Is there an advantage to having a tri-bike?

[Bike Chick]

I didn't want to hijack Kacie's thread about her new bike (it's a beauty) so I'm posting this question to you ladies separately.

I've been reading the advice from Colby and Veronica about purchasing a tri-bike and it's very timely. I just finished by second tri and have to admit that I'm bit by the bug. I love the training and the event because I don't get burned out doing just one thing. DH and our training buddy are hooked as well. We have 2 more sprints planned this season and the guys are wanting to bump up the distance to Oly. They are also looking at tri-bikes. I love the looks of them and would love to ride one just to see how they feel but I'm thinking that buying one might be a bit premature. I'm still not comfortable with the ows and I need to get my times faster. The practical side of me says to use my Luna the rest of the season and look into a tri-bike next year but bike lust is a terrible thing and the guys are getting swept away by it.

You ladies have the experience. What are your thoughts?

[Veronica]

I NEVER would have bought myself a new bike. My run just isn't very competitive (sometimes my run is non -existent!) so I could never justify it to myself. Lucky me, my honey thought differently and when a fabulous deal appeared on an awesome race bike (not a tri specific bike) in my size... he surprised me with it. And yeah, the bike has made a difference. It's lighter and way more aerodynamic than my Riv.

You can never have too many bikes. Only you can decide if you're in in it for the long haul and if it's where you want to spend your money. If it's going to make your training and racing more fun... go for it. If it's just to "fit in", you don't need it.

Veronica

[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

[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.

[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!

[colby]

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

Exciting!!