Road bike advice
Discussion
Short answer - no.
A roadie is better for climbing and generally more comfortable than a tri/TT bike - plus, you will not be welcome on most group rides with a TT bike. My TT bike has always been a second bike, 90% of my training is done on my roadie, with the 10% on the TT bike there just so i am used to the steep position.
At that price range, i would be looking at a full carbon rig with ultegra. Something like a Giant TCR would be my vote - find a good bike shop and spend the whole day there - get a fit done and chat with the someone about what he thinks is best for you geometry wise. You might be able to stretch to a few DA bits - but i would say stick with the ultegra and spend the rest on a nice saddle, pedals, shoes and a pair of assos bibs
A roadie is better for climbing and generally more comfortable than a tri/TT bike - plus, you will not be welcome on most group rides with a TT bike. My TT bike has always been a second bike, 90% of my training is done on my roadie, with the 10% on the TT bike there just so i am used to the steep position.
At that price range, i would be looking at a full carbon rig with ultegra. Something like a Giant TCR would be my vote - find a good bike shop and spend the whole day there - get a fit done and chat with the someone about what he thinks is best for you geometry wise. You might be able to stretch to a few DA bits - but i would say stick with the ultegra and spend the rest on a nice saddle, pedals, shoes and a pair of assos bibs
Two reason - one good, one not so good:
The main reason is that if you are on a TT bike, you will be using your aero bars - not a great idea in a group ride when you should be near your brakes. I have logged plenty of miles in my aero bars and would still never think of riding them in a paceline - all it takes is one person to brake and you will be into the back of them - it is inconsiderate and dangerous - many will disagree, but unless you know everyone in the paceline very well, and they are comfortable with you riding on the extensions, then its a big no-no.
Secondly, people see a TT bike and think that you might be a triathlete and thus have horible bike handling skills - not always true, but generally, roadies are much more comfortable with pack riding that tri-guys - this added to the rear water bottle launchers that a lot have fitted to their bikes.
Generally, i am much more nervous around a TT bike when im on a group ride, and if they were using their aerobars near me, i would have a word.
It all comes back to the TT or road bike argument - the whole point of a TT bike is that you ride it aero, which you cant do with hands on the brakes.
The main reason is that if you are on a TT bike, you will be using your aero bars - not a great idea in a group ride when you should be near your brakes. I have logged plenty of miles in my aero bars and would still never think of riding them in a paceline - all it takes is one person to brake and you will be into the back of them - it is inconsiderate and dangerous - many will disagree, but unless you know everyone in the paceline very well, and they are comfortable with you riding on the extensions, then its a big no-no.
Secondly, people see a TT bike and think that you might be a triathlete and thus have horible bike handling skills - not always true, but generally, roadies are much more comfortable with pack riding that tri-guys - this added to the rear water bottle launchers that a lot have fitted to their bikes.
Generally, i am much more nervous around a TT bike when im on a group ride, and if they were using their aerobars near me, i would have a word.
It all comes back to the TT or road bike argument - the whole point of a TT bike is that you ride it aero, which you cant do with hands on the brakes.
Parsnip is right - for that kind of use, I'd say you want to be looking at something full carbon and comfy.Giant TCR, Specialized Roubaix spring to mind.
There is also a Titanium Van Nicholas that comes in at just under 2 grand and supposedly has a beautiful ride feel.
Go for a bike that fits well, has a compliant ride, that you will feel happy to do longer ride on, and actually ENJOY riding. TT bikes can tend to beat you up a bit. Not a problem if your against the clock for 10k, but not what you want if riding for pleasure/fitness.
There is also a Titanium Van Nicholas that comes in at just under 2 grand and supposedly has a beautiful ride feel.
Go for a bike that fits well, has a compliant ride, that you will feel happy to do longer ride on, and actually ENJOY riding. TT bikes can tend to beat you up a bit. Not a problem if your against the clock for 10k, but not what you want if riding for pleasure/fitness.
Have a look at Planet X bikes.
http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/
They are doing amazing deals on carbon fibre road bikes at the moment. Eg full carbon fibre frame and forks with full Dura Ace 7800 groupset for £1500 built!!!
I bought the frame and forks a few weeks ago and built it up with a mix of the new Dura Ace stuff, Fulcrum racing 1 wheels and a Stronglight Helion Chaniset and bottom bracket. All up weight is just over 7kgs for the XL frame which is bloody light.
http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/
They are doing amazing deals on carbon fibre road bikes at the moment. Eg full carbon fibre frame and forks with full Dura Ace 7800 groupset for £1500 built!!!
I bought the frame and forks a few weeks ago and built it up with a mix of the new Dura Ace stuff, Fulcrum racing 1 wheels and a Stronglight Helion Chaniset and bottom bracket. All up weight is just over 7kgs for the XL frame which is bloody light.
Simon E said:
Have a look at Planet X bikes.
http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/
They are doing amazing deals on carbon fibre road bikes at the moment. Eg full carbon fibre frame and forks with full Dura Ace 7800 groupset for £1500 built!!!
I bought the frame and forks a few weeks ago and built it up with a mix of the new Dura Ace stuff, Fulcrum racing 1 wheels and a Stronglight Helion Chaniset and bottom bracket. All up weight is just over 7kgs for the XL frame which is bloody light.
A word of caution. They can offer all that kit so cheap (I paid £1k) for a reason. The frame may as well be made of plasticine. I had too many problems with mine (back to Px, etc) and now have a cervelo soloist which is in a different league (and price bracket though).....http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/
They are doing amazing deals on carbon fibre road bikes at the moment. Eg full carbon fibre frame and forks with full Dura Ace 7800 groupset for £1500 built!!!
