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Tri Bike or Road Bike for OS?

Derrek SanksDerrek Sanks
in General Training Discussions

This is my 3rd OS.  First year I used my Tri bike because it was new.  The second year I used my road bike to change it up.  This year I'm on the fence as to which bike to use.  Here's what I'm thinking/wondering: The percentage of FTP improvement would be the same on either bike.  The road bike will give me a higher FTP number than the tri bike, but does that really matter once HIM/IM training starts?  Will using a Tri bike vice a road bike better develop muscles for riding a Tri bike (specificity of training)?

Any advice? Thanks.

Comments

  • Phil MillsPhil Mills
    I did my first OS on a Mt. bike and the last two on a tri bike. I thought I read a ST article discussing this very issue. In nut shell, the road bike would provide more comfort over the tri, with marginal, if any performance differences. If I had a road bike I would be using it to save some strain on my back. I would then switch back to the tri bike when starting my HIM/IM training block. Either one is better than a Mt. bike.
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    Add one vote for road bike.
  • Brad MarcusBrad Marcus
    I'm probably one of the few outliers who is more comfortable on a tri bike vs road bike. I say ride whichever one that you are more comfortable. Its early enough where it doesn't matter. If this happens to be your road bike and the power numbers are slightly higher, you have plenty of time to make that adjustment down the road.
  • Peter GreaggPeter Greagg
    I use my road bike in the OS as it is more comfortable on my trainer compared to my Tri bike.
    As the coaches say, use whatever has the lowest mental cost.
  • Derrek SanksDerrek Sanks
    Thanks for the feedback. I'm going with the road bike.
    Right now I'm comfortable on my Tri bike because that's what I've been riding since April, but my butt will adjust to the road bike in a couple weeks. Also, I'll be able to do an apples-to-apples comparison to last year's OS stats.

    Thanks!
  • scott dinhoferscott dinhofer
    I use my road bike and was thinking tri bike this year, but got a Kickr with an 11 spd cog already installed, so the road bike it is as the Tri bike still has 10spd gearing
  • Brad MarcusBrad Marcus

    Posted By Scott Dinhofer on 31 Oct 2016 09:24 PM
    I use my road bike and was thinking tri bike this year, but got a Kickr with an 11 spd cog already installed, so the road bike it is as the Tri bike still has 10spd gearing

    @SD - ok to go 11sp on 10sp Kickr. When you're in ERG, no need to shift and if you do, just stay towards middle of cassette.
  • Satish PunnaSatish Punna

    Guidance has been go with whatever has lowest mental bandwidth.  

    That being said, last winter I exclusively used my road bike and found it very difficult to transition to the TT bike in the spring- didn't ever feel all that comfortable or powerful for the whole race season.  This winter my plan is to do most of my intervals on the TT bike in aero on the stationary trainer, and use the road bike on rollers for the abp rides and spins.   

  • Derrek SanksDerrek Sanks
    @Satish, when I transitioned to my TT bike after the last OS, it took about 8 weeks to start feeling powerful. For a couple weeks during the transition, I was frustrated and thought wasted my OS by using my road bike. Also during this period I heard Coach P on a podcast saying it will take several weeks, which relieved my frustrations. I finally felt faster/stronger than last year.
  • Michael QuintonMichael Quinton
    I'll continue to switch back and forth depending on what kind of ride i'm doing. Group rides on my roadie as well as most trainer sessions. Long solo rides on my tri bike.
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Posted By Brad Marcus on 01 Nov 2016 04:26 AM


    Posted By Scott Dinhofer on 31 Oct 2016 09:24 PM

    I use my road bike and was thinking tri bike this year, but got a Kickr with an 11 spd cog already installed, so the road bike it is as the Tri bike still has 10spd gearing



    @SD - ok to go 11sp on 10sp Kickr. When you're in ERG, no need to shift and if you do, just stay towards middle of cassette.

    I think Scott said the reverse: 11 cogs on his kickr, with a 10 gear tri bike. But I agree, it doesn't matter if you are using ERG (pre-programmed watts), just stay in a cog which doesn't click, and it's all good.

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