going from road bike to tri bike

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scott30025

59 posts since
May 15, 2007

Jul 1, 2007 10:22 PM

going from road bike to tri bike

does it usually take awhile to get used to tri bike? ive had mine for a week and i feel slow compared to the road bike

jroden

1,683 posts since
Dec 11, 2007

1. Jul 2, 2007 5:33 AM

in response to: scott30025

Re: going from road bike to tri bike

assuming you have the fit nailed down, it will take a period of time to get fast on the tri bike--why not do some testing on a flat road and keep track--if you can measure power, that's even better

I have been doing a 2 hour tempo ride every tuesday for the summer, it seems to help, I end up on the TT bike maybe 3 days a week, at least 2, I try to do all my intervals on it also.

It just takes some time, it's not a very fun bike to ride, but I'm finding I am starting to get used to it and enjoy it to a point.

LeftRightRepeat

1,618 posts since
Aug 16, 2007

2. Jul 2, 2007 9:02 AM

in response to: scott30025

Re: going from road bike to tri bike

I'm far from an expert but...

Under what conditions do you feel slower??? In moving to a tri-bike, what did you hope to achieve?

It's my understanding that under many conditions a more traditional road bike might be "quicker" than the tri-bike - like they're typically lighter, climb better, and may be more comfortable. But the tri-bike has other advantages like utilizing muscles more removed from the running muscles and allow a lower net energy use for the same distance/speed meaning you've got more left for the run.

------------------
->>> John[/URL" target="_blank"> <<<-
Go write something in the Newbie Wiki[/URL" target="_blank">!!
Running Club[/URL" target="_blank"> Tri Club[/URL" target="_blank">

scott30025

59 posts since
May 15, 2007

3. Jul 2, 2007 6:39 PM

in response to: scott30025

Re: going from road bike to tri bike

quote:<HR>Originally posted by LeftRightRepeat:
I'm far from an expert but...

Under what conditions do you feel slower??? In moving to a tri-bike, what did you hope to achieve?

It's my understanding that under many conditions a more traditional road bike might be "quicker" than the tri-bike - like they're typically lighter, climb better, and may be more comfortable. But the tri-bike has other advantages like utilizing muscles more removed from the running muscles and allow a lower net energy use for the same distance/speed meaning you've got more left for the run.

<HR>

i just am not as fast as i was on the road bike, ive only had it for a week though, i guess cause its different position it takes awhile to get used to? They use time trial bikes for time trials though with no running afterwords so they are supposed to be faster

jroden

1,683 posts since
Dec 11, 2007

4. Jul 2, 2007 6:48 PM

in response to: scott30025

Re: going from road bike to tri bike

Use it for you harder riding during the week, i.e. tempo riders or long intervals. Warm up, then discipline yourself to ride in the drops for that block of time you are doing your hard work, then spin home. Doing distance riders on it can be sort of unpleasant and perhaps counter productive unless you intend to do a long race in the aero bars.

This winter I plan to use it on the trainer rather than an old road bike to keep me in that position.

One thing that helped me a lot was setting up my TT bike with a pump, extra petals and a training wheel so I can just grab it and go ride, rather than having to swap out parts.

I get some neck and back pain and my legs hurt, but week after week I do feel faster on the bike.

scott30025

59 posts since
May 15, 2007

5. Jul 2, 2007 7:02 PM

in response to: scott30025

Re: going from road bike to tri bike

quote:<HR>Originally posted by jroden:
Use it for you harder riding during the week, i.e. tempo riders or long intervals. Warm up, then discipline yourself to ride in the drops for that block of time you are doing your hard work, then spin home. Doing distance riders on it can be sort of unpleasant and perhaps counter productive unless you intend to do a long race in the aero bars.

This winter I plan to use it on the trainer rather than an old road bike to keep me in that position.

One thing that helped me a lot was setting up my TT bike with a pump, extra petals and a training wheel so I can just grab it and go ride, rather than having to swap out parts.

I get some neck and back pain and my legs hurt, but week after week I do feel faster on the bike.<HR>

oops i already sold my road bike on craigslist. Yesterday I road for 2.5 hours and on the aerobars basically the whole time, i have no pain at all so thats not the issue, just being slower is, i also lost the chain a couple of times, never happened on my road bike, am i doing something wrong or could there be problem with the bike

ultraj

118 posts since
Nov 29, 2007

6. Jul 2, 2007 7:09 PM

in response to: scott30025

Re: going from road bike to tri bike

This is very interesting. I have been using a Trek 5200 road bike for 4 years. It is carbon with Ultegra and clip on aero bars. This bike has been a great fit and very comfortable. I averaged 20.2 mph in a half ironman last summer with it. This winter I purchased a GURU Tri Carbino triathlon bike. I thought it was time for a tri bike. It is carbon with Ultegra and lighter than my Trek. It was so comfortable from the start on my trainer. I was expecting big things when I got outside for rides. I am not any faster on it than my Trek. I used it in my olympic tri and averaged 19.3 on a flat course. I was disapointed. The bike is comfortable and shifts very nice. Did I just purchase the same bike? Maybe I should have gotten Dura Ace?
Jane

jroden

1,683 posts since
Dec 11, 2007

7. Jul 2, 2007 7:15 PM

in response to: scott30025

Re: going from road bike to tri bike

If the chain derails to the inside, your gear choice might be wrong or the chain may be too long, if it derails to the outside the limit screw on the front derailer may be mis set of the cage is crooked. You can purchase chain watchers to prevent inner derailments, they are popular for cyclocross, two models are the third eye chain watcher and this one, which is a lot nicer:

http://gvtc.com/~ngear/[/URL" target="_blank">

You may be "slower" from something physical and not related to the bike. Go out and mark off a 2 mile time trial on a flat road (1 mi out, turn around go back) and see what kinds of spees you are hitting when you really put your back into it. The bike is designed to go like **** in a straight line and do everything else badly.

ussoccer

1,748 posts since
Dec 11, 2007

8. Jul 2, 2007 7:23 PM

in response to: scott30025

Re: going from road bike to tri bike

Sounds to me like your fit is off. Most people I know have the opposite affect. They get a bit faster once they jump on their Tri-bike, and if you think about it, you should -- that is, as long as you're going fast enough to reap the benefits of being more aero. Maybe try getting a bit fit.

jroden

1,683 posts since
Dec 11, 2007

9. Jul 2, 2007 7:34 PM

in response to: scott30025

Re: going from road bike to tri bike

agree w/ Thor on this. The angle between your upper leg and torso should be about the same as your road bike, if you feel too closed up, you may need to scoot the saddle forward a bit.

It's OK to mess about with your position yourself, take some notes and measurments as you go along, getting some help from a decent shop can save some time, especially if you need to swap out stems or seatpost. For my bike, I had to go through three different stems, two seatposts and a set of aero bars to get the fit right, but it made a difference when I finall got it dialed in a little better. I was just in last week swapping to a slightly lower stem, so it's an ongoing thing.

It's not a position suited for easy to moderate riding, it's for putting the bike in the big chainring and stomping the daylights out of the pedals for 45 minutes and going home, or in your case going for a run. It's no comfort cruiser.

run_steve

34 posts since
Sep 30, 2007

10. Jul 2, 2007 10:08 PM

in response to: scott30025

Re: going from road bike to tri bike

I was talking with a guy at a recent tri. He has been riding road bike for years and now on a tri bike. He said it took him about 200 miles before he really felt comfortable on it and could,be aggressive. His bike split was about 2 mph faster than last year on same course ( but last year condtions were windier).

Jul 1, 2007 10:22 PM

going from road bike to tri bike

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