Road to Tri conversion?? - Triathlon Week

RBS · 10-18-2006, 05:58 PM

I have an extra-large carbon Marin Stelvio Road bike that fits me perfectly. I would like to put some aero bars on it to use in tri and duathlons. Does anybody know of a website that discusses the correct "fit" of a tri bike and how to know if one is way off for you before it's yours and your half way through the bike portion of a race before you realize the bike you bought wasn't the right one after all?

I went to my local bike shop and they said since my Marin's top tube is in the 57 to 58 cm range, I should look for a tri bike with a 55 to 56 range toptube. I don't know but I have until next season to research and do it right so- somebody give me a little help por favor.

DOUBLE DOWN · 10-28-2006, 07:02 AM

I've been in your dilemma all year. I ride a Giant TCR road bike that I've slowely transformed into a tri bike; installing aero bars and getting a professional bike fit to make sure I get as aero as possible. I purchased more aero wheels and some other minor purchases. I love my road bike and thought I would fine on it for the long haul.

That being said, I'm currently looking at a new bike that I hope will be my last investment. The geometry of a road bike (as you can read on many web sights) requires you to be very flexible in order to stay in the aero position for long stretches of time. I spend alot of time stretching out, but I am two years removed from back surgery and as my tri's get longer and my training session increase in time, I find myself coming in and out of the aero position to give my back a rest. Obviously, if your more upright in a ride, your increasing the wind resistance and slowing yourself down.

Here is a pretty good read on aero position and bike fit. I have spent a few months researching the proper bike, and there is much more than seat angle that is involved.
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

In my opinion, a road bike will do just fine on any race if your goal is a finish. But if you choose to push yourself towards top finish and become more aggressive in the goals you set for yourself in time and distance, than you may want to begin researching tri specific bike.

RBS · 10-28-2006, 10:31 PM

Thanks for the input. I think I have to agree with you after just getting a set of aero bars for my road bike and finding that they really don't fit well on my bike (had to set them too wide as a result of the taper at the middle of my handlebar). I think I'll start saving my nickles for a proper tri bike and leave my poor road bike for the training. Again, thanks for the link to the fitting page it will help as I try to find a bike that will suit me.