A lot of athletes want to know if there are any secrets to improving for the next race year. Quite honestly there are no secrets in sport, it is basically take care of yourself and practice, practice, practice. But sometimes I get asked a question that I know took some time to think about and those questions are usually training related and exhibit the desire to undertake all the hard work and focus necessary to accomplish great things. Why a road bike? It’s an excellent question.

A lot of triathletes have invested a large amount of time and money into the sport and for the most part are in it not just for the health and identity, but for the accomplishment, challenge and the speed. Typically their purchase of a triathlon specific bike reflects that. But as their fitness begins to improve the typical reaction is to pursue greater, faster, longer and more. Soon fancy race wheels, tires, drinks, foods, gadgets, trinkets and anything else that is presumed to equal more speed and enjoyment, are purchased. But recently I have had “why a road bike?” asked quite a bit and the simplest answer is, so you ride slow. Now, that doesn’t mean riding a road bike is always slow it purely means that riding a road bike makes logging the long slow miles much easier to do. Triathlon bikes are made for speed and the positions on them can often times make it very difficult to ride slow and easy. And quite honestly this slow and easy will do more for you next year than any set of race wheels. Plus, for whatever reason, aero bars seem to add a little more spice to a ride than there really needs to be. Riding a road bike allows us to cruise, take in the sights, chat with our buddies and can, for triathletes, remove some of the “need for speed” “go fast or go home” attitude that often times accompanies their rides.

Not only do road bikes provide a slightly more relaxed position on the bike, they can provide the athlete an entirely new feeling. The design of a road bike makes handling quite different than a tri bike and when time is spent riding one, bike handling skills can improve. So if at all possible, get a road bike. It is a great way to supplement your training and can provide a stability that the triathlon bike may not have done with such ease.

Written by Matt Simpson