Biking in a triathlon?

liongir

I'm doing a triathlon with my friends in April and I'm looking for tips on how to get better at biking. I'm on a team so I don't have to do swimming or running. Keep in mind, it's a kid's triathlon so I only have to bike 4 miles. I know that's not very far but I still want to train a little to get better before I do it. If you have any tips on biking, or ways to improve please answer!

thank you! :)

Answer
Hello,

I did the SF treasure Island triathlon with my friends the other day and I have a few pointers. It was my first triathlon and I really enjoyed it.

Try to find out the route and spend some time going through the course.

Train hard during the weeks before, and save the last week to run through the course at a light cruising speed.

If there are hills involved, really make that focus of your training and make sure you know what gears will give you the best speed / endurance combination.

Practice reaching for the water and drinking - a couple guys lost their waterbottles during my race and one of them hit me as I was riding... The guy turned around to go pick up his bottle, wasting a bunch of time...

Eat a lot of carbs the day before. 4 miles isn't that far, but it is significant!

Good luck.

Is a "professional" race bike required for a kids triathlon?

Chloe

I was wondering if you have to go get one of those fancy bikes for a kids triathlon or if you could just use a mountain bike or something.

Answer
You can use whatever you want for a kids triathlon. Its not a professional event so it doesn't matter one bit.

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Triathalon BIKE (compare)?

Greg

I am having a little difficulty chosing a TT bike, and i am entry level to triathlons but i am a very good biker so i want the BEST enrty level.

I have narrowed my chioces down to these and i would appreciate help.

2009/2008 Trek Equinox 7
2009 Cervelo P1
2009 Fuji Aloha 1.0
2009 Felt s32
they are all relatively close to the same and some bikes have better things then others.. I am LEANING towards the trek equinox,becasue even though the components arent very good (which i dont mind) I notice the treks frame and seatpost is very aerodynamic, like a carbon model. and the colors are cool. I know the cervelo has alot of great specs and so does the Fuji, and Felt.
Notice that i put *2008/2009 for the trek. that is becase i found that both are very simialr and i could get the 2008 model which is basically the same for a few hundred less.
I KNOW this is long but i would like the help becasue its a very annoying thing debating with myself with no input from other people who also know about bikes

Answer
Personally, I would go with the Cervelo. Although the P1 isn't their best model, their bikes are the most aerodynamic. Cervelo's mission is simply make great aero, light bikes. They don't make any kids bikes or mountain bikes. They are only focused on pure speed. Although the Trek Equinox 7 isn't a bad bike, I would go with the P1 because Cervelo spends by far the most time in the wind tunnel. This is shown by the P4 being the most aero bike on the market.

how can i convince my parents that bikes are safe?

Alica

ok so i REALLY REALLY REALLY want a new bike for christmas.
thats like the main thing i want.
but my parents are those freaky and paranoid parents that are wayyy over-protective of me. they wont even let me stay home by myself and im 13!!!!!
i dont really care much about the not-being-able-to-stay-alone-home part, but i just want to ride my bike (if i ever get one) outside.

oh and i already tried the extra chores thing. it dont work. all they say is " these are things we already expect you to do every day" blah blah blah. they expect me to cook, clean, weed, massage, AND treat them like friggen royalty?! ahem... NO.
oh and i already tried the i will-wear-safty-thing.
dont work niether.
but anyways.... any convincing ways to talk my parents into it?

Answer
Hmmmm....

Bikes can be dangerous.

Trying to think as a paranoid parent, I would have mental images of kids on BMX bikes, helmetless, darting through traffic at random, not paying attention.

Thinking as a cyclist, I think of responsible riders who follow traffic laws, stop at stop signs, ride on the right side of the road, signal lane changes, wear helmets, and are respectful of other road users. Bikes are relatively safe if you're careful to follow the rules and do your best not to surprise drivers. Collisions happen when one or both parties are a) not paying attention b) do something unexpected or c) both.

They'll have to let you drive sooner or later, and you'll need to learn the same rules of the road and interaction with other vehicles that you use on a bike. I suppose it depends on where you live, and what roads and paths are available, but a bike can be a very good means of transportation for a kid your age.

