Is it time for a tri bike?
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2014-09-15 8:29 PM |
38 | Subject: Is it time for a tri bike? OK BT help me with my reasoning here. I started road biking a year ago on a Trek Domane which I picked bc my newbie back was too tight for anything more aggressive. Now ten pounds lighter with a season of racing sprints under my belt, I'm drooling over the tri bikes that are starting to go on sale at my LBS. I'd initially told myself I'd put two solid seasons of racing in before adding a bike. Thing is, I'm hooked and thinking of doing an Oly next year, maybe two. I know the tri bike won't make a huge difference ove a sprint distance race but am thinking for anything longer I'd like to have it. Plus, I'm not getting younger and figure I might as well enjoy a toy like that for as long as possible, right? This translates into me thinking I might as well hit up the end of season sales. I'm mid to front of pack right now, squeaked out an AG podium at a local race (tho to be fair most of the fast guys were racing at another venue the next day So......talk me out of it?......my wife will thank you But at the same time recommend a good tri-specific fitter in pa, nj, de, md or va. Thanks guys. |
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2014-09-15 9:04 PM in reply to: 0 |
1300 | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Go for it. Breakaway bikes in Phili. , Joe Wentzell. Wait, what age group are in? I might change my vote. Edited by Goggles Pizzano 2014-09-15 9:05 PM |
2014-09-15 10:05 PM in reply to: mgk |
46 | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? I was the same as you. Moved up from sprint to olympic and 1/2 IM events. I bought a cannondale slice. Paid around $4000 NZD for it. I rode it for about 6 months, disliked it and sold it and lost $2000 on the depreciation. First step for you would be to try clip ons on your road bike to see if you enjoy being in that position for a long time. |
2014-09-15 11:05 PM in reply to: #5050625 |
82 | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Get one, today! You will never look back, except to see everyone else behind you trying to catch up |
2014-09-16 12:00 AM in reply to: #5050662 |
172 Kenmore, Washington | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Set a goal and reward yourself with the bike when you achieve it. Mine is to average 20mph over an Olympic distance tri and finish in 2:30. Until I can do that I will keep riding my roadie with clip ons. |
2014-09-16 12:15 AM in reply to: #5050672 |
Member 256 Iowa City, Iowa | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? I like the idea of setting a goal and rewarding myself when I achieve it. I'm tempted to like the OP, there are a few year old Trek speed concepts going in my price point for my next big purchase. I guess it would help if I stopped looking hehe |
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2014-09-16 6:28 AM in reply to: pnwdan |
Member 91 Baltimore, MD | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Originally posted by pnwdan Set a goal and reward yourself with the bike when you achieve it. Mine is to average 20mph over an Olympic distance tri and finish in 2:30. Until I can do that I will keep riding my roadie with clip ons. Wouldn't it be easier to reach that goal with a tri-bike? |
2014-09-16 6:32 AM in reply to: schaumi |
Master 8247 Eugene, Oregon | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? LOL I had the same idea (and time goal) and after still not reaching the goal three years later, realize I probably need the tri bike to even get close! |
2014-09-16 7:10 AM in reply to: mgk |
Pro 6582 Melbourne FL | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Go for it! A tri-bike will make a nice difference even on sprints. Take a look at this article to see what a TB with aero gear can save in wattage vs. a RB setup. To put it perspective 5W is worth about 0.8 seconds per mile so it can add up. Regarding fitters, the other site has a list of fitters you can call and talk too, this one is for the mid-Atlantic region.
