Will a different bike improve performance?
BY: kathfair on 2010-09-04 11:26 PM

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+++!!

RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
BY: tkos on 2010-09-05 6:07 AM

The answer is a big maybe. A lot will depend on the course ridden, the amount of training you do and frankly how good of a cyclist you are. 

Certain things though could help. Do you have Downtube shifters or more modern shifters in the brake levers? And how well tuned is your current bike? Well worn parts will certainly not help keep you riding fast.

My friend rides a Trek 1400 from the 80's (I think) and he can easily keep up with me on my nice carbon fiber special. I'm no slouch on the bike, but he is also not hindered by his. 

RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
BY: KathyG on 2010-09-05 6:12 AM

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.
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Dream Big, Train Consistently, Find joy in the journey

RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
BY: Tundra_Man on 2010-09-05 9:30 AM

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.
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The smell of Chinese buffet is like a siren's song enticing me to crash against the rocks of my waistline.

RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
BY: Slowbutnotlast on 2010-09-05 10:11 AM


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.

RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
BY: Zupe on 2010-09-05 1:40 PM

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. 

RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
BY: Zupe on 2010-09-05 1:40 PM

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. 

RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
BY: blynott on 2010-09-05 2:03 PM

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

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2014 Schedule:

UNC Wellness Super Sprint - 8/10/2014
White Lake International - 9/6/2014
Wilmington YMCA Triathlon - 9/27/2014

RE: Will a different bike improve performance?
BY: sarals on 2010-09-05 2:45 PM

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.
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~~Sara