TT / Triathlon bike or Road racer thingy

[smokeey]

Hi all

Looking for some advice for a complete noobie to road bikes.

Basically what's the difference between a "normal" road bike and a Triathlon bike? I want a Triathlon bike, mainly 'cos they look cool but also because they look more comfortable with the different handlebars.

Would the Triathlon bike be suitable for someone just riding for leisure I.e not actually in a Triathlon or time trial? I won't be riding in towns so wouldn't be stopping and starting all the time, I'd be looking for places to ride where I could go miles without having to stop for anything.

Any other tips would be welcomed, I know literally nothing

Thanks, Chris

[MisterJD]

smokeey said:

Hi all

Looking for some advice for a complete noobie to road bikes.

Basically what's the difference between a "normal" road bike and a Triathlon bike? I want a Triathlon bike, mainly 'cos they look cool but also because they look more comfortable with the different handlebars.

Would the Triathlon bike be suitable for someone just riding for leisure I.e not actually in a Triathlon or time trial? I won't be riding in towns so wouldn't be stopping and starting all the time, I'd be looking for places to ride where I could go miles without having to stop for anything.

Any other tips would be welcomed, I know literally nothing

Thanks, Chris

Please post a picture of what you're calling a Triathlon bike, it'll make what's about to happen easier...

[Master Bean]

You can buy a regular road bike and fit it with time trial bars. That way you get the best of both worlds.

[smokeey]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ribble-Crono-TT-triathlo...

Can't post a pic but something like that ^

[smokeey]

Master Bean said:

You can buy a regular road bike and fit it with time trial bars. That way you get the best of both worlds.

Why would that be better than just a triathlon bike though. I suppose I'm asking the pro's and con's of each?

[Master Bean]

If you're just pootling around the countryside you won't be in the tt position much of the time. It's just there to mix things up when you feel like.

Also don't buy a bike with tubular wheels unless you're committed to speed and lightness. I'm not sure if the eBay bike has tubs or clinches.

[Sarkmeister]

A TT bike will have a very aggressive rider position, as the saddle is further forward (to use different muscles as a road bike so the legs are in a better state for the run). It will also be massively stiff, so won't be comfortable at all.

Id definitely ride one back to back with a road bike before committing,

[bigandclever]

As good a comparison as any ... http://www.220triathlon.com/gear/bike/triathlon-bi...

[smokeey]

bigandclever said:

As good a comparison as any ... http://www.220triathlon.com/gear/bike/triathlon-bi...

Thanks. It would seem I need a road bike.

Any recommendations, budget approx £1000 (less would be nice) and learner friendly?

[bigandclever]

I'm a bit of a stuck-record, but take a look at the Decathlon / B'Twin bikes.

[egor110]

smokeey said:

Thanks. It would seem I need a road bike.

Any recommendations, budget approx £1000 (less would be nice) and learner friendly?

These are the lightest i could find for £1000.


rose pro sl200 8.3 kg
merlin fuse105 8.6 kg
boardman team carbon 8.7 kg
trek amonda alr4 8.8 kg

[Master Bean]

I have a cube peloton sl which does the job quite nicely. The new model is called the attain. Aluminium frame and 105 11 speed with mavic wheels.

[upsidedownmark]

You need a roadbike. Contrary to what you might believe, a tt/triathlon type bike & the associated position is NOT super comfortable, you carry a lot of weight through your shoulders, and they will ache like a b****d after a few hours, having the brakes a foot away from your hands most of the time is very sub-optimal, and you'll spend months finding a saddle that doesn't ruin your undercarridge.

All that said, they're great for a very specific purpose, but pretty much only that You'll have a much happier life with a regular road bike (and I'd guess that 90% of folks who have a TT also have a roadbike, which probably gets used more often..)

[Magic919]

Look at used. I just sold a decent spec Giant Propel Advanced for a grand.

[okgo]

Mark is spot on - do not buy a TT bike if you are not riding tri/time trial events.

[battered]

okgo said:

Mark is spot on - do not buy a TT bike if you are not riding tri/time trial events.

Exactly this. Racing for an hour - TT bike. Road use, get a normal road bike and have a better time in exchange for being 0.1 seconds slower over 25 miles. Note that not even the TdF boys use a TT bike on the normal road stages, they use a road racing bike. They only get the TT bikes out for, erm, the TT days.

[Magic919]

Except when they use a road bike on the TT.

[smokeey]

Ok, I think it's safe to say I need a road bike.

I planned to go to decathlon and Evans cycles today after work but didn't get out until later than expected. Going to go tomorrow though.

I'd normally not have a problem buying secondhand but seeming as I know very little thought I might be better to buy new.

Another question, how do people live with the really pointy seats on the racers? They don't look particularly comfortable for the arse but even less so for the bks, do you wear special underwear or something??

Also going to look into the cycle to work scheme when I get a minute at work.

[egor110]

smokeey said:

Ok, I think it's safe to say I need a road bike.

I planned to go to decathlon and Evans cycles today after work but didn't get out until later than expected. Going to go tomorrow though.

I'd normally not have a problem buying secondhand but seeming as I know very little thought I might be better to buy new.

Another question, how do people live with the really pointy seats on the racers? They don't look particularly comfortable for the arse but even less so for the bks, do you wear special underwear or something??

Also going to look into the cycle to work scheme when I get a minute at work.

The seats don't look comfy but they can be , sometimes you need to adjust the saddle forwards/backwards sometimes you have to just find the seat that works best for you.

Cycling shorts have padding built in for your ass and you go commando although you can also get more casual baggy shorts with built in cycling shorts.

[Benmac]

Notwithstanding the "fit for purpose" element of why a road bike is a much better better than a TT bike for general riding; you look like a bellend* riding a TT bike if not racing.

Chap near me rides one. Whenever I overtake him, which is whenever I see him, I make sure to be sat bolt upright on the tops of the bars as I offer my cheery hello.

• Triathlete