Outdoor training: Tri bike or Road bike

mpaone

So now that NJ weather is getting tolerable for outdoor riding I took out my new Tri bike over the weekend. This is my first time riding a tri bike since I bought it in December. Last year I only rode my road bike. So I took the tri bike out again today and went about 26 miles and stopped by my LBS to talk to my bike guy about the fit. He comes from a purely road racing background and not triathlon (if that makes a difference in the answer). So he asked me how often I planned on riding the tri bike for training. I said well I ride 3 x week so probably 2, maybe 3 to start just because this bike is so different then my road bike I want to get more used to it. He seemed to think I should only ride it once a week and for very straight fast training rides (ie intervals). He said I should use my road bike for hill work, even though Im using my tri bike for Timberman (hilly).

So what do you all do if you have both a road and tri bike? Like I said, this tri bike is a very different ride then what Im accustomed to on the road bike. I feel that right now I need to keep on it a bit just to get more comfortable in aero.

Joseph Lombardi

Hey Maureen...fellow east coaster here...(New Hope PA)....so I know how you feel...so glad to be outdoors!

Anyway...the answer to your question...typically in the Haus....is it kinda depends upon where you are in training....if your in the OS...or even general prep phases of your season....the Road Bike is a perfectly acceptable alternative....(though I still would mostly ride my tri bike)....

...However if you are in the Race Prep (or close to it)...then it is TriBike in Aero position all the time.(as much as possible)........

You'll see some comments to this affect in the Wiki Self-Coaching guide section.

Brad Marcus

Maureen- I think you may get various answers to this one based on who you ask. Non-Tri people will most likely tell you to train on a road bike vs tt bike. I have found that they view us as inferior in terms of bike handling skills. That being said, I usually go by the rule that if I am riding as part of a group (especially a larger one), I ride my road bike. When out alone or with a small group (or tri-centric group - if that's a word?), I am on my tt bike. It's tough to ride in a tight group if you are going to be in aero position, and I bet it would make others uncomfortable. Definitely get some time on your new ride though...it is different but you will love it!

I did a Timberman last year and am racing there again this Summer. If you haven't done it yet...it is an awesome experience!

Carl

I ride my tri bike ALL the time when I am training for a Ironman event. Why? cause that is what you are going to be on and you want to know every knook and cranny on that thing. You will learn its sqeeks, etc. Plus you really needed to be fit on it.

I do pull out the road bike though for a good time with the locals at road races, crits, or a really hilly ride.

Jess Withrow

Hey Maureen!!! It's FINALLY getting nice out here in NJ, huh? LOVE it!!!

I also exclusively ride my tri bike. Since I got my tri bike a couple years ago, my road bike has been hanging in my basement and I haven't ridden it once... I'm just more comfortable on my tri bike. I think roadies in general find tri bike geometry confusing and uncomfortable and can't imagine climbing on them... let alone being aero for hours at a time... so it would make sense that your bike guy would use TT logic (ie, short, fast flat intervals) I think this is a "do what works best for you" scenario, but the more time you spend on it the more comfortable you will be on it... and the faster you'll be able to bomb down those hills in aero at Timberman! ;-)

ezellrh

I would second (third, whatever) the 'ride the tri-bike' comments here. (For context, I was a roadie for over a decade before buying a tri-bike.) Speaking purely from conjecture, the LBS roadie probably was comparing his/her experience in isolated time trials as compared to focusing on crits/races; hence the ride the TT rig only sparingly (as would be appropriate for someone who's racing goals were just that).

FWIW, I ride my road bike in the OS mainly because I don't like to put the tri-bike on the trainer (personal feelings, not any feelings about suitability). However, once I get into race prep, its all tri-bike for the multiple reasons mentioned above. I also don't usually ride in group rides, because the ones near me typically don't offer what I need in terms of specific pacing at specific times, but if I did, I would definitely only show up on the road bike, not the tri-bike. Good luck!

drmariner

I mix it up, but like Carl like to be on a tri-bike exclusively in the race prep period to an Ironman.

I would not discount the road bike. For hilly terrain (my backyard) and particularly early in the outdoor season (more left over winter junk on the road/frost heave damage etc.) it's comfort and handling is an advantage in my opinion. I always try to slam the tri-bike for several rides before a triathlon but when I return to the road bike it seems like an old friend- one that has taught me a lot over the years. I believe a road bike augments rather than detracts from triathlon training.

 

russG

I have nothing new to add that hasn't been said already, but that rarely keeps me from chiming in.

Bought the TT bike a few years ago and I love it - I ride by myself far more often than with others and I have grown to love the free speed and the position.

Hope you do to - have fun!

mpaone

Ok well I'm glad my thinking was on track with what you all have said. Thanks for the feedback! My road bike is what I've used for the NOS and it's still on the trainer for my GF plan. I love the tri bike so far but it does take some getting used to, deifnitely not as stable as the road bike so Im still cautious when getting into aero. Plus Im still playing with the fit.

Thanks everyone!

Scott Alexander

For me, it depends on my season. My "A" race is in August, with a short olympic "B" race in late May.

Given that, with my cycling-heavy early season schedule, it's all roadie. Mid-April, I'll add one short ride/week with my TT. After my late May "B" race, I'll switch full time to the TT bike, when getting the volume for my "A" race, IM Mont Tremblant.

In my opinion, take all the time building your FTP on the roadie, then transition to the TT slowly (prob even with an addiitonal spacer or two for comfort, then take them out over time as you get more flexible and comfortable on the TT).

It usually takes about six weeks to transition to the TT bike for me - concerning muscle adaptation (road bike position to TT position) and comfort (esp my lower back).

Darren Freeman

I've only had my tri bike on the road two or three times since I've bought it.  Since I got it, it has been a permanent fixture on my CompuTrainer and it pretty much is all I'll ride until IMLP.  Monday I am taking the day off to get a Retul on both my road and tri bike.

As for riding vs. training.  Well I have come to the conclusion that when training indoors or out, I'll ride my tri bike alone, as much as possible and with as few people as possible or with someone who is very close to my ability or better.  This way I won't be distracted and can get my designated workout done as planned in as close to those conditions as possible.

As for the road bike, well that I consider to be my fun bike for now and will us it for group rides where I'm not trying to achieve some specific training goal unless it is needed.  It is really just too difficult to train well with a large group of people who do not have the same objectives as you for the ride.  If you can find a large group like that.. great.  but I think I would be very distracted and just throw the ride for fun instead of getting the work done.  

russG

@Maureen - Aero definitely becomes more comfortable over time.
If you feel unsteady, find low-traffic venues and get comfortable on the TT.
Timberman is a hilly course, and the more comfortable you are, the better off (by far) you will be.

zwuba

I also use my TT most of the time for "training" - simply because of all the reasons already mentioned AND I have my PM-crank mounted there
Of course I can currently hardly wait for the first ride with my brand-new Canyon Ultimate SLX roadie I have in the dungeon but when I step on the roadie there will be A LOT more vertical stuff

Jenniferlyn Kryvicky

I am in the tri bike club. I have had issues the past year with both fit and saddle comfort, so I am sticking with the tri bike as much as I can so that I can get used to it and that my body gets comfortable with it. Once you are breaking out of sprint and oly's - being on a bike that you are not familiar with for 56 - 112 miles can result in some pain - back pain, knee pain, hip pain, butt pain.. neck pain, shoulder pain, etc. Your whole body is effected by your comfort on the bike.

I say for you ride the heck outta it as it is new to you and you have not been broken in to your bike nor has your bike been broken in to you. If after a year or two you feel dead on in the bike - switching out for a roadie is not going to be an issue!