Back in the day, I rode my bike to school because it was faster than the bus, which had to make a lot of stops. In high school, I commuted to a summer job more than 10 miles away. Now, I compete in triathlons and mountain bike races.

Hopefully this gives you some ideas.

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what are some good child triathlon bikes?

Tim O

My son who is 8 wants to get into triathlons. What are some good bikes for his age?

Answer
I don't know that anyone makes a child's triathlon bikes, meaning one that has aero wheels and bars, etc. A child's road bike or even general purpose bike should be sufficient. Try attending a local tri that includes kids and see what the competition is using.

Triathalon BIKE (compare)?

Greg

I am having a little difficulty chosing a TT bike, and i am entry level to triathlons but i am a very good biker so i want the BEST enrty level.

I have narrowed my chioces down to these and i would appreciate help.

2009/2008 Trek Equinox 7
2009 Cervelo P1
2009 Fuji Aloha 1.0
2009 Felt s32
they are all relatively close to the same and some bikes have better things then others.. I am LEANING towards the trek equinox,becasue even though the components arent very good (which i dont mind) I notice the treks frame and seatpost is very aerodynamic, like a carbon model. and the colors are cool. I know the cervelo has alot of great specs and so does the Fuji, and Felt.
Notice that i put *2008/2009 for the trek. that is becase i found that both are very simialr and i could get the 2008 model which is basically the same for a few hundred less.
I KNOW this is long but i would like the help becasue its a very annoying thing debating with myself with no input from other people who also know about bikes

Answer
Personally, I would go with the Cervelo. Although the P1 isn't their best model, their bikes are the most aerodynamic. Cervelo's mission is simply make great aero, light bikes. They don't make any kids bikes or mountain bikes. They are only focused on pure speed. Although the Trek Equinox 7 isn't a bad bike, I would go with the P1 because Cervelo spends by far the most time in the wind tunnel. This is shown by the P4 being the most aero bike on the market.

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How to train for a mini mini triathlon?

best kids bike for triathlon image

blades

im running a kids triathlon (swim 50 yards, bike 1.5 miles run 1 mile)
how can i train for the bike and running portion

Answer
that is a mini mini triatholon!!!. I would just ride 4 riles run 2 and try and do it a few times in a row. You should be able to sprint the 1.5 on your bike.

Good luck

what are some good child triathlon bikes?

Tim O

My son who is 8 wants to get into triathlons. What are some good bikes for his age?

Answer
I don't know that anyone makes a child's triathlon bikes, meaning one that has aero wheels and bars, etc. A child's road bike or even general purpose bike should be sufficient. Try attending a local tri that includes kids and see what the competition is using.

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What kind of Triathlon Bike should I get?

best kids bike for triathlon image

Ron B

I am 15 looking to participate in my first sprint Triathlon. I want a bike to use because mine is an old kids mountain bike. Also i'm not looking to spend a fortune on a bike like $300 or less. Everyone I can find is like thousands of dollars. Can you help me find a good triathlon bike that won't leave me broke.

Answer
Ron

Most tri riders use road bikes. Some will bolt on a pair of aero bars to make them a little more tri friendly. So, you my friend, are looking for a used road bike on Craig's list, classifieds, or at a local bike shop.

Can't you borrow a road bike from a friend for the day?

Soccerref

How should I train for the Iron Kids triathlon?

Alyssa

I will be competing in the Hy-Vee Iron Kids triathlon on August 14. For my age division, I need to swim 300 yards, bike 8 miles, and run 2 miles. I would like to start training next week. How far or how long should I swim, bike, and/or run each day? And, how much distance/time should I add to each workout every week? I won't be able to practice swimming until July 15. I can bike and run daily, either indoors (on an elliptical or stationary bike) or outdoors.
Also, what foods should I avoid and which ones should I try to eat more of?

Answer
Go to this site.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/

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What should I do for my triathlon for kids?

best kids bike for triathlon image

Jake Foste

We go biking one day, running the next, and swimming the third (ages 7 - 11). Any good routines for the swimming portion. We do "workouts" (no extreme) in the water for halt an hour then play games in the water or on the field.

Answer
Light gymnastics by the pool side before going in (stretching exercises and such). Then lengths in the pool from a few per day, to more, progressively.

