Tri-specific bikes will sometimes have 650c wheels instead of the more traditional 700c found on typical road bikes...the advantage being superior aerodynamics, and the disadvantage, at least for those used to conventional road bikes, is a more twitchy feel. (As of 2011, very few Tri bikes use 650c wheels anymore; aerodynamic drag from 700c wheels has largely been addressed through rim design).

In the past, it was also believed that this forward position gave a rider more power, but studies done for projects like the Gossamer Albatross (the human-powered plane used to cross the English Channel) have shown that it doesn't much matter if your tail end is in front of or behind the crank.  However, the more forward position uses your muscles similarly to when you're running, easing the transition from the cycling to running stage.

Given that the advantages to a traditional Tri-bike are at least debatable for general road use, and the reduced stability unquestionable, we recommend against a Tri-specific bike unless you're going to use it only for Triathlons and nothing else.  A true Tri-bike has very little suitability for general road work, whereas a conventional road bike can make a very suitable Tri-bike.

Be careful about the equipment you choose as well.  Frequently Tri-specific componentry is of lower quality than would be tolerated by the road-bike population at large.  It is amazing how easily threaded surfaces on Tri bars strip out, for example, or how gimpy some of the behind-the-saddle bottle-cage mounts are.  For the most part, the equipment is based on a sound idea, but the designs aren't properly executed or simply look like they did about 90% of the work and decided it was good enough.  Some of the reason for this is that the market isn't large enough to interest larger companies with the resources needed to do things right, and some seems to simply be that the Tri-market is amazingly tolerant of marginally-functional equipment.

Our recommendations?

If you're going to be competing at a professional or extremely-serious level and have the financial resources, a full-blown Triathlon-specific bike (very steep seat tube, extreme forward rider positioning) might make sense.  This bike would be used only for race or race-like conditions since its less-stable nature makes it relatively dangerous compared to a conventional road bike, especially in hilly or busy places like the SF Bay Area.

Ironman Hawaii news

One of our own King's Mtn regulars does well at Ironman, despite "old man" status in his age group!  Kevin Keenan of Belmont, CA, is a frequent rider on our Tuesday & Thursday morning rides up King's Mountain Road.  This was his first year at the big one...the Ironman in Hawaii.  He rode in the 40-44 age bracket and, at 44, finds himself competing with some who haven't gotten their gray hair, er, maturity yet.

Below are photos from our 11/4/99 ride up King's Mtn, with Kevin trying out the new TREK Hilo tri-bike.  We had hoped that a "pure" tri-bike might slow him down on the climb.  No such luck.

In the old days, we used to think we were doing pretty good if Kevin was only a couple minutes ahead of us at the top of the hill.  That was before we knew that he'd already spent an hour in the pool before coming on the ride.

Drafting in a Triathlon?  The Olympic event looked like a joke!