Dual purpose road/Tri bike?

Duane Dennis

Considering getting a new bike for an upcoming Tri, and obviously in anticipation of future ones.  I have a nice road bike, (Cervelo R3) that I ride alot, but it's a few years old, and I've got the n+1 itch for a new road bike.  So I was thinking about getting a bike that could do double duty.  Something like a Felt AR or Cervelo S3, where you can turn the seat post around to get road or tri geometry.  I'd use clip ons in Tri mode.  I really do way more road riding than I would do  tri, as I like to go on group rides with my buds.

I doubt I'd do more than 2-3 Tri's a year, and it's hard to justify a whole bike set up for only tri at this point.  Is anyone doing this double duty concept, and do you like it ok?  Also very open to other bike suggestions.  :-)

 

Mike Westover

I think the best setup depends on how much tri racing you plan to do, and how much you care about your times. A tri bike will let you get into a more aero position and will set up a faster run.

Last year I used the Redshift system (adjustable seatpost and clip ons), which worked fine, though I was much faster this year on a tri bike. I know Rich prefers the short clip-on bars if adapting a road bike.

scott dinhofer

Duane - you've got a great road bike, now go out and get a good to great tri bike! with the EN discount, the Ventum-Z bike is a great deal to consider.
Bottom line is that you will want to ride a tri bike for at least the 10-12 weeks prior to a Tri to train with the specificity of tri. Bottom line is that if you want to do this the right way, have one of each. If you get a double duty bike, which I am only familiar with in concept, it would seem to me that you will be making compromises on both ends.

Paul Hough

Duane - I have 2 tri bikes and 2 road bikes. I love them all. My Argon 18 Gallium Pro is set up with Enve Stem, Enve Aero Base Bar, and integrated Enve Aerobars (clip on that fit only that base bar). I have a carbon Reddshift seat post that allows me to shift the seat forward into the tri position while riding. I raced the bike at Du Nats in Bend, Oregon where almost everyone was on a tri bike. It is a superb option. A true tri-bike would have a more aero frame, and I would recommend you consider that for top performance, although my Gallium Pro is the best of both worlds. Note: I had to get a bike with a round seat tube to be able to take the Redshift seat post. Any road bike with a custom integrated seat mast won't work with the Redshift seat post.

Peter Greagg

Duane — do you have a power meter? If not, I would get a power meter way-before a tri bike.

Duane Dennis

Thanks guys. Lots to think about.

Scott, you make some great points.  I am curious about the ventum deal.  It's way more bike than my skillset would justify.  

Paul that's a really cool set up. And one I could implement now. I really like those Argon 18 bikes.  I think they are one of the sharpest looking bikes out there.  I don't know that I'll run enough races throughout the year to justify a separate Tri bike. But I ride road bike alot. I can justify a new roadie, especially if it can do some legit double duty. I like my R3, but have never been crazy about the color(I got a smoking deal on it when I bought it), and just want something different.

I'm not on the pointy end of the spear in the pack. I'm more of a "do your best and lets go have a beer type". Don't get me wrong, I crave progress and improvement. OTOH, I love my gadgets, and a TRI bike is a whole nuther gadget.



Peter, I do have a power meter. I have a powertap G3, been using it in my training for about 3 years. I am thinking about going to the PowerTap P1 or a crank based though so I'm not tied to this wheel set, and so I can use it on the Kickr as a back up. Love using power to train!

scott dinhofer

Posted By Duane Dennis on 10 Nov 2016 06:17 AM

  I am curious about the ventum deal.  It's way more bike than my skillset would justify.  

Talk to Mariah! look at the Z bike & ask her to tell you what the special EN deal for THAT bike is... it's shockingly affordable!

Duane Dennis

By way of update, I went with the Redshift System. They had a 20% off XMAS sale, and 30 day return policy, so I figured it was worth a shot. I think I'm just going to keep on riding the R3 for a while, and this will help me maximize that use. I fully see the benefit to a separate Tri bike, but that's not in the cards right now. I'd have to cash in way too many SAU's, and I maybe close to overdraft as it is... Meeting with my fitter hopefully next week. I'll be sure to update once it's all dialed and operational. Thanks for the valued feedback!

Paul Hough

Duane - I would like to hear about your experience after you get it. I really like the RedShift aerobar system but those would not work on my Enve aero base bar. But the seatpost is fantastic. If I were only able to keep 1 bike, it would be the Argon 18 with RedShift.