mountain bike for tri

[jaune]

hi all,

i am interested in doing my first triathlon (starting with a sprint) and would like to know if using a mountain bike is alright? i'm not comfortable nor steady on a road bike yet and want to do a few races on a mountain bike to see how it goes :p
anyone using a Terry Cite X Gel Saddle, how is it? went cycling on a mountain bike with a carbon saddle once, even the extra 'padding' on my butt didnt spare me the 'torture' from the hard saddle :p

thank you for your advice


j

[alpinerabbit]

Loads of first timers around with MTBs. Put on some slicks.

There are people who ride Ironman on full carbon saddles :eek:. You don't have to be that tough though.

[Tri Girl]

Welcome! I'm happy to hear that your considering doing your first tri! Alpinerabbit is right- LOTS of people do tris on mtn bikes for their first few ones to get the feel and to see if they like it enough to invest in a road bike. I agree to put some slick tires on, it'll definitely help lower your rolling resistance and leave you fresher for the run.
What race are you considering?

[jaune]

either a mini sprint or sprint. since it's my first race, i want to do something i can cope before moving up the distance. 750m for a swim may not seem far or hard but for a newbie like myself, it is a great challenge ;)
i may even stick with a mountain bike if it suits me well when doing a tri heh :D
have you done many races tri girl?

[alpinerabbit]

750 is a lot ....

I thought my first 500 would never end. I noted with not a small bit of relief, that my race sunday is only 470 instead of 500, but I AM going to sign up for that Oly in August, unless I am scared to death.

[Tri Girl]

750 IS a lot for a sprint IMO. I'm doing a sprint in a couple weeks that has an 800m swim. Yikes! :eek: I like sprints because they're short, but when that swim is long, it seems to drain me just a little more than I'd like.
Just go do your first tri with the happy attitude of finishing with a smile on your face. When you cross the finish line, then you can start having time goals in mind, and trying to beat your best time. Just go have fun!!! :D

[Urlea]

Hey Jaune,

I did my first sprint tri on a mnt. bike and it went just fine. I was worried that my performance and appearance would look novice, but I actually found out that I fit in pretty well. You should see other mnt. bikes on the racks at a sprint tri.

Like I said, being on a mountain bike went okay for me. But, with that said I am looking forward to switching to a road-bike.

Give a Tri a Try and see how you feel before making that sort of purchase though.

Good luck!

[trilot]

I did my fisrt on a mountian bike that weighed nearly 30 lbs. and I am small and old. I did well...finsished mid pack.

Now I am ready for a lighter and faster bike, but cannot ride dropped handlebars and cannot afford full carbon...anyone with ideas? I only want to be able to keep up in my age group, 60 plus, so don't need to be ubber fast.

Suggestions welcome. I am dizzy with choices.

[Eden]

I did my fisrt on a mountian bike that weighed nearly 30 lbs. and I am small and old. I did well...finsished mid pack.

Now I am ready for a lighter and faster bike, but cannot ride dropped handlebars and cannot afford full carbon...anyone with ideas? I only want to be able to keep up in my age group, 60 plus, so don't need to be ubber fast.

Suggestions welcome. I am dizzy with choices.

A flat bar road bike might be a good choice for you. It will be lighter and faster than a mt bike, but can be set up to be upright (a bike like this may suit you very well http://www.marinbikes.com/2008/us/bikes/specs_fairfax.php ). You might also be able to cope with a regular road bike that is built to have a more upright ride (like the Trek Pilot series) - one of those could be even more modified with a riser stem for an even more upright position. (why can't you ride a drop bar bike - back problems?)

[alpinerabbit]

There was a girl last year on our cycling holidays. Flatbar road bike, kicked my butt on every hill.


you don't need full carbon, trilot. I just downgraded to aluminium (still a very nice frame). Saves you money for nicer components.

[jaune]

is the Terry Cite X Gel Saddle suitable for a road/tri bike or mountain bike only? looking for a comfy gel saddle for my generous size bottom :D
any recommendations...