Currently doing Tri's on a Hybrid Bike

Your speed sounds pretty good for a hybrid.  Hard to be sure, since your hilly ride and mine cannot be easily compared.

Your hybrid and mine may be far apart as well.  I CAN tell you that my speed went up dramatically when I bought a new Tri-bike on November 1st.  I knocked about 10 minutes off a 25 mile loop right away, and that was with cool weather requiring heavier clothing (read parachute flapping) and pretty windy days. 

Motor matters the most.  The miles I put on the hybrid (with the clip-ons) built my legs and I was ready for the new bike.  My fitting went very quickly because I was already used to aero-bars and my position on the old bike was pretty close to what I am in now.

I imagine I am better off for putting the miles in on the slower, heavier bike. If I had started on my newer bike, I probably wouldn't be as strong or fast.

As far as picking up another bike if you can, road bikes are definitely more versatile.  However some people only have a tri-bike and are happy with it.  Riding with groups could call more for a roadie, but since you expect to be ever solo, a TT would possiblysuit you better.  The cycling group here has no beef with tri-bikes, so it's about a moot point for me.

Hills still suck.  Maybe climbing would be easier on a roadie for me, but I plan to work on the hills specifically soon and fix that little problem.

Short version:  Better bike can help, but the time in the saddle and work make the biggest difference.

-eric

I agree. I did my first 5 or 6 tris with a hybrid. Including two half irons.
You WILL see a difference on a tri or even a road bike, just becuase of body position. Tri bike will give more benefit, but is a little less versatile.
I would say, save up for a little while, the bike you want will come around, and in the meantime, you will be getting good training on the hybrid!


Edited by eliwashere 2010-12-16 10:40 AM

Take it from me there is a huge difference, but unless you have a lot of money to burn or expect to be on the podium every week do not spend the extra money till you are ready or you can sell your hybrid for a tri bike/or road

I have done races early on with a Trek Hybrid and I would finish 3rd (age gr) and pretty high but my speed was always slower than the other bikes and I would say "what if"

Also when I would get off my hybrid I would really run like a walrus, with my quads being on fire.

This all changed when I got my tri bike...better speed, preserved legs etc.....

The only thing to look at is if you plan on training for HIM or full you will have a higher risk for overuse injuries on a hybrid also

I would look around and research other bikes so when you are ready you can pull the trigger and buy one.......you can also rent for races, but the unfamiliarity of the rental may be risky too.

good luck