Mountain Bike in Triathlon (Is it OK??)
Robert Scott
I just bought myself a nice expensive mountain bike last year, and now
I'm interested in training for a sprint/olympic triathlon. What's the
difference in performance between the MTB and the racing bike?? Do
people race with mountain bikes (with slicks I presume) in triathlons ?
Thanks in advance
Rob
Karl Edmark
Not only do they use MTB's in triathlons, I have seen more than one MTB in
a tri with knobby's. BTW, they were kicking butt. IMHO, it's actually
kinda cool to use an MTB in a tri. At Ironman Hawaii last year, one guy
used a beach cruiser (eight hour split).
There are some triathlon venues that stage the bike portion on dirt, then
everyone uses an MTB.
When you use an MTB in a standard triathlon, you will be at a disadvantage
compared to the roadies. I would guess that you are setting your bike
split back by approximately 25%. However, if you are a strong cyclist,
you can still place well.
Definately give it a "tri".
Ka...@msn.com
"Life's a brick"
Robert Scott wrote in article <338CD6...@generation.net>...
mfog...@mindspring.com
I used my Cannondale mtb in several tris in Asia with great success. I
bought Continental GPs (model 25-559) that fit right on the mountain
rims. I think they're around 23 or 25mm wide, kevlar bead (foldable) and
rated to take maximum pressure of 120psi. I bolted on some aero
extensions, put the seat as far forward as I could, used my normal
mountain clipless pedals and shoes. I beat a hell of a lot of guys on
very trick machines. . .
I have a tri bike now so its very unlikely I'll be using my mountain
bike on the roads again. I'd be willing to sell the Conti tires and
skinny 26" tubes. They were used only for racing (all my training was
done on the regular mountain tires). They're virtually brand new.
ORIGINAL PRICES: Tires were $38 each, 2 skinny 26" tubes (butyl) were $5
each. I also have one NEW Hutchison 1.20" slick with kevlar bead (was
$30). I'll sell all for 50% of original, pre-tax cost (firm).
Good luck with the tri.
Michael
Rick Denney
You bet. See it all the time. Unless you are hoping to win, which you
should not be hoping for at least three years. Just do it, and have fun.
Don't worry about the results.
I think your biggest concern is making a fool of yourself showing up to
a tri with a mountain bike. Don't worry, you will not do that; you'll
have plenty of fat-tire company.
Jim Casey
See 'em all the time, especially in sprints. Only a few in olympics.
Biggest difference is ability to get aerodynamic in your body position. I
say this because the components on high end MTBs are pretty good, and their
weight is reasonable vs. a steel frame. I have seen aerobars on MTBs
(Syntace includes the mounting instructions with C2s), which will help get
you out of the nearly upright MTB posture.
Slicks or MTB street tires (ie, with tread) will help reduce the weight at
the rim and improve wheel aerodynamics vs. knobbys.
Another option that you might consider is to enter an offroad MTB
triathlon. They seem to be growing in popularity. Inside Triathlon did a
piece on them in the most recent issue, and even has a separate listing of
these races. For example, Mrs. T's has an MTB division (race is in early
August). However, Mrs. T's requires that you use knobbys in this division.
Most MTB races go off-road, so you'll want to plan accordingly.
Good luck!
Robert Scott <rsc...@generation.net> wrote in article
<338CD6...@generation.net>...
TFCooper
It is definitely not OK!
I remember a couple of years ago I was feeling pretty good about averaging
21mph on my Merlin over a rolling 15 mile bike course. Imagine how I felt
when some guy passed me near the end on a mountain bike. Some people have
a lotta nerve! I spent good money on my bike...
Tom Cooper
Tri-ing
Mountain bikes are a blast at any time! If you're in FL, try a CFT tri,
they have a specail category for the folks riding mt. bikes. ENJOY!
Andrew A. Galvin
Rob,
I'm a NEWBIE in here and I posted the same question a few weeks back and
received positive responses....there are Tri's that are specifically for
off roads and there are a few shorter or for more "common" athletes that
use ATBs...I too had recently purchased a very nice Raleigh M800 with
lots of goodies.
I put slicks on...just went clipless recently and will be entering my
first Tri in October!
Good luck!
Andrew