Aluminum road vs. Carbon tri bike

Most of the gains would be due to you being able to assume a more aerodynamic position on the tri bike vs. the road bike.  How much faster depends how aero you are on your road bike currently.  If you are more/just as aero on the road bike, then you may not be faster at all on the tri bike.  The fact that one is carbon and one aluminum will hardly matter at all.

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Thanks for the replys......2 opposing views I'm right back where I started from.....LOL

The fact that one is carbon and one aluminum will hardly matter at all.

Maybe not for speed.  But, for comfort of ride (making the rider want to train, more????), there's a very distinct difference (IMO).  I bought an alum. roadie, because I wasn't sure I'd like the sport (didn't want to make a big investment).  I soon bought a carbon roadie, after I'd rode a friend's carbon framed bike.  When I went to get a tri bike, I never even looked at aluminum.  No regards to speed, here.  I ride these things in training a LOT more than I do in races.

I, too, have a Cervelo.  I'm not anywhere CLOSE to 2mph faster on my P2 than I am on my roadie. 

So....again you're right back where you started.

jeff

Tire choice and pressure have a much great affect on "comfort" than the frame material.  While it is commonly accepted that alu is harsh and carbon is not, this has more to do with frame design than anything.

Shane

Shane:

Good stuff.  Thanks.  Of course....you now have a PM heading your way.

And not all carbon is the same.  There is a reason two carbon bikes with what seems like the same component set can be very different iin price.