General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Tri bike vs Road bike Rss Feed  
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2006-04-17 2:26 PM

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Subject: Tri bike vs Road bike
I know that this one has probably been asked a hundred times before, but I couldn't find it on the forum search. I swear that I'm an inaffective forum searcher. Anyway, time for the question. Is what are the benefits of having one compared to the other. I understand that the geometry is a bit different so tri bikes are great for riding aero. I want to know if a tri bike will severly limit the terrain that I can ride i.e. hills, mountains, etc...? Thanks for the help everyone!




2006-04-17 2:33 PM
in reply to: #398328

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Subject: RE: Tri bike vs Road bike
2006-04-17 2:35 PM
in reply to: #398328

Master
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Subject: RE: Tri bike vs Road bike
You didn't ask, but if I could only have one bike, it would be a road bike and not a tri bike. The road bike is a lot more versatile than a tri bike.
2006-04-17 2:42 PM
in reply to: #398328

Master
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Subject: RE: Tri bike vs Road bike
Well, I just read that you are salvaging your frame from your crash. So I guess, you will still have a bike.

I don't know how bad things got banged up, but if I got in a wreck and got a check to replace the bike. I would replace everything and not ride on a wrecked frame, but that is just me.
2006-04-17 3:00 PM
in reply to: #398335

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Tri bike vs Road bike
the bear - 2006-04-17 2:33 PM

Read This:

 

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/difference.shtml 

 

 

 

 

Do you just have these links saved somewhere so you can whip them out anytime there is question like that?

 

You are the king of "read this" lol

2006-04-17 3:08 PM
in reply to: #398366

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Subject: RE: Tri bike vs Road bike
golfinggods - 2006-04-17 3:00 PM

Do you just have these links saved somewhere so you can whip them out anytime there is question like that?

You are the king of "read this" lol

I'm a walking FAQ!



2006-04-17 3:10 PM
in reply to: #398328

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Expert
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Sarnia, Ontario
Subject: RE: Tri bike vs Road bike
I've read all I can find on road vs tri bikes.
I still am not sure which I want, or should buy.

Has anyone bought a tri bike and wished they bought a road bike?
or bought a road bike and wished for the tri bike?
Why?

In the last group ride I went on, 1 guy had a tri bike, and 2 of us had aerobars that we used often. Noone seemed to care. We seemed to have control of our bikes at all times. I never felt like I did not have the control needed to keep with the group.

2006-04-17 3:16 PM
in reply to: #398380

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Subject: RE: Tri bike vs Road bike

KRCSWO - 2006-04-17 3:10 PM I've read all I can find on road vs tri bikes. I still am not sure which I want, or should buy. Has anyone bought a tri bike and wished they bought a road bike? or bought a road bike and wished for the tri bike? Why? In the last group ride I went on, 1 guy had a tri bike, and 2 of us had aerobars that we used often. Noone seemed to care. We seemed to have control of our bikes at all times. I never felt like I did not have the control needed to keep with the group.

Basically both a road bike and a tri bike are tools. A road bike is a Crescent wrench, can be used in a variety of situations on a variety of bolts and nuts. A tri bike is a 9MM box-end wrench, can also be used in a variety of situations (even as a hammer or a pry bar) but is designed to turn 9MM bolts and nuts.

Road bike is a do-everything tool, tribike is a race/time trial tool. You can use the tribike on group rides, centuries, hill climbs, road races, etc., it's just not the best tool.

As mnewton said, if you're only going to get one, then get a road bike UNLESS YOU ARE SURE that you will only be training for and racing triathlons and time trials.

If you can only afford one wrench, get the crescent, unless you know you will ONLY be screwing around with 9mm bolts and nuts.

2006-04-17 3:17 PM
in reply to: #398380

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Subject: RE: Tri bike vs Road bike
KRCSWO - 2006-04-17 4:10 PM

In the last group ride I went on, 1 guy had a tri bike, and 2 of us had aerobars that we used often. Noone seemed to care. We seemed to have control of our bikes at all times. I never felt like I did not have the control needed to keep with the group.



No one but anal retentive cycling jerks will care what you bring to a group ride. I have found that if you can keep up, that is all that matters.

I go on a lot of different group rides I see both kinds of bikes. (I have a road bike with aerobars)

I was at Ironman Arizona and saw a guy complete the bike course in a fold up bike....another guy had just sneakers on flat pedals, no toe cages, no nuthin!

It's not about the bike, it's all about the engine!
2006-04-17 3:28 PM
in reply to: #398380

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Tri bike vs Road bike

KRCSWO - 2006-04-17 3:10 PM I've read all I can find on road vs tri bikes. I still am not sure which I want, or should buy. Has anyone bought a tri bike and wished they bought a road bike? or bought a road bike and wished for the tri bike? Why? In the last group ride I went on, 1 guy had a tri bike, and 2 of us had aerobars that we used often. Noone seemed to care. We seemed to have control of our bikes at all times. I never felt like I did not have the control needed to keep with the group.

 

Here is my take.

I bought a road bike (last May) and added aerobars to it. I rode it all tri season for me and it did well. I did most of my training by myself and only did two group rides.

I bought a tri bike last Sept and rode it the rest of the season. I then put the tri bike on the trainer and rode it all winter. the times I did ride when the weather was good (very few), I rode my road bike. Now that is is truely tri season I am now back on the tri bike.

So now my road bike mostly sits all alone in the garage.

I have only 2 group rides planned this year and the tri club I ride with, when I do training with them most of them have tri bikes.

So my answer would be just go and get a tri bike. Most of your training is done on a tri bike. You do not really need to learn how to ride in a group all that much because you cannot draft in tri, plus you need to get used to riding a long time in the tri postion which is very different that a road position. plus you can spend your money on on a good tri bike to make your ride better and more areo. All of your training you are going to spend getting used to your bike and figuring out how to get every little bit of speed out of it.

 

If later you want to try road, you can always go cheaper there and it not be a issue vs getting a good road bilke now and a cheaper tri bike later.

2006-04-17 3:33 PM
in reply to: #398328

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Subject: RE: Tri bike vs Road bike
You guys are awesome! Thanks for the help!



2006-04-17 3:41 PM
in reply to: #398328

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Master
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Pulaski TN
Subject: RE: Tri bike vs Road bike
Buy both!!!! But seriously I struggled with the same decision like I am sure every newbie does and will continue to do till the end of well whenever but I purchased a road bike and I am really having a great time on it getting out in the country side to conduct my training...that being said I am also going to buy a tri bike for next season if I get below a certain weight goal(kind of incentive) I dont know why I have read everything on them and mainly because I want another toy!!!!
2006-04-17 4:08 PM
in reply to: #398328

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Norman, Oklahoma
Subject: RE: Tri bike vs Road bike
I'm using a new road bike and then later a new tri bike as rewards for good training. Once can avg 20mph on my dad's old racing bike thats older than I am, I'll let myself buy a new road bike. Once I complete a half iron, I'll let myself buy a tri bike.
2006-04-17 6:22 PM
in reply to: #398328

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Expert
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North Carolina
Subject: RE: Tri bike vs Road bike
I had a tri bike for about two years before I got a road bike this year. What a difference. If you are going to have one bike, get the road bike.
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