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2014-09-16 7:31 AM in reply to: pnwdan |
9 , Alabama | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? If you can afford it get it. I got mine as motivation when I signed up for a full sort of as an incentive to train harder. |
2014-09-16 7:45 AM in reply to: TriBeer |
754 | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Although I fully support any excuse for n+1, I think there are a couple questions to ask. What kind of roads are you riding on? And are you really training on your road bike? I live in an area that is very hilly. I haven't done anything over Oly, but at that distance with these roads, I don't see an advantage to a tri bike. I have a road bike, entry-level carbon, endurance oriented, and I love passing people whose wheels cost more than my bike. If I start doing longer races or travelling to flat areas, I could see it, but the fact is that I can still average 18-19 mph on an Oly course with 1500' of climbing on my road bike (and faster on a flat course), and I can corner better than the tri bikes. I think the usefulness of that expense really depends on race conditions and your training. OTOH, if I could spend a few bucks and get consistently better on the swim, that would be money well spent. |
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2014-09-16 8:46 AM in reply to: happyscientist |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Originally posted by happyscientist I live in an area that is very hilly. I haven't done anything over Oly, but at that distance with these roads, I don't see an advantage to a tri bike. The advantage is that if you are more aero on the tri bike, you will be faster. A flat course is definitely not a requirement. |
2014-09-16 9:05 AM in reply to: JohnnyKay |
754 | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Originally posted by JohnnyKay Originally posted by happyscientist I live in an area that is very hilly. I haven't done anything over Oly, but at that distance with these roads, I don't see an advantage to a tri bike. The advantage is that if you are more aero on the tri bike, you will be faster. A flat course is definitely not a requirement. Most people I see around here could benefit more from training than a new bike, not that there is anything wrong with a new bike. I consistently pass tri bikes on climbs and corners. |
2014-09-16 9:18 AM in reply to: happyscientist |
Master 10208 Northern IL | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Originally posted by happyscientist Originally posted by JohnnyKay Most people I see around here could benefit more from training than a new bike, not that there is anything wrong with a new bike. I consistently pass tri bikes on climbs and corners. Originally posted by happyscientist I live in an area that is very hilly. I haven't done anything over Oly, but at that distance with these roads, I don't see an advantage to a tri bike. The advantage is that if you are more aero on the tri bike, you will be faster. A flat course is definitely not a requirement. They're likely doing some amount of both, training and better bike. Also, the new bike is supposed to help them go faster than they would have without it, not faster than any other person in particular. |
2014-09-16 9:21 AM in reply to: happyscientist |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Originally posted by happyscientist Originally posted by JohnnyKay Most people I see around here could benefit more from training than a new bike, not that there is anything wrong with a new bike. I consistently pass tri bikes on climbs and corners. Originally posted by happyscientist I live in an area that is very hilly. I haven't done anything over Oly, but at that distance with these roads, I don't see an advantage to a tri bike. The advantage is that if you are more aero on the tri bike, you will be faster. A flat course is definitely not a requirement. Most people can benefit from more training. Most people can benefit from riding a more aerodynamic bike. It's not an either/or proposition. They are additive. |
2014-09-16 9:25 AM in reply to: schaumi |
Master 10208 Northern IL | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Originally posted by schaumi Originally posted by pnwdan Set a goal and reward yourself with the bike when you achieve it. Mine is to average 20mph over an Olympic distance tri and finish in 2:30. Until I can do that I will keep riding my roadie with clip ons. Wouldn't it be easier to reach that goal with a tri-bike? Or set up a better challenge and do it without the clip-ons. There's no need to reach a certain level of performance before getting one, but I know tend to feel better about making the purchase when they're more sure they'll put it to use. If such a performance goal helps them to do that, then so be it. |
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2014-09-16 11:48 AM in reply to: happyscientist |
Member 1748 Exton, PA | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Originally posted by happyscientist Originally posted by JohnnyKay Originally posted by happyscientist I live in an area that is very hilly. I haven't done anything over Oly, but at that distance with these roads, I don't see an advantage to a tri bike. The advantage is that if you are more aero on the tri bike, you will be faster. A flat course is definitely not a requirement. Most people I see around here could benefit more from training than a new bike, not that there is anything wrong with a new bike. I consistently pass tri bikes on climbs and corners. I have both a tri bike and a road bike, I can climb faster on the tri bike. The road bike will corner faster but there are few corners in a triathlon that I can't make just as fast on the tri bike. My quick after work ride is 23 miles with 2000 ft of climbing, I'll use either bike depending how I feel that day. |
2014-09-16 12:09 PM in reply to: #5050673 |