Need to know more about buying a bike for riding my first triathlon?

jessica ju

I'm doing a short course (10.6 mile) biking in my first triathlon in Sept. What kind of bike should I look at getting? How do you even go about getting "fitted" for a bike? I am not wanting to go all out - just want to get a decent bike that I can also use to ride with my kids - so that it has some flexibility.

Answer
You don't need a TT or "tri" bike for fun competitions on short courses. Any drop bar road bike that fits you well would be more than acceptable. The fact that you mention you "just want to get a decent bike that [you] can also use to ride with [your] kids" is even more reason to stick with a basic road bike.

All of the main brands (including others not as common such as KHS, Jamis, and Marin) offer road bikes from entry level to race-ready. "Not wanting to go all out" can mean different things to different household budgets. But, it stands to reason that you might be interested in something slightly better than entry level...but not pro level.

You'll probably be in the market for a bike with an aluminum frame. They offer great performance without the higher cost of carbon models. I'd definitely get one with a carbon fork for the better ride qualities, and such forks are common to most all models. Some aluminum frames feature some carbon parts, such as carbon seatstays. Opinions vary as to how much these "mixed" carbon/aluminum frames improve the ride over full carbon frames, but the cost difference isn't extreme in either case.

For reliable, long term performance, a bike equipped with Shimano Tiagra shifters would be good. Shimano 105 would be better if you'll be doing numerous events or plan to log lots of miles over time. Lower end road bikes typically come with Shimano 2200 or Sora shifters. These are very basic, and they don't operate as smoothly (or last as long) as higher level shifters. A bike with Tiagra shifters will typically come with a Tiagra front derailleur and 105 rear derailleur with a 9-sp cassette. You'll find that some of the better Tiagra/105 equipped bikes come with a Shimano Hollowtech 2pc crank. These feature sealed external bearing bottom brackets and excellent performance.

So what about brands? It's not that important to shop solely by brand. Most bikes within a general price range will have components of similar grade, and all of the quality mfrs offer comparable warranties. Visit each local shop and see what they offer. Take note of the customer service and personal attention you receive. Test ride some bikes. Tell them about any physical issues you may have, such as flexibility. Make sure they're clear on how you'll be using the bike, and give them the chance to make recommendations for you. While some are certainly better than others, most of the staff in the shops are great guys that enjoy riding. The better staff members will understand fitting issues and help you get dialed in when you're ready to select your ride.

For starters, several models you might take a look at:

Cannondale CAAD9-5
Trek 2.1
Specialized Allez Sport
Jamis Ventura Race
Giant Defy 1
Scott Speedster S40 or S30 (?)

Each of these has carbon forks and are similarly spec'd with Tiagra or 105 components. Each runs about $1300. Maybe that's more than you want to spend, and I understand. But even a very basic road bike will run near $900. Something at the level of any of those I list will actually be worth far, far more than the extra $400 initial outlay. I don't tell anyone how to spend their money, but you need to know that spending a few extra dollars can mean a drastic difference in performance, reliability, and enjoyment.

Good luck, happy shopping and fun riding...to you.

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what are some good child triathlon bikes?

best kids bike for triathlon image

Tim O

My son who is 8 wants to get into triathlons. What are some good bikes for his age?

Answer
I don't know that anyone makes a child's triathlon bikes, meaning one that has aero wheels and bars, etc. A child's road bike or even general purpose bike should be sufficient. Try attending a local tri that includes kids and see what the competition is using.

what are the differant styles of road bikes?

Tyler

I am in the market for a road bike but i don't know what to look for in a bike. Any suggestions would be appreciated

Answer
There are many variations of road bike based on a variety of factors, including (1) intended use and (2) material.

INTENDED USE

Ok, there a variety of different styles of road bikes and many people often call them different things. Here is my breakdown.

If you are planning on riding long rides but still want to have a fast race bike, the "Plush" category of bikes. Don't let the word "plush" fool you -- these are still high quality race bikes, they are just slightly altered to accomodate longer rides. These would include the Specialized Roubaix series (go to www.specialized.com) and the Cannondale Synnapse series (www.cannondale.com). These two bike series will range from about $1900 to about $6000 depending on the model. They are designed to be fast and compliant, but at the same time slightly more comfortable. Trust me, though, you won't be lacking in performance.

