Is there an advantage to having a tri-bike?

[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

[martinkap]

Bike Chick, you got exactly what I was trying to say! You don't need to improve to allow yourself nice stuff. You allow yourself nice stuff as a thank you to yourself! You are doing something amazing for your body and you want to keep doing it. It is not the speed but the happiness what keeps me with the sport.

I am a bit younger, closing on 40yo and I am planning in the next year or two become a single mother (either natural or adoption). Being a foreigner in this country without substantial family/friends circles, I know that I will be happy to get in a run with a stroller once in a while (until the kid goes to college). But till then, I decided to let myself train full-throttle and buy any reasonable gadget which will make me happy.

I have also decided to live life like there is no tomorrow. Being diagnosed with ovarian cancer for 3 years (which when surgically removed ended up being wrong diagnoses - I have 'only' high stage of endomytriosis) taught me that we should live every day to its fullest. So, year ago, around this time, I could not swim 20yd and could not run a mile. I started with duathlons in spring, sprint triathlons in the summer, 2 weeks ago I finished my first olympic distance (only 55% of my age group was ahead of me - YAY!!!) and I have just signed up for my first half ironman in November.

On Sunday, I am racing in 2 mile swim event near Manhattan (of course I am not going to win, but I will be so AMAZINGLY PROUD of myself if I finish!). Following the logic that I have to get better/faster before I 'buy' stuff, I would not do half of the things I have done because I would wait until for instance I am better swimmer before I drop over $100 on a race which I am definitely NOT going to win. But I did registered and I paid. And I AM GOING TO HAVE fun. And maybe, just maybe, I will even finish successfully the 2 miles. OMG, I will be so so so PROUD if that happens

So, again, get what makes you happy, what makes your day, what makes you go a bit longer, faster with fuller smile. The money will come and go. The time and happiness is hard to get back.

Plus, now, there are many injured athletes who are about to sell their tri-bikes. Get one used or get one from a bike shop - I have seen a lot of tri-bike discounts lately!

And don't forget to post pics of your new tri-bike!

[kacie tri-ing]

I do agree. I am younger still,and NOT going to win, but I love triathlons. I really do. They make me really happy and they are deeply fullfilling. Do I have to have a tri specific bike? No! Does it bring me WAY more joy than any other purchase I have made in a long time? Yes!

I also like seeing my own improvements. I have gotten better as I have competed more. Also, I enjoy longer distance races, and that little advantage translates into a big one as the distance increases.

Enjoy!

[Bike Chick]

You guys are great and I love your attitudes! It is fulfilling and so much fun. I've gone through a lot of stages in my life as has every other woman and I think I am enjoying this stage the most. I feel great and love the training. Why not get a bike? At least shop for one.....sometimes I think that's the best part

martinkap, you have really progressed and done so well. Congrats on becoming a mom, there's nothing like it.

kacie, good luck to you in Louisville. A friend of ours is doing his first IM there. Can't wait to hear the report.

[martinkap]

Bike Chick - get a bike! I got one and cannot wait to test ride it!