I want to know the diference in performance betwen a road bike and a TRI Bkike??

[cclave]

Please help me I want to buy a bike, and I want to start to do some triathon, but I saw that you can run a triathon with a run bike and with a TRI bike, and the TRI bike have smaller weels. I want to understand advantages and disadvantages of each one Please help and thanks

[SadieKate]

A couple of good articles which go into this in some depth.

http://www.triathletepro.com/cbike.html

http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadin...r/bikefit.html

[runnergirl]

Unless you're headed for an iron man in the next year or two, I'd really recommend a well fitted road bike with removable aero bars. A tri bike is very limiting, you can't do other races with it, and most group rides prohibit (or discourage) using tri bikes, and you can't use it for touring.

There are some really neat tri bikes out there, but unless you're sure you don't want to do anything else, a road bike is the way to go.

[bcipam]

Unless you're headed for an iron man in the next year or two, I'd really recommend a well fitted road bike with removable aero bars. A tri bike is very limiting, you can't do other races with it, and most group rides prohibit (or discourage) using tri bikes, and you can't use it for touring.

There are some really neat tri bikes out there, but unless you're sure you don't want to do anything else, a road bike is the way to go.

totally agree.

Just like like the difference between mountain and road bikes, there are specific differences between road and tri bikes. Both are built for a specific purpose. Keep in mind, the bicycle portion of a tri. is generally short, and done at a performance level (i.e. all out). Road builts come in different styles as well. Some are built for speed, some for power and some for long distances.

You need to access your style of riding. If your plan is to use the bike to compete in tri.s, then go for a tri built (which are usually made out of aluminum, very compact for speed and very agressively styled). Find a good, local bike shop and pick the shop mechanic's brain on this. Also, read up on the type of bikes available.

[Running Mommy]

As one of the resident Triathletes on here I'll weigh in...
I currently ride a Specialized Allez Dolce road bike w/ clip on aerobars. I've done all my shorter races on it and it's worked fine. That being said I'm now in the market for a tri specific geometry bike.
Basically a Tri bike is built w/ the purpose of dumping you down into the aerobars. You will hear people talk about how "steep" the bike is and they are referring to how steep the seat tube angle is or how far it "dumps" you forward on the bike. Tri bikes can seem squirrely when you first start riding them and if they are not known as good climbing bikes. Alot of bike clubs tend to look down on people w/ tri bikes because being down in the a-bars is not safe in a peloton situation. So group rides like that are pretty much out unless there are alot of other triathletes in the club as well. Some clubs are more "tri bike friendly" than others...
Road bikes are generally good all around bikes, and I would recommend that as a starting point. The one thing I've noticed w/ road bikes is they just really aren't made to be down in the aerobars for long periods of time. So if you plan on going long or always being in the aerobars you'll probably want a tri rig. But to start, I'd say road bike. Just my .02... Hope it helps. Feel free to drop me an email if you have any questions. I have years of triathlons under my belt and am currently training for my first Ironman.

[bcipam]

Running Mom... great response. And good luck in your training for Iron Man. I'm impressed!

[madisongrrl]

Here is an article by the well respected Tom Demerly

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/difference.shtml

[Running Mommy]

That is a GREAT article Madisongrl! Thanks! I'm going to show it to my hubby to PROVE why I need a tri geometry bike!

[madisongrrl]

sweet...........