Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum: Re beginner's bike choice

Calendar Coaches Fitters Retailers Triathlon Clubs Stack & Reach Custom Geometry Calculator Training Log
		MAIN INDEX	RULES & LEGEND	LOG IN

Search for (options)

Newsletter Signup

Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
Re beginner's bike choice

rasken

Oct 30, 09 5:46

Post #1 of 24 (453 views)

Re beginner's bike choice	Can't Post

Hello all,
Hope I'm not reiterating a question beaten to death already (if so, I'm sorry), but at least I couldn't find a thread by a quick search.

I'm starting out, and managed to find a used tri bike proper at a bargain. I've got a regular road bike too, but it's equipped for commuting and quite worn. So, I'd rather do my training on the tri bike. Are there any problems with using a tri bike for all the bike training?

Thanks and regards,
/Erik from Sweden
--
There is no normal life, there's just life. So get on with it.
http://lifeunleaded.blogspot.com

Dreamer

Oct 30, 09 7:24

Post #2 of 24 (405 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [rasken] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've done 100% of my training (and commuting) on my tri bike since the day I got it 4 years ago. I even sold my road bike since I wasn't using it.

It is very common for triathletes to do all of their bike training on their tri bikes. Many will say the best way to train for anything is to mimic race conditions as closely as possible during training - that means riding the bike you'll be riding on race day.

Rogue Leader

Oct 30, 09 7:28

Post #3 of 24 (402 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [rasken] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

If I could I would do all my training on my Tri bike, however many times due to time constraints I need to get bike rides in on busy public roads near my home. Not safe for a tri-bike IMO, so I use a road bike. If you don't have that problem I say go for it!

jackmott

Oct 30, 09 7:33

Post #4 of 24 (392 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [rasken] [In reply to]	Can't Post

its probably slightly better in terms of results to train entirely on the tri bike

except that group rides and such can cause you to push a lot harder and you will want a road bike for those, and sometimes weather/traffic will cause you to want an easier to handle bike.

so, train on the tri bike whenever you want. when you don't, use the road bike
----
Sunglasses: http://www.framesdirect.com/sunglasses
Tri Gear: http://www.atctrishop.com
rear wheel disc ALWAYS http://www.wheelbuilder.com if poor front wheel whatever torodial rim wheel you want, or H3. deeper if yer faster shallower if yer slower tires - http://www.biketechreview.com has crr data, use it frames - position trumps aero trumps weight trumps paintjob trumps stiffness water bottle between your arms or not at all if its a sprint swimget some swim lessons, its cheaper than buying bike speed train more and HTFU

kemp

Oct 30, 09 7:55

Post #5 of 24 (374 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [rasken] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have only ever ridden a tri bike. I don't even know what I might be missing on a roadie. People do look at me with a scowl at group rides sometimes.
---
WIN A CERVELO - And help fight diabetes with Triabetes!
I'm one of many type 1 diabetics planning to tear up Ironman AZ

meganruns

Oct 30, 09 10:50

Post #6 of 24 (320 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [rasken] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I only have a tri bike as well (that, and a mountain bike, I guess). If you are not going to race any road races, you probably don't need a road bike.
-----
Follow me on Twitter! megankillian
megankillian.blogspot.com

thetodd

Oct 30, 09 11:25

Post #7 of 24 (298 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [rasken] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've only ever trained on my tri bike, don't have a need for a road bike.

___________________________________________________
People say crazy shit during sex. One time I called this girl "Mom." - Randal Graves

jackmott

Oct 30, 09 11:30

Post #8 of 24 (291 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [kemp] [In reply to]	Can't Post

theres certain towns/areas where it just doesn't matter. like in houston everything is flat and straight group rides are often like 5 dudes in the middle of knowhere, ride a recumbant if you want.

in austin the theres lots of steep hills and windy bits and group rides are often thinly veiled crits....heh

In Reply To:

I have only ever ridden a tri bike. I don't even know what I might be missing on a roadie. People do look at me with a scowl at group rides sometimes.

----
Sunglasses: http://www.framesdirect.com/sunglasses
Tri Gear: http://www.atctrishop.com
rear wheel disc ALWAYS http://www.wheelbuilder.com if poor front wheel whatever torodial rim wheel you want, or H3. deeper if yer faster shallower if yer slower tires - http://www.biketechreview.com has crr data, use it frames - position trumps aero trumps weight trumps paintjob trumps stiffness water bottle between your arms or not at all if its a sprint swimget some swim lessons, its cheaper than buying bike speed train more and HTFU

cerveloguy

Oct 30, 09 12:08

Post #9 of 24 (268 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [rasken] [In reply to]	Can't Post

There are a lot of reasons to have a road bike - road racing, group rides, commuting to the beer store for a six pack, etc. as well as training. Not to mention racing tris on hilly or technical courses. Most pros do a significant % of their training on a road bike. You also develop core on a road bike and not a tri bike. This was brought up at the cycling science conference a few years ago. I'm definatleyl not in the camp that believes a tri bike can do it all.

jackmott

Oct 30, 09 12:15

Post #10 of 24 (263 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [cerveloguy] [In reply to]	Can't Post

i really don't think its necessary to grasp at that straw.

i have no doubt that your lower back develops better ability to isometrically contract slightly in one position for a long time on a road bike

i REALLY doubt thats useful =)

In Reply To:

You also develop core on a road bike and not a tri bike. This was brought up at the cycling science conference a few years ago.

alex_m

Oct 30, 09 12:37

Post #11 of 24 (245 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [meganruns] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Nothing could be further from the truth. I like to have the appropriate tool for the appropriate job at hand. If that job is a century club ride in the hills with the local studs, showing up on a tri bike would be a big no-no.

