Extremely green to biking. I know a tri bike would be more ideal, but between these two which do you suggest for training and completing an Ironman?
by shanghai_tactics
Extremely green to biking. I know a tri bike would be more ideal, but between these two which do you suggest for training and completing an Ironman?
by shanghai_tactics
18 Comments
The Roubaix is going to be a better all-arounder from spirited group road rides, to training, to tri, and even some gravel. Slap some clip on aero bars and you’re good to go.
The tarmac would be the faster bike, but the Roubaix the more comfortable. If it’s just about finishing and being comfortable riding, then the Roubaix probably suits you better, although there are other ‘endurance’ bikes you might like to look at, ie giant defy or canyon endurace
The time savings of a proper aero fit on a time trial/triathlon bike are nothing to dismiss.
Like, someone with a good aero fit on said bike can do 40kph @ 220-240w. On a default road bike like you are looking at, you would need to put out ~300w to go 40kph.
There will be no significant performance differences between the two bikes you’re looking at here.
I would lean towards buying the cheaper one and then using the cost difference to buy aero wheels, better tires, clip on aero bars, and a TT helmet. Which altogether will typically add a few kph to your average speed. However, don’t underestimate comfort as that also ends up being quite important if you’re gonna be riding it for 180km and likely training on it for like 10h every week.
3800 for a 105 is some wild stuff
Neither: As you said, get a Triathalon bike: There are dozens for under 3 grand on ebay.
In the meantime, I’d suggest setting your goals a little lower for your first race. From a running analogy, I’ve met a lot of people that run (or attempt to run) a marathon as their first distance race. Usually those people experience the most suffering, have the worst time and only ever do it once. Conversely, people that work their way up from 5k, 10k, half marathon and up to a marathon have a much better time. Similar analogy applies for those people that want to climb Mt. Everest but have never climbed a 5000m mountain.
If you already know that you’ll be wanting to do triathlons, go for a triathlon bike. The aero difference is enormous over the course of an Ironman bike segment. You’ll hate yourself having to do it on a road bike, even with clip on bars.
I really want to see someone compete with a less than ideal bike… just once. …. like… “SURLY HAS ENTER THE TOUR DE FRANCE!” “MONGOOSE TAKES THE TO THE PODIUM AT THE HELL-OF-THE-WEST!”.. it’ll never happen… but someone with real strong legs and a good diet could totally give a good try with one… just for fun… cuz that’s what it’s all about right? fun? we ride bikes cuz its fun?
I should add: I’m going to stick with specialized since they offer 40% off for military/health care workers.
I understand buying a used bike is cheaper than the tag price of these two, or other brands might be a tad better. But unfortunately the value is a little too good to pass up here I feel.
OP I would really recommend you look on your local Facebook Marketplace for a lightweight carbon bike in your size around 4-8 years old. People are almost giving away older tri bikes and you can get high quality carbon+Ultegra 11 speed bikes for less.
The tarmac.
The roubaix will be more comfortable, but is comfort really the priority in an Ironman race? It’s all about speed. You’ll get more from the tarmac.
But if you’re not serious about the Ironman, then the roubaix is a better all rounder.
The one you’re most comfortable in. That’s probably the Roubaix but could be the Tarmac so try them both
3,800 for 105 is insanity. I’d buy a used bike and upgrade the wheelset if needed. Stock bikes usually come with heavy wheels and they make a huge difference. I ride a few years old Alez with 105 , upgraded brakes and wheelset and it’s served me well for thousands of miles. Several centuries.
I own/owned both of these bikes in different iterations and it really depends on what your goal is for your lifetime of bike riding rather than one event, because even though I have a Tarmac SL7 Pro, a Roubaix Expert (and an Aethos Pro and a Como e-bike, yes my local trustworthy LBS is a Spesh shop), the correct answer to the question you asked is, “None of these. I recommend none of these for an Ironman.”
If you asked which I recommend for training and enjoyment I would say the Tarmac. It’s my go-to ‘fast is fun with a side of endurance’ bike. The Roubaix (and the Aethos which is just like a nimbler fancy-ass Roubaix) is an “all damn day” bike. If there are zero other options, then I’m afraid I would weasel to the bike that fits you best you think you’ll ride the most being the best choice. For me, no-brainer: Tarmac. For you: 🤷🏼. For an Ironman: Shiv TT.
Whatever you do, get a fitting with your bike to make sure you get the right size and everything is dialed in. At 40% off I’d personally pony up the extra $420 (after discount) to get the Tarmac with 105 Di2, but the mechanical would obviously be perfectly fine as well.
While neither is going to be your gold standard “tri bike”, which is a time trial bike, TT bikes are expensive, are really finicky to set up and dial the fit on, and are going to be much more difficult and uncomfortable to ride. The Tarmac will be plenty fast, plenty aero, and also great for training and riding outside of your tri.
Sorry, but for an Ironman Race….neither!
Tarmac is more aero. But the Biggest difference will be adding aero bars and deep cross section wheels.
upgraded/deep section wheels + aero bars would = additional $1k (if you get a good deal on wheels)
Neither, for this price id buy a used road and TT bike.
What’s the point of all the training if you could cut minutes off your time with a TT bike?
That is indeed mechanical 105 for 3800…