Here’s one for my triathlon-saavy readers like Jill, Johnny, and Bunnygirl…
I’ve got a sizeable tax refund coming this year, a bit unexpectedly, which would allow me to upgrade from my current road bike (a 2003 Specialized Sequoia) to either 1) a nicer road bike or 2) a triathlon bike. I’ve been thinking about both options lately. Of course there is a third option, which is to simply keep the bike I have right now and have been riding for 4 years.
Biggest question: what, really, are the advantages of a tri bike? You always have to ride in the aero position, right? I’ve never done that before, which makes me wary. I have issues with back and neck soreness already, and it seems like being forced into the aero position all the time would be worse. Then again — maybe the aero position is better, ergonomically, and my back and neck wouldn’t get as sore! I don’t know.
Sub-question: If I do keep my current bike, there are some upgrades I’d like to make — new tires, add some aerobars so I at least have the option of getting into aero position, and upgrade the components from bottom-of-the-line Shimano to a nicer, smoother, higher-quality set. Each of those will cost me some cash, especially upgrading components, which makes me wonder if I might not be better off just upgrading the whole bike.
Having done a bit of reading on my own, I believe that what I really want to do is upgrade to a nicer road bike. I’m not fast enough to be competitive and probably never will be, so my desire for comfort usually outweights a desire for maximum speed. For me, I’d rather be comfortable during the ride than gain an extra mile per hour. Unless someone can convince me that there are clear advantages to a tri bike that go beyond just the racing (since I ride for fitness as well), I’m leaning towards upgrading to a new road bike. I’d like to check out some of the women-specific designs, in particular the Specialized Vita Multi-Sport looks appealing.
Thoughts?
No – you do not always have to ride in aero. The handle bars are similar to a road bike – just no drops and the top part is more flat.
I found this site that describes the differences between the two types of bikes pretty well: http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/difference.shtml
I think you should go to a store and test out a couple different bikes (road and tri) and see what you think. I have some friends that love their tri bikes for everything, but others that have a road bike and a tri bike, and some that are still on the fence with just a road bike (like me!).
It is hard for me to say what I would do – my bike is not very old. I am not ready to plunk down the money for a tri bike, but I am thinking of getting aerobars. Webster Cycles seemed like it would be a great place to go for some info.
Good luck in your decision!!
Wow, great article, Jill. Sounds to me like the tri bike is the way to go. Then you’ll have both.
Refridgerators are about $1000, which you have to buy when you buy a house. Plus a washer and dryer. Plus closing costs and a down payment. You have a nice bike, toys are fun, but if you’re serious about house purchasing this summer, I would urge fiscal responsibility and put it in a savings account. Or buy a toy.
Sounds like Becca knows what she’s talking about. It is hard not to spend that refund (me buying my 20D last year is a good example) but knowing you’re achieving a goal like buying a house would be a great feeling. Look at it as a giant size toy.
Becca speaks the truth. Always enjoyed riding past triathletes with their expensive gear 🙂 Aero bars on a road bike are cheap and effective.
Bikes? I think you need to use this windfall on a big screen TV, so you can jam to guitar hero and feel like you’re playing to a stadium!
Yeah, Gavin, that’s what I’m talkin’ about! 🙂
I heart HD.
I may be a day late and a dollar short, but ditto on what Jill said, i.e. trying some bikes out. I bought a fancy tri-bike online, which is very red adn shiny, but i have never felt very comfortable on it. On the smaller wheels in aero-position, my face is too close to the asphalt!! Veerrry scarrrrry.
Bough a womens’s road bike on line- purrrfect. Lucky me. 🙂