Tri Bike, Aero Bars, both?

[colby]

Relevant background: Right now I have a road bike, all 105s -- it's the 2006 Novara Carema Pro, link to specs brochure PDF, scroll to last pages to see charts (the 2007 model has lower end components (and a lower price) for some reason, and I couldn't find a text version of the specs for last year). It's my first road bike, really, and I have some frustration with the shifting of the 105s and the saddle in rides over 20 miles (could stand to be fitted, too, I think) but overall I'm okay with it (hey, we get around, and she's green).

This area can get windy, and while I'd like to build up an immunity to it (in my dreams ), I'm going to have to deal with it if I plan on riding races (duh). I have eyed aero bars, but it's a little confusing and I don't have a huge relationship with an LBS (though there is a tri shop that I have not visited out of sheer intimidation).

So, I don't think I can do any distance well without going aero (and I really like the "save your legs" idea). The question is... buy a tri-specific bike, or aero bars for my road bike, a new road bike and aero bars, or some combination? I do ride my bike for everything -- commuting, fun rides, training rides, racing, you name it. Me and my bike, we're like THIS (imagine crossed fingers). Don't tell her, but I'm not sure I could endure 112 miles of Shimano 105 lovin' without a very recent tuneup. She probably needs a tune right now, but I could swear even after the last time I got her tuned, I still had problems shortly thereafter.

Cost is not really an issue, but obviously throwing away money is silly. There are ounces to shave off my body before I worry about shaving ounces off my bike!

I am open to suggestions. Whatever I do, you can bet my dad and husband will be instantly jealous and want aero bars of their own, but I don't see them considering Ironman 2008 (unless they shorten the distance immensely, I'm already crazy for considering it).

[Tri Girl]

Hmmmm.... that's a question that will vary so much for each person.
For me, I have a road bike, that I have made into a tri bike for tri season. Oscar (my bike) and I did my IM together, I ride him around for fun, and even commute on him. I leave my aerobars on all the time, but adjust the seat to suit my needs. When I've got a race coming up, I'll adjust the seat so I'm in a more aggressive position, and when I'm not, I'll fix the seat to be in a more relaxed position.
My reasoning is more a cost factor. I could drop another $1500 on a tri bike, but I've already got a mtn bike that I don't ride as much as I should, and I can't justify having another bike in the rotation that wouldn't get ridden as much as I know it should (it would be a waste of money for me).

If you find a killer deal (like KSH did), then why not? You could easily turn your road bike into a tri bike (and even have bar end shifters and change out the headset if need be).

[colby]

Good points all around, Tri Girl. It is very individual, but I like hearing everyone's opinion and choices.

I think the most flexible solution would be to put aero bars on the road bike no matter what, and wait for a good deal on something. That would still mean being sized/fitted either way, so I would know what to watch for. I could go play with a tri bike and see, I suppose. It seems a little intimidating. I have these images of these super-fit athletes and getting someone's nose turned up at my regular old self, but you know the middle/back of the pack have to buy their stuff somewhere...

[Tri Girl]

but you know the middle/back of the pack have to buy their stuff somewhere...

Hee hee
I'm with ya on that one! I think that most bikes I see at tris are road bikes with aerobars. There are the super awesome tri bikes that I drool over, but I know in the back of my mind that it's the engine behind the bike, not the bike, that really makes the thing go fast.
I'm with you- only I have to shave many pounds off my body before losing a pound on my bike will make any difference whatsoever. Just getting aero will save you sooooo much energy. Plus, tri bikes much worse at climbing, so any tri with any amount of climbing will be much more easily completed on a road bike anyway.

When you buy your aerobars, it might be worth it to get them from an LBS and then have them fit you in the aero position. It's a different fit than road riding and may save you some discomfort.

Good luck!!!!

[mountainchick]

I'm in a similar situation. I am doing my first tri this fall (Sept) and am going to be buying aero bars for my road bike. I have a Specialized with 105's.

I was pricing tri bikes, and will probably end up selling my road bike if I end up liking doing tri's and can see myself doing many in the future, but that won't be for awhile.

Good luck on your decision!

[wildstreaktn]

Hi,
I have a Trek 1000 that I ride for centuries,training,and just about everything.Profile Design makes aerobars with spring-loaded armrests and I added a set of those to "Blue Streak".It will help you gain speed and save energy on the flats and the armrests are not in the way of your bar tops for climbing.I did a metric century last weekend about half of it in frog drowning thunderstorms with 20-30 mph headwinds.I stayed in the drops as long as my back could stand it then used the aerobars except for climbs.They are the bomb and relatively inexpensive as well.You can't go wrong with them,they make your bike much more versatile!!:

[Running Mommy]

If you want to try some aerobars on your bike I have some clip ons I could send you. They are nothing fancy, but they will give you a good idea of which way to go.
If you want them send me a pm with your address and I'll send them out.
Denise

[Kimmyt]

I have a 'multisport' bike (i.e. tri bike with regular drop bars, just more tri-like geometry) that I had been riding as a road bike for the past year. It came with a set of clip-on profile design aerobars. I use them sometimes, but they're a pain to put on and honestly for the length of tri I'm planning on doing, I don't think they're necessary.

My recommendation would be:

1) Get a fitting. It will make a difference. You've already mentioned that you're having a bit of trouble with the shifting and you're only riding 20 miles. You shouldn't have any discomfort at all, let alone with reaching the shifters! I would spend a hundred bucks or whatever to get the bike fitted to you at a reputable bike shop (and get to working on that LBS relationship you mentioned you don't have). When you get the fitting, if you want the bike set up more 'aero' for tris, then they may be able to do that for you. Otherwise, even if you end up getting a new bike, I'd still recommend the fitting for the Novara.

2) Get the profile designs or similar clip-ons. I have the ones with the spring-loaded arm rests and I find them perfectly comfortable. Get them when you get the bike fitted and the fit-tech can even make sure the length of the bars are adjusted to fit your forearm length. Also, reconsider getting too used to aero bars, especially if you plan on doing some bike races, because from what I understand, apart from TTs, aeros aren't allowed (and aren't very safe, I don't ever use them when I'm around lots of other cyclists).

If you do all this and still yen for a new bike, then go for it! But this time, make sure it gets fitted!

Good luck!

K.

[KSH]

Well, I would tell you to own a tri bike and a road bike. I personally love having the flexibility of both.

I can't imagine living without my roadie though... so if you can't buy a tri bike for on the side... then put some areo bars on the roadie until you can.

[colby]

1) Get a fitting. It will make a difference. You've already mentioned that you're having a bit of trouble with the shifting and you're only riding 20 miles. You shouldn't have any discomfort at all, let alone with reaching the shifters! I would spend a hundred bucks or whatever to get the bike fitted to you at a reputable bike shop (and get to working on that LBS relationship you mentioned you don't have). When you get the fitting, if you want the bike set up more 'aero' for tris, then they may be able to do that for you. Otherwise, even if you end up getting a new bike, I'd still recommend the fitting for the Novara.

To clarify - my problem with shifting is more bike mechanical than biomechanical, but I still think being fitted is a good idea.

I'll come back to everything else. It's a lot to consider.