If you are going to be focusing on road racing, you might want to go with a Specialized Tarmac, a Trek Madone, a Cannondale SuperSix, or something similar. Again, a huge price range. (for a less expensive option, look at the Specialized Allez). These bikes generally will have a little more aggressive geometry (shorter head tubes, steeper angles, etc).

If you live in an area with flat ground and foresee yourself doing triathlons or bike time trials, then getting a time trial bike would be the way to go. These bikes focus on aeordynamics (although they are still really light) and pure straight speed (not as good on hills, curves, etc). Examples are the Trek TT, the Specialized Transition, the Cannondale Slice.

Many companies also make a variety of bikes in the "touring" category. These are not racing bikes, focus more on long haul comfort, but are still fast and fun to ride.

Cyclocross bikes may be a good choice if you want a limited ability to go off-road. They are generally not as light or fast as road bikes (although a really high end one will be), but still have a good sporty feel. They are generally geared a bit lower - in cyclocross you need the ability to accelarate over rough terrain and steep hills, not necessarily the ability to go 35 mph on a straightaway. I have a cx bike that I use for commuting, riding in bad conditions or going out with my kids -- situations in which I wouldn't want to take my carbon road bike.

As far as materials, the main ones are Carbon Fiber, Aluminum, Steel and Titanium. If you are going for a race bike, I personally believe that Carbon Fiber is the way to go. The material is stiff, light, and eats up road vibrations. I would guess that a vast majority of bikes on the pro tour are carbon. Aluminum can still be really light and is very stiff (and would be great for a time trial bike or criterium bike) but may not be as comfortable over a long ride. Steel is old school and is a popular material among bike messengers because it makes a statement (I don't need your fancy materials) and is very durable. It also is used on many cyclocross bikes. Titanium is a great material and generally the choice of middle age men (and older) who can drop some cash.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

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Looking for triathlon for kids that is more competitive?

best kids bike for triathlon image

Mommy

My 9 year old and 7 year old daughters just competed in their first tri and won by a mile. They even beat the boys in their age group. I'm sorry if that sounds like I am bragging, I am not. My girls are on a swim team and my husband and I are runners and bikers, so they are always along for the ride and they say they love, love, love it. They eat healthy and get lots of rest and have a lot of fun playing with their friends in the meantime. I want to stress this b/c I'm sure I will get a lot of negative comments if I don't.

Anyhow, both of my girls thought the tri was too easy and wanted to compete in something more challenging. The course was 75 yard swim, 3 mile bike and 1 mile run. I can't find anything in the bay area (California) for kids that is more competitive and want to know where I can look. Or maybe they need to enter into an adult race? Help please. Thank you so much.

Answer
I think you should look at AAU and USATF teams; both are very competitive. Also, you might want to look into getting them into cross country. If you co to coacho.com, under calendar you can find a ton of results.

Hope this helps

Am I the only one who remembers when the Trix Rabbit ate the cereal?

hi

It was maybe in the 90s and kids had to write in that they wanted him to eat it because i think all the color went from the world... but no one believes me! prove them wrong please

Answer
In the 1980s, one of Trix's television ads ended in a cliffhanger accompanied by a write-in survey asking children whether the Trix Rabbit should be able to finally get a taste of Trix. The commercial consisted of the Trix rabbit competing in a triathlon, in which the prize was Trix. The Rabbit then got the prize of Trix, however it was taken away from him on the basis that "it is for kids", whereas other kids said because he won the race he deserved his prize of Trix. The commercial ended by encouraging kids to vote on whether or not the Rabbit should have Trix and mail-in ballots were included in cereal boxes. America's children responded with an overwhelming "yes," and a subsequent television ad depicted the rabbit finally getting to eat a bowl of Trix cereal. While he is known to have previously enjoyed a bowl in 1976, following this public intervention in 1980 he has not succeeded in gaining access to Trix again. However, in one commercial in the early to mid-1990s, the rabbit (disguised as a police officer on a motorcycle) managed to eat a spoonful of Trix given to him by two children on bikes, but he was so happy he went a little crazy and the costume fell off as usual.
Poor Rabbit! I always liked that rascal and thought he should have his Trix!

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