Aero Road v. Tri

popothefuzz

I've been training on a Cervelo Dual and am looking to get a new bike.  I'm gearing up for IM France in a few months and was wondering if anyone had thoughts on Road vs. Tri for a course with lots of climbing and technical descents?  While I'm comfortable in aero position, I don't have lots of experience on technical descents and am concerned that riding them on a tri-bike is a poor plan.  I've seen the usual "make sure it fits beyond all else" in other threads on this subject, but haven't seen any recent posts, nor any posts dealing with the road v. tri in the context of technical descents, which is my main concern!  Any input would be greatly appreciated!

robin sarner

Personally I would hate to do an ironman on a road bike.     But for the climing and desceding of France, would consider.    I also hate the scary unsteadiness of a tri bike at high speeds.       Assuming you can get a decent compromise fit with clip on aero bars, perhaps consider the road bike.  

moetai@gmail.com

If i were u, i would do IM Nice on a road bike with clip ons. The climbs are brutals and the descents are too technical to tackle them on a tribike (imo). Plus u can feel like a tour de france rider sprinting out of every  turns  on the descents. good luck for the race. I have a friend doing it this year too.

J.T. Thompson

I don't know the course well, but I'd take a long look at how much climbing and flats there are. I tend to find that I can climb well on a try-bike and the flats are a big difference than a road bike. While you may give up time on the downhill on a Tri-bike, the difference on flats parts could really make a difference. But in the end, you should ride on what you are comfortable with....

zwuba

Sorry for thinking different but I would ALWAYS go with the tri-bike just for the aerodynamic benefit of it!

Al Truscott

Depends on your goal. If it's to go as fast as possible, a tri bike is always faster on WTC courses. Anyone who claims otherwise is not riding their TT bike properly. If it's simply to participate and feel safe, and you fear downhills, a roadset up will do just fine.

Coach Rich

What Al said. I can descend just as fast on my tri bike as my road bike, though I would say I have to turn the awareness/risk dial up to 10 on the tri bike vs a 9 on the road bike to do that. But I climb just as well on the tri bike and the tri bike would much faster and more comfortable than the road bike in all other situations. That is, in the aerobars on the tri bike is generally more comfortable for long distances than in the drops on a road bike.

popothefuzz

Thanks for all of the input everyone!  Based on this I'm inclined to go with the tri bike and deal with the descents (hopefully by having some practice weekends between now and then!).  I'll post after to let you all know how it works out - thanks again for the advice!