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Is this at all possible?

Hi, i have been looking at buying a new bike and i was wondering if having the Specialized transition pro 2008 or 09 bike, with drop handles and tri bars would work? When i went to talk to my local retailer he said this would work with no problems. However i was recently told by another seller that it can be done, but wouldn't be comfortable at all and is not recommended.



So i was wondering if anyone else has put drops on a TT and found it works alright or found it doesn't.



My reasoning for wanting drops is that i live in a hilly location so cycling to flat training routes with end shifters isn't really very fun. Also i am interested in the transition because i have heard from quite alot of people that it is easy to run off.



I have also been looking at the Specialized Tarmac and the cervelo Soloist as a backup plan if the transition is a no go.

I am going to be using this bike for sprint triathlons, Olympic triathlons and maybe a half iron man at some stage.

So what would you recommend? Any help would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks Chris.

Comments

  • sfullersfuller Posts: 628
    interesting question... id like to know too.
  • treefrogtreefrog Posts: 1,242
    This is what Cervelo did with the soloist carbon ie the revesible seatpost gave you the aggressive position (forward geometry) for triathlon (with tri-bars), and turn it around for more comfortable road geometry.

    The answer to your question is yes it would work, but it would be neither fish nor fowl - you would have the forward position but it would also be potentially very uncomfortable.

    How can you get around this? By buying a reversible seatpost, although you may be better to buy an off-set post for further setback. Also you may have to alter your head stack (the spacers that govern the height of the handlebar stem), and alter the stem itself.

    Really you might be better off looking into the Soloist as it does exactly what you want. Also I have heard some murmurings about the aero benefits & stiffnessof the Specialised but this could be sour grapes.

    Also depending on your dimensions you might be quite comfortable on the bike as it stands -unlikely!

  • Thanks for that treefrog. So in your opion the soloist would be my best bet.

    Are there any other bikes that i should consider?

  • treefrogtreefrog Posts: 1,242
    The answer is: there are loads of bikes that you could consider.

    However you seem to know what you want a road bike that's tri friendly and a tri bike that's road friendly, and in all honesty the Cervelo SLC is the bike that ticks these two boxes - mainly because it was designed to do exactly what you want. I admit that I am a Cervelo fan, but I have experienced lots of bikes and Cervelos are a better bike, in fact a good mate of mine (who does a few triathlons a year and who goes to the Dolomites with me) bought one because he wanted the best of both and in the SLC he got it.

    I would advise you to try other bikes - all the usual Cannondale, Principia, Felt etc etc, but remember that proper fit is crucial regardless of frame. So choose a brand whose geometry suits you, get fitted PROPERLY - I have found experience is much better than computer generated fittings - and go for it.

    But yes go for a Cervelo SLC

  • transittransit Posts: 163
    I live in a hilly area too with a very similar decision to make and the soloist is top of my list. A TT bike is not designed for comfort or hills, although it will cope. If I had the decision of whether to go for road or TT if I had only one bike I'd er toward the TT cos it would cope with hills on triathlons. If you are gonna use if for sportifs and the like go for the roadier end of the spectrum.



    Hmm, I think Soloist is the answer?!
  • Thanks for all your help. I will be going to test ride the soloist on Saturday and see what its like. After using my dads rubaix for a year, i am sure its going to feel like heaven.





    I went on tri talk and they have been having the same discussion about transforming TT's to road, quite a few people have said it works well.

    http://www.tritalk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=48146

    But I'm not sure i am willing to spend around £4000 on a bike and find out four months down the line that it is really uncomfortable to ride over long distances.

  • bennybenny Posts: 1,314
    I have the cervelo soloist team bike for almost a month now. Only have good things to tell about it.

    It defo does what you want,those are the same reasons I've bought it for.
  • sfullersfuller Posts: 628
    which good stores stock it?
  • treefrogtreefrog Posts: 1,242
    Cheapest in Europe Slane Cycles in Belfast - excellent mail order & email order (better to phone for best deal). www.slanecycles.co.uk
  • treefrogtreefrog Posts: 1,242
    SPAM TO PAGE 2
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