Tri bike vs road w/ aero bars

I'm in the same boat!

I've been looking at the Cervelo deal, but cant afford or think I need 2 new bikes. The RS looks like a pretty good deal and seems like it would be more comfortable for training rides. I'm going to guess my first few Tri's will be handicapped more by my fitness and techniques than disadvantage of the road bike over the Tri bike.

There is absolutely nothing unusual with riding a triathlon on a road bike. A road bike will not be as fast as a Tri bike in a flat or modestly-hilly, non-drafting triathlon. I would guesstimate about 1-5min difference for a 40km ride.

I've been competing participating in triathlons for 6 years and I would estimate that 20% to 50% of the bikes at local races are road bikes. Even at the Ironman and Half-ironman distance races, where the participants are really Tri dedicated, I see about 10%-20% road bikes. Some simply prefer the feel of a road bike.

I'd more into Triathlons than group riding so I bought a Tri bike as my main ride. its great for Tris and Time Trials  but not much use for group or fun rides. I bought a second bike for that,  a basic Cyclocross bike - I often put road wheels on it and use it as a roadbike.  But if you can only have one bike I recommend a roadbike. 

Check out the Cervelo S1 / S2 as well. I believe the seatpost can be reversed to give you a 76degree seat-tube angle that puts you in a TT / Triathlon position. Its a aerodynamic frame and along with clip-on aerobars this is a pretty good option for those looking for a bike that can do both road riding and convert to triathlon riding. Cervelo has a 'share the ride' deal where you can get $1000 off.

Wow, S2 seems like the way to go.

Thanks for the help!

Anyone want to buy a dirt bike?

Im rolling an aero road bike with clip ons (Felt AR4)

I just wanted a more versatile bike. Once both kids are out of daycare, maybe I will try a tri specific bike. I did a HIM this summer and it worked great.

I was looking at replacing my road bike with either an aero bike or tri bike but realized the cost to do so would not justify the time savings or mph gain in doing so.  I have a good road bike (Felt Z25) so purchased a clip-on bars and forwarded position seat post and tri saddle.  When I do group rides I can easily switch to my road seat post and remove the clipons.   I did make the investment to get fitted in the tri position, so the only thing that I lack is the advantages of the aero frame.  This will not be the case for you since you are looking at an aero frame or tri bike already (take a look at the Felt AR series)

Since I only do Sprint Tri's the advantages of a tri bike or aero bike are miniminal given the short distance.  You might be looking at time difference of 1 or 2 minutes between a dedicated tri bike and a road bike with clipons.   The sprint Tri's I have done usually have hills in them, so I can usually make up some of the lost time by just improving my hill climb abilities.  I can make improvements in my other areas: swim, run and transitions (mainly swim) to improve my overall time.   Hope this helps.

The record at Ironman Lake Placid was on a road bike way back in 2004.

Actually, there is another good option rather than just using a road bike for triathlons, and for the other cycling activities you have planned.

I know because I've tried this option and it worked very well, including some very good results in triathlons. I wrote up a summary of this 'other' bike option at the top of this BT thread. Take a look and you just might open up a bunch of new possibilities for yourself ... and also save yourself some big money down the line.

I am new to this, but will share my story.  I did not have a bike a month ago, but had been looking at bikes knowing I would buy one after my first full marathon in March.  I came across the Cervelo deal and decided to pull the trigger now.  I debated on the tri vs road and most shops encouraged me to go with a road bike.  Their main reasons were the group ride aspect, and me being a new rider.  

I was buying a bike for one reason.....to do triathlons and work towards completing a full IM within a year and a half (I have 3 sprints, an Olympic, and a half this year).  I do not plan on riding for anything else.  The guy at the shop where I bought it was in the same boat as me 10 years ago.....he went with the tri bike as his first bike.   I did the same thing, a Cervelo P2.   I road it on the trainer a few times, a few short jaunts outside and have two "real" rides under my belt now and I am comfortable on the bike as fast as I can push it.   It was a little tricky at first....but since you have been riding it probably wont be an issue for you.   Again....I have a bike for one purpose...Triathlon, so it made sense for me to jump right in.

I do realize that I miss riding a bike (big BMXer back in the day) so was thinking about buying a single speed road/urban bike also, to ride with the kids around the neighborhood and occasionally ride to work but that is a maybe.....since I just sunk so much cash getting the Cervelo set up, trainer, shoes, etc etc.

I say let your goals determine your purchase.