive.

There are also several advantages to TT bikes.  The aero position is much faster.  The strain of a long ride, when riding a road bike, is all on the muscular system.  All of the effort of holding yourself up is put on the skelletal system when riding a TT bike.  For short rides, this makes little difference, but for longer rides it takes a lot less energy to hold the position if you have to use less muscular power to do it.

Ultimately the decision you will be making on which bike to purchase will be based on several different factors, and one bike may work for me, and not be the best for you, and vice versa.  But in general I would suggest that a person only doing sprints may not have the need for a TT bike, but someone doing HIM or IM may want to consider it.

Do more research before you purchase a bike.  Don't rely on information from just me, or just one person from your LBS (local bike shop).  Be informed before spending the cash.  You don't want to spend that much twice.

(destiny 12.JPG)

Killer bikes all...

I finally pulled the trigger and have a bike on the way. A 2007 Kuota Kalibur!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su2o6R_DH2A&feature=youtu.be

I will post pics when it arrives- in the meantime, it's off to the track.

/Doug

Great story- I'd love to check out the blog... I may be interested in some custom graphics as well. I woke up at 5 am and it's off to the pool now...a first for me!

/Doug

I hope all is well with the group,

The first week of training is complete for me and I feel ready for the second! Time to register for a race or two before they all sell out. If anyone was affected by the storm I hope you stay safe!

/Doug

Sorry for the delay in Posting. 

Rev that is a nice OCR, I have a Defy 2 and would have killed to have the extra money to get one then.

Sal that is a sweet ride.

Made it through the week and finished up 7 for 7, having worked out at least 30 minutes a day every day.

first race for me is this weekend -  a duathlon - 3.2km - 17km - 3.2km. A low priority race for me and will more than likely just train right through it. Haven't done any speed work for ages so looking forward to seeing how the endurance training effects it.

First big race of the year is in May - a HIM.

Does yard work count? I had mulch ordered to my house not realizing how big 20 cubic yards is. I've moved all but 2-3 cubic yards so I can now park in my drive way again but its totally monopolized quite a bit of time. Felt like I signed up for crossfit and didn't know it.

Actually it does and there is yard work in the sports section towards the bottom of the page where you log your workouts.  Just about anything you do that requires movement is listed.