General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Converting road to tri bike Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2008-07-07 6:46 PM

User image

Veteran
167
1002525
Middleton, ID
Subject: Converting road to tri bike
i have the aero bars i have the saddle what else...? i am confused on how to position the saddle for the best comfort in the aero position.. i also am starting to think maybe it would have been better to wait and get a tri bike.. or will the road bike work fine anyone have any advice> Thank you


2008-07-07 6:51 PM
in reply to: #1513015

User image

Expert
2180
2000100252525
Boise, Idaho
Subject: RE: Converting road to tri bike

I'm no expert, but I think you did the right thing.  The road bike is much more versatile.  Go to www. slowtwitch.com and read about bike fit.  I wasn't able to use all the information here, but there are some nuggets that were helpful.  If you decide you want to go for some podium finishes down the road-then get a tri specific bike.

2008-07-07 7:31 PM
in reply to: #1513015

User image

Member
128
10025
Subject: RE: Converting road to tri bike
i have converted my road bike to a tri bike, and it works just fine for me. You should try to get the saddle position like a tri bike, and then as to the actual positioning of the saddle(seat) that is personal preference. I actually had to tilt my handle bars down a bit so I could get into a confortable aero position. You'll do just fine with a road bike in a race. It's not the bike, it's the motor.

oh, and just remember positioning is personal preference. you'll have to move everything around till you find that perfect spot.
2008-07-07 9:24 PM
in reply to: #1513015

User image

Veteran
377
100100100252525
Waukesha, WI
Subject: RE: Converting road to tri bike
I also had a road bike that I wanted to convert. I got the clip-on aeros and felt too stretched out (reaching for the bars, lower back pain). I switched out my seat post with a Profile Design Fast Forward and have been fine ever since.
2008-07-07 10:58 PM
in reply to: #1513015

User image

Champion
10668
500050005001002525
Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: Converting road to tri bike

"Back in the day" we all did this -- convert a road bike.

A lot of people still do it. And it can be done well. If you go for an "aggressive" position, however, you may find you're getting beyond the limits of stability on the road bike. Some people just deal with it and say it's fine. Those are people who haven't ridden a well-balanced tri bike. The difference is eye-opening, so I caution you to try it when you're at least close to wanting to buy one.

2008-07-07 11:01 PM
in reply to: #1513015

User image

Champion
5117
5000100
Brandon, MS
Subject: RE: Converting road to tri bike
I used the aero bars and the Profile Design fast foward seat post.  It definitely was passable.  Actually, it was great for a while.  The aero bars were clip on and I had it set up with a saddle on the forward post and a saddle on the regular seat post.  Took me a few minutes at most to swith from road to "tri" bike.  It's a good and economical introduction into a more tri specific position.  If you're like me, you'll find yourself wanting to get even more aggressive later on, then it's a good time to look for a tri bike.


2008-07-08 6:54 AM
in reply to: #1513478

User image

Champion
9060
5000200020002525
Charlottesville, Virginia
Subject: RE: Converting road to tri bike

sesh - 2008-07-08 12:01 AM I used the aero bars and the Profile Design fast foward seat post.  It definitely was passable.  Actually, it was great for a while.  The aero bars were clip on and I had it set up with a saddle on the forward post and a saddle on the regular seat post.  Took me a few minutes at most to swith from road to "tri" bike.  It's a good and economical introduction into a more tri specific position.  If you're like me, you'll find yourself wanting to get even more aggressive later on, then it's a good time to look for a tri bike.

I would suggest getting a fitting.  I have a roadbike with clip on aerobars and had them set it up in a more agressive position and it seems to work well for me.

2008-07-08 10:56 AM
in reply to: #1513015

User image

Veteran
307
100100100
Subject: RE: Converting road to tri bike
Do you set up your forward post with saddle any different than a stock road bike post? Is it set up the same height?
2008-07-08 11:00 AM
in reply to: #1513677

User image

Champion
5117
5000100
Brandon, MS
Subject: RE: Converting road to tri bike
dalessit - 2008-07-08 6:54 AM

sesh - 2008-07-08 12:01 AM I used the aero bars and the Profile Design fast foward seat post.  It definitely was passable.  Actually, it was great for a while.  The aero bars were clip on and I had it set up with a saddle on the forward post and a saddle on the regular seat post.  Took me a few minutes at most to swith from road to "tri" bike.  It's a good and economical introduction into a more tri specific position.  If you're like me, you'll find yourself wanting to get even more aggressive later on, then it's a good time to look for a tri bike.

I would suggest getting a fitting.  I have a roadbike with clip on aerobars and had them set it up in a more agressive position and it seems to work well for me.

I've pushed it as far as I can already.  The geometry just doesn't work with how I want to be.  Plus, I love my roadie, and the last thing I want to do is butcher it up with bullhorns and bar ends on the aeros.

2008-07-08 11:17 AM
in reply to: #1514404

User image

Champion
5117
5000100
Brandon, MS
Subject: RE: Converting road to tri bike

Lukester1980 - 2008-07-08 10:56 AM Do you set up your forward post with saddle any different than a stock road bike post? Is it set up the same height?

It's a bit different.  Just mark it with some tape, so you'll always have the insertion line.

2008-07-08 11:19 AM
in reply to: #1514419

User image

Champion
9060
5000200020002525
Charlottesville, Virginia
Subject: RE: Converting road to tri bike
sesh - 2008-07-08 12:00 PM
dalessit - 2008-07-08 6:54 AM

sesh - 2008-07-08 12:01 AM I used the aero bars and the Profile Design fast foward seat post.  It definitely was passable.  Actually, it was great for a while.  The aero bars were clip on and I had it set up with a saddle on the forward post and a saddle on the regular seat post.  Took me a few minutes at most to swith from road to "tri" bike.  It's a good and economical introduction into a more tri specific position.  If you're like me, you'll find yourself wanting to get even more aggressive later on, then it's a good time to look for a tri bike.

I would suggest getting a fitting.  I have a roadbike with clip on aerobars and had them set it up in a more agressive position and it seems to work well for me.

I've pushed it as far as I can already.  The geometry just doesn't work with how I want to be.  Plus, I love my roadie, and the last thing I want to do is butcher it up with bullhorns and bar ends on the aeros.

HEHE, sorry meant to quote the OP, not your post : )



2008-07-08 12:18 PM
in reply to: #1513015

User image

Veteran
307
100100100
Subject: RE: Converting road to tri bike
Sesh, Did you need to change out your stem after putting on aero bars and the forward seat post?
2008-07-08 12:31 PM
in reply to: #1513015

Expert
810
500100100100
Southeast
Subject: RE: Converting road to tri bike

I've done this to my bike (clip-ons, forward seat post).  I've spent a lot of time twiddling with the fit, and the only thing I can say is, twiddle away -- I'm constantly finding small adjustments that I can make here and there to increase power or comfort, etc.  Someday I'll have a great tri bike with a professional fit, but first things first.  Right now, the material at slowtwitch.com, and a lot of trial and error, are working just fine for me.  And I feel like I'm learning a lot just by experimenting.

2008-07-08 1:08 PM
in reply to: #1513015

User image

Extreme Veteran
739
50010010025
Westlake, OH
Subject: RE: Converting road to tri bike

You mean like this?

I got the clip-ons and fast forward seat post.  I'm mostly happy with it and it works fine for me.  I'm not chasing Kono or overall spots.  But, I like to be as fast as I can and I know I'm not as fast on my current set-up as I could be on a tri bike.  So, at times I wish I had waited and just went with the tri bike.

 



Edited by ohiost90 2008-07-08 1:09 PM
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Converting road to tri bike Rss Feed