My new bike scares me.

How long have you had the tri bike? If you're not comfortable in aero, just ride the bullhorns for a while until you're comfortable controlling the bike in different terrain. Then, get on the aerobars for short, straight stretches now and then. Ease into it. You'll get it.

Just do it...a lot.

I 2nd that. Just do it. You will probably find that you have a lot more control than you previously thought you would have. I just bought a tri bike as my first bike in January and rode it home from the shop using the aero bars. You will get a sore neck and shoulders at first. Once you get your neck and shoulders conditioned (doesn't take long) you will enjoy the aero position. I find it quite comfortable.

I 2nd chillie's message above, especially when it is cold I don't want ot get out of the aero position.  I also was hesistant at first when getting in to the aero bars, practice in less congested areas and keep lengthening the amount of time in the aero position each ride.

All good advice above... However, if you still have issues, I will sacrafice and let you have my '87 Raleigh road bike and I will take your tri bike off your hands. 

Make sure you ride the bike out of the aero position enough to where you feel comfortable. When you feel like you are starting to have good control of your bike then find a good stretch of road that is not crowded, straight and flat.........and practice that aero position. Not only practice being in the aero position but practicing shifting, coming out of aero, going back into aero, braking.......this will help a lot with your comfort level. After a few times out you will start feeling much better. Also take it slow, like one of the previous posts says you will get sore so don't go out and spend two hours in the aero position, work up to it.

Good luck and congrats on the new bike.

LMAO.

What greater love than the man who would give up his bike for his brother.
So touching.

I'm only parroting advice I've read before, but I've heard it suggested that it helps to think of steering with your elbows and shoulders as opposed to steering with your hands.

I think some of us have missed the basics of the question. Ride it on your trainer to get "use" to being in that position. That way there is a smaller chance of you falling off. Granted, Comet manages to fall of her trainer...more than once...but that is rare.

Once you know that you can "be out there" then get it out on the road and it should help. And don't forget...a Tri bike is more front heavy and doesn't like you taking your hands off your handlebars...found that out!

Remember, going from a mountain to a road or tri bike, you have significant changes in geometry and handling. Don't worry about speed at first, get used to the handling. Riding on the bullhorns. Once you get the handling down, then move to the aero position. The change in geometry and responsiveness of the turning radius makes the change significant. But trust me you'll get used to it and love it especially when with little effort you knock 5, 10, or even more minutes off your time. And your legs will be fresher for the run.

Good luck and keep working at it.

Road bike to a tri bike is a bit of a jump as the tri bike is a bit sketchy to ride because you are so far forward. The jump from MTB to Tri is really significant so just be patient. Pick really easy, flat stretches of road to practice on and just progress from there. I went from a road to tri bike this winter and I am still getting used to it. be patient and it will come.

Mark

I was pretty terrified on my road bike the first week I had it.  I had never ridden a road bike before - only a mountain bike.  The first week, I don't think I used the drop downs, let alone the aero bars.  I did a lot of short rides (~10 miles) to try to get more comfortable and slowly built up speed an distance.  I think after about 3 weeks, I was just fine.  I still get a little nervous sometimes when I get into the aero bars, but it'll come after time.  Be patient and keep at it.

Wow i can so relate to this post.

I just got a new road bike in Jan and i used to ride a mountain bike all the time. I am so uncomfortable on the road bike. I don't feel balanced, i get sore, the aero scares the crap out of me. Im having trouble bonding with this thing. I'm going to get fitted next week so that my geometery is correct - so i can eliviate any additional stress on my body, cause my butt, shoulders, wrists, neck and lower back -- all of it hurts

But if i just keep doing it all the time, slow flat rides, switch positions, a little longer each time, i'm sure i'll get it.

The question i have is that when i switch from aero to bull horns i tend to veer to the left or right first...should i be sitting up before i switch or switch while im in that aeor position?

Thanks for the post Cheddar son - at least i now know that its not just me!!

Salma

I know what your going thru. Two years ago I bought my first Tri bike on Friday, took it to my first Sprint race the next morning and almost killed myself. Ended up with a concusion and less skin than when I started the race.

Go slow and get used to the way a Tri bike rides. It wasn't the areo bars that got me, it was the way the bike tracked thru corners that caused my crash. Of course it didn't help entering a 90 degree turn going 35kph.

Yes, testoserone is a dangerous thing....

Keep your help up and your stick on the ice!

...timmy

Didnt read but I hope you had the bike professionally fitted. This will add greatly to your efficiency. You must also feel relaxed so that your not constantly moving around which will increase drag and be much less efficient on longer rides. I agree with everyone else take it slow and use routes with little traffic and few traffic lights.

Scouts Out

I just bought a new road bike too. I went on my first ride yesterday--not only my first ride with the new bike, but my first ride on a bike for about 8 or 9 years. It was pretty scary... The main thing that scares me is riding in traffic. I'm afraid I'm going to get hit by a car. Every time I hear one coming up behind me I tense up. Any tips for staying safe when riding with traffic?

Thanks!

When I first started riding Ruby (the Raleigh road bike...nice alliteration), I just sort of took to her. She was an outcast. Not much market for a 59 cm red raleigh in Pittsburgh...but she and I bonded. Our first test ride out of the bike store was a show down, could I handle her intense and lanky pace? Yes, and I loved the tourque I got form the pedals. I couldn't believe how much POWER came from the pedals as opposed to my k-mart special. It took me the better part of 6 months to get the shifting 100%, but it's there!

So long and short: Use the force, Otis!

(no, seriously, listen to the rest of them here, they're smarter than me).