I bought the frame and forks a few weeks ago and built it up with a mix of the new Dura Ace stuff, Fulcrum racing 1 wheels and a Stronglight Helion Chaniset and bottom bracket. All up weight is just over 7kgs for the XL frame which is bloody light.
Buyer beware and all that....
Parsnip said:
Secondly, people see a TT bike and think that you might be a triathlete and thus have horible bike handling skills - not always true, but generally, roadies are much more comfortable with pack riding that tri-guys - this added to the rear water bottle launchers that a lot have fitted to their bikes.
What utter boll0cks.A lot of triathletes have come from a road racing background. As to bike handling skills, why should someone who may not have come from a RR background have poor skills? Also, most bikes with aero bars also have some form of drop with brakes attached. I've never seen anyone ride in a pack on aero bars. there's almost NO advantage to doing this, as the shelter from the rider in front far outweights any aero benefit the bars would provide?
Hi Fergus,
How recent was your purchase from Planet X? I looked into loads of frames and got lots of advice from various racers and a lot of them recommended Planet X. The Irish national squad used them for a few years with no problems according to some of their riders and team mechanic.
Just curious, not saying you're wrong or anything like that!
Cheers
Simon
How recent was your purchase from Planet X? I looked into loads of frames and got lots of advice from various racers and a lot of them recommended Planet X. The Irish national squad used them for a few years with no problems according to some of their riders and team mechanic.
Just curious, not saying you're wrong or anything like that!
Cheers
Simon
Is it therefore reasonable to say that if you're not bothered about riding as part of a pack you could use a tri/TT bike on the road without any major issues? If so, what sort of distance could you cover without needing a trip to the hospital to sort out your back?
I'm going to go down the road bike route first but would be interested to know.
I'm going to go down the road bike route first but would be interested to know.
Simon E said:
How recent was your purchase from Planet X? I looked into loads of frames and got lots of advice from various racers and a lot of them recommended Planet X. The Irish national squad used them for a few years with no problems according to some of their riders and team mechanic.
No problem. Frame was about 2 yrs old. Don't forget that kit that pros use are often rebranded versions of different products. I'd check that what the 'Irish national squad' used were actually the same frames available to the public..... Simon E said:
Have a look at Planet X bikes.
I brought one of the dura ace bikes last year, upgraded the bars, seat post and a few other bits and pieces. Very happy with it, no signs of flex etc, goes like a dream, in fact I liked it so much I brought an on-one 456 Ti bike from them as well.fergus said:
A lot of triathletes have come from a road racing background. As to bike handling skills, why should someone who may not have come from a RR background have poor skills? Also, most bikes with aero bars also have some form of drop with brakes attached. I've never seen anyone ride in a pack on aero bars. there's almost NO advantage to doing this, as the shelter from the rider in front far outweights any aero benefit the bars would provide?
I did say one reason was not so good. As for b
ks, have you ever seen the bike mount line coming out of T1 at a tri? bikes weaving all over the shop with people trying to get into their shoes. This is only amplified at ironman. As for most TT bikes having cowhorns with brakes attached - yes, the cowhorns will have brakes, but my point is that if you are on the cowhorns, being on a TT bike is a waste of time. The whole point of a TT bike is that you are on the extensions, not near the brakes.Triathletes are generally worse in a group ride scenario due to lack of time riding in a pack - not a dig per se, just an observation - same way that a good triathlete would kill me in a flat out TT, but i would kill them up a hill or in a crit with lots of accelerations - just the nature of the training.
TT bikes are made to be ridden steep and thus not made to be comfortable - IMHO the only people who should buy TT bikes are tiathletes/people who do a lot of TTs AND ALREADY HAVE ANOTHER ROAD BIKE. Having a TT bike as your only bike is a bit daft if you ask me - each to their own however.
Parsnip said:
fergus said:
A lot of triathletes have come from a road racing background. As to bike handling skills, why should someone who may not have come from a RR background have poor skills? Also, most bikes with aero bars also have some form of drop with brakes attached. I've never seen anyone ride in a pack on aero bars. there's almost NO advantage to doing this, as the shelter from the rider in front far outweights any aero benefit the bars would provide?
I did say one reason was not so good. As for bks, have you ever seen the bike mount line coming out of T1 at a tri? bikes weaving all over the shop with people trying to get into their shoes. This is only amplified at ironman. As for most TT bikes having cowhorns with brakes attached - yes, the cowhorns will have brakes, but my point is that if you are on the cowhorns, being on a TT bike is a waste of time. The whole point of a TT bike is that you are on the extensions, not near the brakes.Triathletes are generally worse in a group ride scenario due to lack of time riding in a pack - not a dig per se, just an observation - same way that a good triathlete would kill me in a flat out TT, but i would kill them up a hill or in a crit with lots of accelerations - just the nature of the training.
TT bikes are made to be ridden steep and thus not made to be comfortable - IMHO the only people who should buy TT bikes are tiathletes/people who do a lot of TTs AND ALREADY HAVE ANOTHER ROAD BIKE. Having a TT bike as your only bike is a bit daft if you ask me - each to their own however.
coming out of T1, even Lance Armstrong would be weaving.....
Aero8 said:
I'm looking at a £2k-ish budget for a serious road bike for training (moving office and can't get to lunchtime gym). Is there a benefit in going for a triathlon bike? I can see they are pretty extreme, short wheelbase, aerodynamic. And look pretty good too.
As others have said, only get a TT bike for training for (or participating in) TTs/Tris.If you want a very nice road bike, and want to do occasional TTs/Tris, then arguably the best bike that serves both purposes is the Cervelo S series (née Soloist), as you can alter the geometry very quickly and easily.
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