Is it me or the bike? I'm a tri bike flunky!

[celerystalksme]

I just recently rode the louisville ironman course and I'd say that with the rollling terrain, turns, and traffic, that road bike geometry would be more beneficial on that course.

I'm one who sticks with road bike geometry in the tri world. I don't even have aerobars even though I'm thinking of giving them a try. Most of my riding is on rolling terrain on winding roads, I just don't think that what tri bikes were made for.

now I say all this, but I do have several tri buddies who have just gotten tri bikes and report 1 to 2 average mph improvement in speed.

Do what feels good for you! Are you doing IM Lou again?

if the course gets technical or if there is a good climb involved, you are right...a tri bike is not the right tool for the job.

[IronSnoopy]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I really appreciate it!

I'm doing IM Arizona in November. I grew up out there, so it's like a hometown race for me. I'm so excited!

Lou was incredibly hilly for a girl from the flatlands of Illinois. I definitely chose the wrong bike.

I didn't put aero on the Trek first. I went straight from the road bike to the tri bike. Everyone told me it would be an adjustment, and I'll admit I don't adapt to change as quickly as most people, but still...this is out of control!

[KSH]

WOW! Great discussion.

I can't really speak to your situation or give you advice... other than... go with what you feel good on.

Now, I have to say, IMAZ is pretty flat and can be windy. A tri bike or at least some aero bars will be beneficial there.

I have a Cervelo One (older model tri bike)... and a Specialized Tarmac roadie.

I am going IMKY in August... and I have decided to ride my road bike there. I'm comfortable on it. I really don't see why I would take a tri bike on a hilly course. So thanks Silver for saying you road the course and you think a roadie would be great on the course.

My road bike is the better climbing bike. So you have made me feel good about taking it to Kentucky. I know I'm going to be the dork on a road bike, but screw 'em. I'll be happy.

[Veronica]

Dork on a bike - I'm doing my tris on a lugged steel bike, with a Brooks leather saddle and bar end friction shifters.

V.

[celerystalksme]

Dork on a bike - I'm doing my tris on a lugged steel bike, with a Brooks leather saddle and bar end friction shifters.

V.

i saw a guy with a mountain bike doing the cycling stage of a sprint tri! that was freaking awesome! if i remember right, he did quite well!

i've also seen a guy take a single-gear/fixed-gear to a tri. believe it or not, that guy KICKED MAJOR ARSE! dude was a beast...his $400 bike DESTROYED almost everyones $1K-$7K bikes...

which just goes to show you...the bikes doesn't really do jack poop...in the end, it's all you. every wonder why many kona ironman records and olympic triathlon records are from many many years ago on supposedly inferior bikes? that's right...it's the rider that makes the bike fast, not the other way around.

that being said...i'm ADDICTED to GEAR! must have all the blingy blingy bikes!!! LOL

[Tri Girl]

I'm the opposite of you. I had my road bike for a year and a half and did my first IM on it with a "tri" setup (and that's in quotation because it was never a comfy tri setup). When I got a P2C, the difference in comfort was day and night. For me, the tri setup is super comfortable and I have more power. It could very well be that you are more comfortable/powerful on your road bike setup- and that's totally OK. You HAVE to be comfy on your bike to do the long stuff (and heck, even the short stuff). You've given it plenty of time to see if it could possibly work for you. I say sell the Cervelo and go back to your Trek. If it ain't broke- don't fix it. You tried the tri bike, but it didn't work for you. Not every bike will work for everyone, but at least you tried it. You'll be happier in the long run with your Trek, and if you love it so then you need to be riding it until it gives out on you. Just my thoughts.

[IronSnoopy]

WOW! Great discussion.

I am going IMKY in August... and I have decided to ride my road bike there. I'm comfortable on it. I really don't see why I would take a tri bike on a hilly course. So thanks Silver for saying you road the course and you think a roadie would be great on the course.

My road bike is the better climbing bike. So you have made me feel good about taking it to Kentucky. I know I'm going to be the dork on a road bike, but screw 'em. I'll be happy.

KSH, there were quite a few road bikes at Louisville last year and I really wish I'd had mine. It really is quite hilly (especially if you train on flats) and a road bike is an excellent choice.

[colby]

WOW! Great discussion.

I can't really speak to your situation or give you advice... other than... go with what you feel good on.

Now, I have to say, IMAZ is pretty flat and can be windy. A tri bike or at least some aero bars will be beneficial there.

I have a Cervelo One (older model tri bike)... and a Specialized Tarmac roadie.

I am going IMKY in August... and I have decided to ride my road bike there. I'm comfortable on it. I really don't see why I would take a tri bike on a hilly course. So thanks Silver for saying you road the course and you think a roadie would be great on the course.

My road bike is the better climbing bike. So you have made me feel good about taking it to Kentucky. I know I'm going to be the dork on a road bike, but screw 'em. I'll be happy.

I saw lots of road bikes, most of which had aero bars, but it was a bigger mix than I expected. Maybe put some race wheels on and call it good... you will just be passing the people on the tri bikes after the four thousandth climb and tight corner. CdA has a lot of downhills that turn into uphills, which makes the tri bike have some advantage... you get farther up the uphill without having to pedal - but once you're in it, you have a different battle than a road bike.

On tight turns and hills, not much a tri bike can do for you over a road bike anyway. We get wind out here, though, and I'm glad to have aero for that. I do miss the additional positions I can ride my road bike in sometimes when I'm riding my tri bike, though. Me personally, I took to Lucy like we were long lost pals. It feels good to ride aero, but I lose my tolerance for it after a while (note to self, build core strength).

If you don't like the bike, you'll just be frustrated anyway, which will make the entire ride miserable.