Rookie triathlete : Road bike or TT Bike

[Johnstoneighty6]

I take it you work for the agency that does Kestrel, John?

 

Something like that

[rudi-h]

buy a road bike. much more versatile

 

the time will come when you willl want to go train with a group of friends, then you're screwed with a TT bike. Its just not safe to ride in groups with TT bikes.

[Milkworx]

I was at the same crossroad a few months ago, asked many people....

Summary : Buy road bike due to versatility and you can "convert" to a tri bike if really needed

So did do that and never looked back....but I am interested in road races etc...

[W@nted]

I was at the same crossroad a few months ago, asked many people....

Summary : Buy road bike due to versatility and you can "convert" to a tri bike if really needed

So did do that and never looked back....but I am interested in road races etc...

Ag lekker man...

[StevieL]

With 1 tri under your belt I'd say roadbike with clip on areo bars to start.

 

Its just so much more versatile.

 

If you end up doing a couple of 70.3s and then decide that tris are definitely for you, then you can sell the roadbike and buy a TT bike.

 

Well thats my plan at least.

 

I did 70.3 on my road bike and found myself passing tons of okes on TT bikes. That course (IMO) is not set up for a TT bike, especially the "out" 45km. Climbing on a TT bike is like rush hour traffic in an AC Cobra.

[travisza]

I did 70.3 on my road bike and found myself passing tons of okes on TT bikes. That course (IMO) is not set up for a TT bike, especially the "out" 45km. Climbing on a TT bike is like rush hour traffic in an AC Cobra.

Wind in your hair and you look cooler than everyone else? Sounds exactly like a TT bike to me haha.

 

If I had the cash I'd buy a TT bike as a nice to have and because I like collecting bikes but for me at this stage it doesnt make sense to buy a TT bike (and I dont like road races at all so thats not a reason for me). Your point about the course at 70.3 is something I hadnt really considered. Glad there is any good reason to keep my roadbike for now (until I decide that long course tris are my thing)

[ADe]

I think everyone starting of in triathlon has this decision to make. What worked for me, was to first use my road bike with clip on's, as it was much more versatile and it gave me time to see if the triathlon thing was for me (and time to save for a possible TT bike). I did two 70.3's on it, a few shorties and also some road races. I decided that triathlon was for me and am now moving on to IM distance. I bought a TT bike only a few days ago.

 

The TT bike also limits you to only training on your own and not with groups.

 

And by the way, welcome to Tri. Its addictive.

Edited June 28, 2013 by ADe

[travisza]

I think everyone starting of in triathlon has this decision to make. What worked for me, was to first use my road bike with clip ons, as it was much more versatile and it gave me time to see if the triathlon thing was for me (and time to save for a possible TT bike). I did two 70.3's on it, a few shorties and also a some road races. I decided that triathlon was for me and am now moving on to IM distance. I bought a TT bike only a few days ago.

 

The TT bike also limits you to only training on your own and not with groups.

 

And by the way, welcome to Tri. Its addictive.

My heart says bulls%&t....buy a tri bike cos they are sexy.

 

My brain says do exactly what you've done - definitely the best way.

 

Another thing to consider is imagine after 3 tri's you decide it isnt for you. You now have to either sell your road bike in a big secondhand market with loads of potential buyers, or you have to sell your TT bike to a very limited (by comparison) number of potential buyers.

 

and oh ya, the addictive thing - what ADe said

[ADe]

My heart says bulls%&t....buy a tri bike cos they are sexy.

 

My brain says do exactly what you've done - definitely the best way.

 

Another thing to consider is imagine after 3 tri's you decide it isnt for you. You now have to either sell your road bike in a big secondhand market with loads of potential buyers, or you have to sell your TT bike to a very limited (by comparison) number of potential buyers.

 

and oh ya, the addictive thing - what ADe said

Not BS, my friend. They are very,very sexy. The supercars of cycling. I found myself just sitting and watching the guys checking in their bikes at 70.3 and drooling over some of those machines.

[travisza]

Not BS, my friend. They are very,very sexy. The supercars of cycling. I found myself just sitting and watching the guys checking in their bikes at 70.3 and drooling over some of those machines.

Drool away

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/52856-bmc-time-machine-tm01/

[mon-goose]

i was thinking of exactly the same ad and was about to try and link them

[Bodhi]

 

Drool away

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/52856-bmc-time-machine-tm01/

 

Good grief!! Wow.

[travisza]

if you want to destroy your productivity for the day go to www.slowtwitch.com and find the superbike threads. There's one for the P5, one for the TM01, etc.

[Red Zone]

I would go for a road bike with a good set of clip on bars, IMO is not a great idea to have just a TT bike and a MTB because you just cant log the long road rides that you need for training on a TT bike, unless you have miles and miles of open roads and you ride alone.

 

I have both and train at least 90% of the time on my road bike (MTB just fills in when I need a change of scenery). The benefit from training and racing on the same bike is greater than the slight aero boost that a TT bike will give you if you only train and race on it occasionaly

[andydude]

If you don't mind, I started a new thread at https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/127810-rookie-triathlete-20-what-clip-on-tt-bars-for-road-bike/ to ask the question, what clip-on TT bars to get if you decide on a road bike for triathlons?

[travisza]

The most comfortable ones?

 

S-bend can be a bit aggressive if you arent used to aero (cant hurt the wrists)

 

Many people favour ski bend when starting.

 

As for which to get? Why the sexiest carbon ones you can find obviously