Is there an advantage to having a tri-bike?

[colby]

Is there an advantage? Yeah, probably. But, is it worth it? Well, maybe.

It's all the things combined that make it faster, though, and some (most, all) of those things don't require a tri bike. Lighter frame, more aerodynamic, aero bars, race wheels (on some bikes) or just light/nice wheels.

I would plan on using your current bike the rest of the season, but it can't hurt - much - to ride one and see if you like it.

[GLC1968]

I am in the same situation as you. I *almost* spent the money to put aerobars on my road bike (would require a seat post change too) but decided against it because at best, it would be a temporary fix and at worst, I'd be miserably uncomfortable. My road bike fits me perfectly, and I really don't want to mess with it.

So yes, I'm thinking I'll want a tri bike. If for no other reason than the fact that I want a perfectly dialed in fit and I have a generally hard to fit body. I just got a bonus at work (yay!) and it's going into a savings account while I shop around (and save some more).

I'm waiting until next year though. I don't think a tri bike will help me much on my last two tris of the season (both very hilly courses) and while it would probably make a huge difference in the tri I'm doing on Sunday (straight, flat course), it's too soon to bother.

[sgf726]

I have also been wrestling with the same decision. I have a great road bike and have debating the aero-bars vs. a tri bike. My road bike is fit perfectly right now for long road rides but I don't think I am optimized for speed.

I am currently doing sprints and have a Oly planned for Sept, but am thinking about a HIM next year.

I was also told - not sure if true or not but the aero-position of a tri bike allows for more stroke power which actually helps with saving more energy for the run?

I won't buy anything until next year - unless I see a really good deal

but interested in others opinions as well.

Sharon

[Bike Chick]

Thanks for the advice and I'm glad to hear from others in the same boat. I just got my Luna road bike this year and it's absolutely perfect. I don't want to modify it in any way and I cringe when I sit it on the rack with the other bikes. This is the end of the season so I may just keep my options open and see what happens. I would like to ride one just to see what it's like. They just look fast. I've also heard that the riding position on the tri-bike helps your legs on the run.

GLC, that bonus sound like good seed money for a tri-bike!

sgf, good luck on your oly!

[kacie tri-ing]

Hey!

So here's my 2 cents

I rode and raced on a beautiful road bike for 3 triathlon seasons which included lots of small races and 3 half ironmans. I had all intentions to race my full Ironman on my road bike, because we are both teachers and you can only have so many bikes on our salaries

This deal came along, so I jumped on it.

I think there technically is an advantage, but it depends on how much that means to you versus the cost. And really, I would encourage purchasing bikes whenever possile

[martinkap]

I run/walk on some of my tri's. My legs get too fast spent on the bike portion of the race ... so yes, the tri bike (I am looking into some second-hand cheaper options) would help me to run a bit more. Does it really matter? No, because at the best it will mean that instead of 70% of women finishing ahead of me, maybe 30% of women will finish ahead of me (in my age category). I know I will never win (unless I stay with the sport till I am about 65yo and then I might have a chance being alone in my age group).

So, in the view of my results and my natural athletic ability, spending $1800 on a second-hand (yet almost new) tri bike is not worth it.

But I look at it differently. I am (so far) enjoying racing the tris even though 70%of my age category is faster. I want to keep enjoying it (so maybe finishing in the faster 50% would be helpful . I don't smoke, now when I train, I don't even drink, I don't eat in fancy restaurants (because I have training schedule to adhere) and I don't go to clubs or spent money otherwise. The bike will not make me super fast but it will make me enjoy the sport even more. I will soo look forward those weekend training rides, when I alone (in a very sexy aerodynamic position - and lets face it, everyone in that position IS sexy) cruise on a rural street at 7am. It will make training alone more fun (you CANNOT ride a tri-bike on group rides).

So, yes, tri-bike might be essentially useless to my mediocre performance, but it will so highly improve my 'quality of life' and happiness! So, why not to buy it? When I was young, I spent much more money on much more stupider/useless/bad-for-my-health things.

Go and get your tri-bike!

[Bike Chick]

Ohhhh, martinkap, I like the way you think! DH found one my size on ebay and showed it to me as I was leaving for work. All the way to work I was doing the justification argument with myself. "That's a hot, sexy bike! No, you don't need a bike like that until you can run and swim faster. But I'm 52 years old and I've got maybe 10-15 good years left at this if I'm lucky, might as well have fun while you're doing it. You need to master an open water swim before you get a tri-bike. Oh, what the hell, you only live once--have fun."

My age group is tough and all of them outswim and outrun me. I understand what you are saying. My ex-husband died suddenly from a heart attack last month. He was 56 years old and my heart breaks for my adult children who lost their father at such a young age. His death really put some things in perspective for me. You only go around once so I guess buying a tri-bike would be comparable to buying a sports car---you don't really need it but it would sure be cool to have one

[colby]

I was also told - not sure if true or not but the aero-position of a tri bike allows for more stroke power which actually helps with saving more energy for the run?

Yes, this is true, the geometry of the bike uses power from different muscles in your legs and does so more efficiently. When you get to the run, you have less of the brick legs feeling (not none, but less).

I do feel the difference between my two bikes, but one of them is also well-fitted and cost 3x as much as the other, so I don't know if it's a totally fair comparison. I feel like my tri bike uses my entire leg and more of my glutes rather than more of my calf and quads. When it comes time to run, my legs are happier to oblige. It's been a long time since this feeling was "new" to me so it's also hard for me to tell if I've just adapted.

My "perceived effort" ratings for my tri bike and road bike at the same heart rate are different. Things are easier on my tri bike and it seems like a lower muscular effort to maintain that heart rate, while on my road bike it feels like I'm working harder.

I'm glad I bought mine, but I knew as soon as I sat on the saddle and took that first 1 mile ride that I wanted her.