ROAD BIKE OR A TRIATHLON BIKE

I race on a road bike and do just fine.  I'm not going to place or anything and at the time a majority of my rides we're in group so that's what I went with.  And most of my rides are hilly anyways, which IMO is better on a road bike.

Really deoends on what your focus is going to be. If you will be doing a lot of tri's and solo ride and not much group riding, then a Tri bike is good for you.

If, on the other hand, you think you will be doingt a lot fo group riding, or just riding in general and not a lot of Tri's, I would say a road bike is the better choice for you.

For what it's worth, I have a road bike and it serves me just fine for Tri's and for general riding, but I have not competed in many Tri's either.

thanks guys...... when i am puchasing a road bike should i go in for a slightly shorter frame size. As i have read that with a road bike , when i put the aerobars the bike set up would be unappropriate for me.
i tried a bike with a frame size of 51 and found it short , so i was thinking to buy a 54 size, but the bike dealer suggested that if i put aerobars it will be ok.
any asuggestions. my height is 5 foot 8 inches

thanks

My advice would be to absolutely get a professional fit and let the person fitting you know what you are looking for. Tell them about how you'll be doing Tri's with it and have a set of aerobars that you'll be using there to help with the fit.

In my opinion, nothing is more important with getting a new bike than getting th correct fit.

You should go for the frame size that fits you.  Period.  I don't think the dealer that said if you put aero bars on it then it will be ok has your best interest at all.  I bought a bike that fits then a year later I put aero bars on.  They work just fine with no additional changes to the bike.  Ignore aero bars for now, just get out and try as many bikes as you can, see what one you feel the best on then go from there.  I knew as soon as I got on my bike it was the one for me.  Then find the right aero bars if you want them

Ditto on what everyone has said. 

I race on a road bike. 
Like to ride with groups.
Can't afford two bikes. 

Many recent threads on this subject. Here are some:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...

Me personally, I ride my tri bike 80% of the time. Road bike gets pulled out in rain (it has fenders now) or organized group rides or casual rides with friends / family. I don't use my road bike for general training.

If you plan to go fast, buy a tri bike. If you're mostly a group rider, buy a road bike. If you do both, buy both. You can certainly ride a tri bike in groups (especially if it's a group of triathletes), but you won't be on your aerobars and you won't be as comfortable).

More importantly, buy the bike that fits you and your needs and doesn't feel like a bunch of compromises. Many local bike store will try to talk you into what they have in stock.

Adding aerobars to a road bike that doesn't fit you won't make it fit you better. Fitting to a road bike with aerobars is slightly different, but not that different.

Edited by brucemorgan 2010-07-05 10:07 AM

+1

How much does the geometry of the bike change your ability to produce power?  I've been leaning toward purchasing a tri bike in the fall but I'm taking my time and trying to figure out what might be right for me as well.  Is the geometry of the frame more to simply change position to be more aero or does it have anything to do with the ability to produce power?

Thanks

Pretty much everyone will agree that the geometry of a tri frame is designed to enable the bike to handle well and be ridden comfortably in the aero position.

After that the disagreements start.

Many people believe that the tri bike position "saves your legs for the run"; many people consider that a complete myth. I think "myth" is prevailing these days.

Some people will say it's easier to produce power in the aero position, other people will say it's more difficult, other people will say that's bunk, it's just a poor fitting bike or a bad aero position), and the arguments go 'round and 'round and 'round, and a lot of people say the aero position is neither helps nor hurts power production. Buy a tri bike and then you'll be able to debate your experience too!

As far as producing power goes...
I make about 12watts more power on my road bike than I do on my tri bike. Both have been professionally fitted. I am also faster on my tri bike generally.

I run pretty much the same pace off of either bike, depending on how hard I pushed.

Edited by Leegoocrap 2010-07-05 1:33 PM

If you think you want a road bike, that is what I would get. In group settings you are much better off. Some rides don't even allow aerobars. I have both and used to ride my tri-bike almost exclusively. Now I am back to riding the majority of miles on the roadie and riding the tri-bike at races. Better yet consider a tri-bike and road bike.

After reading this thread and watching the TdF, I am having 2nd thoughts about a tri bike.  I may end up just getting a nice Trek road bike instead.  I am just over 200lbs and I have to deal with a lot of hills where I ride so perhaps a road bike makes more sense.  It's tough because those tri bikes look soooo cool!   

I know you said, "generally" but how does it work for you once things get hilly.  Not simple rollers but moutain climbs?

Just out of curiousity, why a Trek?

When I was looking at tri bikes, I liked the Trek SC 7 and I was interested in the new 2.5's coming out.  I also like the Felt B16.  As I started to look at road bikes, there are a couple local shops that sell Fuji, Cannondale and Trek.  The Trek shop is pretty close to my house and I like the 2.3 model.  It has received really good reviews as well.

Is there a Specialized dealer near you?  Check out an Allez.

I will look into them.  I have a couple of follow-up question if you don't mind:
1.  Is there a reason why you don't like Trek or is it sort of like the Cuervelo thing where too many people have them? 
2.  I have read that a compact is "better" than a triple.  Is that true or is it simply a preference thing.  The 2.3 comes in both configurations and since I live in a hilly area and weigh more than most riders, I want to have some fall back gearing.  I like the 11-27 cassette option.  I currently have a sub compact with a 14-28.  The 28 is nice at times but I have outgrown the need for that 99% of the time.  The 14 is just not enough and I top out quickly.