General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Using a Road Bike for an Ironman 70.3 Rss Feed  
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2015-02-27 9:40 AM
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Ridgeland, Mississippi
Subject: RE: Using a Road Bike for an Ironman 70.3

Originally posted by bcagle25
Originally posted by GMAN 19030

Originally posted by msteiner

Honestly a large portion of the field would be better off on road bikes than their near upright fit with aerobars.

Very true.  I see people buying $5000-$10,000 tri bikes with godawful, upright positions all the time.  They would be better off on a road bike,

Is that the same as people buying ferrari's and all these super fast cars then driving them in city streets?

I get your angle, but it's not really the same.  If they were on $5,000-$10,000 road bikes you would have your equivalent scenario.  In this case it would be like buying a Ferrari and driving with the hood open all the time or some other easily fixable hindrance.

Even a guy riding a $1,000 tri bike riding upright would be better off on a $1,000 road bike.



Edited by msteiner 2015-02-27 9:42 AM


2015-02-27 9:42 AM
in reply to: msteiner

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Master
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Bellevue, WA
Subject: RE: Using a Road Bike for an Ironman 70.3

Originally posted by msteiner

Originally posted by jhaack39 Thanks Jason and msteiner. Totally passes the sniff/sensibility test for me. I think the key takeaway for me is don't ruin a good road bike. So basically, if I did the shorty route, then the fit wouldn't necessarily even really change? Or maybe a little? Relatively speaking. Either way, for a completer (not a competer) like me, I don't really need them. Then again, for a completer, like me...it might be nice to pickup any relatively inexpensive energy savings I can. Nothing in this sport is cut and dried, is it?

For me I just put the shorty bars on, and I'm good to go!

I suggest take modifications one step at a time and see how things work out before taking the next step. A couple hundred miles with short bars and no other changes will tell you if they are working out or not.

When I first put short bars on my road bike, after about 300 miles I decided I was stretched out just a bit too much and changed the step for one 10mm shorter. I didn't even move the seat. That was sufficient. I don't have the short bars anymore, but I got used to the shorter stem and left that.

2015-02-27 11:12 AM
in reply to: Albert L

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Master
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Washington, DC Metro
Subject: RE: Using a Road Bike for an Ironman 70.3

I see you've gotten your answer and some solid advice, however I just wanted to chime in to say a road bike is fine... during the Providence 70.3 a few years ago I actually passed on guy that was ridding a mountain bike, who also happend to have a tin of chew (chewing tobacco) in the back pocket of his jersey.  

2015-02-27 12:58 PM
in reply to: Sous

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Subject: RE: Using a Road Bike for an Ironman 70.3
Originally posted by Sous

I see you've gotten your answer and some solid advice, however I just wanted to chime in to say a road bike is fine... during the Providence 70.3 a few years ago I actually passed on guy that was ridding a mountain bike, who also happend to have a tin of chew (chewing tobacco) in the back pocket of his jersey.  




LOL! Even in WV, people don't race with a tin of chewing tobacco.
2015-02-27 2:22 PM
in reply to: msteiner

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Madison, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Using a Road Bike for an Ironman 70.3
Originally posted by msteiner

Originally posted by bcagle25
Originally posted by GMAN 19030

Originally posted by msteiner

Honestly a large portion of the field would be better off on road bikes than their near upright fit with aerobars.

Very true.  I see people buying $5000-$10,000 tri bikes with godawful, upright positions all the time.  They would be better off on a road bike,

Is that the same as people buying ferrari's and all these super fast cars then driving them in city streets?

I get your angle, but it's not really the same.  If they were on $5,000-$10,000 road bikes you would have your equivalent scenario.  In this case it would be like buying a Ferrari and driving with the hood open all the time or some other easily fixable hindrance.

Even a guy riding a $1,000 tri bike riding upright would be better off on a $1,000 road bike.




See it, But sometimes people just like to buy nice fun toys, I think those high end bikes falls right into that category.

I 100% agree with the comments on most should ride a road bike, especially if you are not using the bike for it's designed purpose. But again, people see something that looks cool and is fun and they want it. Not everyone is try to shave "x" per 40k.
2015-02-27 8:42 PM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Colorado Springs, Colorado
Subject: RE: Using a Road Bike for an Ironman 70.3
Originally posted by GMAN 19030

Originally posted by Donskiman Dave Scott won IM Kona 6 times using a road bike. Seemed to work pretty good. Just saying...

That's just a ridiculous argument.  How many pros do you see riding road bikes at Kona nowadays (or in the past 15 years or so)?  That answer would be zero.

And they didn't use tri bikes back when Scott was winning Kona because Dan Empfield had not yet designed the first tri bike.




The OP was asking about using a road bike in long course triathlon. People used road bikes for years and put up some very good times. The road bikes of today are likely much better than what they used in those days. No reason to think a tri bike is necessary if a person is already riding well on a road bike. In this case, it's the first time at the distance as well, so a tri bike is even less necessary.


2015-03-01 9:44 AM
in reply to: #5096124

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Across the river from Memphis, Tennessee
Subject: RE: Using a Road Bike for an Ironman 70.3
2015-03-01 11:39 PM
in reply to: Albert L


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Subject: RE: Using a Road Bike for an Ironman 70.3
I did my first HIM this past summer on my road bike (aluminum over 6 years old) with shortie aero bars (gt jammers). They worked out great. I was on the bars at least 90% of the time and found them very comfortable. I also zip tied a bottle cage between them which worked out well.
Your money is better spent else where (fitting, tighter clothes, aero helmet, etc.) where you'll get more bang for the buck.
I think your decision also depends on your goals (e.g. finishing, placing in your age group, etc.). I just wanted to finish around an average time, so a road bike was good enough at that time. BTW, it felt great passing up other racers with their fancy new bikes.
2015-03-02 7:35 AM
in reply to: hubcaps

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Subject: RE: Using a Road Bike for an Ironman 70.3
I don't own a tri bike, so I did a HIM on a road bike. It was a very hilly course, so I didn't miss out at all.
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