Road Bike ot TT Bike

cdc02254

Firstly hello and secondly please forgive me for asking any silly or obvious questions.

I started cycling about 3 months ago when I brought a Bianchi Via Nirone 7 on the cycle to work scheme. I love the bike and enjoy every minute of riding I get. I completed a 75 mile charity bike ride to start with in a good time and am now doing 30-40 miles rides 3-4 times a week.

My next goal is to complete a mini triathlon and then work my way up to half iron man etc..

My dilemma is that I am looking to buy another bike, I nearly brought a BIANCHI INFINITO ATHENA last week but held off as I feel I might be going a bit quick.

Would it be better for me to buy a good triathlon bike instead?, could I use the triathlon bike for long road rides or would it really only be suited to triathlons, or should I but a good road bike and use this for Triathlons?. I am going to keep my existing bike.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Keith1983

I guess it all depends on what your budget is, a TT bike will be fine for exactly that but might be a bit much for regular long distances. Why not get yourself a decent TT bike and upgrade your current Bianchi? I've not owned one but I hear that the Via Nirone is a good platform to upgrade.

StageWinner

First step might be to get some clip-on aero bars for your road bike and see how you get on with them. Make sure you are comfy in the TT position, etc.

If you already have a road bike, then *personally* I'd probably go for a TT bike. Opinions will vary - but I guess it will come down to how much you'll use it vs the cost.

TT bikes aren't particularly suited for longer regular training rides, although some people DO train on them. It's just that the TT position is somewhat uncomfortable for many people over long distances.

Clear? As mud.

danowat

The only thing that is uncomfortable about a TT bike is the rather extreme position, and even then this is something you become accustomed to over time.

If you already had a decent road bike, then the cheapest route to a faster time is a set of clipons.

But if you really want a TT bike, get one, there is nothing stopping you training on it, although I choose to do all my training on a road bike.

edhornby

I think Stage Winner is right, book in the mini triathlon and do it with clip on aero bars first, that will give you the best idea about 1) whether you want to do triathlons 2) how you get on with the aero position

markos1963

Clip ons first to see if you can handle the position and if you are set on a triathlon career then yes get a TT bike. You already have a pretty decent road bike for general training and riding so you could spend a little on upgrades(tyres/wheels etc).
You can and should train on a TT bike if you are going to be serious about it, Cancellara rides in the TT position whilst training and nobody would argue against his ability. If the set up is right and you build up your core strength then there is no reason why longer rides shouldn't be possible. I regulary go for 1.5 to 2 hr rides in the TT position.

nferrar

Yeah, don't really follow triathlon but as above the ones run under rules that allow drafting even the pros use normal road bikes with at most stubby tri bars on (going by the Olympic distance ones they show on TV anyhow). I'd do some local club TT's first and get some half decent times before worrying about a dedicated TT/tri bike (like sub 23 for a 10 and sub hour for a 25).

cdc02254

Excellent advice, you all seem to give the same basic message.

As I am very comfortable with my Bianchi I will get some clip ons, join a local club and try and post some decent times.

From this I will decide on what the next step is but I think it may be, new wheels and tires for the Bianchi then a mid range TT bike.

Thanks for all your help.

silverpigeon

I used to have a Triathlon bike (and note 'proper' Tri bikes have 650cc wheels) - when I was competing at er,triathlons - and I can honestly say it made a huge difference to my times.

As well as a more aerodynamic position, the steeper seat tube means that you don't work your hamstrings as much and that makes a big difference on the run.

danowat

markos1963 wrote:

You can and should train on a TT bike if you are going to be serious about it.

I don't, and it doesn't seem to have any negative affect on my performance.

SBezza

danowat wrote:

markos1963 wrote:

You can and should train on a TT bike if you are going to be serious about it.

I don't, and it doesn't seem to have any negative affect on my performance.

To be honest you will never know if you can go faster if you did train in the position more, unless you actually try it. My power is fairly close, but I can still put out more power on the road bike, so by training in the TT position you get your body more used to that position (it does depend on how extreme you go).

I base all my zones based on TT power, but if all I did was race on the TT bike, I might find out that any road bike power increase is not translated to the TT bike, as I just might not be able to put out the power increase in the TT position.

I do some long training rides on the TT bike (though I do long distance TT's), and it is not as comfortable as a road bike to be honest, so most endurance rides are on the road bike, and the TT bike for 2 hour tempo rides and intervals.

danowat

Alot of my training is done while commuting, so its not wholey practical to commute on my TT machine.

SBezza

danowat wrote:

Alot of my training is done while commuting, so its not wholey practical to commute on my TT machine.

Very true, I don't use mine for commuting either, like you say not the most practical.

But it is true that you might be better if you trained in position, then again you might be very similar. It is so hard to tell.

Pross

Stick with a road bike and clip ons to give you the most use out of the bike, if you take the triathlon up regulalrly or start TTing regularly then it would be worth getting a specialist TT bike.

markos1963

danowat wrote:

markos1963 wrote:

You can and should train on a TT bike if you are going to be serious about it.

I don't, and it doesn't seem to have any negative affect on my performance.

I'm not saying it would necessarliy Dan and your times this year are putting me to shame but most of the really fast riders will do a fair proportion of their riding in their race position.

danowat

I've got my first 50 mile TT this weekend, so depending on how that goes, I might be spending some more time in the race position afterwards!!!!.

Managed to go sub 1hr for a 25 this weekend, 58:33, which isn't too bad for my 3rd ever 25TT

markos1963

danowat wrote:

I've got my first 50 mile TT this weekend, so depending on how that goes, I might be spending some more time in the race position afterwards!!!!.

Managed to go sub 1hr for a 25 this weekend, 58:33, which isn't too bad for my 3rd ever 25TT

Well done!
Although you're not making me feel any better about my TTing