Swimrun,

If you want to get serious, a hybrid would be a very viable option in the Sri Chinmoy Triple Tri!

http://www.srichinmoyraces.org/au/events/triple_triathlon/

A fantastic race, a real journey in every sence of the word. A hybrid would be very suitable as there is very little serious single trail in the course, it will have an edge over an MTB on path and fire trail sections.

In general, you'd be at a measurable disadvantage on a hybrid in a road base tri. But for off road use, a hybrid will often beat a MTB on fire trail and a lot of non-technical single track.

Swimrun,

this post might come across as a bit strange, because its a little bit contradictory on itself.

the answer is yes of course you could, would you thats another question.

how about you go those short Tri's and step it up from there.... I think like most other people you start on a certain bike, but in no time at all you will be looking at a road bike.

You can ride a road bike on bike paths you know, just make sure you get some nice tough tyres to handle the debris on the bike paths. And good luck doing speed work, dodging the walkers, runners, kids and dogs.... :)

I recently saw a photo in an old Triathlon Multi-Sport Magazine of an age-grouper doing Noosa on one of those bikes that can fold up and fit in a backpack...

Ironman, seen several both locally and on Hawaii coverage.
If people can do 12hr and 24hr mountain bike races then you can finish any distance triathlon. Now how fast you want to finish it will be dependant on your bike choice.

Swimrun
If your goal is to do a half ironman than you should really consider a road bike. Up to 20 or 30 k's is fine on a hybrid, in fact it may even be an advantage as you can breath better coming out of the swim sitting more upright and you may feel more confortable. But as the k's get longer, the aero position has a greater impact and for 40k's or over it puts you at a great disadvantage on anything but a road bike. :)

If most of your riding is on bike paths then chances are you're not in training for a competitive triathlon.

I've seen heaps of MTB and hybrids in olympic distance but none at half ironman distance. In fact my beautiful "race bike" was one of the crappiest bikes there, each time. Maybe you could be the first ;)

You'd be surprised at what turns up in HIM and IM bike compounds. I've seen both mountain bikes and hybrids - plus mongrel bikes that have been put together in the back shed from various bike types. There are always the old Repcos and Malvern Star pencil-thin, steel frames with the suicide levers as well.

In fact, some of the new hybrid/MB bikes could probably perform better than the old racing bikes with the pre-ergo levers (up to a certain distance at least). There's a guy around here who regularly rides in the packs on his hardtail and keeps up for 50km+ rides at average speeds of over 30km/hr. Personally, I wouldn't be keen on cycling anything much more than 40-50km without the aero-position to tuck into, but each to their own.

Thanks all for your Feedback so far,

My decision to consider a Hybrid is partly financial,

You seem to be able to buy a "reasonable" hybrid for $700-$800, whereas it appears you need to spend $1500-$2000 for a "reasonable" road bike.

The other reason is as mentioned before is the terrain, the 20km (each way) journey to work is on an uneven bike path.

Also my aim (over the next 12 months or so) is to finish an Olympic Distance or Half Ironman Tri, (there seems to be more Half Ironmen Tri's around?). Not too concerned about times initially.

Over the next couple of years once I've done a few solid distance tri's (anything longer than sprint 500/20/5), and I get more serious I know I can justify (to my wife) $2000 for a good road bike.

Anyway happy running and triathloning.

Swimrun,

I fall into a similar category as you. I had previously done a couple of BRW Corporate tris in Sydney and did the ride on my 15 year old MTB. Whilst I covered the 10K bike ride easily enough, I got left behind by those on the Road bikes.

I decided to have a go at a sprint triathlon earlier this year. From my experience with the BRW tris I decided I needed a road bike. Given I wasn't sure how serious I was going to be about tri's I didn't want to spend much money (besides the "Treasurer" had to approve the budget and the "business case" for my bike purchase wasn't compelling, so she would approve very much.) So I found a $550 bike at a bike shop in Sydney, purchased a pair of aero bars off ebay for $129 and went for it.

Sure my bike looked ordinary in the bike compound compared to the $1000+ bikes but I did OK. I managed to average 32km over the 20km bike leg and easily held my own.

My plan is to do some more sprints and move up to the Olympic distance this upcoming season. Then look to a HIM early in the season after next and an IM (hopefully OZIM in Port) in 2008.

I figure my cheapo road bike will do me at least till the end of next season. By that stage I will have figured out what works for me and what doesn't work and so when I make the more costly purchase I will be that much more wiser.

So my point is go for a road bike - they are faster but at the same time don't spend a fortune. You can get them for around $500-700 if you shop around.


Good luck :)

I just started tris last season and my hubby and I both bought wonderful road bikes not far from where you live ....mine was $900 and my husbands was $1300 I think.

I will get back to you the name of the bike shop which is not far from the Monash Uni Caulfield campus along a major road...I know I am sounding vague but I just cannot think of the name of the shop right now !!

I started out on my old hybid bike...nothing wrong with that.....I had to work hard, but I trained on it and knew nothing different !!

I envy you actally as I have had a serious bike accident about 10 weeks ago and although I am OK physically, it is still very hard for me emotionally and physologically to tell myself I can and will be Ok back on a bike.

I will get back to you on that name of the shop! Highly recommended, the owners name is Pete....very, very friendly.

Bike shop: Bikes Direct on Dandenong Rd, Carnegie. Cheaper because they sell last years models at a discount......wonderful service.

good luck and have fun whatever bike you choose to ride !!