Tri bike vs. Road bike

[triboater]

Will racing on a tri specific bike vs. a road bike with aero bars make a big difference? I was told by simply changing my current race bike, which is a Felt F75 road bike, to a price-comparable tri bike could drop my time by 7-10 minutes. Is this true???

[Aussie Rob]

In a word? No.

An aero frameset is faster, but everything else being equal (position, wheels, components), its still not anywhere near close to 7-10 minutes.

you can setup your road bike to a pretty good aero position, run the same wheels, and only be at a very small disadvantage.

It goes something like this -

Position
Wheels
Kit
Helmet
Frameset

The frame is the smallest producer of drag out of those things.

Also, a price comparable tri bike to your F75 will be a step down in components and wheels as tri bikes tend to naturally be more expensive. Plus, an entry level tri bike doesn't take advantage of the more aero framesets on the higher end tri bikes....which would further negate any advantage.

Merckx said it best - "don't buy upgrades, ride up grades."

[Steve Yutzy]

I've always loved that Merckx quote, although it's only really true on a level equipment playing field like what exists in the pro pelaton. Us age groupers know that it's very possible (and common) to buy speed.

7-10 minutes is a bit of a stretch, but you never know, because these things are ridiculously difficult to quantify for those of us without wind tunnels. Being a road bike rider myself, I can say that when I got on Andrew Joyce's tri bike a summer or two ago I was significantly faster, to the tune of 1-2 mph average. Of course his tri bike costs 4-5x more than my road bike, so it's not a fair comparison. At the same price though I agree with Rob, you're probably taking a step down in terms of overall bike quality.

Of course in theory you should be better able to run well off a properly fitting tri bike (that is, a nice steep tri geometry) vs. road bike, so even if you only shave a little time on the bike you might save more on the run.

[MattCollister]

Time to post a few of my rules again:

Red bikes are faster than yellow or blue bikes. Grey bikes are the slowest of all.

Flame graphics will make you about 1-2 mph faster (hot rodders have known this for years).

Sunglasses rule of thumb - you get 1 mph per $100 spent on a pair of glasses. However, the likelihood you will tragically break or lose a pair of sunglasses rises exponentially with each $10 spent over $50. Just be prepared for this.

Matched clothes will increase your speed. But my overall respect for you increases the less you look like a tool, for whatever that's worth. (Corollary: There's really no cooler accessory than a plain cotton bandana. But it wont make you any faster.)

Whatever you do, be home in time for supper.

[timritt]

white seats make you recover quicker than black seats.

race wheels are the most important piece of equiptment to own because pimping your bike is what tris are all about.

when in doubt always buy the most expensive so you can tell everyone you bought the most expensive.

aero helmets look very stupid but they really work. not sure if faster but you dont hear the whistling in your ears when riding in the wind so you can hear your ipod.

in order to be up to date in tri gear you must wear compression socks.

i agree with matt that the bandana has never gone out of style.

when in doubt pedal harder.

tr

[jimdehner]

Agree with what everone has said but you did not say something about your current ride - do you have a set of aero bars on your road bike or are you riding "UP" - wind resistance is not your friend on any bike - 7% don't think so but 1-2 MPH could be - if your not riding aero invest $100 and drop a set of clip-ons on your current ride to see the difference before investing in new ride

[robreddy]

learn to pee while ridding - that will save you the 7-10 min with only the cost of laundry detergent

remember real (iron)men pee their pants

r

[MarkD]

7 - 10 minutes off of what ?? Sprint? OLY? Half? Full Iron?

Just like a good race horse, the individual who goes #2 the most times before their race usually wins.

[triboater]

Ok so let me get this straight...
if I learn to pee while riding I'll save 7-10 minutes, if I go #2 multiple times prior I'll win, I need a white seat, chrome 22s, hyraulics, and really really expensive pair of sunglasses. I'm all set...ebay here I come.
Ok, seriously...
is there a different seat post to change positioning and get closer to that 78-80 degree tube? I have aero bars so that'll keep me down; a deeper set of wheels cost what and would make what difference?
And finally, I was looking at some aluminum frame tri bikes. If I budget for just an aluminum frame tri bike does it make more sense to instead put the $$ into upgraded wheels, seat, etc.?
thanks everyone for your advice.

[Aussie Rob]

Wheels will help more than a frame. How much? Depends what ones you get, what the wind conditions are etc.

Over 112mi zipps of HEDs or the like are generally accepted to give you anywhere between 5-9 minutes. Helmet anywhere between 4-8. Helmet costs about $150, wheels anywhere from $1500 to $3000 (unless you go used which is a perfectly valid option).

As far as changing your position on the road bike, just loosen the saddle clamp and slide the saddle forward. No need for a second post.

I recommend doing a search on www.slowtwitch.com for this kind of info.....more than you could hope to read about.

[triboater]

thanks Aussie Rob...good stuff!

[Eric]

I'm a little late to the game but I have a FastForward seat post sitting in the basement. It's supposed to move your position forward for a more tri position. Tried it once or twice and never liked it. Moving the saddle forward worked for me the most.

But if you want to try the seat post let me know.

I had to read Durno's comment twice. I was trying to figure out how to go #2 on the bike.

[triboater]

Eric,
Ok, really late with this one but sure I'd love to try out that fastforward seat post. may I? I've been slowly killing my chances at kids...maybe this would alleviate some of the damage. email me: [e-mail]
thanks,
Adam

[psquared]

I would like to get a tri bike for next season but after reading this maybe it would be better to just convert my road bike. Just not sure what i really need to add other than the aero bars. I would love to get faster but I know for me that is more training. What would you recommend as far as what type of aero bars, seat post, wheels. etc. I don't want to spend a ton of money but what products would be worth it?

[karming]

I understand the need (or desire) to get to the 78 degree angle but my body (at this point) won't do it. I was fitted with the @ BA with their Dartfish video thingy. I ride at a 75 degree angle and it was amazing how much more comfortable I looked and felt at this position even though it is not at the generally considerd optimal seat angle.
Important point is simply this. . .you could look as aero as possible (i.e. red clothes, white saddles, flat back) but if you can't maintain an aero position then it's all for naught. Although you will look fast which is really where it's at