Triathlon Bike

[rugby bloke]

Another question under the category of General Ignorance. Working on the principle that you can never have too many bikes I've got a chance to buy my brother in law's triathlon bike - 2 careful owners, hardly used, a snip at £50. I'm not into triathlons so my plan would be to use it as a road bike, mainly for distances around the 50 mile mark, but occasionally longer.

I would be interested to know what are the differences between a triathlon bike and a standard road bike - it is fitted with aero bars, apart from that it looks pretty standard in the photos.

Apologies in advance for any ignorance expressed in this post !

 

[fimm]

As I always say when the subject of bicycles and triathlons comes up, I did my first triathlons on a £200 mountain bike, fitted with slick tyres*.

It sounds to me as though your b-i-l has a road bike with clip on aero bars, rather than a time trial (TT) bike. The differences would be that you can take the aero bars off and not affect the functionality of the bike (apart from not being about to get into a TT position) while in a full Time Trial bike the gear levers are on the end of the forward pointing bars, and there are no drop handlebars, just flat bars with the brakes. A TT bike also has a more aggressive riding position. If what you are being offered is a road bike, and it fits you, then £50 sounds a bargain. If it is a TT bike, then it is even more of a bargain at £50, but it is pretty much like owning a flash sports car - good for going fast but not much else!

*(I now race on a carbon fibre monstrosity that cost my O/H 3 grand a few years ago, but that's another story...)

 

[Big Dave laaa]

what make and model?

 

[rugby bloke]

Thanks for the replies. Communications are being channeled via Senior Management so not all the details are available. I know its a Trek, waiting to find out the particular model. From what I can see it looks like a modified road bike, which would suit me fine as its a chance to upgrade from my bog basic Carerra for very little outlay.

 

[Big Dave laaa]

If the bike is the correct size for you I'm sure you'll enjoy riding it. This is more important than whether it's a Tri Race or Sportive bike. I hope it does the job for you

 

[Hill Wimp]

If its the right size and it's in good condition you are on to a winner.

Could be a good bike for all your future Audax

 

[DCLane]

If you remove the aero bars I'm presuming it's just a standard road bike? Make/model/photos/etc?

If so then it should be a good buy.

 

[rugby bloke]

I'll post some more details on here as soon as I have them.

 

[biggs682]

I'll post some more details on here as soon as I have them.

out and out tri bikes can be a bit uncomfy for general useage but that sounds a bit of a bargain for sure

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I got to ride this old Spesh Transition last week, I have to say it was quite lovely

 

[rugby bloke]

I'm going to pick it up on Sunday, my brother in law is happy to lend it to me for a month to see how I get on with it ... perfect !

 

[screenman]

out and out tri bikes can be a bit uncomfy for general useage but that sounds a bit of a bargain for sure

Why? I used to find mine very comfortable, otherwise it would not get you through the distance in a relaxed fashion.

 

[Tin Pot]

I know it is the trend to do triathlons on TT bikes, these days, but when I used to race back in the mid-1980s/90s, I preferred a road bike. It was much more relaxed and handled better - essential, IMO, if you are going to be in good shape for the run. You might save a few minutes from the streamlining over 25 miles but if you lose 10 minutes over the space of a 10k run, it's all for nothing.

So as you can see, I'm not a great fan of triathlon bikes.

Why would you lose 10 minutes on the run from being aerodynamic on the bike?

 

[jefmcg]

Why would you lose 10 minutes on the run from being aerodynamic on the bike?

It depends how well you come off the bike. If you can jump off the bike and hit the ground at your best running speed off a relaxed geometry bike but need some time to straighten out after spending time in an aero tuck, then your overall time is probably better on the slower bike.

This doesn't apply to top athletes.

 

[biggs682]

Why? I used to find mine very comfortable, otherwise it would not get you through the distance in a relaxed fashion.

the couple of times i have looked at buying and trying ex tri bikes

i have always suffered the next day or two with sore shoulders and next ache , ok i have never been able to do a full set of adjustments to try and get comfy .

agree how you would need to be comfy to obtain best ability and results