General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Does the Ironman 70.3 allow mountain bikes?? Rss Feed  
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2015-07-31 8:19 AM
in reply to: Guest

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Subject: RE: Does the Ironman 70.3 allow mountain bikes??

Originally posted by Real D I'm planning on participating in the half Ironman in Orlando next year.  I don't really have the money to invest in a road bike and was told that converting mine would be equally as expensive.

Would I look like a total idiot entering the race with a slick tire mountain bike?  More importantly, is this even allowed?

As mentioned, some races allow MTB and others do not.  You got the answer for the FL 70.3 already.

The bigger question is why would you want to subject yourself to 56 miles of torture riding a MTB?  Nothing about a MTB is built for speed so my guess is that for the same power and effort you would go 5 mph slower (bad body position, wide tires, bad gearing, etc.).  You can find some really good used bike deals on ebay, craigslist, Slowtwitch classifieds, BT classifieds, etc.

I bought a once ridden and two month old 2014 Specialized Tarmac with 11-speed Ultegra components for $1800 (retail was $3400).  So you can undoubtedly find a year old road bike that retailed for $1500 new for $700 or so.



2015-07-31 8:44 AM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: Does the Ironman 70.3 allow mountain bikes??
Originally posted by GMAN 19030

Originally posted by Real D I'm planning on participating in the half Ironman in Orlando next year.  I don't really have the money to invest in a road bike and was told that converting mine would be equally as expensive.

Would I look like a total idiot entering the race with a slick tire mountain bike?  More importantly, is this even allowed?

As mentioned, some races allow MTB and others do not.  You got the answer for the FL 70.3 already.

The bigger question is why would you want to subject yourself to 56 miles of torture riding a MTB?  Nothing about a MTB is built for speed so my guess is that for the same power and effort you would go 5 mph slower (bad body position, wide tires, bad gearing, etc.).  You can find some really good used bike deals on ebay, craigslist, Slowtwitch classifieds, BT classifieds, etc.

I bought a once ridden and two month old 2014 Specialized Tarmac with 11-speed Ultegra components for $1800 (retail was $3400).  So you can undoubtedly find a year old road bike that retailed for $1500 new for $700 or so.





Since his race was 6 years ago, maybe we should just ask him how it went
2015-07-31 9:21 AM
in reply to: mike761

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Subject: RE: Does the Ironman 70.3 allow mountain bikes??

Didn't realize this was a thread resurrection.  I love that some guy searched for this old thread to mention his brother did a race on a MTB.

2015-07-31 3:03 PM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: Does the Ironman 70.3 allow mountain bikes??
LMFAO +1! Looks like his first post, too.
2015-07-31 9:10 PM
in reply to: LifterCatcher

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Subject: RE: Does the Ironman 70.3 allow mountain bikes??
Originally posted by LifterCatcher

I did an MS 150 on a MB brutal but can be done!

Go for it!!!

Chris R


Ha, I did it on a $60 MB from Target. I had no friggin' clue. I look back and at this point you couldn't pay me to do it- it had the original knobby tires and I'm sure it was way too small. Ah, to be 23 again.
2015-08-01 10:09 AM
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Subject: RE: Does the Ironman 70.3 allow mountain bikes??
Originally posted by GMAN 19030 Nothing about a MTB is built for speed so my guess is that for the same power and effort you would go 5 mph slower (bad body position, wide tires, bad gearing, etc.).  


I don't know, after regularly riding a mountain bike with with fat (if semi-slick) tires, I upgraded to a brand new entry level road bike. Thought I'd pick up 3-4 mph. I was disappointed that the reality was only ~2 mph.

Edited by gary p 2015-08-01 10:10 AM


2015-08-02 9:27 AM
in reply to: gary p

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Subject: RE: Does the Ironman 70.3 allow mountain bikes??

Originally posted by gary p
Originally posted by GMAN 19030 Nothing about a MTB is built for speed so my guess is that for the same power and effort you would go 5 mph slower (bad body position, wide tires, bad gearing, etc.).  
I don't know, after regularly riding a mountain bike with with fat (if semi-slick) tires, I upgraded to a brand new entry level road bike. Thought I'd pick up 3-4 mph. I was disappointed that the reality was only ~2 mph.

I can pick up almost 2mph going from a road bike to a tri bike just based off the aero position.

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