Tri bike vs Road bike

Here's one thread...there are many more

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=211777&posts=17&mid=2908902&highlight=road+bike+tri&highlightmode=1&action=search#M2908902

If your bike riding is exclusively for tri training & racing, then get a tri bike. 

If you like doing group rides with your roadie buddies or do Ride for XYZ Cure -type tours or stuff like that, then get a road bike and pop some aero bars on it.

Cheers, Chris

I'm dealing with the same problem.  I'm presently riding a 20+ year old road bike with aero bars.  I'm comfortable on it but can't help thinking that a tri bike would be nice.  The problem is, at 67 years of age, should I really be shopping for a tri bike?  I probably will only do this for a few more years if my health holds up.  But then again, you see very few tri bikes for sale and I could probably sell it easily.  I know, I've been looking for a used one (Under $1000) for a few months now with no luck.  I would have thought that 58 cm. would be a common size.

Edited by blynott 2010-06-18 8:02 AM

http://www.slowtwitch.com/Bike_Fit/General_Fit_Articles/Tri_road_or... />
Great article, read through it, and hopefully itll clear some stuff about bikes and their fits for you

And in your budget, you can get a solid bike for that money.  I bought a frame for 500 and im building it up for 1200.  Even just around here, there is a great cervelo p2k for 800, or a QRoo for about the same.  That said, you can get some pretty awesome road bikes for that dosh too.

I know a guy who has 11 bikes. I think it is always good to buy another.

I have the road bike that I bought 3 years ago when i started doing Tris, and am thinking of buying fancy Tri-bike. All I need is room for it!

Ask your self, What am I going to use this bike for?  An all around bike for tris, riding in groups, comuting to work and maybe cruising around at a lesiure pace, then you might want a bike that fits that criteria.  If you are using it for tris and tri training, then get the tri bike.

I do 95% or more of my riding around triathlons (racing or training), therefore I invested in a tri bike.  I don't do group rides, except with others who accept "I'm a tri guy" and need more room then the average roadie.  I view biking as part of tri training, and I wouldn't do it, at this point in my life, if it weren't for tris.  The little bit of riding I do with my wife on the road, I can get away with my tri bike.  Or, we pull out the cheapo mountain bikes and go for a cruise. 

personally, i think you need both.  only a likes to ride alone all the time.  if you are riding with more than yourself you will be better off with a road bike. 

i am 38 and the next bike I buy will be a time trial/tri bike. ....I have a road bike that I am very happy withh trek 2.3.

the way I look at it, once I have a tri bike, the only place I need to go for my road bike is carbon.........as i ride aluminum now..  but it is all goood cause i love to ride

aero is key for flat roads and wind

peace
mf

I've got a really nice tri bike (Cervelo P2C) and an intro-level road bike.

I find myself riding the road bike a lot more lately. 

I had an entry level roadie, and decided to invest in another roadie as my first high end bike. My next purchase, assuming I stick with tris, will be a full TT bike.  For me, a road bike is versatile and I'm able to race tris, and road events, do group rides, etc. A TT bike is essentially a very expensive one trick pony.  I wouldn't make the leap until you're absolutely sure about what you want to do.

Sounds like you already have a road bike. So I would say get a tri bike and keep your roadie.  Then later on you could upgrade your roadie to something nicer as well.

I rode a $178 schwinn prelude road bike for 2 tri's in 08.  in 09 i bought a $900 schwinn prologue TT bike.
My times are a little better.  I also have trained more.  the point....

the bike you ride does make a difference.
however the law of diminishing returns is important to remember in bike buying.
going from a $6 huffy to a $178 schwinn is HUGE.  going from a dept store purchased raod bike to  low end tri big is big -but we are talking a minute or 2 over 20 miles of racing.  going fro a sub thousand dollar bike to a 4k bike is small - but if seconds count to get you on the podium it is worth it.  going from a 4k bike to one of those crazy expensive bikes you better be REALLY good or rich to make it worthwhile.

if your fitness level doesn't match the bike, it would not be money well spent.

i say if you are serious about the sport and improving and or placing you should go for it and get an entry level tri bike.  i would actuall recommend something a little better than what i got *1500 to 200o dollars will get a nice entry level bike.  and get fitted (i didn't) to ensure you are getting the right bike and the most out of the bike you choose.

-b
 

My dad still rides his bike, and he's 83.  My guess is that your health will be directly related to how much exercise you do.  Getting a new bike will allow you to enjoy your rides more and will motivate you.  Think of it as an investment in your health.  If you're not going to get yourself a new bike now... then when?  Unless you're planning on reincarnation.

If you can swing it financially- go for it.  If not, shop ebay, craig's list and find a nice upgrade for yourself. 

tri bike because they are sexier....







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67? Hell you have DECADES left. :-)

http://minnesotatrinews.blogspot.com/2009/08/final-preparations.html

That's Bob Powers. He's 86 now. And still racing every weekend.

Thanks, I am still getting faster on my road bike.  But as someone mentioned above the tri bikes do look so nice.  I'm considering the Fuji Aloha for $1250 with some 105 components.  My local tri shop has a couple of 2010s and one should fit me.  I tried it out on a trainer and it felt good.  However we just returned from a Mediterranean cruise and the stock market's down again!