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Kevin Kleinhenz
7/02/2002
16:40:01
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 Subject: I have some ???'s
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I'm new in the tri. seen even though I did a few in my college days w/my Schwinn Le tour! What is the difference between a road bike and a tri-bike? I didn't know there was such a thing? I have purchased a g.t force to start out with, does the tri. thing require tri-bikes? Also since my 1rst come-back tri.(the combat)and with one planned per month thru Sept. Are there triathlons during Fall and Winter? Thanks for a reply!
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-Tex
7/03/2002
09:58:01
| RE: I have some ???'s
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The main difference between the two bikes is the positioning or the geometry.
Tri-bikes are generally designed to be ridden in the aerobars and put the rider more over the pedals. They may not be quite as comfortable just riding around town or cruising around on an easy ride. Tri bikes are also usually sold with clip on aero bars and bar end shifting, and some of them have smaller (26" or 650c) wheels. Do you have to have a tri bike to race a triathlon? No way.
Road bikes are usually sold with drop handlebars, no clips ons, and brake lever shifting (depending on the age of the bike). Can you ride a road bike with aero bars? Certainly. Can you participate in a triathlon with a road bike? You betcha. Some folks add a forward seatpost to their roadbike and shorten the stem to mimic the position that they would have on a tri bike, but that's not always necessary.
I ride a road bike with road geometry, but I also have bull horn or time trial handlebars with aero bars and bar end shifting on it. It really comes down to personal preference. I feel faster and more powerful on a road bike.
I'd stop by a reputable bike shop: Bikesports or SW Schwinn in Houston, Austin Tri-Cyclist in Austin, Richardson in Dallas, Britton's in San Antonio to see what they have to say about your position.
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Kevin
7/03/2002
21:51:34
| RE: I have some ???'s
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Thanks for the input it helps alot. I do have a biker friend who works at the Clear Lake Schwinn. He seems to like the aero bar gig, but another biker friend who is a serious rider says the aero's are for the birds. I don't think I'm at the level where I need them yet. I'm concentrating on learning to spin and building legs and a heart that can handle tri's. My goal for the up coming Inter-galactic in Katy is 60min. So if I miss it by a minute I better look into some bike tricks! Thanks again Tex
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Kevin
7/03/2002
21:52:51
| RE: I have some ???'s
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Thanks for the input it helps alot. I do have a biker friend who works at the Clear Lake Schwinn. He seems to like the aero bar gig, but another biker friend who is a serious rider says the aero's are for the birds. I don't think I'm at the level where I need them yet. I'm concentrating on learning to spin and building legs and a heart that can handle tri's. My goal for the up coming Inter-galactic in Katy is 60min. So if I miss it by a minute I better look into some bike tricks! Thanks again Tex
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Olen
7/12/2002
07:21:41
| what's the difference and everything else
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http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/difference.shtml
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Kent
7/12/2002
07:34:53
| RE: I have some ???'s
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Great link, Olen. Thanks !!!
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daerr
7/12/2002
11:16:24
| RE: I have some ???'s
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There is no reason not to try and get more aero if you can. You don't have to go out and buy a new tri bike of course, but using a pair of clip-on aero bars will certainly help considerabley. Over 60% of you effort is used to overcome the drag your body creates. Getting more aero helps to reduce that.
But no need to rush. I did my first tri with a road bike w/o aero bars. Soon, I added them, forward seat post, new wheels, now I have a whole new tri bike, new wheels. It never ends. I love it.
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swimmer
7/13/2002
16:11:28
| of course, if money is an issue...
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...then you'd go with a road bike. You can get a used road bike for $100-$400 or a new one for $600 but you'll have a hard time finding a tri bike under $1500-$2000, even used.
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Kevin
7/15/2002
09:05:00
| RE: I have some ???'s
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Olen, that is a great link and one of the most complete explainations of the subject. I have decided that I will probably invest in a tri-bike by the end of the year and keep my road bike for group rides. Thanks. P.S no one has told me whether the tri. schedule changes much in the winter time? I realize that if there are events the swims would have to be indoors.
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RTN Editor
7/15/2002
09:19:54
| RE: I have some ???'s
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Multi-sport events slow down to a trickle in the winter months. There are a handful of winter duathlons and an indoor tri or two.
Lance Phegley
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