To train on road bike or tri bike

I ride my P2C everywhere. (Training, Commuting etc.)

But then, I don't train with anyone so group riding is not an issue for me.

But when I do ride with my Tri Club, most everyone I would be riding with also have Tri Bikes and so we would not ride in a pack close together like roadies do. (Unless we were training for a Team Time Trial that is)

If find the P2C to be very light and nimble and easy to ride in road situations. It climbs well, decends very well, and of course does great on flat stretches of road. (Especially with a headwind)

I certainly don't find it to be nearly as squirrelly as some of the bikes I tested. It is very solid and predictible.

Interesting most folks say on their road bike they put out more power but are slower compared to their tri bike.

Do you have a power tap so you swap wheels between bikes?

I have power tap and switch between my bikes and don't see much of a difference in power between bikes. I find tri bike much more comfortable to ride long as my upper body is supported by my skeleton. I have had issues with shoulder as I separated it in a bike crash and also carpal tunnel acts up on road bike.

Lots of triathletes train during off season on road bike and pull out tri bike in time to adjust to it for race.

If you are not comfortable on your tri bike you may want to look into tweaking your bike fit. Being a little less aggressive can make it more comfortable which is key for longer races.

Interesting topic... I just a new tri bike, and can really tell a difference.  I have been riding a Cervelo Soloist for the past 3 years (and have it set up pretty aggressive- for a road bike version ) and just started w/ the Xlab Avenger TT last weekend.   1st ride, 25 miles, this weekend 52 miles... I can feel a difference in my hips.  I think because my body is tighter (positioning wise) I am working different muscles.  But I am glad this thread started.... I was thinking about this....

I don't have a road bike, but plan to build one.

BUT, I think that I would be in the mindset that if I'm training for a race, I'm going to ride on what I race with as much as I can - the tri bike.  I do that with my MTN bike.  If I'm in a plan, I hang it up.  Between races and/or plans, I pull it down. 

If I'm doing a group ride, or just riding, I could see using the roadie...

I'm not sure it make a huge difference, as long as you are getting your time in the saddle.

Yes I just move the wheel back and forth between the bikes.  I develop way less watts on the road bike.  About 10%. 

WOW 10%!! That is a lot... I am surprised!

Me too as that does not make any sense at all ..........

Now if he were to say that at XX mph he makes less wattage on the tri bike then that would make sense.  Aerodynamics and positioning make the difference in needed effort.

Your engine doesn't change by changing bikes.

If the premise of this is based on what to do in training for the HIM, you need to use whichever bike you'll use in the race for your long rides. If it's the tri-bike you'll need to get comfortable riding the vast majority on the aerobars. I've seen far too many people get a tri-bike then waste the advantage by sitting up or using the cowhorns.

You can use a tri-bike on group rides if you either ride in front or off the back. While it's nice to ride with a group, those skills aren't necessarily things needed for triathlons. Plus you can ride your road bike in these situations, assuming they won't make up the bulk of your riding.

The power discrepencies sound very much like a poor fit on your road bike that is causing you to be in a position that doesn't allow a full transfer of power.

Well tested again and I am producing 10%+ less wattage on road bike versus tri.  Now I wonder if the PowerTap needs to be reset.  I have not done this.  I was riding on the trainer last night so could not do it.  I will reset, coast and set, tonight and see if makes a difference.

The road bike is only a year old and is a nice bike with componets very similiar to Tri bike and better in some aspects.  I can only conclude it is bike fit and my fitness.  My fitness as in the muscles are better that are used on the tri bike versus the road bike.  Either naturally or from the training I have done over the last 3 months on the tri bike.  I have been riding pretty hard.

I am going to get a bike fit done on the road bike.  Also reset PowerTap and see where I am at.  If still 10% difference, which I think is possible, then I will just ride tri bike most of the time.

Bart,

If you would ride more on your road bike then use that.  If your training is the same on either bike then use your tri bike.  For most of us, the bike that gives us the most training stimulation will prove optimal.

When I wanted to really breakthrough with my cycling I asked Bjorn Andersson for tips on riding fast in triathlon -- the #1 thing he told me was to ride my tri-bike all the time and get super comfortable with my position.  That advice paid off for me.

Make sure that your tri bike is comfortable, though.  If you are riding the road bike because your tri position is uncomfortable then you are unlikely to race well on it.

gordo

If this guy rides comfortably in this postion and as fast as he does it, it is good to listen to his advice.

(Bjorn Agressive.jpg)