bikes with aero or not to aero...
mini__C
Posts: 44
in General Chat
HI
I'm still very new to tri...yet to do my first tri at the BUSA triathlon event in may....anyways, I've been wondering for a very long time about this...here it goes:
IF there are specifically designed tri bikes with aero-bars, why do the elites who do olympic distance use road bikes?? instead of going for the time trial type tri-bike??
Would it be suitable for me to use a road bike for sprint~olympic distance, rather than a TT bike?
Thanks
Chris
I'm still very new to tri...yet to do my first tri at the BUSA triathlon event in may....anyways, I've been wondering for a very long time about this...here it goes:
IF there are specifically designed tri bikes with aero-bars, why do the elites who do olympic distance use road bikes?? instead of going for the time trial type tri-bike??
Would it be suitable for me to use a road bike for sprint~olympic distance, rather than a TT bike?
Thanks
Chris
0
Comments
I would suggest that the majority of folks new to Tri use anordinary road bike for their initial event(s). Many use whatever bike they have so you see a good number of mountain bikes too.
I used a road bike last year and will be doing so this year too. I have added some retro fit aero bars but to be honest I haven't used then much and I'm considering taking them off again.
Time trial bikes make a difference but at a hefty expense and at the standard I'm competing at it would not make that much difference. A mate of mine has just qualified for the GB age group team at European Duathlon Championship in Edinburgh later this year and he was using a road bike (with aero bars) and kicked a lot of TT bike riders into the long grass. At the end of the day Lance Armstrong would kick my backside riding a kids tricycle against me on a many £k TT bike. Whatever you ride you still have to pedal it...
If you go for an aero approach I think you have to practise in that position which I haven't felt comfortable doing and for that reason I think they won't add much to my performance.
Enjoy your first Tri...
Cheers
Craig
However, one definite benefit for me - purely personally speaking - is that it gives me an extra option. Over a 40km race I'd say I spend roughly a third of my time in each of the following positions: using my drop bars, using my aero bars and using my brake covers. The ability to change position makes a ride that bit more comfortable.
I'm a fan. I even have them on my hybrid commuting bike, even if they do look a bit stupid. Craig is right: you do need to practise in that position. Initially you feel really unstable but after time it's second nature. This is why I have them on my commuting bike.
I only have £35 Profile aeros but they're fine.
See attached pdf pages 11 & 12 (i think!)