38 | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Thanks for the input. To respond to a couple of things....... I'm a firm believer in the engine trumps all. Getting a new bike goes right along with training, agree with the comment that they are additive. ..... Terrain here is hilly and I like climbing on my roadie. But I race in pa (hilly), md (mixed), and de (pancake flat) ........ I'm leaning toward pulling the trigger. I'll post the bike porn when it happens |
2014-09-16 12:09 PM in reply to: #5050673 |
38 | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Thanks for the input. To respond to a couple of things....... I'm a firm believer in the engine trumps all. Getting a new bike goes right along with training, agree with the comment that they are additive. ..... Terrain here is hilly and I like climbing on my roadie. But I race in pa (hilly), md (mixed), and de (pancake flat) ........ I'm leaning toward pulling the trigger. I'll post the bike porn when it happens |
2014-09-16 12:13 PM in reply to: schaumi |
172 Kenmore, Washington | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Originally posted by schaumi Originally posted by pnwdan Set a goal and reward yourself with the bike when you achieve it. Mine is to average 20mph over an Olympic distance tri and finish in 2:30. Until I can do that I will keep riding my roadie with clip ons. Wouldn't it be easier to reach that goal with a tri-bike? The idea is to use your tools to perform at a level you could not reach without them. Don't put the shiny carbon cart before the horse. |
2014-09-16 12:35 PM in reply to: mgk |
467 , Wisconsin | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? IF you're planning on buying in the next year or so, now might present some of the best opportunities for great deals on new or used bikes. Individuals are trying to sell off before winter, and shops are trying to sell off older models. Last month I got a Trek Madone 5.2 2013 model, but brand new for $1300 discount (not a tri bike, just an example that deals are out there). There have been some very nice bikes at very good prices in the classifieds here as well. Of course, you want to get a bike that meets your needs the best, but if you can get a good deal as well, that is double perfect. |
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2014-09-16 12:37 PM in reply to: pnwdan |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Originally posted by pnwdan Originally posted by schaumi The idea is to use your tools to perform at a level you could not reach without them. Don't put the shiny carbon cart before the horse. Originally posted by pnwdan Set a goal and reward yourself with the bike when you achieve it. Mine is to average 20mph over an Olympic distance tri and finish in 2:30. Until I can do that I will keep riding my roadie with clip ons. Wouldn't it be easier to reach that goal with a tri-bike? Bad analogy/rationale. If you want to choose an arbitrary 'carrot' or deem yourself 'unworthy' of a new bike until your performance reaches a level of your choosing, that's your right. But you could get on that shiny carbon cart today and perform at a level you could not, heretofore, reach. Regardless of your current ability. |
2014-09-16 2:23 PM in reply to: pnwdan |
Pro 6582 Melbourne FL | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Originally posted by pnwdan There's no right or wrong way to go when contemplating a new bike. I know several people that decided the tri/fitness lifestyle is what they were going to start living and bought a shining new bike to kick things off. If one can afford it there is nothing wrong with the approach of even buying a Felt IA to start with. Myself I did a progression over 3 years (2004-2006) of 35lb MTB, 25lb used entry level RB to 19lb high-end TB once I knew I would be doing tri's for a long time.Originally posted by schaumi The idea is to use your tools to perform at a level you could not reach without them. Don't put the shiny carbon cart before the horse. Originally posted by pnwdan Set a goal and reward yourself with the bike when you achieve it. Mine is to average 20mph over an Olympic distance tri and finish in 2:30. Until I can do that I will keep riding my roadie with clip ons. Wouldn't it be easier to reach that goal with a tri-bike? OP, get the new bike if you can afford to, if not save and get it later. However if you don't have one yet, go find yourself a KK Road Machine/Cycleops Fluid 2 trainer and get dedicated and enjoy the fruits of your labor on whatever you ride... |
2014-09-16 2:55 PM in reply to: JohnnyKay |
Master 10208 Northern IL | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Originally posted by JohnnyKay Originally posted by pnwdan Originally posted by schaumi The idea is to use your tools to perform at a level you could not reach without them. Don't put the shiny carbon cart before the horse. Originally posted by pnwdan Set a goal and reward yourself with the bike when you achieve it. Mine is to average 20mph over an Olympic distance tri and finish in 2:30. Until I can do that I will keep riding my roadie with clip ons. Wouldn't it be easier to reach that goal with a tri-bike? Bad analogy/rationale. If you want to choose an arbitrary 'carrot' or deem yourself 'unworthy' of a new bike until your performance reaches a level of your choosing, that's your right. But you could get on that shiny carbon cart today and perform at a level you could not, heretofore, reach. Regardless of your current ability. Agreed. And getting used to some of the "shiny" equipment can take some development too. It may be awhile before one can grow into a more aggressive bike position, one that's well beyond what a road bike can get to. |
2014-09-16 3:24 PM in reply to: #5050673 |
38 | Subject: RE: Is it time for a tri bike? Thanks for the input. To respond to a couple of things....... I'm a firm believer in the engine trumps all. Getting a new bike goes right along with training, agree with the comment that they are additive. ..... Terrain here is hilly and I like climbing on my roadie. But I race in pa (hilly), md (mixed), and de (pancake flat) ........ I'm leaning toward pulling the trigger. I'll post the bike porn when it happens |
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