One way to become a better cyclist is to ride with better cyclists. Not triathletes. My first and only time doing a group ride with triathletes on TT bikes scared the living crap out of me (pace-lining in the aero bars, constantly sitting down to shift during the climbs, having their bottles eject from their bottle launchers 3-4 times right in front of etc.).

I don't race road, yet my road bike has become my best cycling related training tool. If you only ride by yourself (yawn) and want to keep being a middle of the pack triathlete with sub par bike handling skills - then yeah, stick to the tri-bike.

-----
Kept hydrated by: www.GoZym.com

meganruns

Oct 30, 09 12:42

Post #12 of 24 (236 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [alex_m] [In reply to]	Can't Post

So, if you can keep up with the "local studs" on your tri bike on a hilly course, what does that mean? It's hella hilly where I live.
-----
Follow me on Twitter! megankillian
megankillian.blogspot.com

cerveloguy

Oct 30, 09 12:46

Post #13 of 24 (227 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [jackmott] [In reply to]	Can't Post

It's actually more because you use your core muscles more on the road bike when on the drops or sitting up compared to resting on your skeletal frame on a tri bike. If you rode a road bike on aero bars all the time it would probably be about the same as the tri bike.

alex_m

Oct 30, 09 12:46

Post #14 of 24 (227 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [meganruns] [In reply to]	Can't Post

It does not mean anything since I don't! Liek I said. Showing up for the weekly club hammerfest on a tri bike is huge no-no.

I use my TT bike for TTs/Tri

-----
Kept hydrated by: www.GoZym.com

meganruns

Oct 30, 09 12:54

Post #15 of 24 (216 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [alex_m] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I agree with you that riding in a group for a hammerfest is a probably not a great idea on a tri bike. I also agree that riding in a group is highly beneficial because it pushes you to get better. Perhaps I have a different perspective because riding with triathlete guys of better biking skills is almost like riding in a group ride sometimes.

But, if the kid only wants to buy one bike for now, and he's racing only triathlon, I'd say he's perfectly fine with just getting the tri bike (especially if he hasn't ever ridden aero before). I personally found it more beneficial when I started doing triathlon to train consistently on my tri bike, as opposed to my road bike (which I recently sold), so I could get comfortable with its handling, position, and being able to reach for stuff (like aid) come race day.

cerveloguy

Oct 30, 09 12:58

Post #16 of 24 (207 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [meganruns] [In reply to]	Can't Post

"if the kid only wants to buy one bike for now, and he's racing only triathlon, I'd say he's perfectly fine with just getting the tri bike "

Isn't that why triathletes have their reputation for biking skills? You wouldn't recommend first getting a road bike, go on group rides, develop some handling skills, use shorty aero bars for tris and then later get a tri bike?

meganruns

Oct 30, 09 13:01

Post #17 of 24 (199 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [cerveloguy] [In reply to]	Can't Post

That is what I did (got the road bike first), but it sounds like he has ridden a road bike before.
-----
Follow me on Twitter! megankillian
megankillian.blogspot.com

Boudreaux

Oct 30, 09 13:03

Post #18 of 24 (196 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [cerveloguy] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Isn't that why triathletes "people who do triathlons" have their reputation for biking skills?

Yep...and it ain't pretty.

"you know, aero trumps training ;-) "
R10C 10/09

bmanners

Oct 30, 09 13:09

Post #19 of 24 (189 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [rasken] [In reply to]	Can't Post

No nothing at all. I ride all summer winter spring and fall on my tri bikes. Not neccasarily in that order though. If you are going with a group alot do not mind if you ride along. Just as long as you stay out of the aero's. Some guys dont mind you in the aeros if you are pulling everyone else or last in line. But ask first and the first few times stay out of the aero's anyway.

meganruns

Oct 30, 09 13:11

Post #20 of 24 (187 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [Boudreaux] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Question: Are better bike handling skills developed from riding a mountain bike or riding a road bike? Dude who started the post has a mountain bike.

alex_m

Oct 30, 09 13:12

Post #21 of 24 (185 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [cerveloguy] [In reply to]	Can't Post

+1.

Start with a road bike. Develop cycling fitness, group riding skills, bike handling skills. When you feel comfortable enough on a bike, then use that road road bike as a stepping stone to a TT bike.

There was very relevant discussion in here about this topic not too long ago: Do triathletes need a road bike?

-----
Kept hydrated by: www.GoZym.com

rasken

Oct 31, 09 0:48

Post #22 of 24 (115 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [alex_m] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Ah, thanks, so I did kick a dead horse :)

Lots of responses, thank you all very much. I'll take all the points with me to remember. As always, it's the tradeoff between time, money, and everything else. I'd gladly have a bunch of bikes if I could afford it and thought I had time to ride them all. The tri bike was just an opportunity too good to miss.

Enjoy the ride!
Best,
/Erik

rasken

Oct 31, 09 1:21

Post #23 of 24 (111 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [rasken] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just to finish, I'll mention that I am no stranger to riding and racing road bikes. It's just that my last road bike is a workhorse nowadays, and not much fun to train on. Some time, when there's more time and money, I'll add a road bike based on what I've read here.

Thanks again for all the help!
/Erik

JollyRogers

Oct 31, 09 1:55

Post #24 of 24 (101 views)

Re: Re beginner's bike choice [meganruns] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Question: Are better bike handling skills developed from riding a mountain bike or riding a road bike? Dude who started the post has a mountain bike.

I had always believed that to be true until watching Rasmussen ride the final TT in the '05 TdF.