Road Bike v. Tri Bike

kjc777

  Hi guys, 

I am a newbie on EN and at racing in general so I apologize up front for the rookie questions.  I have a 2010 Scott CR1 SL that I have been racing with the last 2 seasons (my only 2 seasons), compact crank, 11/28 cassette,  Sram Rival, Easton EA50's.  My plan was to clip on aero bars and use it again this season.  Then someone in my tri group said it's time for me to move to a tri bike and get more aero, efficient, fast and.... $$poorer.  I thought that with all of the hills at LP the Scott would be better than using a real  tri bike.  I know it makes sense to have both and I agree you can't have too many bikes but for all the climbing I will be doing I thought the road bke would be a better choice.  Thoughts?

thanks

-Ken

 

(also not sure which forum to post this in, I also posted in Race Execution)

Naomi Gilker

Good question seems like an important topic. This thread may be helpful, or not, but I thought I'd share it with you. Good luck figuring it all out.

http://members.endurancenation.us/Training/TrainingForums/tabid/101/aft/10160/Default.aspx#125304

rmiller

Generally speaking, I think the coaches say (based on podcasts I've heard) that there is no IM course that a roadie is better than a Tri. Yes, LP has some hills, and it's not as technical as Wisconsin - but there are significant chunks of the course that a tri bike and its aero position will be of benefit.

All that said, I did IMLP on a roadie last year (with clipons), and will do again this year, with the plan being to get myself a tri bike after that (assuming I still have the hunger to do a 3rd IM). So you won't be the only one

Dino Sarti

So many pros and cons. I think the consensus is that a TT bike is always the way to go, but budget are budgets. It is a lot of money to invest in a hobby. So, knowing that a TT bike is the BEST option, but NOT the ONLY option out there, look at your budget, balance it against your needs and let you rational self be your guide....

All that being said, if you are looking for someone to give the reasons you need to buy a dream machine. You know, that push to the trigger..... I say go for it! New bikes are radical and I am firm believer in the old saying - "The perfect number of bikes is n+1, where n = the current number of bikes".